It usually stays the same over the 4 years, no increases for merit unless it is stated.
Merit offers were easier for us to wrap our heads around for budgeting over 4 years and for comparing offers. We knew the need based aid would change D21’s last two years when her brother graduated (same timing as the sibling FAFSA deal most likely going away). The combination of merit and need at several schools came in around our EFA of $30,000 at several schools and our EFA would go to at least $60,000 the last two years without the sibling split.