<p>i’m sorry that happened to you. When schools say that financial aid is guaranteed for 4 years, they mean that it is guaranteed IF the need stays the same. I don’t know a single school that would guarantee need based aid regardless of changes in need. Going from 2 kids in college to 1, would throw the numbers way off. I remember some years ago, a friend whose older daughter took leave from college, and the financial aid disappeared from the second daughter’s package. They were eligible for need only with 2 in college. Merit awards can be guaranteed for 4 years, but often have a gpa and good standing stipulation.</p>