After 23 years reviewing FAFSAs at Wesleyan, Tulane, and Emory — I can tell you the same mistakes come up again and again. Here are three that cost families the most money:

1. Not filing because you think you "make too much"

This is the #1 mistake I see. FAFSA eligibility isn't just about income. Family size, number of children in college, assets, and dozens of other factors affect your Expected Family Contribution. I've worked with six-figure families who qualified for thousands in aid — because they actually filed.

2. Leaving the scholarship appeal on the table

Most families don't know you can appeal your financial aid package. Colleges have discretionary funds and will adjust awards based on special circumstances — job loss, medical expenses, competing offers from other schools. I've helped families get $5,000–$15,000 more just by writing a proper appeal letter.

3. Ignoring outside scholarships until senior year

The best scholarship money goes to families who start early. There are billions in private scholarships available every year, and most go unclaimed because families either don't know they exist or start looking too late.

These are just 3 of the 9 critical mistakes I break down in The FAFSA Fix — a complete guide built from two decades of working inside financial aid offices. If you're a parent with a student heading to college, this could save you thousands.

Most families fill out the FAFSA thinking they won't qualify for much aid. So they rush through it, make avoidable errors, and leave thousands on the table.

Here's the biggest one I see: reporting assets in the wrong parent's name.

The FAFSA formula weighs parent assets at about 5.6%, but student assets get hit at 20%. That means $10,000 in a student's savings account costs you roughly $2,000 in aid — compared to just $560 if it's in a parent's account.

And that's just ONE of the 9 common mistakes.

Other ones families miss:

• Filing with the wrong year's tax info

• Not listing enough schools (the order matters more than you think)

• Ignoring the "special circumstances" appeal process when income drops

• Skipping CSS Profile schools that give institutional aid

The FAFSA isn't just a form — it's a negotiation tool. But only if you fill it out strategically.

I wrote The FAFSA Fix to break down all 9 mistakes and show families exactly how to find free money from colleges and outside scholarships. If you've got a junior or senior headed to college, this is $27 that could save you thousands.