A financial aid advisor told a family to leave their weekend home off the FAFSA. That advice was a federal offense — and the family had already submitted.

In this episode, Pearl and Andy share two back-to-back real cases of families who were given bad advice on their FAFSA and CSS Profile submissions:

- Case 1: A family's advisor told them to omit a weekend home from both FAFSA and CSS Profile. The family is now waiting on decisions from competitive schools — with a federal violation hanging over their heads.

- Case 2: A family went to Boston College to appeal their financial aid offer. BC found unreported assets, took back $13,000, and could have rescinded admission entirely.

What you'll learn:

- Why "it's not on your tax return" is NOT a valid reason to leave it off the FAFSA

- The federal penalties for false FAFSA submission (up to $10K fine + jail time)

-How to correct FAFSA and CSS Profile submissions in good faith before schools find the error

- The $100K rule: how every $100,000 in non-retirement assets affects your eligibility by $5,640

- Legal strategies that reduce asset exposure vs. illegal omission

The correction window is still open — but only if you find it before the school does.

🌐 For more information visit: LockwoodCollegePrep.com

Ccollege advisors Pearl and Andy Lockwood discuss key, overlooked mistakes and strategies in the financial aid process. Including:

• The truth about which Sweet 16 colleges will win (in financial aid)
• How to prevent a blow-out disaster (when you get your financial aid award)
• How to be next year's Cinderella Story (when you get your financial aid award and tell your deserving child that you CAN send her to the college she worked her tush off to get into!

Also in this episode: thoughts on Ivy Day acceptances, and what they really mean.

See LockwoodCollegePrep.com for more college planning tips and resources.

Tips and tricks to outwit the leprechauns in the financial aid office, so that you can afford tuition without cutting back on your lifestyle or telling your deserving child, "Sorry, I can't send you to the college you worked your tush off to get into."

Also:

• How to negotiate a lowball offer
• How to legally "hide" your assets from the financial aid office
• The stone cold truth about the 529 college savings account
• More tips and tactics you'll never hear from your guidance counselor, accountant or any other "expert"

See LockwoodCollegePrep,com for more financial aid and scholarship help.