Financial aid is on the minds of every soon-to-be college student and their families. Will you qualify? How much will you receive? How do you apply? How do the colleges disperse the aid? No matter where you are in the college application process, you should avoid these six financial aid mistakes that could cost you thousands.

1. Neglecting to file the FAFSA

Filing out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the only way you will qualify for any kind of financial aid. Without filing, you won’t receive money from the state, the government or the colleges themselves. Colleges use the FAFSA to determine your financial need and also use it when awarding any additional aid, including merit aid. If you don’t file, you may be losing thousands. Don’t assume that you won’t receive aid based on your financial status. The truth is that every student receives some form of financial aid, whether loans, grants or merit based scholarships.

Also, apply early. Financial aid is dispersed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once the FAFSA becomes available, apply. Don’t wait until the spring–the money will be gone!

2. Neglecting to apply for scholarships

Scholarships could possibly finance your entire college education. You don’t have to be an academic superstar to apply and qualify for scholarships. There are scholarships available for specific majors, ethnic groups, areas of interest, hobbies, and cancer survivors and even C students. Registering on scholarship matching sites like Cappex will help with the search. These sites ask specific questions in order to match you with the scholarships and email you those matches as the scholarship deadlines approach.

Don’t forget to apply for institutional scholarships as well. Check out the college’s website for scholarships offered to incoming students.

3. Not focusing on your GPA

Colleges use the GPA to not only determine college acceptance, but they also use it to evaluate their merit aid recipients. The high school GPA is the single most important factor in receiving non-need based aid from the colleges. A strong GPA will put you at the top of the list for merit aid and scholarships.

4. Not considering private colleges

Believe it or not, private colleges give more financial aid than state schools. Even though their tuition is usually higher, their aid packages always exceed those from state run colleges and universities. Don’t discount a college because they may be more expensive than the local state school. Look at their financial aid data on sites like College Navigator. If their aid awards are large, consider adding them to your college list. In the overall picture, it might cost less to attend a more expensive college.

5. Focusing on the sticker price

Few colleges charge the sticker price. All financial aid is negotiable if you know how to leverage your awards. Once you receive your aid packages, compare them and if one college offers more aid than another and it’s your first choice college, use the other offer to increase your financial aid at that school. If you don’t ask for more money, you won’t receive it. Most colleges have aid, especially after acceptances come in, that they can re-allocate to deserving students.

6. Applying to colleges you can’t afford

Don’t waste your time applying to colleges that are completely out of your price range. If you don’t receive financial aid, will you be able to afford attendance without incurring too much debt? Do your research and look for colleges that put you at the top of the applicant pool, increasing your chances for merit aid. It’s ok to reach, but choose colleges that are a good financial fit.

The bottom line—don’t make these financial aid mistakes. The more free money you receive for college, the less you will have to repay when you graduate. And who doesn’t like free money?