BUCYRUS — Parents of high school seniors are facing early deadlines for filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

This year, the FAFSA became available on-line at fafsa.ed.gov Oct. 1, and families can file with 2016 tax information. Crawford College Connection will hold a free FAFSA completion workshop on Sunday, Oct. 29, at Bucyrus Public Library.

“The good news,” according to Margaret Thornton, director of Crawford College Connection, “is that many private and public schools will get financial aid packages to students by early December. That will give families more time to make an educated college choice.

“The bad news is that many families will not file early enough to get the best financial deals. The FAFSA must be completed for a student to receive need-based aid.”

A program called Fall into FAFSA is a free one-on-one workshop to be held at Bucyrus Public Library from 1:30-4 p.m. Oct. 29. Parents will work individually with a college financial aid expert.

“We are fortunate to have financial aid personnel from Ohio State, Ashland University and Heidelberg University who volunteer their time to help local families,” Thornton said. “For some of these volunteer professionals, this will be their 18th year to come to Crawford County to do this workshop. They are incredibly dedicated and knowledgeable, No matter how complex a family situation might be, these folks will know the answers.”

Pre-registration is necessary, and parents can call the Bucyrus Public Library at 419-562-7327 to set up for a 30 minute-appointment.

“Most families get their questions answered and their form filed within that half hour and leave smiling,” said Thornton.

Families are urged to get an FSA ID for one parent and for the student so that they can electronically sign the FAFSA. The FSA ID is available at https://fsaid.ed.gov. Parents with questions about FAFSA completion workshop Oct 29 , should go to www.crawfordcollegeconnection.org or call Margaret Thornton at 419-562-9957.