College Transfer Advice needed

Hi, I’m going to be a Freshman in college this semester and I will be attending a Community College due to financial reasons. I know what colleges I’m going to apply to transfer to and the requirements, classes they take ect. I plan on applying/submitting my application next December or January after the Fall term of my Sophmore year is over or I’ll wait till the end of the Winter term so I can have more grades to send. Since college professors have so many students is it best that right after a term is over and I get my grades I ask them to write me a rec while I’m still fresh in their minds or should I wait till I’m applying to ask. I just want to ensure that my application process goes as smoothly as possible.
Second question because I couldn’t find this anywhere online. I got a common app fee waiver in high school and my financial aid is covering my entire college cost, is there a way to get a fee waiver in college also.
Thank you for any advise you can offer me