I am going to be a senior next year and will be applying to more than 10 schools. I am not applying ED anywhere and will apply EA to all the schools that offer it. For the schools that I apply RD to, can I apply for FAFSA and CSS for a school I have not actually applied to yet?
You can submit FAFSA and Profile to any school you want at any time. You can complete the forms, send them to schools, and then go back later and have them sent to more schools. Be aware that normally there is a cost to sending Profile to each school.
You fill out and submit FAFSA and CSS once each, then send them to whatever schools you like. As long as you submit them when you apply, the schools should have the info they need to get you a financial aid package with or shortly after your acceptance, maybe even the EA schools (thought it depends on the school).
You need to look at the deadlines for EA schools. Many have a priority deadline for financial aid applications for EA applicants.
Also, some schools accept applications way into the late spring BUT the deadline for applying for financial aid is earlier. In addition there are some forms of need based aid given on a first come-first served basis as the schools have limited funds. This includes federal work study and SEOG.
You can submit your FAFSA at no charge to any number of schools when it becomes available for submittion in October.
Because you have to pay for the Profile, you might want to submit only to schools where you are sure you are going to apply.
But don’t wait until the last minute…