<p>Assuming I am applying to schools early action, at what point should I apply for specific scholarships? For that matter, at what point do I apply for financial aid? Is it any different for early decision schools? (Note that I know the difference between early action and early decision, I'm just talking about the timeline for sending stuff in.)</p>
<p>You really need to check the deadlines and requirements for each school to which you are applying. Some schools require nothing more than your application. Some require your application be in by a certain deadline for consideration for merit scholarships. Some require a separate application for merit scholarships.</p>
<p>I found it helpful to make a spreadsheet for each school for when the application needed to be in to be considered for scholarships, whether there was a separate merit scholarship application and what that deadline was, what the deadline for filing the FAFSA and (if required) the CSS was and when tax returns needed to be submitted.</p>
<p>Many schools have no separated application for scholarships, while some would have deadline in early spring.</p>
<p>Spend some time on the financial aid webpage for each college. Like @InigoMontoya said, it would be a good idea to start a list (or a spreadsheet) of the due dates for each school. Typically there is a need-based portion of the website that tells you due dates for the CSS Profile, FAFSA, Non-Custodial Profile if they use it and you need it, and tax returns. Then there is a scholarship/merit aid section that tells you about possible scholarships and what (if anything) you need to do to apply. Sometimes your application to the college is due by a certain date. Sometimes there are separate applications. And sometimes just applying to the college gets you into consideration.</p>
<p>Alright, thank you! Related question for some of my colleges - do ACT scores have to be received by them by the early action deadline, or do they just have to be sent? This only applies for a few that I can apply regular for anyway, I’m just curious.</p>