When Are ACT Scores Sent?

(I’ve looked at this on the ACT’s website and everything but it’s easier to understand from a person answering my specific question)

I took the ACT on February 7th and since it was the first and last time I’d be taking it, I went ahead and signed to have them sent to a few colleges for free. I was finally able to view my scores online today and I’m a little confused about how they get to the colleges and when. Are they sent by the ACT automatically or do I have to do something? When I clicked on “sending options” or something like that it only showed adding schools for a fee. How does the free sending work? I heard someone say that since I chose that option, I won’t be able to view my scores until they’re sent to colleges, so I guess they’ve already been sent since I got the email to view them today? Any clarification is appreciated.

ACT sends them automatically. They are sent once you can view your composite with writing (if applicable). Colleges all have different ways of receiving scores, but all should (I say should because there are exceptions) have them within two weeks of ACT sending them.