Sometimes very late...4 weeks or less before the start date. Have 2-3 options for each month then cancel the ones you don't want. DO NOT forget to cancel.

Mine are all in, but I had them in as early as possible, and heard back when they said they would get back to me. Thankfully I didn't have to go to the backup plans.

The VSAS application took about 4 weeks to get approved.

My application outside of VSAS only took about 2 weeks - but this was done early

I would be careful setting up and canceling aways. This is sort of a double edged sword since you dont want to be left with nothing for a given month, but at some places canceling your away may be the end of your chances there. Just something to think about before you send out too many applications...

I sent out my apps at the end of april and heard back in the middle of may for the VSAS one (july away) and beginning of june for the non-VSAS one (september away).