31st class of Flinn Scholars to attend Arizona public universities

April 21, 2016

By Matt Ellsworth

2016 Flinn Scholars

PHOENIX—The 2016 Flinn Scholarship has been awarded to 20 of Arizona’s highest-achieving high-school seniors, who will receive an unparalleled package for undergraduate study at an Arizona public university.

The highly competitive merit-based scholarship includes the cost of tuition at one of the three state universities, funding for room and board, support for at least two study-abroad experiences and an off-campus internship, university faculty mentorship, and other benefits.

The scholarship, supported by the Phoenix-based Flinn Foundation and the universities, is valued at more than $115,000.

Members of this 31st class of Flinn Scholars will begin their undergraduate studies in August at Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and University of Arizona.

“These newest Flinn Scholars once again have impressed the Foundation with their intellect, talent, and dedication to their schools and communities,” said Jack B. Jewett, Flinn Foundation President & CEO. “We proudly welcome this diverse group of student leaders from throughout the state who will receive exceptional educations and college experiences at Arizona’s three universities.”

The 20 Scholars represent 18 high schools throughout the state. Westwood High School in Mesa, with three Scholars, is the only school with more than one. Last year, Westwood was one of two schools to produce two Scholars.

Seven of the 20 Scholars attend charter schools. Three represent BASIS high schools—Chandler, Scottsdale, and Tucson North—and two attend Great Hearts Academies—Anthem Preparatory Academy and Chandler Preparatory Academy. In addition, there was one Scholar each from Horizon Honors High School in Ahwatukee and Tempe Preparatory Academy. Another Scholar attends Phoenix Union Bioscience High School, which emphasizes science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Four high schools are celebrating their first Flinn Scholar: Anthem Preparatory Academy, BASIS Scottsdale, Glendale High School, and Horizon Honors High School.

There are two Scholars from northern Arizona—attending Blue Ridge High School in Pinetop-Lakeside and Flagstaff High School—and three are from Tucson—attending BASIS Tucson North, Sabino High School, and University High School. The other 15 Scholars represent the full scope of metro Phoenix.

The Scholars have a wide range of planned fields of study, including biomedical engineering, accounting, philosophy, Chinese, astrophysics, theatre arts, biological anthropology, and neuroscience. Many declined offers from the nation’s most selective universities to accept the Flinn Scholarship.

The 20 Scholars were chosen from 761 applications submitted by Arizona high-school seniors—translating to an award rate of 2.6 percent.

“The academic and extracurricular achievements of these young adults and their focus on service to make the world a better place are extraordinary. It’s no wonder that the most prestigious universities in the country recruited them intensely,” said Anne Lassen, Flinn Scholars Program director. “They clearly benefitted from dedicated teachers and from seeking engaging programs and rigorous curriculums.”

The scholarship benefits, beyond covering eight semesters of tuition and providing funding for room and board, include:

  • A three-week summer seminar in China following the freshman year, and at least one additional study-abroad experience;
  • Funded participation in the Professional-Leadership Internship Program, exclusively for Flinn Scholars, at an Arizona company or organization;
  • Mentorship from top faculty and exposure to local and world leaders, including Arizona’s leading business, civic, and academic minds;
  • Fellowship in a community of about 80 current and nearly 500 alumni Scholars;
  • Membership in a university honors college or program, with small classes, guest lectures, and research experiences;
  • Intellectual, cultural and social activities developed for Scholars by both the Flinn Foundation and the universities.

The typical Flinn Scholar achieves at least a 3.5 grade-point average, a top-5 percent class rank, a score of 1300 on the SAT or 29 on the ACT, and participation and demonstrated leadership in extracurricular activities.

The Flinn Scholars Program is operated by the Flinn Foundation Scholarship Program LLC and supported by the Flinn Foundation, a Phoenix-based private, nonprofit, grantmaking organization. The Foundation, founded in 1965, also supports the advancement of Arizona’s bioscience sector, arts and culture, and the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership.

For more information:

2016 Flinn Scholars