Preparing Early

While the official process begins during the first weeks of senior year, the Flinn Scholars Program recommends Arizona high-achieving students start preparing well before the application opens.

In addition, students throughout high school should pursue challenging and interesting studies and commit to extracurricular activities. Then be ready to apply.

September, Senior Year

Your journey to becoming a Flinn Scholar officially begins Sept. 12 with the opening of the application. You will have several weeks to complete the application, including the three essays, and identify two recommenders. A counselor’s report is also a required application component.

October

We encourage you to register for a virtual Q&A session from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 14 to ask any questions you may have about the application and hear tips from current Flinn Scholars. After the application deadline on Monday, Oct. 21 at 5 p.m., and before you dive back into one of your many projects, take a deep breath, smile, and acknowledge all that you have accomplished.

Be sure that your counselor report and two recommendations are submitted by their deadline, which is Monday, Nov. 4 at 5 p.m. ACT or SAT scores are a required part of the application. There is a minimum test score of 26 on the ACT or 1230 on the SAT. The Flinn Scholarship accepts a superscore. The last tests that qualify for the Flinn Scholarship are the Sept. 14 ACT and Oct. 5 SAT.

December and January

Typically by late December, you will learn whether you have been named a Flinn Scholarship Semifinalist and advance to an interview. Being named a Semifinalist is a great honor—your name and high school are announced, and you will qualify for an annual scholarship from one of Arizona’s three public universities.

Typically in late January, approximately 40 Flinn Scholarship Finalists will be announced. Arizona’s universities plan personalized campus visits for Finalists, including opportunities to meet professors, administrators, and current students in the Honors colleges.

March

Flinn Scholarship Finalists typically interview in March with a five-person selection committee. Later in March, about 20 Finalists are offered the Flinn Scholarship. Its value, including funding for tuition, housing, meals, and study abroad, exceeds $135,000.

April and May

The Flinn Foundation will make a public announcement in April after the new class is finalized and celebrate these Flinn Scholars at the program’s annual Recognition Celebration in May.