Preparing Early

While the application for the Flinn Scholarship opens early in the school year for Arizona high-school seniors, the Flinn Scholars Program recommends that you start preparing earlier.

Step one: throughout high school, you should look for challenging and interesting courses to take, build experience as a leader, and commit to extracurricular activities. This general approach will help you be ready to apply.

August, Senior Year

Your journey to becoming a Flinn Scholar begins in August when the application opens. It is available for several weeks—time you will need to complete all components, including essays, a short-answer question, and requests for two recommendations and a counselor’s report. 

September

Submission of ACT or SAT scores are a required part of the application, with a minimum test score of 26 on the ACT or 1230 on the SAT required for the 2026 application. Test scores are self-reported on the application. Note: Official score reports are requested only from students who advance in the process. 

October

After the application deadline, you should take a deep breath, smile, and acknowledge all that you have accomplished. Then, before you dive back into your many projects, be sure that your counselor report and two recommendations are submitted by their deadline.  

December and January

By late December, you will learn whether you have been named a Flinn Scholarship Semifinalist. Semifinalist interviews occur over Zoom in January. Being named a Semifinalist is a great honor, and your name and high school are announced by the Flinn Foundation. 
 
In late January, approximately 35 Flinn Scholarship Finalists are announced. Arizona’s universities plan personalized campus visits for Finalists, with opportunities to meet professors, administrators, and current students in the universities’ honors colleges. 

March

Flinn Scholarship Finalists interview in-person at the Flinn Foundation in March with a five-person selection committee. Later in March, approximately 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 makes a public announcement in April after the new class is finalized. The Foundation celebrates these newest members of the Flinn Scholars community, as well as graduating Scholars, at the program’s annual Recognition Luncheon in early May.