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 in September with the opening of the application. For the Class of 2024, the application opened on Sept. 11. An online information session was recorded to provide application tips and share Flinn Scholar experiences. 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

After the application deadline (for the Class of 2024, the deadline was 5 p.m. Oct. 18), 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 was 5 p.m. Oct. 27 for the Class of 2024. SAT or ACT scores are a required part of the application, but there is no minimum score needed to apply. The latest exams that were considered for the 2024 scholarship were the Oct. 7 SAT and the Oct. 28 ACT.

December and January

By late December, you will learn whether you have been named a Flinn Scholarship Semifinalist and advance to an interview on Jan. 23 or 24, 2024. Being named a Semifinalist is a great honor—your name and high school are announced, and you will qualify for a special scholarship from one of Arizona’s three public universities.

In late January, approximately 40 Flinn Scholarship Finalists will be announced. Typically, 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 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 $130,000.

April and May

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