About 1.7% for the Class of 2026 (20 of 1,150 applicants)
Difficulty
Extremely High
Quick Summary
Flinn Foundation offers Flinn Scholarship, a fully funded opportunity designed for international students heading to United States. The award covers More than $135,000 over four years and is open to undergraduate (bachelor's) students studying all academic disciplines. The scholarship runs for 4 years (8 semesters) and may be renewed annually based on academic performance. Eligibility is generally based on arizona high school seniors who rank in the top 5% of their class or hold at least a 3.5 unweighted GPA, with a minimum ACT composite of 26 or SAT composite of 1230; competitive applicants in the Class of 2025 averaged a 3.99 GPA with ACT scores of 27-36 or SAT scores of 1270-1600. Only Arizona residents attending an Arizona high school are eligible, which makes Flinn structurally different from national merit scholarships open to any US applicant. The application deadline is October 13, 2026, 5:00 PM MST for the 2027 cycle, with an acceptance rate of about 1.7% for the Class of 2026 (20 of 1,150 applicants). Competition for this scholarship varies year to year, so early preparation of required documents is recommended.
✨ Should I Apply for Flinn Scholarship?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
75%
Eligibility Match
4%
Win Probability
9/10
Difficulty
10/10
Reward Score
60-80 hrs
Time Required
About 1.7% (20 scholars selected from 1,150 applicants in the Class of 2026 cycle)
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
More than $135,000 over four years
⏳
Duration
4 years (8 semesters)
📅
Deadline
October 13, 2026, 5:00 PM MST for the 2027 cycle
🌎
Fields
All academic disciplines
🏆
Awards/Year
20
🌏
Study Country
United States
🏛️
Provider
Flinn Foundation
📊
Acceptance
About 1.7% for the Class of 2026 (20 of 1,150 applicants)
The Flinn Scholarship funds Arizona's top graduating high school seniors to attend Arizona State University, the University of Arizona, or Northern Arizona University, covering tuition, fees, housing, and meals for four years and paying for at least two study-abroad experiences during that time. For the Class of 2026, the Flinn Foundation received 1,150 applications, interviewed 37 finalists, and ultimately selected 20 scholars, making it one of the most selective state-level merit scholarships in the country.
👥 Who Should Apply
Arizona high school seniors who rank in the top 5% of their class or hold at least a 3.5 unweighted GPA, with a minimum ACT composite of 26 or SAT composite of 1230; competitive applicants in the Class of 2025 averaged a 3.99 GPA with ACT scores of 27-36 or SAT scores of 1270-1600. Only Arizona residents attending an Arizona high school are eligible, which makes Flinn structurally different from national merit scholarships open to any US applicant.
🏛️ Host University
Arizona State University, University of Arizona, or Northern Arizona University
🤝 Sponsor
The Flinn Foundation
🌎 Fields of Study
All academic disciplines
✨ Key Benefits
Flinn Scholars receive a four-year package worth more than $135,000 that covers tuition, fees, housing, and meals at their chosen Arizona public university, plus dedicated funding for at least two study-abroad trips and ongoing access to Foundation mentorship and alumni programming. The award can be used at any of Arizona's three public universities — Arizona State, University of Arizona, or Northern Arizona University — and Scholars choose their host campus as part of the finalist process.
About 1.7% for the Class of 2026 (20 of 1,150 applicants)
Acceptance Rate
About 1.7% (20 scholars selected from 1,150 applicants in the Class of 2026 cycle)
Competition Level
Win Probability
4%
Match Score
75%
Competition
50%
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
Yes, 100% of tuition and mandatory fees at the three Arizona public universities
Living Stipend
Housing and meals are covered as part of the award package
Total Award
More than $135,000 over four years
✈️ Travel: Funding for at least two study-abroad experiences during the four-year scholarship🏠 Accommodation: Yes, on-campus housing is included💊 Health Insurance: No🔄 Renewable: Yes💳 App Fee: Free
🎓 Tuition Coverage
Yes, 100% of tuition and mandatory fees at the three Arizona public universities
🏠 Living Stipend
Housing and meals are covered as part of the award package
🏡 Accommodation
Yes, on-campus housing is included
✈️ Travel Allowance
Funding for at least two study-abroad experiences during the four-year scholarship
💊 Health Insurance
No
🎁 Other Benefits
Mentorship from Flinn Foundation staff and alumni, access to the Flinn Scholars alumni network, and invitation to Flinn Scholar seminars and programming
🔄 Renewable
Yes
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, Arizona resident for the two full years immediately before college entry, and a graduating high school senior planning to attend ASU, University of Arizona, or NAU
Not required, but extracurricular involvement and leadership are heavily weighted
🏆 Leadership
High; candidates must demonstrate significant leadership in school or community activities
💰 Financial Need
No, this is a merit-based scholarship, though FAFSA is required for administrative purposes
🎯 Target Students
Arizona high school seniors
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes, personal statements and short-answer…
Rec Letters
Yes, two required: one academic…
Interview
Yes; roughly 80 semifinalists are…
Application Fee
Free
Documents Required
Academic Transcripts
Passport / National ID
Recommendation Letters
CV / Resume
Personal Statement / Essays
Interview
Minimum GPA Requirement
📋 Application Process
Since GPA and test scores are only a baseline, spend most of your essay and interview preparation on your leadership story and community impact rather than restating your transcript. Because Flinn interviews are conducted by the same small selection committee that reads the application, consistency between the written materials and the in-person interview is scrutinized directly.
💡 Insider Tip: Choose your leadership/service recommender deliberately, since it is evaluated separately from your academic recommendation and should speak to a different side of you than a teacher would. A recommender who can describe a specific moment of leadership, rather than general praise, tends to carry more weight with the selection committee than a broadly positive letter.
🗾️ Application Roadmap
1
Research eligibility and gather requirements
Start Early
2
Collect all required documents
Start Early
3
Request recommendation letters early
4
Write compelling essays and personal statement
⚠ High Risk Stage
5
Submit complete application before deadline
6
Await shortlisting and attend interview if required
⚠ High Risk Stage
📅 Key Dates & Timeline
📅 Opens
August 25, 2026, 7:00 AM MST
⏰ Deadline
October 13, 2026, 5:00 PM MST for the 2027 cycle
🎤 Interview
Yes; roughly 80 semifinalists are interviewed virtually in January, and about 40 finalists advance to in-person interviews at the Flinn Foundation in March
🎓 Study Starts
August (Fall semester)
August 25, 2026, 7:00 AM MST
Applications Open
Gather documents and begin essays
October 13, 2026, 5:00 PM MST for the 2027 cycle
Application Deadline
Submit complete application - no late entries
Yes; roughly 80 semifinalists are interviewed virtually in January, and about 40 finalists advance to in-person interviews at the Flinn Foundation in March
Shortlisting and Interview
Selected candidates invited for interview
After results
Award Announced
Successful applicants notified
August (Fall semester)
Studies Begin
Commence degree at host institution
⚖️ Selection Process
📋 Selection Criteria
Academic achievement, leadership and involvement, service to the community, ability to communicate, and personal characteristics, assessed through application materials, semifinalist interviews, and finalist interviews
⚡ Similar Scholarships
Scholarship
Country
Coverage
Level
Flinn ScholarshipCurrent
United States
Full Funding
Undergraduate (Bachelor's)
—
🌐 Obama Foundation Leaders Program
Global (regional cohorts in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the United States)
Non-monetary (program participation is free; no tuition or stipend)
Arizona high school seniors who rank in the top 5% of their class or hold at least a 3.5 unweighted GPA, with a minimum ACT composite of 26 or SAT composite of 1230; competitive applicants in the Class of 2025 averaged a 3.99 GPA with ACT scores of 27-36 or SAT scores of 1270-1600. Only Arizona residents attending an Arizona high school are eligible, which makes Flinn structurally different from national merit scholarships open to any US applicant.
Flinn Scholars receive a four-year package worth more than $135,000 that covers tuition, fees, housing, and meals at their chosen Arizona public university, plus dedicated funding for at least two study-abroad trips and ongoing access to Foundation mentorship and alumni programming. The award can be used at any of Arizona's three public universities — Arizona State, University of Arizona, or Northern Arizona University — and Scholars choose their host campus as part of the finalist process. It is a fully funded scholarship.
The deadline is October 13, 2026, 5:00 PM MST for the 2027 cycle. Always verify with the official website as dates may change annually.
Competition level: About 1.7% (20 scholars selected from 1,150 applicants in the Class of 2026 cycle). Acceptance rate: About 1.7% for the Class of 2026 (20 of 1,150 applicants). Strong academic record and clear motivation are essential.
Yes
Typically required: academic transcripts, passport, Check website, Yes, two required: one academic recommendation from a teacher who taught the applicant in a graded course, and one leadership/service recommendation from a different adult recommendation letters, CV, personal statement/motivation letter. Check official website for the complete list.