Pre-screening: can you deny sending an application based on pre screen Q's?

[Stephanie Cruz]

Hi everyone! I'm going to be a first-time landlord in Arkansas :)

I'm in the process of pre-screening applicants BEFORE sending them an application where they would pay for the background check. One applicant mentioned their desired move-in date in 9 months in the future but that move-in date is way too far from our earliest move-in date (2 months from now). 

Question: Is it legal to deny sending them an official application if their desired move-in date is too far away? I feel as if it's better to deny them at this stage before they even pay for an application.