Education Forward Arizona has distributed more than $2.3 million in scholarships to colleges and universities nationwide, and it is supporting 500-plus students in the state with mentoring and other services for the 2023-24, organization officials said.

“By securing funding and providing mentoring and support services for these deserving student scholars, we are ensuring that they can successfully navigate their postsecondary education path, persist through higher education and graduate with a degree or credential,”  Rich Nickel, president and CEO of Education Forward Arizona, said.

“Our state has everything to gain when we increase the number of students who advance their education beyond high school.”

The state’s latest Education Progress Meter data reveals that, in 2021, 47.3% of Arizona high school graduates enrolled in post-secondary programs, according to Education Forward Arizona.

“The data is even more startling for students from racially and ethnically diverse populations: 41.3% for Hispanic/Latino students, 46.3% for African American students and 31.8% for Native American students,” a release stated.

Nickel said the state needs to inspire and guide more students to advance their education beyond high school. “We need to show students that college is not out of their reach.”  

To view available scholarships through Education Forward Arizona, visit https://educationforwardarizona.org/innovate/attainment/scholarships/