The Arizona College Scholarship Foundation and the Arizona College Access Network merged to form a new organization that will "serve as a statewide voice for college access and success," Inside Higher Ed reported.

College Success Arizona will add coordinated support to a network of more than 200 college access programs within a single organization, and continue to provide scholarship and mentoring support to high-achieving, low-income students.

"The mission of College Success Arizona is to build public will for college completion and, at the same time, provide a unique combination of scholarships and mentoring services that are actually increasing college graduation rates across the state," Rick Nickel, who will serve as president and CEO of College Success Arizona, said in a statement. "College completion, particularly for low-income and Latino students, is not just advantageous to individual students and their families; it's imperative to the economic success of our state."

College Success Arizona helps students across the state overcome barriers to getting into and persisting in college. It provides four-year scholarships to promising high school seniors.

Currently, 70 percent of those scholars are first-generation college students and 85 percent are minorities. In addition to providing access and financial supports to students, College Success Arizona ensures success through a tested mentoring and support process that keeps all scholars on track and focused on earning a college degree. This process is being expanded to include a comprehensive set of face-to-face, virtual and peer mentoring opportunities for every student and a series of targeted resources and interventions on financial aid, the transition from community colleges to four-year institutions and freshman retention.

"Increasing the number of college graduates in our state is more than an education issue; it's an issue of economics," said Vince Roig, board chair of College Success Arizona. "College Success Arizona provides a needed voice in the state for college completion; it also provides the strategies and services that can significantly increase postsecondary graduation rates."