Mark Your Calendar for April 7 – Arizona Gives Day!

This powerful statewide movement is your chance to give where you live and invest in the future of Arizona students. Your gift to College Bound AZ not only supports scholarships, college access, and career pathways – it also qualifies for the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit, allowing you to give back at no cost. Join us in changing lives by donating through our secure link or by visiting our profile on azgives.org. Together, we can turn dreams into degrees.

The Student Who Started It All

Every movement begins with one moment.
For College Bound AZ, that moment was Cynthia Marrujo.

Cynthia is more than an alum – she is the reason this organization exists. The face that launched the successful futures of thousands of first-generation and low-income students who followed.

In 2009, Cynthia was on the brink of becoming the first in her family to attend college. She had been accepted to Northern Arizona University, but the path forward was anything but certain.

She didn’t know how to complete the FAFSA. Her family could not afford college expenses. And the transition to campus life, financially and emotionally, felt overwhelming.

At one point, a small misstep created a financial barrier that nearly forced her to leave school altogether.

But she didn’t.

With the right support at the right time, Cynthia stayed the course, graduating from NAU in 2013 with a degree in Psychology.

Today, she is a Maricopa County Public Fiduciary, a role she has held for over a decade, protecting and advocating for vulnerable individuals. She previously served five years with the Arizona Children’s Association, is a homeowner in Mesa, and is raising a family of her own.

This is what one student’s success can become.

And this is why College Bound AZ exists.

Because behind every student we serve is the potential to not only change one life—but to inspire thousands more.

The Moment Everything Changed: Meet Valeria, Future Sun Devil

What if one conversation could unlock a fully funded future?

For Valeria C., that moment came during a one-on-one advising session at College Bound AZ.

Valeria had already been accepted to Arizona State University—but uncertainty lingered. As a student in EVIT’s Dental Assistant program, she was still exploring her path. Dental hygiene? Dentistry? Could she even afford college?

Then she shared something powerful:

“I want to become a dentist…maybe orthodontics or pediatric dentistry.” That clarity changed everything. We talked through her options—a four-year degree, then dental school—and pulled up her ASU financial aid portal to better understand what was possible.

And then we saw it.

“You got the Obama!” I exclaimed.

Valeria paused. “I did?” 

As the reality set in, full coverage for tuition, housing, and meals, she burst into tears.

“I sent my transcripts because you told me to, and you showed me how to do it,” she said through emotion. “I was just hoping for a little help.”

Instead, she received everything she needed.

Valeria was planning a gap year because she believed college was out of reach. “I didn’t think I could afford it,” she shared. “And I didn’t know what I wanted to do.” Through EVIT, she discovered a passion for dental care, despite never having been to a dentist herself due to financial hardship.

Now, she’s on a path to change that for others. This is why College Bound AZ exists.

Because sometimes, students don’t just need opportunity, they need someone to help them see it.

And when they do, everything changes. Because of your support, students like Valeria don’t just hope for opportunity—they receive it.

Joy’s Next Step: From RISE Scholar to Aviation Mechanic

Joy S. came into her RISE Scholars budgeting workshop with a question we hear from so many students: “How do I afford the next step after high school?”

Joy had already completed her FAFSA and explored community college options. But during a one-on-one advising conversation, she shared something exciting:

She didn’t want to fly planes.

She wanted to fix them.

Joy was accepted to return to EVIT for a second year in its Aviation program and plans to enter the EVIT STEM Academy’s mechanical track — a pathway that can lead toward FAA Airframe & Powerplant certification and a future career in aviation maintenance.

“I want to study engineering someday,” Joy said, “so I can understand even more about how aircraft work.”

Today, Joy is the first College Bound AZ RISE Scholar to transition into EVIT’s STEM Academy as her next step after graduation. Her story is a powerful reminder that College Bound AZ supports students not only in reaching college — but in reaching the postsecondary path that fits their dreams, including trade and technical education.

Joy is no longer just a student with an interest.

She is a future aviation professional with a plan!

Our Student of the Month program validates that students have what it takes to succeed in college. 

Ciarra Vigil has been nominated by Nursing Assistant Instructor Natalia Raymond as the April 2026 Student of the Month. “Ciarra continually works hard in class, is early every day, and is very kind to her classmates,” noted Ms. Raymond.

Ciarra will start in the Nursing program at Mesa Community College in Fall 2026. In recognition of her achievement, Ciarra is awarded a Certificate of Achievement, a letter of recognition, and a $50 cash award.  Way to go, Ciarra!  Well done!

April Workshop: Scholarship Applications and Resumes 

As we near the end of the College Bound AZ workshop series, our RISE Scholars are focused on being as prepared as possible for college. Part of that includes applying for any of the 12 scholarships we offer to RISE Scholars, thanks to your generosity! Our 2026 scholarship applications are due April 15, with awards taking place on May 7 (Power Campus) and May 8 (Main Campus). This year, we will exceed over $100,000 in scholarship dollars awarded to these deserving students since 2019!

Student resumes are updated at this stage to reflect their transition to college. Each resume highlights the student’s next school, chosen program of study, and anticipated graduation date. Too often, students leave high school without realizing this important step is not only appropriate, but it’s also powerful. Updating their resume is another affirmation that their next chapter is college.

With Gratitude

As always, we thank the educators, volunteers, families, and donors who continue to walk alongside our students. Your belief, encouragement, and generosity make this work possible.