Community Outreach has had a longtime focus on Southwest Airlines education-related initiatives because we believe educated communities are empowered communities. Championing educational attainment for all continues to be a foundational principle that drives our work across the communities we serve. From the founding of our Adopt-A-Pilot program to the celebration of our ¡Lánzate!/Take Off! Higher Education Travel Award, we have always encouraged students at any age to soar to new heights through learning. This includes through the Herbert D. Kelleher and Rollin W. King Scholarship, a program that’s been available to dependents of Southwest Employees for more than 40 years.
Providing scholarship opportunities and financial support in the pursuit of education can have a direct impact on a community, empowering and inspiring everyone to thrive. With that in mind, we’re excited to announce the launch of The Southwest Airlines® Scholarship!
While the scholarship application will not open until April 1, 2021, we encourage you and potential applicants to visit swa.is/scholarships today to review the application process and criteria.
Through our existing programs, we have seen the positive impact providing educational opportunities can have on a person and we’re excited to continue championing the importance of education through these scholarships. Whether in the air or on the ground, we believe community is more than a place—it’s at the Heart of what brings us together.
The Southwest Airlines® Scholarship:
- Established in 2021 by Southwest Airlines. The intent of the award is to build a diverse talent pipeline and highlight the importance of inclusion for future generations in the airline industry.
- The scholarships are one-year awards for students pursuing higher education. Applicants must be enrolled at an accredited vocational, community/junior college, or undergraduate program and pursuing a degree or post-secondary certificate.
- This scholarship will be managed and executed by Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF)—a separate entity from Southwest, which is not a part of our Company’s operating budget.