Southwest Airlines Community

  Southwest Airlines believes educated communities are empowered communities and that every student should have the opportunity to pursue their educational dreams. We support this vision through two scholarships: the Herbert D. Kelleher and Rollin W. King Scholarship that is available to dependents of Southwest Employees, and the Southwest Airlines Scholarship, which is a community-centric scholarship available to students across the country. The mission of the Southwest Airlines Scholarship Program is to encourage students to explore careers in the aviation industry and support Southwest’s efforts toward building a diverse talent pipeline.    Southwest has committed to awarding $290,000 over four years to these 17 recipients through these scholarships. As a fun surprise, each student also received two round-trip tickets on Southwest to help them stay connected to their loved ones throughout the year.   Our 2023 scholars are attending universities across the country, including the University of Tennessee, Tuskegee University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Harvard College, and more. Most are just beginning their college adventures and have their eyes on an aviation career, working towards degrees ranging from aerospace engineering to aviation business administration. Several students are actively pursuing flight training and aspire to become Southwest pilots!   Last month, we had a chance to visit with our scholars and celebrate their achievements. Here’s what they had to say:     What’s your advice for future scholarship applicants?   “Don’t give up on your dreams. They’re all attainable as long as you are willing to put in the effort.” —Jake C., Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University   “I would tell them that Southwest is open to all applicants and to express their future and end goal when applying.” —Randall M., Tuskegee University   “Find someone that can testify on your behalf and write an amazing letter of recommendation so that your application can stand out from the rest of the crowd.”—Eric Z., Middle Georgia State University   Where would you like to travel on Southwest?   “I would love to fly to the Turks and Caicos because of the natural beauty of the islands. Also to get away from the cold and dreary weather here.”—Eric Z., Middle Georgia State University   “Milwaukee to go to Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Airventure in Oshkosh, WI!”—Jake C., Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University   “I would travel to Colorado because I haven’t been there before, and it’s at the top of my bucket list!” – Rani G., Oklahoma State University   What are you looking forward to this school year?   “Getting my orientation flight!” —Randall M., Tuskegee University   “I am currently waiting on my private pilot checkride, so I am looking forward to the day when am finally able to get it and be able to rent out a plane and take my family up in the air with me.” —Eric Z., Middle Georgia State University   “I’m looking forward to learning more about the aviation industry!” – Rani G., Oklahoma State University   And lastly, when we asked if our scholarship recipients preferred the window, aisle, or middle seat, we loved Eric Z.’s enthusiasm for our beloved Southwest wingtips! “Window seat, duh. How else am I supposed to get my wingtip pictures?”   Applications for next year’s scholarship cycle will open in early 2024! If you are a student pursuing higher education, stay tuned for the latest eligibility and application information.   ... View more

    “I owe a lot to my parents. I was able to provide tickets for my parents to come to my graduation. That’s the reason why I connect Southwest Airlines with home – bringing me home but also bringing home to me.” -2022 ¡Lánzate!/Take Off! Higher Education Travel Award recipient    Southwest Airlines believes educated communities are empowered communities and that every student should have the opportunity to pursue their educational dreams. Through our nationally recognized initiative, the ¡Lánzate!/Take Off! Higher Education Travel Award Program, Southwest partners with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) to help Hispanic students stay connected with their loved ones while pursuing higher education. Southwest has helped alleviate the financial burden of travel for over 1,500 students since the travel award program began in 2004.   For 2023, 185 students were selected for the ¡Lánzate!/Take Off! Higher Education Travel Award! These deserving students are comprised of Hispanic students currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a two- or four-year college or university at least 200 miles from their home. Recipients receive four round trip tickets valid for travel between any Southwest Airlines domestic destination.    This year’s recipients were selected from over 85 institutions across the United States. Around 70 percent of the recipients are pursuing undergraduate degrees, including biology, engineering, psychology, and political science. The remaining 30 percent of recipients are graduate students on their way to becoming lawyers, doctors, veterinarians, and more.   HACU represents more than 500 colleges and universities and manages numerous programs committed to Hispanic higher education success, including internships, scholarships, college retention and advancement programs, pre-collegiate support, and career development opportunities.   Through scholarships, internships, and STEM-focused learning, Southwest is committed to helping students’ dreams take flight! ... View more

It wasn’t until I was hundreds of miles away from home that I realized how important it was to be around the people you love,” said student Erik Negrete. “This award doesn’t just benefit me or my family in one particular way, it allows me to worry less about finances and focus on what’s important to me—my family and education.”- 2022 ¡Lánzate! recipient   Southwest Airlines believes educated communities are empowered communities and that every student should have the opportunity to pursue their educational dreams. Through the ¡Lánzate!/Take Off! Travel Award Program, Southwest partners with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) to help Hispanic students stay connected with their loved ones while pursuing higher education.   Applications are now open for the 2023 ¡Lánzate!/Take Off! Travel Award Program! Hispanic students currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a two- or four-year college or university at least 200 miles from their home may be eligible. Recipients receive four round trip tickets valid for travel between any Southwest Airlines domestic destination.   HACU represents more than 500 colleges and universities and manages numerous programs committed to Hispanic higher education success, including internships, scholarships, college retention and advancement programs, pre-collegiate support, and career development opportunities.   To view the application and full eligibility information, visit hacu.net/hacu/Lanzate.asp.   Through scholarships, internships, and STEM-focused learning, Southwest is committed to helping students’ dreams take flight!     ... View more

Southwest Airlines believes educated communities are empowered communities, and every student should have the opportunity to pursue their educational dreams. To support this vision, Southwest is proud to provide scholarships each year to students across the United States. Through these scholarships, we hope to encourage students to explore careers in the aviation industry and strengthen Southwest’s efforts toward building a diverse talent pipeline.   Applications are now open for the 2023 Southwest Airlines Scholarship! This scholarship is open to students across the country with a career interest in the airline industry—whether that interest is in frontline operations, maintenance, corporate roles, or the many roles in between. Recipients of the Southwest Airlines Scholarship receive $5,000 and are eligible to renew their scholarship annually for up to 4 years. For the application and eligibility information, visit swa.is/SAS.     Scholarships are just one way Southwest supports students of all ages in their educational journeys! Through our signature Adopt-A-Pilot Program, fifth-grade students across the country are connected with Southwest Airlines pilots who provide mentorship and fun, STEM-centered activities and experiments in the classroom. Southwest also welcomes spring and summer interns into a variety of departments. Through these internships, students gain experience in their field and exposure to Southwest’s famous Culture. Through scholarships, internships, and STEM-focused learning, Southwest is committed to helping students soar!   *Southwest Airlines also offers scholarships to dependents of Employees. For this opportunity, please visit swa.is/HKRK. ... View more

Southwest Airlines believes educated communities are empowered communities and that every student should have the opportunity to pursue their educational dreams. We support this vision through two scholarships, the Herbert D. Kelleher and Rollin W. King Scholarship which is available to dependents of Southwest Employees and the Southwest Airlines Scholarship which is a community-centric scholarship available to students across the country. The mission of the Southwest Airlines Scholarship Program is to encourage students to explore careers in the aviation industry and support Southwest’s efforts toward building a diverse talent pipeline.   We are excited to introduce our 2022 Southwest Airlines Scholars! Through these scholarships, Southwest has committed to awarding $260,000 over four years to these 15 recipients. As a fun surprise, each student also received four roundtrip tickets on Southwest to help them stay connected to their families throughout the year.    Herbert D. Kelleher and Rollin W. King Scholarship recipients: Erin G., University of Utah Madison W., Pennsylvania State University TaShia H., Xavier University of Louisiana Vanessa N., Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Southwest Airlines Scholarship: Aiden C., College of Charleston Asher J., Stephen F. Austin State University Bailey P., North Carolina State University Bryan D., Texas Southern University Emily Kate F., Texas A&M University Isai V., California Polytechnic State University Jonathan R., SUNY Schenectady County Community College Lei H., Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Precious A., University of Nebraska at Omaha Raef M., UC Berkeley William Y., Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Daytona Beach   “As anyone interested in aviation can tell you, flight school is expensive. Add that to the cost of going to college, and the price becomes astronomical. I have been very fortunate to have received this scholarship because it will drastically reduce the financial burden my education would have otherwise put on my family and me. With that weight off my shoulders, I will be able to focus more on getting through flight school and working towards my dream of becoming a commercial airline pilot.”—Asher J., Stephen F. Austin State University   Last month, we had the chance to learn more about our scholars and celebrate their achievements! In addition to their almost-unanimous preference for the window seat, here’s what they had to say:   What’s your advice for future scholarship applicants?   “Tell your dreams to others because there are people who would love to help you achieve a dream that seems out of reach.”—Lei, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University   “Do not let the fear of failure deter you from trying.”—Precious, University of Nebraska at Omaha   Where would you like to travel on Southwest?   “Phoenix in order to visit the Grand Canyon.”—William, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Daytona Beach   “Jamaica to explore their culture and beautiful lands.”—TaShia, Xavier University of Louisiana   “The Hawaiian Islands with my family.”—Bryan, Texas Southern University   What are you looking forward to this school year?   “I'm looking forward to working on aircraft and learning more about the history of aviation.”— Lei, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University   “Graduation!”—Precious, University of Nebraska at Omaha     Applications are now open for the 2023-2024 Southwest Airlines Scholarship program! If you are a student pursuing higher education, make sure to apply by February 28. Visit swa.is/SAS to view eligibility and application information. to view eligibility and application information.   ... View more