At Southwest Airlines, 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. We are proud to work with organizations that help us achieve this goal and help our communities prosper.
In partnership with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), Southwest Airlines supports the Hispanic community and helps students reach success while staying connected to family through the "¡Lanzate!/Take Off!" education travel award program. Since 2004, Southwest has helped more than 1,500 students soar by awarding round trip tickets through this travel grants program and we’re excited to support 185 students for the 2022-2023 school year!
The ¡Lanzate! program was designed to help Hispanic college students stay connected to what’s important in their lives—their family. It allows students to pursue their educational goals no matter the distance while maintaining relationships with their family members back home.
“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.”
Our Heart is to champion causes and make the connections that empower communities to thrive. With our strong community partnerships, we help build resilience in the cities we serve. But Southwest is much more than a partner. Through investment, empowerment, and education we continually work to make communities more connected.
“I will be forever grateful to the ¡Lanzate!/Take Off! award for getting me to my family these last four years,” said 2022 recipient Chad Vigil. “Thanks to this amazing program, I can find a convenient ticket through Southwest and simply book it. I get to focus on my finals and not stress about flights. I’ve utilized my tickets to see my family for every break, which is something I’ve never had the privilege of doing before, and I have ¡Lanzate! to thank for that.”
For more information on HACU and the "¡Lanzate!/Take Off!" education travel award program, visit https://www.hacu.net/hacu/Lanzate.asp.