Aviation Scholarship

Southwest Airlines® believes educated communities are empowered communities, and that every student should have the opportunity to pursue their educational dreams.

The Southwest Airlines Community Scholarship benefits students who are pursuing higher education and have career interests in the airline industry.

If you are a dependent of a Southwest Airlines Employee, you are not eligible for this scholarship. Please see the Southwest Airlines Founders Scholarship.

This is a renewable scholarship, meaning recipients can renew the award and claim up to 4 years of funding if they meet the GPA and enrollment requirements and complete the renewal application for each academic year they plan to be enrolled.

• Award Amount
  • Ten (10) scholarships awarded annually. The scholarship is comprised of up to four (4) annual awards of $5,000, for a total award of up to $20,000.
  • The four (4) annual awards may be received over a period of up to five years, allowing for a deferment if needed.
• What can the scholarship be used for?
  • The scholarship will be mailed directly to the student’s college to be used towards tuition, required academic fees, and/or book expenses.
  • Scholarship funding cannot be distributed directly to the student. Funding cannot be used for room and board, rent, meal plans, parking passes, or other similar living expenses.
  • The scholarship must be used towards the recipient’s first post-secondary degree or certificate for the upcoming academic year. Students pursing their second degree or certificate or a graduate degree are not eligible to apply.
• Are there any requirements I must meet if I’m selected as a scholarship recipient?
  • Recipients must attend or plan to attend an accredited vocational, community/junior college or undergraduate institution in the United States and must be pursuing their first post-secondary degree or certificate for the upcoming academic year. Students pursing their second degree or certificate or a graduate degree are not eligible to apply.
  • Recipients must enroll in at least 12 credit hours for both the fall and spring semesters (or be enrolled full-time according to your school if it is on a different system).
  • Recipients must submit college enrollment information online through GHCF Scholar the summer before the academic year begins. This information is required in order for the scholarship check to be mailed to the student’s college. Instructions will be included in the student’s award letter.
  • Recipients must meet certain criteria in order to receive subsequent annual awards (i.e., renewals): maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester, and complete the renewal application for each academic year they planned to be enrolled.