Gage G. and his mum Dena, a Southwest Flight Attendant based in Houston.
Southwest Airlines has selected its scholarship winners for the year, aiming to help aspiring students achieve careers in the aviation industry.
The airline has two scholarships: the Southwest Airlines Founders Scholarship, available to dependants of Southwest employees, and the Southwest Airlines Community Scholarship. The 2024 scheme allowed 20 students to become eligible for a total of USD400,000 in funding over four years, in addition to two round-trip Southwest tickets per student.
“Receiving this scholarship has been a life-changing event for me, one that has brought immense joy and relief to both me and my family,” said Duyen An H., The University of Texas at San Antonio. “As a first-generation college student, navigating the path to higher education was daunting, particularly when it came to the financial aspect. Your gracious contribution has eased the burden of tuition fees and educational expenses, allowing me to pursue my dreams with determination and focus.”
“The generosity of Southwest Airlines not only assists me financially but also inspires me to strive for excellence in my field. I am excited about the opportunities this scholarship opens up and am more motivated than ever to contribute to the advancements in the aerospace industry,” commented Tushar K., University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
“My mother has worked at SWA for almost thirty years as a Flight Attendant and enjoys her job,” added Gage G., Stephen F. Austin University. “I will be majoring in Business Finance while attending Stephen F. Austin University. However, my career goal is to become a commercial airline pilot, and hopefully, one day, I can fly with my mother on a Southwest Airlines airplane. I will start flying lessons once school starts in September.”
The recipients are attending universities across the U.S., including Auburn University, Arizona State University, Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, and Brigham Young University, with some at the beginning of their education, and others aiming for aviation careers by studying subjects ranging from aerospace engineering to finance.
Photos: Southwest Airlines