Southwest Airlines® believes educated communities are empowered communities, and that every student should have the opportunity to pursue their educational dreams.
The Southwest Airlines Founders Scholarship benefits dependents of Southwest Airlines Employees. This scholarship was created in 1981 to honor the founders of Southwest Airlines, Herb Kelleher and Rollin King. Learn more about their vision and legacy here.
If you are not the dependent of a Southwest Airlines Employee and you are interested in a career in the airline industry, see the Southwest Airlines Community Scholarship.
Award Information:
- This scholarship award is comprised of up to four annual awards of $5,000, for a total award of up to $20,000.
- The four annual awards may be received over a period of five years, allowing for a one-year deferment at the discretion of the Greater Houston Community Foundation.
- Recipients must meet certain criteria in order to receive subsequent annual awards (i.e., renewals). This includes maintaining a cumulative unweighted GPA of at least 2.5 and being enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicant must be the dependent of a Southwest Airlines Employee. Spouses are ineligible.
- At the time applications are due, the Southwest Employee must be active and in good standing with at least two years of total employment at Southwest (including former periods of employment).
- Applicant must be a graduating high school senior, previous high school graduate (having received a diploma or equivalent), or current college student.
- Applicant must be 24 years old or younger at the time applications are due.
- Applicant must attend or plan to attend their first post-secondary degree or certificate program at an accredited vocational, community/junior college, or undergraduate institution in the United States in the upcoming academic year.
- Applicant must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 (unweighted) scale. Please review this guide for instructions on converting your GPA to a 4.0 scale. GPA should be rounded to two decimal points.
- Students who receive scholarships from any other source(s) which fully cover the cost of tuition and books are not eligible for this award.
Language Considerations:
- This application is offered in both English and Spanish.
- To view your application in Spanish, click the "EN" dropdown button in the top right corner of the screen and select "Español".
- You may toggle between English and Spanish while filling out your application.
Southwest Airlines® Founders 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 Founders Scholarship benefits dependents of Southwest Airlines Employees. This scholarship was created in 1981 to honor the founders of Southwest Airlines, Herb Kelleher and Rollin King. Learn more about their vision and legacy here.
If you are not the dependent of a Southwest Airlines Employee and you are interested in a career in the airline industry, see the Southwest Airlines Community Scholarship.
Award Information:
- This scholarship award is comprised of up to four annual awards of $5,000, for a total award of up to $20,000.
- The four annual awards may be received over a period of five years, allowing for a one-year deferment at the discretion of the Greater Houston Community Foundation.
- Recipients must meet certain criteria in order to receive subsequent annual awards (i.e., renewals). This includes maintaining a cumulative unweighted GPA of at least 2.5 and being enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicant must be the dependent of a Southwest Airlines Employee. Spouses are ineligible.
- At the time applications are due, the Southwest Employee must be active and in good standing with at least two years of total employment at Southwest (including former periods of employment).
- Applicant must be a graduating high school senior, previous high school graduate (having received a diploma or equivalent), or current college student.
- Applicant must be 24 years old or younger at the time applications are due.
- Applicant must attend or plan to attend their first post-secondary degree or certificate program at an accredited vocational, community/junior college, or undergraduate institution in the United States in the upcoming academic year.
- Applicant must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 (unweighted) scale. Please review this guide for instructions on converting your GPA to a 4.0 scale. GPA should be rounded to two decimal points.
- Students who receive scholarships from any other source(s) which fully cover the cost of tuition and books are not eligible for this award.
Language Considerations:
- This application is offered in both English and Spanish.
- To view your application in Spanish, click the "EN" dropdown button in the top right corner of the screen and select "Español".
- You may toggle between English and Spanish while filling out your application.