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 a dependent of a Southwest Airlines Employee and you are interested in a career in the airline industry, see the Southwest Airlines Community Scholarship.

If you meet all of the requirements listed below, visit our Application Process FAQ for helpful tips before you get started.

Requirements to Apply:

• Applicant must be a dependent of a Southwest Airlines Employee. 
  • Employees are not eligible to apply.
  • Spouses are not eligible to apply.
• At the time applications are due, the Southwest Employee must be active with at least two (2) years of total employment at Southwest (including former periods of employment). The Employee must also be in good standing as defined in section 19.22 in the Guidelines for Employees in order for an award to be offered.
• Applicant must demonstrate a history of community service.
• 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 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.
• Applicant must have a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 (unweighted) scale. 
  • Students with a GPA of 3.49 or below are not eligible.
  • If you are a graduating high school senior, 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.
  
  
• This scholarship is for the upcoming 2026-27 academic year.
• Current recipients of the Southwest Airlines Founders Scholarship who are planning to renew the scholarship for the upcoming 2025-26 academic year must complete several Renewal Tasks through this application. 

About the Scholarship Award:

This is a renewable scholarship, meaning that if you are awarded, you are eligible to receive up to four (4) years of funding as long as you continue to meet the GPA and enrollment requirements. 

• Award Amount
  • Ten (10) scholarships awarded annually. The 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 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.
  • 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.

What Is Needed for This Application?

• Eligibility questions based on the criteria listed above
• Southwest Airlines Employee information
• Two (2) essays
• One (1) recommendation form completed online
• Financial information
  • Complete a series of questions with the most updated and accurate financial information for your family/household.
  • Upload a copy of your Estimated Student Aid Index (SAI) that you will receive after submitting your FAFSA application. If you have not completed the FAFSA yet or received your Estimated SAI, you will use the Federal Student Aid Estimator included within the application.
• Transcript to confirm your GPA (unofficial transcripts are accepted)
• Education information
  
• Resume Form (community service, employment, and involvement in activities)

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.