We’re excited to announce that applications are now open for the 2026 Southwest Airlines Community Scholarship! This scholarship is open to students who are pursuing higher education and have career interests in the airline industry-whether that interest is in frontline operations, maintenance, finance, communications, or any of the many roles that keep our airline flying.
Scholarship Details
- Award Amount: Recipients of this scholarship are eligible to receive $5,000 per year for up to four years – a total award of $20,000!
- Eligibility: Open to students with career interests in the airline industry.
- How to apply: Visit swa.is/scholarship for full eligibility criteria and submit your application.
- Deadline: Friday, February 13, 2026
Southwest is proud to offer these scholarship opportunities to encourage students to explore careers in the aviation industry and to strengthen Southwest’s efforts to build a diverse talent pipeline. Share these opportunities with eligible students and encourage them to apply today. We can’t wait to watch their educational dreams take flight!
“As a first-generation student and aspiring pilot, the path forward isn’t always easy. The barriers to entry are real, but your support has handed me a key. This scholarship is going directly towards my degree in Aviation and Aerospace Science, where I am laying out the groundwork for a lifelong aviation career. I am forever grateful to Southwest for helping turn my dreams into reality.” – Jedda Lusk, Metropolitan State University of Denver
Southwest also offers scholarships to dependents of Southwest Airlines Employees. For this opportunity, please visit swa.is/founders.
ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.
Southwest Airlines Co. operates one of the world’s most admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 117 airports across 11 countries. Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within the United States than any other airline1. By empowering its more than 72,0002 People to deliver unparalleled Hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes a passionate loyalty among more than 140 million Customers carried in 2024. Southwest leverages a unique legacy and mission to serve communities around the world including harnessing the power of its People and Purpose to put communities at the Heart of its success. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship.
- Based on U.S. Dept. of Transportation quarterly Airline Origin & Destination Survey as of Q1 2025
- Fulltime-equivalent active Employees as of Sept. 30, 2025
Media Contacts:
Visit the Southwest Newsroom at swamedia.com for multimedia assets and other Company news.
