In 2005, Southwest Airlines and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) set out on a mission to make a difference in the lives of Hispanic college students across the nation. For many students the inability to stay connected to family while attending a college far from home is an obstacle to achieving success. One or two trips home each year allows students to stay connected to family and better manage the change and challenge of higher education. These visits may make the difference if a student is contemplating dropping out of college.
The "Dandole Alas a Tu Exito/Giving Flight to Your Success" travel award program is geared toward college students with economic need who attend a school far from home. Through this program Southwest Airlines, together with HACU, is helping Hispanic students pursue higher education.
“Because we live in a rural area, the cost of gas to travel to the nearest airport is an additional factor in determining whether/when I am able to go home,” said Analisa, a 2012
¡Lánzate! travel award recipient. “The intellectual, social, and emotional challenges are even greater due to the fact that I am so far away from home and unable to rely on the support and encouragement of my family as I did in high school. Obtaining travel on Southwest Airlines would bring some peace of mind to me and my family.”
Southwest Airlines and HACU are proud to make a difference in the lives of students like Analisa.
Applications for the
¡Lánzate! Travel Award program will be accepted online at
www.hacu.net through May 15, 2013. Each applicant must submit an essay describing their inspiration to pursue a college degree. Each student selected will be eligible for up to four tickets for use by the student and/or a family member traveling to/from the student’s college. To view the criteria for the 2013 award program, please visit:
http://swamedia.com/documents/Criteria2013.pdf
