“DANDOLE ALAS A TU EXITO/GIVING FLIGHT TO YOUR SUCCESS”

WITH SOUTHWEST AIRLINES AND THE HISPANIC ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES (HACU)

Southwest Airlines and HACU Launch
First Travel Award Program for College Students

SAN ANTONIO, TX –June 21, 2005–Southwest Airlines is proud to announce the first travel award program in partnership with The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU).  Through this new initiative, Dandole Alas a Tu Exito/Giving Flight to Your Success, Southwest Airlines will provide tickets for distribution throughout our 60 cities to students with socio-economic need and who travel away from home to pursue a higher education.

 “We are committed to forming strategic partnerships which benefit Hispanic students on the road to higher education success,” said Antonio Flores, HACU’s President and CEO. “From our internship program, the largest of its kind in the United States, to our scholarship program, to this new initiative with Southwest Airlines; we believe any support we give to our students benefits their futures.”

Each student would be eligible for the ¡Lanzate!  Premio Universitario/Take Off! Higher Education Award consisting of up to two (2) roundtrip tickets for the student and/or parent traveling to/from the university. To be eligible, the student must apply online at www.hacu.net and meet the following criteria:

• Must be a student in good standing at a two- or four-year college or university;
• A 2.5 or higher GPA;
• All majors are eligible to apply;
• 300-500 word essay using good writing skills to answer one of three questions.
• Applications must be completed online by July 15, 2005; and

Travel award recipients will be notified the week of August 1, 2005.

"Southwest Airlines recognizes the need for college students to maintain close family ties while also obtaining an education," said Christine Ortega, Southwest's Hispanic Community Affairs Manager.  "With our purpose of connecting people and maintaining relationships, Southwest wants students to remain in contact with their family through this travel award."

According to a report by the Pew Hispanic Center, experts on Hispanic college students believe attainment levels would improve if students were more willing to travel long distance to colleges well suited to meet their needs.

"We are thrilled to partner with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities in furthering educational opportunities and retention of Hispanic students," Ortega added.

HACU, which has its national headquarters in San Antonio, represents more than 400 colleges and universities, including Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), which collectively serve more than two-thirds of all Hispanic higher education students in the United States.  HACU’s international membership includes leading higher education institutions in Latin America and in Spain.

Southwest Airlines was recognized by HISPANIC Magazine for the 2005 Hispanic Corporate 100. The award focuses on Southwest Airlines’ leadership in providing opportunities for Hispanics and for supporting recruitment, scholarships, minority vendor programs, and Hispanic organizations.

Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV), the nation's largest carrier in terms of domestic passengers enplaned, currently serves 60 airports in 31 states. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates nearly 3,000 flights a day and has 31,000+ Employees systemwide.

Additional information regarding the travel award program from HACU and Southwest Airlines can be found at www.hacu.net or contact Lorena Blanco, HACU Director of Development and Marketing, at (210) 576-3224 or lblanco@hacu.net

Click here to apply for the application

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