By: Ashmar Mandou
Calling all students! The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and Southwest Airlines® have opened applications for the 19th Annual ¡Lánzate!/Take Off! Higher Education Travel Award Program. Online applications will be accepted through April 28, 2023. Eligibility requirements include being enrolled at a college/university located at least 200 miles from a student’s home and the submission of required essays. A selection committee consisting of national education advocates and community leaders will select the award recipients. Recipients will be awarded four round trip tickets on Southwest Airlines for the student to use when traveling to/from the college/university. Director of Community Outreach at Southwest Airlines Laura Nieto shared a few tips on how to help students through the process and offered up safe advice on how to have a wonderful college experience.
Lawndale Bilingual News: Take Off! Higher Education Travel Award Program is in its 19th year, how does it feel to part of a company that places an emphasis on philanthropy?
Laura Nieto: I am very proud to work for Southwest Airlines and connect with people. It makes me feel so proud to give back in meaningful ways; to enable students to connect with their families, with their communities.
What should prospective applicants know about the application process, especially when it comes to the essay portion?
I think one thing that is important to know is that we are interested in learning about the student and their experience. We have read essays where students displayed tenacity, passion, they shared their struggle, their dreams, also shared ways in which they helped their community while being able to maintain strong grades. If they can communicate how this program will help them and communicate who they are, they will be fine.
Once a student is awarded the Take Off! Higher Education Travel Award, how often are they able to travel to and from school? Is there a limit?
When a student is selected, they will earn four roundtrip tickets per year. They can use it for themselves or share it with their family members. I have heard examples of where students will save their roundtrip tickets for family members to attend their college graduation.
What advice would you give to students graduating high school and heading off to college? How can they have a successful and memorable college experience?
Be confident, be courageous, and be adventurous. Take a chance on yourself, take advantage of whatever experience comes their way. Be open to a new job, a new experience. Everything they experience will really shape them as they go through their way.
Additional information about the Take Off! Higher Education Travel Award Program Includes:
Eligibility Criteria:
• Student must be enrolled in a college/university at least 200 miles from their designated home at the time they’re applying.
• Student must be in good academic standing as determined by their college/university.
• Student must have a minimum 2.5 grade point average (GPA).
• Student must be 18 years old or older at time of application.
• Recipient must be a legal U.S. resident.
• All federal government regulations related to air travel and Transportation Security Administration rules must be adhered to, including, but not limited to, producing a valid government-issued photo ID for air travel.
• One application per student must be submitted online by the specified deadline of April 28, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. CT. Incomplete applications and applications not submitted online will be disqualified.
• All selected student recipients will be required to complete and sign an IRS Form W-9 with the student’s full social security number.
For information on the program or for general information, visit www.hacu.net
The tickets can be used for travel to any of the Southwest Airlines domestic destinations as listed on www.southwest.com.
