¡Lánzate!/Take Off! Higher Education Travel Award program

Funded by
Hispanic Association of College And Universities

The award is a collaboration between the HACU and Southwest Airlines. The HACU is the only national association representing emerging and existing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs).

The ¡Lánzate!/Take Off! Higher Education Travel Award program also allows Hispanic students to travel away from home to pursue higher education.

The award offers a reward of $1,500 to 185 students, which amounts to eight one-way flights. The e-passes can only be used to travel to destinations in the continental U.S. — where Southwest Airlines operate.

Scholarship Summary

The award is a collaboration between the HACU and Southwest Airlines. The HACU is the only national association representing emerging and existing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs).

The ¡Lánzate!/Take Off! Higher Education Travel Award program also allows Hispanic students to travel away from home to pursue higher education.

The award offers a reward of $1,500 to 185 students, which amounts to eight one-way flights. The e-passes can only be used to travel to destinations in the continental U.S. — where Southwest Airlines operate.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Eligible Grade: Undergraduate – Postgraduate
  • Maximum Age: Any
  • Required GPA: 2.5
  • Geographic Eligibility: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Massachusetts, Oklahoma, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
  • Gender: Any
  • Race/Ethnicity: Hispanic

Key Information of ¡Lánzate!/Take Off! Higher Education Travel Award program

Study Details

Area of Study

Any

Country of Study

United States

Specific Schools

Any

Application Requirements

Here’s what you need to submit besides your application.

  • Essay
  • School Verification

¡Lánzate!/Take Off! Higher Education Travel Award program Timeline

February 1, 2025

Application Open Date

Application opens for submission of entries.

April 26, 2025

Submission Deadline

Application closes for submission of entries.

July 5, 2025

Award Announcement Date

Award winners will be announced and

July 31, 2025

Issuing of flight e-passes

Students will be given the awarded number of flight e-passes from Southwest Airlines

How to ace the ¡Lánzate!/Take Off! Higher Education Travel Award program

1

Show good academic standing

Endeavor to have a good academic standing with a minimum GPA of 2.5. The GPA must be verified by the college registrar's office.

2

Complete and upload your enrollment verification form

You are required to complete and upload an Enrollment Verification Form with your application. Your enrollment verification form must be signed and verified by the college Registrar's Office and must verify enrollment and grade point average.

3

Identify ties to help determine your Hispanic origin

Endeavor to identify direct or parental ties to a specific country to determine Hispanic origin on the application.

4

Adhere to every detail on the essay prompt

Your essays should address questions outlined in the application. Your essays must be between 300 and 500 words and demonstrate college-level writing and grammar skills.

How the ¡Lánzate!/Take Off! Higher Education Travel Award program is Judged

Applications will be judged on the quality and adherence to essay prompt as well as school Verification

Why We Love the ¡Lánzate!/Take Off! Higher Education Travel Award program

1

The award provides traveling tickets for recipients

Southwest Airlines and HACU through this national education initiative awards flight e-passes to award recipients who travel away from home to pursue a higher education

2

The award offers a large number of awards

The ¡Lánzate!/Take Off! Higher Education Travel Award program has a total of 128 awardees.

3

There's a special consideration for certain students

The award program offers additional consideration to students attending a HACU member institution in the individual review phase.

5 Facts About the ¡Lánzate!/Take Off! Higher Education Travel Award Program

01.

The award is sponsored by HACU

The ¡Lánzate!/Take Off! Higher Education Travel Award Program is sponsored by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) in conjunction with Southwest Airlines.

02.

The awarding body offers flights to awardees

HACU and Southwest Airlines through this national education initiative will award flight e-passes to currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students across the country who travel away from home to pursue higher education and meet the eligibility criteria listed below.

03.

HACU is more than three decades old

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, founded in 1986, represents more than 500 colleges and universities in the United States, Latin America, Spain, and school districts throughout the U.S.

04.

HACU is highly committed to higher education

HACU represents more than 500 colleges and universities committed to Hispanic higher education success in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Latin America, and Spain.

05.

The selection committee comprises seasoned professionals

The award selection committee consists of national education advocates and community leaders. They will select the award recipients.