American Airlines : Education Foundation Invests in Employees' Children by Awarding More Than $925,000 in College Scholarships

FORT WORTH, Texas - The American Airlines Education Foundation awarded $925,000 in scholarships to 345 children of team members, an increase of 16 percent compared to 2017.

Each recipient will receive a $2,500 scholarship and 66 first-generation college students will each receive an additional one-time award of $1,000. Scholarship recipients were honored at a reception last night at the Gaylord Texan in Grapevine, Texas.

'Many families struggle with the costs of sending their children to school to pursue a higher education degree,' said Dianne Stewart, Customer Service coordinator, Raleigh-Durham (RDU). 'And for American Airlines to make this commitment to help families lessen the cost burden shows how well American understands the importance of investing in our children's future. For my son, Zakary, being awarded this scholarship is even more meaningful to him since he is majoring in aviation science with the ultimate goal of becoming an airline pilot. Having American recognize his academic achievements and contribute to furthering his development, makes him feel as though he is really a member of the American family.'

'This is an impressive group of students with tremendous academic achievements, extra-curricular activities and community involvement,' said Chris Singley, managing director of Community Relations and Employee Engagement. 'The award ceremony is one of the best nights of the year at American, and it's a joy to see the accomplishments and passions of these students and the pride of their parents as the students accept their awards.'

The Education Foundation received more than 1,700 applications as a part of the competitive process. Managed by third-party scholarship experts, scholarships are awarded based on financial need, academic achievement, extracurricular involvement and commitment to community service and volunteerism. 'I am extremely grateful to American, not only for making the attainment of higher education possible for me, but for providing my father with a place of work for the past 27 years,' said Daniel Iglesias, son of Esmiley Iglesias, a Fleet Service clerk at Miami International Airport. Daniel is a first-generation college student who will be a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania this fall. 'With my father's immigration to this country, I know he found comfort at American, joining a community of hard-working and determined individuals, wanting to benefit air travel for the future of tomorrow. Again, American, thank you for making the possibility of me attending my dream college a reality.'

American Airlines Education Foundation will continue to support educational initiatives by funding college scholarships for dependents of airline employees. High school seniors and college undergraduate students are eligible to apply for the scholarships and they can receive the award for up to four years.

For more information about the ways American Airlines is giving back to the community, please visit aa.com/letgoodtakeflight.