More than 100 Children Of Employees, Retirees Receive $3,500 For Higher Education

US Airways awarded $455,000 in college scholarships to 130 children of employees and retirees June 24 at a reception in Phoenix. The US Airways Education Foundation has previously awarded $2,500 college scholarships but last night the students learned they would receive $3,500 due to record fundraising done by the Foundation last year.

More than 325 students applied for the scholarships and a committee comprised of educators and community leaders carefully reviewed each application. Applicants were scored on academic achievement, leadership, awards and honors, community service and volunteerism, work commitment, financial need and memberships or affiliations. The committee also reviewed applicants' essays and letters of recommendation.

"Taking care of our employees also means helping to take care of their children. By assisting with the higher education of those children, we're supporting the continuing education of tomorrow's leaders in the communities we serve," said Elise Eberwein, executive vice president of People, Communications and Public Affairs for US Airways "Like their parents, who work or have worked as US Airways' crewmembers, mechanics, customer service and fleet service representatives or in corporate support functions, we, too, are extremely proud of this year's recipients."

Recipients of the 2013 US Airways Education Foundation scholarship will be attending universities all across the country, and include:

• 46 students from the Charlotte, NC area
• 28 recipients from Phoenix
• 11 students from Philadelphia
• Five recipients from Washington, D.C.

These four cities serve as the airline's hubs, where the majority of employees live and work. Another 26 students who reside in 18 different cities across US Airways' network also received scholarships. In addition, 35 of the 2013 recipients are repeat recipients and three recipients are receiving this scholarship for the fourth consecutive year. This year's group has an average cumulative G.P.A. of 3.71 and is comprised of class valedictorians, award-winning musicians, academic all-state athletes and community volunteers who have served the Boys and Girls Club, Special Olympics and the American Cancer Society.

Since 1992, the US Airways Education Foundation has awarded nearly $4.6 million in scholarships to dependents of US Airways employees as well as grants to nonprofit organizations that support children's educational programs. The Foundation is funded entirely by fundraising events and donations.

FMI: www.usairways.com