American Airlines Group Inc.
09/19/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/19/2025 08:00
American’s 2025 Education Foundation scholars join a legacy of achievement
- Nearly $1 million in scholarships awarded to 364 students across eight countries.
- 90 scholarship winners are first-generation college students.
FORT WORTH, Texas - Education changes lives and sometimes entire family legacies. For Skylar Yoder, the daughter of longtime American Airlines Technical Crew Chief Jason Yoder, four Education Foundation scholarships helped pave the way to an Ivy League degree from Cornell University, a master's from King's College London and a career in global cybersecurity.
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Shelly Yoder, Education Foundation scholarship recipient Skylar Yoder and Jason Yoder
The generational legacy began with her grandfather, an Amish wheat farmer who had only an eighth-grade education and spoke little English. Her father went on to build a successful 36-year career at American. Today, the journey continues with Skylar, thanks in part to the support of the American Airlines Education Foundation.
"Being awarded four Education Foundation scholarships was an important step in helping our family make higher education attainable," said Jason Yoder. "More than that, it inspired Skylar to reach her full potential. It gave her the confidence to move halfway around the country for her undergraduate degree then halfway around the globe to pursue a graduate education and career."
Many of the thousands of past scholarship recipients have gone on to make the dean's list, become first-generation college graduates and launch impressive careers across industries. Their stories are a powerful reminder of the impact the Education Foundation has in shaping futures.
This year, the Foundation awarded nearly $1 million in scholarships to 364 students, supporting future leaders pursuing diverse career paths. Among the recipients, 90 are first-generation college students - writing a new chapter for their families just as Skylar did.
"Our purpose is to care for people on life's journey and that includes helping our team members and their families reach their full potential," said Julie Rath, American's Senior Vice President of Global Airports, Contact Centers and Inflight Dining Operations and Education Foundation board member. "We're creating pathways not only to education, but opportunity across generations."
The Foundation awarded $2,500 scholarships to eligible full-time undergraduate students at any accredited college, university or vocational program around the world, with first-generation college students receiving an additional $1,000 to support their unique journey. For the 2025-2026 school year, scholarship recipients hailed from eight countries including the United States, Belize, Canada, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico, New Zealand and Peru.
Applicants were selected based on academic achievement, financial need, extracurricular activities and community service. Over 1,200 students applied for the highly competitive program.
Applications for the 2026-2027 academic year open in January. For more details, visit https://www.aa.com/scholarships. Learn more about how American is helping communities thrive at https://www.aa.com/letgoodtakeflight.
About American Airlines Group
As a leading global airline, American Airlines offers thousands of flights per day to more than 350 destinations in more than 60 countries. The airline is a founding member of the oneworld alliance, whose members serve more than 900 destinations around the globe. Shares of American Airlines Group Inc. trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol AAL. Learn more about what's happening at American by visiting news.aa.com and connect with American @AmericanAir and at Facebook.com/AmericanAirlines. To Care for People on Life's Journey®.
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