CHICAGO, Aug. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines is helping reduce the costs of a college education for hundreds of deserving students this fall. The United Airlines Scholarship Fund (USF), a charity sponsored by the company, has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships to 730 employees and their children for the 2014-15 academic year.

Funded through employee contributions and fundraising efforts, the USF helps support the educational development of United co-workers and their families. Since 2002, the program has awarded more than $8.7 million in financial assistance to nearly 2,500 recipients.

"Providing opportunities for our employees and their loved ones to continue learning, whether in the classroom or the office, is core to our working together culture," said Donna Towle, the airline's vice president of employee relations. "We are proud of this year's scholarship winners and grateful to all the employees and business partners at United who generously contribute to this valuable program."

The USF is a private, nonprofit charity that supports students attending accredited undergraduate, graduate and vocational technical institutions. A majority of applicants reside in states with a United hub – California, Colorado, Illinois, New York/New Jersey, Texas and Virginia – or regions where a large number of employees live and work. Over its 12-year history, the program has given scholarships to students across 46 states and 12 countries, with 2014 winners hailing from as far away as London, Mexico City and Tokyo.

Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of academic record, honors, school and community involvement, work experience and several other factors. Students can apply for a one-time $1,000 award or a renewable $1,500 need-based award paid yearly for four years or until the recipient earns a bachelor's degree. Winners of either scholarship can re-apply as graduate students if they meet the eligibility and financial requirements.

About United
United Airlines and United Express operate an average of more than 5,200 flights a day to 374 airports across six continents. In 2013, United and United Express operated nearly two million flights carrying 139 million customers. With hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., United operates more than 700 mainline aircraft and, in 2014, will take delivery of 35 new Boeing aircraft, including the 787-9 as the North American launch customer, and will welcome 32 new Embraer 175 aircraft to United Express. The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 192 countries via 27 member airlines. More than 85,000 United employees reside in every U.S. state and in countries around the world. For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter or connect on Facebook. The common stock of United's parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc., is traded on the NYSE under the symbol UAL.

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SOURCE United Airlines