Each year, Southwestern distributes more than $150,000 in named scholarships and awards to students.  Most of these are established by families and friends who wish to honor loved ones by assisting outstanding students to get a Southwestern education. An endowment is an investment that yields a certain percentage of award money per year, while an award can be a one-time scholarship for 1 or more students, and can be given once, or year after year as the donor chooses.