The AEP Foundation/SWEPCO Scholarship was established in 2002 by the AEP-Southwestern Electric Power Company, and the AEP Foundation continued to contribute to the scholarship to benefit those living in the community it serves.

AEP-Southwestern Electric Power Company provides powerful solutions to the energy needs of more than 400,000 customers in a 25,000-square-mile service territory in northwest Louisiana, northeast Texas, and western Arkansas. With headquarters in Shreveport, Louisiana, AEP-SWEPCO has operating divisions based in Shreveport; Longview, Texas; and Fayetteville, Arkansas.

The selection and public announcement naming the recipient will be made in the spring of each year.