KHOSA Scholarship
The establishment of the KHOSA Scholarship is deeply rooted in the life and principles of its benefactor, Rattan L. Khosa. This groundbreaking program, established in partnership with visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist Rattan L. Khosa, is designed to significantly expand educational opportunities and cultivate the next generation of leaders in critical fields for Kashmiri Pandit students in the United States. It is an investment in human potential, celebrating not just academic achievement, but also the spirit of service and leadership that defines Khosa's remarkable legacy.
“I received full scholarships for both my MS at the University of Maryland and MBA at the Booth School of Business. Without either, my path would have been totally different and I very likely would not have achieved what I did,” Khosa recalls. “Having achieved success, I strongly believe in paying it forward. Now it is my turn to help others, especially youth within our community, in the field of education.”
This significant collaboration, set to run from 2025 to 2028, will administer six $10,000 scholarships annually – three for male students and three for female students. Over its four-year duration, the program will award a remarkable total of $258,000 in scholarships. This initiative is a testament to the power of giving back, mirroring the life journey of Rattan L. Khosa, who built a highly successful career from humble beginnings in Kashmir and has consistently invested in fostering future talent.
“Having personally noticed a major impact by great education, I am hoping that the scholarships should assist our youth in excelling in education which should help them reach bigger milestones in their career.” Khosa ultimately hopes “in the future, they will pay it forward in helping other members of KP youth who will follow them.”
Program Overview
Objective
The KHOSA Scholarship is a merit-based program with clear criteria to identify promising students. It is open to both undergraduate and graduate students, with a preference for graduate-level applicants, and is accessible at any stage of their academic journey, not limited to first-year students.
For any questions, please reach out to khosascholarship@koausa.org
Award Amount
The scholarship is a one time award of $10000 to each selected student
Important Dates
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Applications due: October 31st
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Selection Process and Announcement: By December 15th
Eligibility
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Applicants must be either a U.S. citizen, green card holder,
or student visa holder. -
Applicants must be residing in the USA at the time of application.
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Applicants must have already secured admission to
an accredited university located in the USA. -
At least one parent must be a Kashmiri Pandit (KP) and a member of KOA.
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Students must be studying in one of the following fields of study:
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Business
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Computer Science
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Engineering
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Medicine
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Selection Criteria
Selection will be based purely on meritocracy, taking into account:
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Academic Merit. Demonstrated excellence in studies
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Extracurricular Achievements. Involvement and leadership outside of academics.
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Examples: athletics, academic clubs, art programs, internships, research.
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Volunteer Work. A commitment to community service.
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Examples: peer mentoring, tutoring, community events, volunteer contributions to extracurricular examples above.
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Charitable Engagement or Initiatives. Active participation in giving back.
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Examples: community service with local organizations (school, food bank, library), organization of and participation in charity events and awareness campaigns.
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Selection & Distribution Process
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Applications are received and verified by our selection committee.
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Students are selected based on merit, with preference for graduate-level applicants.
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Within two weeks of the selection, applicants will be informed of their selection and the list along with their application will be forwarded to Rattan Khosa or his appointed agent.
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Rattan Khosa or his appointed agent will disburse the funds (via one check) within a reasonable time - preferably three weeks.
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The committee will monitor the student's progress and provide an update to the sponsor at the end of the year.
Application Materials
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Academic Transcript
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Copy of your most recent official or unofficial transcript.
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Resume
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Maximum two-page resume highlighting extracurricular activities, volunteer experience, and outreach activities.
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Personal Statement
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Maximum three-page personal statement detailing your personal career goals after education. Please describe how your experiences to date have informed your career plan and your decision to apply for higher education programs. Particular consideration will be given to examples of the selection criteria. As part of your statement, clearly indicate how the KHOSA Scholarship would be enabling for your prospective career path.
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Professional References
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Contact information for one to three references. Referees may be contacted in evaluation of applications.
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References should be people that can provide a fair and unbiased evaluation of performance in academics, extracurricular activities, or community service.
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