Celebrating Independence with Opportunity: KOA and Rattan L. Khosa Launch Transformative KHOSA Scholarship

KOA Admin
6 days ago
5 min read

Chicago, Illinois – July 4, 2025 – As the nation celebrates Independence Day, a new chapter of empowerment is being written for the Kashmiri Pandit community. Today, at the annual National KOA Camp in Chicago, the Kashmiri Overseas Association (KOA) proudly unveils a landmark initiative: the KHOSA Scholarship. 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.

“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.

The KHOSA Scholarship: Investing in Future Leaders

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.

Eligibility and Requirements:

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.
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.

Selection Criteria: Selection will be based purely on meritocracy, taking into account:

Academic Merit: Demonstrated excellence in studies.
Extracurricular Achievements: Involvement and leadership outside of academics.
Volunteer Work: A commitment to community service.
Charitable Engagement or Initiatives: Active participation in giving back. Applicants are strongly encouraged to include references and recommendation letters with their applications.

Eligible Fields of Study: Scholarships are strictly limited to students pursuing degrees in:

Engineering
Computer Science
Medicine
Business

Program Administration: The KOA Board will appoint a five-member selection committee, striving to include a minimum of two KPs and two non-KPs, preferably from academia. This committee will be responsible for verifying application contents, including the field of study and university accreditation. Importantly, Rattan L. Khosa and anyone related to him will not be involved in the selection process, ensuring a fair and impartial review. While Khosa may provide strategic guidance, the operational execution of the program will be entrusted entirely to KOA and the selection committee.

The Vision Behind the Gift: Rattan L. Khosa's Journey

The establishment of the KHOSA Scholarship is deeply rooted in the life and principles of its benefactor, Rattan L. Khosa. His own journey from Kashmir to the U.S. with very little money is a powerful narrative of resilience and determination. He diligently pursued his education, earning degrees from the University of Jammu & Kashmir and the University of Rajasthan. His relentless drive for knowledge led him to further studies, securing a Master's in structural engineering from the University of Maryland and an MBA with concentrations in Finance and Marketing from the prestigious University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 1979.

“Around the time I came to the US, India had a foreign exchange crisis where one could secure an exchange for only $8, which is what I had when I left India. After a few coffee cups at connecting airports, I was left with only $3.75 when I was dropped at the University of Maryland.”

Khosa's entrepreneurial spirit truly blossomed when he founded AMSYSCO, Inc., a leading provider of unbonded post-tensioning systems for commercial structures, in 1981 from his basement with only $44,000 in savings. His approach, built on "intelligent conservatism," unwavering honesty, and a relentless focus on customer service and product quality, has led AMSYSCO to remarkable sustained profitability, even through economic downturns. He has often described starting his own venture as "like jumping off a cliff in the middle of the night while blindfolded, hoping that there is a safety net down below," highlighting his courage and calculated risk-taking.

Beyond his business success, Khosa is a passionate philanthropist, particularly dedicated to empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs. His significant $5 million gift to the University of Chicago Booth School of Business established the Rattan L. Khosa Student Entrepreneurs Program, encompassing fellowships, internships, and an "Against All Odds" award for students who have overcome significant hurdles. He also endowed the Rattan L. Khosa Scholarship at Booth, which notably gives "preferential consideration for qualified Kashmiri Hindu Pandit students," showcasing his profound commitment to his community of origin and supporting those with similar backgrounds. His belief that "no one has succeeded on their own" drives his dedication to mentorship and guidance for aspiring entrepreneurs through his involvement with the Polsky Center's advisory board and direct engagement.

The establishment of the KHOSA Scholarship through this collaboration between KOA and Rattan L. Khosa offers a tangible bridge between the rich heritage of the Kashmiri Pandit community and the bright futures of its talented youth. 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.

“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.”

“The Khosa Scholarship is a transformative initiative that will benefit our community in two vital ways. First, by supporting educational opportunities for our youth, we empower future leaders to pursue their dreams. Second, this exclusive scholarship for KP students based in the USA strengthens our community bonds by reaffirming our commitment to mutual support and shared success," mentioned Uphaar Kotru, President KOA. "We extend our heartfelt thanks to Mr. Rattan Khosa & Bharati Khosa for their incredible generosity and unwavering passion for empowering KP youth.”

Further details regarding the application process for the KHOSA Scholarship will be announced by the Kashmiri Overseas Association soon.