The Upakar Foundation has awarded scholarships to 24 new Indian American students as part of its 2026 program, which includes nine students receiving need-based undergraduate tuition support and 15 receiving one-time textbook scholarships. The nine new Upakar Scholars will receive up to $10,000 each in tuition support spread over four years. Additionally, 22 returning Upakar Scholars have had their awards successfully renewed for the 2026-27 academic year, while each of the 15 new textbook scholars will receive a one-time award of $250.
New Tuition Scholars and Institutional Supporters:
The nine new tuition scholarship recipients and their respective institutions include: Prit Patel (Kentucky) – University of Pennsylvania; Jezreel Thomas (Pennsylvania) – Moravian University; Manav Patel (Maryland) – University of Maryland; Aryan Patel (Virginia) – University of Virginia; Misty Sandhosh (Florida) – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; Anoushka Sibani (Oklahoma) – University of Tulsa; Hargun Ahluwalia (Texas) – University of the Incarnate Word; Sukh Preet Kaur (New Jersey) – Barnard College of Columbia University; and Aditya Pethe (Iowa) – Case Western Reserve University.
These scholarships were made possible through the generous backing of Hindu American Community Services Inc., Rao and Padmavati Vadlamani, Dr. Venkat and Gita Mani, the India Development and Relief Fund, the Neetu Watumull Scholarship Program, Niru Rohatgi, the family of Shanti Gupta, and Upakar. The 15 new textbook scholarship recipients are Heer Patel, Aarish Patel, Neema Patel, Daksh Patel, Trusha Patel, Shruti Singh, Zoha Baig, Sreya Mathews, Sritha Devarapu, Adithya Karthik Upadhyayula, Shaili Desai, Sarayu Vallurupalli, Pranav Ramji, Reva Sobti, and Ayan Virani.
Foundation Background and Impact:
Established in 1997 in the Washington, D.C. area, the Upakar Foundation provides vital need- and merit-based financial assistance to Indian American students. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents graduating from a U.S. high school who were either born in India or have at least one Indian-born parent. Demonstrating significant ongoing growth, the foundation noted that applications increased this year, more than 95% of donated funds go directly toward student support, and over $1 million in total scholarships has been awarded since its founding.
