#AshokaIsForAll: The Impact of Financial Aid at Ashoka University for Suchir Kalra

Throughout my years at Ashoka University, I had the privilege of working on several research projects with fellow students. Some of the projects I’ve been involved in include designing a new version of Captcha for the visually impaired, and interdisciplinary research on the AI Art Industry, which explored AI-based art from various perspectives, including Philosophy, Economics, Psychology, and Computer Science. I also participated in a project that analysed the sentiments before and after India’s partition by studying literature produced during the partition phases. It’s the core liberal arts philosophy of Ashoka University that provided me with the unique opportunity to explore diverse academic fields simultaneously.

Without financial aid, I could never have imagined attending Ashoka University and experiencing such a comprehensive education. The Office of Financial Aid has consistently provided support and stood by me. My father came from a middle-class background, and when I applied to Ashoka, I had concerns about the high fees. However, my dream of being at Ashoka was fueled by the University’s mission to revolutionise higher education and the passion displayed by its founders in various YouTube videos and articles across the internet. The generous financial aid offer I received dispelled my fee-related apprehensions, reinforcing my belief that aid finds those who truly deserve it.

During my Undergraduate Programme, family emergencies and our modest background made financing Ashoka a challenge, despite the financial aid I received. The financial aid office was always there, acting like a supportive family, providing empathy, efficiency, and prompt assistance. They strengthened my faith that Ashoka is more than just an educational institution; it’s a community. This reminds me of a popular African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child,” signifying the collective responsibility of a community to nurture and support its members, especially the younger generation. I firmly believe that Ashoka University is that village.

I am perpetually grateful to the financial aid team for their unwavering support throughout my time at Ashoka.

Suchir Kalra is an Ashoka alum from the Ashoka Scholars Programme batch of 2023, who minored in Computer Science and concentrated on Entrepreneurial Leadership and Strategy.