Dinakara Rao Memorial Scholarship
Our dad, Dinakara Rao, was a resilient father, mentor, and leader who embodied the spirit of self-determination. In his youth, he took the courageous and difficult step of running away from home specifically to pursue the education that he knew was the key to his future.
Despite the immense challenges and personal sacrifices he faced as he navigated the world on his own, Dinakara never wavered in his pursuit of knowledge. Through sheer grit and tireless hard work, he excelled in his studies and earned a degree in engineering. His professional journey was marked by steady upward mobility, eventually retiring as the Vice President of a private company. Beyond his professional success, Dinakara was defined by his radical generosity and his devotion to supporting his family and uplifting his community. He understood that success is not just about personal achievement, but about reaching back to help others climb.
This scholarship aims to honor the legacy of our dad Dinakara Rao by supporting students who share his relentless drive to succeed in a complex world that often favors those with established privilege.
Any BIPOC four-year undergraduate student may apply for this scholarship opportunity if they are a first-generation college student who is determined to create a better future for themselves and their community despite systemic obstacles.
To apply, tell us about your journey as a first-generation student and what has motivated you to pursue your desired career path.
Explain your story as a first-generation student and your motivation for pursuing your chosen career path.
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FAQ
The application deadline is Jun 10, 2026. Winners will be announced on Jul 11, 2026.
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Award amounts per winner are designated by the donor. Check the award amount for a detailed breakdown.
The winner will be publicly announced on Jul 11, 2026. Prior to the announcement date, we may contact finalists with additional questions about their application. We will work with donors to review all applications according to the scholarship criteria. Winners will be chosen based on the merit of their application.
Award checks will be sent to the financial aid office of the winner's academic institution in their name to be applied to their tuition, and in the name of their institution (depending on the school's requirements). If the award is for a qualified educational non-tuition expense, we will work with the winner directly to distribute the award and make sure it goes towards qualified expenses.
Before we award the scholarship, the winner will be required to confirm their academic enrollment status. Depending on the circumstances, verification of Student ID and/or their most recent transcript will be required.
If you have any questions about this scholarship or the Bold.org platform, just email contact@bold.org and we’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.
Yes. The terms and conditions for this scholarship can be found here.
