North Carolina State UniversityWilson College of TextilesAnil Kochhareducation philanthropystudent loans
Indian-American Philanthropist Pays Off Student Loans for 176 NC State Graduates
Published: May 9, 2026
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Anil Kochhar, an Indian-American philanthropist, announced during the May 8 graduation ceremony at North Carolina State University's Wilson College of Textiles that he and his wife Marilyn would pay off all final-year education loans for the 176 members of the Class of 2026. The surprise announcement, made in Reynolds Coliseum, was greeted with immediate cheers and standing ovations from students, families, and faculty.
Kochhar dedicated the gift to his father, Prakash Chand Kochhar, who emigrated from Punjab, India, and became the second Indian student to enroll at the university in 1946, earning a bachelor's degree in 1950 and a master's in 1952. Prakash Chand Kochhar's legacy includes the establishment of a memorial textile scholarship by his widow, Christine Hayes Kochhar, after his death in 1985.
The Kochhar family has previously supported the university through three endowed funds: the Prakash Chand Kochhar Dean’s Chair Endowment, the Endowed Faculty Fund, and the Graduate Support Endowment for textile engineering, chemistry, and science students. Anil Kochhar called the loan payment a way to honor his father’s journey and to empower a new generation of graduates to pursue careers without financial burden.
University officials confirmed the 176 graduates will receive direct loan repayments through a structured disbursement process administered by the college’s financial office. The Wilson College administration praised the donation as one of the most significant single acts of generosity in its history.