Jay and Jyoti Chaudhry’s $4 Million Gift to UC Will Empower First-Generation Students

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CINCINNATI, OH — Jay Chaudhry, the Indian American tech entrepreneur behind the cybersecurity giant Zscaler, and his wife Jyoti have made an incredible $4 million donation to the University of Cincinnati (UC), marking a major milestone in their commitment to education and helping first-generation students succeed.

The Chaudhrys’ gift will establish the Chaudhry Family Scholarship Fund, which will provide much-needed financial support to Pell-eligible first-generation students starting in fall 2025. Their donation will directly benefit UC’s Gen-1 1MPACT House, a residential community designed to give first-gen students the tools, resources, and environment they need to thrive academically, socially, and personally.

This scholarship will help fill financial gaps, ensuring that these students don’t have to worry about mounting debt as they work toward their degrees. For many of these students, this gift could make all the difference in achieving their educational goals.

“We are incredibly grateful to UC for the education we received, which was instrumental to our careers,” said Jay Chaudhry, who earned multiple master’s degrees from UC in the 1980s. “This scholarship fund is our way of saying ‘thank you’—helping other students, just like us, find their path to success.”

As proud UC alumni, both Jay and Jyoti have always felt a deep connection to the university. Jay, originally from a small village in India, knows firsthand the challenges of being a first-generation college student. His own experiences, from studying engineering at UC to becoming a successful entrepreneur, have shaped his passion for giving others the same opportunities he had. Jyoti, who earned her MBA from UC’s Lindner College of Business, shares that same sense of gratitude for the education they received.

“This scholarship fund will allow many deserving students to focus on their studies without the worry of financial stress,” the Chaudhrys shared. “We’re honored to play a part in helping them succeed.”

UC President Neville G. Pinto expressed his admiration for the couple’s generosity, emphasizing how the gift will transform lives. “Jay and Jyoti’s donation is a game-changer,” said Pinto. “Their partnership in supporting first-generation students is a testament to their commitment to education, and their generosity will leave a lasting impact on the UC community.”

UC’s Gen-1 Program, founded in 2008, has long been a pioneer in supporting first-generation students. The program offers a range of services to help these students succeed, from academic advising and tutoring to mentoring and career development. The program has proven remarkably successful, with a 98% retention rate from the first to second year—far above the national average of 68% for first-gen students.

Suzette Combs, director of the Gen-1 Program, said the Chaudhry’s gift will allow students to take full advantage of the program’s resources and focus on their academic success without the added burden of financial pressure. “This donation gives our students a powerful message: there are people who believe in them, who think they belong here,” she said. “That kind of encouragement is priceless.”

For Jay Chaudhry, this gift is more than just about giving back—it’s personal. Growing up in the small village of Panoh in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, Jay’s parents emphasized the importance of education, even when resources were scarce. Today, Jay is the CEO of Zscaler, a leading cloud security company that he co-founded with Jyoti in 2007. His story—from humble beginnings to becoming a successful entrepreneur—is a testament to how education can change lives.

“We want to ensure that today’s students have the same opportunities we had,” Jay said. “Education is a transformative force, and we hope this scholarship fund will help students reach their full potential, just as UC helped us.”

By supporting UC’s Gen-1 1MPACT House, the Chaudhry Family Scholarship Fund will help students build the future they’ve always dreamed of—one where financial challenges are no longer a barrier to their success.