How to Write a Scholarship Letter

Your Guide to Crafting Winning Scholarship Letters

Receiving a scholarship can be a game-changer for many students, helping to ease the financial burden that comes with higher education. However, the competition for scholarships can be considerable, with hundreds or even thousands of applicants vying for limited spots among aspiring college students.

To ensure your application stands out, it is crucial to write a compelling and persuasive scholarship letter. Aside from providing evidence of a strong academic record, as well as glowing scholarship recommendation letters from your teachers and coaches, the scholarship letter is arguably one of the most important factors for many students in getting a scholarship.

Let's take some time now to explore how to craft an excellent letter for scholarship applications, and what you should (and should not) include.

What Should Be Included in a Scholarship Letter?

A scholarship letter should convey your qualifications, achievements, and goals clearly and concisely. A typical scholarship essay format consists of an introduction, 2 body paragraphs, and a conclusion, and should not be more than 500-750 words long, or one page in length.

Here are the key components that should be included:

1. Introductory Paragraph: Begin by introducing yourself and stating the purpose of your letter. Include your name, contact information, and the scholarship or program you are applying for.
2. Personal Story: Share your background, experiences, and challenges you have overcome. This can include experiences from elementary school, middle school, high school, or outside of school completely. Explore how you have demonstrated leadership skills, resilience and determination throughout these experiences. This helps the scholarship committee understand your unique circumstances and how the scholarship can significantly impact your educational journey.
3. Academic Achievements: Highlight your academic accomplishments, such as GPA, honors, awards, and relevant coursework. Emphasize any examples of academic excellence, special skills, talents, or extracurricular activities that demonstrate your dedication and commitment.
4. Career Goals and Ambitions: Clearly articulate your educational and career aspirations. Explain how the scholarship will enable you to pursue your dreams and how the scholarship aligns with your future goals.
5. Financial Need: Explain your financial situation and why you require financial assistance to further your education. Be honest and provide any relevant financial details that support your need for the scholarship.
6. Conclusion: Conclude your letter by expressing gratitude for the opportunity to apply and confidently state your belief that you are the ideal candidate for the scholarship. Thank the committee for their time and consideration.

How Do You Make Scholarship Letters Stand Out?

College scholarship committees will be inundated with applications for scholarship programs throughout the year, so your scholarship letter must stand out from the crowd.

While your academic achievements may be outstanding, and you may have a glowing list of extracurriculars, it is the personal story in your scholarship letter that should really showcase who you are. Scholarship essays should be genuine, exploring your life experiences and, ideally, how these experiences tie into your desire for the scholarship you are applying for.

You may have heard that being 'genuine' in your essay is essential, and while it can sound obvious, it is not an easy skill to master. Have a look at our tips below to help your scholarship essay capture the essence of your true self:

1. Personalize: Tailor your letter to the specific scholarship, highlighting the qualities and experiences that align with the scholarship's mission and values. Avoid generic and one-size-fits-all letters, as scholarship providers can easily tell when you have used the same letter for a range of scholarships. Research the scholarship well and consider what qualities you have that match the ethos of your chosen scholarship.
2. Be Authentic and Passionate: Let your genuine enthusiasm and passion for your field of study shine through. Avoid clichés and use concrete examples to demonstrate your commitment and dedication. Scholarship providers want to hear captivating anecdotes about your reason for wanting to study this particular subject, so think back to your time in school or at home and consider which experiences you can draw from.
3. Show, Don't Just Tell: Instead of merely listing your achievements, explain how they have impacted your personal growth and development. Use anecdotes and specific instances to illustrate your abilities. This is a far more engaging way to demonstrate how hard you have worked throughout school.
4. Proofread and Edit: Ensure your letter is error-free and well-structured. Review it multiple times to catch any grammatical or spelling mistakes. Seek feedback from others to ensure clarity and coherence. One of the best ways to proofread is to read your scholarship letter out loud, as this can help you to see how well it flows and if there are any obvious errors or convoluted sentences.
5. Use Your Own Experiences: It's also important to note that while scholarship essay examples that you find online can be a great starting point and a helpful guide when beginning the essay writing process, they should not be copied and used as your own scholarship letter. Many of these scholarship essay examples are generic and scholarship committees can spot them from a mile away. So be sure to use your own genuine experiences to help your scholarship letter stand out in the best way possible.

How Important Are the Tone and Language Used in Scholarship Letters?

The tone and language used in scholarship letters are crucial in leaving a positive impression on the scholarship committee. This means more than just using the most elaborate words you can think of to try and impress the scholarship provider! In fact, using any words you would not typically use could ring hollow and you should avoid the practice altogether. Those who are reading your scholarship letter are going to be able to tell whether you are being genuine or just trying to trick them into buying into some version of yourself you have created just for them. Be yourself and use your true voice. As the scholarship process is so competitive, it is essential that you use tone and language in a careful yet assured way throughout your scholarship essay.

Tone and language encompasses:

• Professionalism: Maintain a professional tone throughout the letter. Use formal language and avoid slang, jargon, or overly casual phrases.
• Confidence: Strike a balance between confidence and humility. Be assertive about your qualifications without coming across as arrogant.
• Persuasiveness: Your letter should not be overtly persuasive, but it should demonstrate enough evidence of your desire and need for a scholarship to persuade scholarship providers that you deserve this opportunity. Without sounding desperate, remember to explain the importance of the scholarship to your future and what it would mean to you.
• Politeness and Gratitude: Show appreciation for the scholarship opportunity and respect towards the committee. A polite and gracious tone can leave a lasting impression.
• Clarity and Conciseness: Use clear and concise language to effectively convey your message. Avoid overly complex sentences or unnecessary embellishments that could obscure your main points.

Common Mistakes to Avoid While Writing Scholarship Letters

During the scholarship process, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed and give up when writing scholarship letters. However, they are such a key part of the scholarship application and could be the difference between being a scholarship winner or missing out on a more affordable college education.

With this in mind, it's essential not to overlook the writing process of the letter for scholarships. There are many common mistakes that pre-college students make when applying for scholarships, so let's take a look at how you can stand out in the competitive environment of college scholarship applications.

• Generic Personal Statements: We've mentioned it before, but it's so crucial that we'll mention it again: avoid using the same letter for multiple scholarships! Tailor each letter to the specific scholarship to demonstrate your genuine interest and suitability. while there are many scholarship essay examples online, and while they can be helpful to use as a guide, it is essential to avoid copying and pasting these, and not use the same letter for different scholarships. Your personal statement and college essay in general need to be unique to you, while highlighting the scholarship requirements throughout.
• Poor Grammar and Spelling: It may sound obvious, but proofread your letter carefully for grammar and spelling mistakes. Sloppy errors will reflect negatively on your attention to detail, and you don't want to boast a strong academic record as a high school student and then have an application full of mistakes. Proofreading is one of the most important parts of the scholarship letter writing process.
• Exaggeration: While it's important to highlight your achievements, avoid exaggerating or fabricating information. Scholarship committees appreciate honesty and integrity.
• Lack of Focus: Stay focused on the purpose of the scholarship letter. Avoid providing irrelevant or repetitive information that does not directly contribute to your qualifications and financial needs. A good way to stay focused throughout is to maintain a clear structure within your letter: an introduction, 2 main body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
• Negativity: Maintain an optimistic tone in your letter. Avoid complaining or dwelling on past setbacks, and instead, discuss how you have learned or grown from these setbacks, and how they have taught you leadership skills or resilience. For example, if you are from an underprivileged community, or have faced a lot of hardship throughout your life, it is important to discuss this in your letter, but you should focus on the positive outcomes and what you have learned from your experiences.

How Can I Convey My Need for a Scholarship Effectively in a Letter?

It can be difficult to truly express your need for a scholarship in your scholarship letter, especially if you are hoping your chosen scholarship will ease a lot of the financial burden of college. However, scholarship committees will want to have a clear idea of why you want their particular scholarship and what it can do for your future. Consider these tips when writing your scholarship letter:

1. Be Transparent: Clearly explain your financial situation and the obstacles that hinder your educational pursuit. Provide accurate details without embellishments.
2. Impact and Benefits: Articulate how receiving the scholarship will positively impact your life and alleviate some of the financial burdens. Explain how it will allow you to focus on your studies and future goals.
3. Link to Your Goals: Connect your financial need with your long-term goals. Show how the scholarship will help you achieve academic success and enable you to contribute to your chosen field.
4. Provide Supporting Evidence: If possible, offer supporting documents that substantiate your financial need, such as income statements, tax returns, or letters from financial aid offices.
5. Show Determination and Drive: Communicate your commitment and dedication to your studies despite financial constraints. Assure the scholarship committee that you will make the most of the opportunity if chosen.

Write a Persuasive Letter and Boost Your Scholarship Application

In conclusion, writing a scholarship letter that stands out requires a blend of personalization, authenticity, and effective communication.

By including the essential elements outlined above and avoiding common mistakes, you can craft a persuasive and compelling letter to convey your qualifications, goals, and financial needs. Remember, the scholarship letter is your chance to showcase your unique qualities and convince the committee why you are deserving of their support. Good luck with your scholarship applications!