Several types of letters accompany scholarship applications. Students write most of the letters, but recommendation letters are written by people close to the student who have knowledge of their skills and capabilities. Before you apply for any scholarships, understand the differences between the letters you may have to write or submit as part of the application process.
Application Letter
Scholarship committees often request applicants to submit a letter of interest with their applications. Each scholarship committee has different requirements for their interest letters, but the basic elements remain the same for most. These letters usually express the student's career goals, educational background and why she wants the scholarship. Include results-oriented sections about your work history, academic successes and other activities that relate to the scholarship's purpose and mission in your letter.
Recommendation Letters
Scholarship committees usually request recommendation letters from applicants to accompany their applications. Applicants commonly request these recommendations from favorite teachers, school administrators, work supervisors or other nonfamily members who know them well. Recommendation letters speak to the applicant's academic successes, extracurricular activities, and may also address the student's financial need. These types of letters also discuss the student's work ethic and potential for career success.
Thank You Letters
When you accept a scholarship, write a thank you letter to express gratitude to the scholarship committee that granted the award. This should be done soon after you receive notification that you were awarded the scholarship. Tell the scholarship committee why you appreciate the scholarship and what you plan to do with it.
Refusal Letters
Sometimes a candidate will decide to refuse a scholarship from a college or other scholarship-granting organization. You may be required to write a letter that will serve as official notification to the scholarship committee that you are refusing the offer. Express appreciation and gratitude that the scholarship was offered and politely explain your reasons for refusal.
Format
Most of the time, scholarship letters can be addressed to members of the scholarship committee. They are usually written in a business letter format that includes the writer's name and address, as well as the recipient's name and address. The date is also included at the top of the page. Letters are generally kept to a page or two in length. Scholarship committees may set a limit on the number of words they will accept for application letters. It is important to adhere to any word or formatting requirements each scholarship committee has for applicants. Your application may be denied if you do not follow formatting and submission directions.
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