Scholarship Recommendation Letter: 10 Tips to Writing an Impressive One

How to Write a Scholarship Recommendation Letter. 

If you have been asked to write a scholarship recommendation letter, you may feel a bit overwhelmed or unsure about how to approach this important task. After all, you are being asked to vouch for someone’s academic abilities, character, and potential, and the stakes are high, as the letter you write could make the difference between the student receiving the scholarship and not receiving the scholarship.

Here are some tips on how to write a compelling scholarship recommendation letter:

Start with an introduction that establishes your credentials and relationship with the student

Begin your letter with a brief introduction that establishes your credentials and relationship to the student. This could include your job title, your connection to the school or organization that is offering the scholarship, and how long you have known the student. You want to establish your authority and credibility right off the bat.

Provide specific examples of the student’s achievements and character

Don’t just rely on general statements like “the student is a hard worker” or “the student is intelligent.” Instead, provide specific examples that illustrate and showcase these traits. For example, you might say something like “I have observed the student work tirelessly on her senior thesis, staying up late into the night to perfect her arguments and analysis” or “the student is a natural leader who consistently rallies her peers to take on challenging projects and push themselves to excel.”

Discuss the student’s potential and future goals

While it’s important to focus on the student’s achievements and character, it’s also important to discuss their potential and future goals. Scholarship committees are looking for candidates who will use the scholarship to make a positive impact in their field or community, so you want to highlight the student’s aspirations and how the scholarship will help them achieve their goals and how they in turn will go ahead and make a difference and impact in their chosen field. 

Customize the scholarship recommendation letter to the specific scholarship

If possible, try to tailor the scholarship recommendation letter to the specific scholarship the student is applying for. Look at the scholarship’s mission statement or values and see how you can tie in the student’s accomplishments and goals with these ideals. This will show the scholarship committee that you have done your homework and are invested in the student’s success. There are various reasons why different scholarships are given, you want to ensure that the way you write the scholarship recommendation letter about the student positions them as the right person to be a beneficiary of the scholarship award. 

Be honest and objective

While you want to paint the student in a positive light, it’s important, to be honest, and objective in your assessment. Don’t exaggerate or fabricate achievements or characteristics. Instead, focus on what you have personally observed and be truthful about any areas where the student may have room for improvement. Honesty and objectivity will make your scholarship recommendation letter more credible and trustworthy and make the student more relatable and real.

Use a professional tone and format

Your letter should be written in a professional tone and format. Use formal language and address the scholarship committee in a respectful manner. Make sure your letter is well-organized and easy to read, with clear headings and paragraphs. Use a standard font and size, and proofread your letter carefully to ensure there are no typos or errors.

End with a strong conclusion

In your conclusion, summarize your key points and reiterate your support for the student. End with a strong statement that highlights the student’s potential and future goals. You might also offer to provide additional information that you believe will be an added advantage and a good point that will help the student be a beneficiary or answer any questions the scholarship committee may have.

Proofread and edit the letter

Before submitting the scholarship recommendation letter, make sure you proofread and edit it for grammar and spelling errors. A well-written scholarship recommendation letter that is free of errors demonstrates your attention to detail and your commitment to the applicant’s success. You can make use of Grammarly for the editing and proofreading

Submit on Time

Finally, be sure to submit your letter on time. Make sure you know the deadline for submitting the letter and plan accordingly. Allow yourself enough time to write a thoughtful and thorough letter, and make sure to submit it before the deadline because late submissions might not be accepted by the scholarship board and this decreases the applicant’s chances of getting the scholarship.

Provide your contact information

Include your contact information in the letter, including your name, title, phone number, and email address. This will allow the scholarship committee to follow up with you if they have any questions or need additional information.

In conclusion, writing a scholarship recommendation letter can be a challenging but rewarding task because you will be helping the student achieve their professional and educational goals. By following these tips, you can craft a compelling letter that highlights the student’s achievements, character, and potential. Remember to be honest and objective, tailor the letter to the specific scholarship, and use a professional tone and format. With your help, the student may just land the scholarship of their dreams. You want to ensure that your letter of recommendation will help the student get the scholarship so take your time with it and extol their strength, what makes them unique and stand out and why you believe they should be a beneficiary. 

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