Are you an aspiring student applying for a scholarship? Would you like to learn how to draft a compelling scholarship letter? You’ve come to the right place! Here, we’ll provide you with helpful scholarship application samples that will guide you in writing a compelling letter.
A scholarship is one of the best things you can secure for your education. It provides financial support and eases the burden of paying your tuition fees and other academic related costs. By securing a scholarship, you can give your studies your full attention rather than worrying about your payments or finances.
But the selection committees of scholarship boards only select the best scholarship letters which strongly highlights the candidates strengths, achievements and why they think they deserve the scholarship. So, writing a scholarship letter is no easy feat.
Worry Not because we have taken our time to craft the best scholarship letter samples for you in this article. Whether you’re applying for an undergraduate or postgraduate scholarship, these examples will help you make a good impression and stand out amongst the applicants.
Scholarship Application Letter Samples
A scholarship application letter is a formal letter written by a student to an organization that provides financial assistance to support a student's education. Scholarships are available to students of all levels of education, from high school to postgraduate level.
If you're a student, applying for scholarships is one of the best ways to fund your education and a well written scholarship application letter is required to help you get one.
In a scholarship application letter, you will be expected to provide useful information about your accomplishments as a student and why you think you're a deserving candidate.
Before you start drafting your scholarship letter, review the requirements for the scholarship. This will help you have a better understanding of the ideal candidate the scholarship committee requires. You'll also know the credentials and information to include in your letter.
In this guide, we will discuss how to write a good scholarship application letter, a good application letter format and also provide 10 scholarship letter samples for you to download in pdf format.
Structure of a Scholarship Letter
To write a good scholarship application letter, you have to be familiar with its structure.
A scholarship application letter has six major sections which includes; the header, the salutation, introduction, the body, the conclusion and the closing. If you’re submitting additional documents, you can include one more section known as the ‘attachment’.
Below, we'll show you the structure of a well written scholarship application letter. Keep reading to find out more.
The Header
The header is the first part of a scholarship application letter located at the top of the letter. It should follow the format of a formal letter and include all your contact information including your name, address, city or state, phone number, email address and date.
You can also include the title of the letter typed in a bold font.
Salutation
The second section of a scholarship letter is the salutation. Here, you’re expected to greet the recipient respectfully. Examples of salutations you may use are; "Dear Scholarship Committee" “Respected Sir/Ma”. Do not use a salutation like "To Whom It May Concern", it sounds too generic.
It is important that you address the recipient correctly; you can do a deeper search to find out the name of the person on the committee that will review your letter for a more personalized touch.
Introduction
After the salutation is the introduction. The introduction is the official first paragraph of the letter where the scholarship applicant is expected to briefly introduce themselves and state the purpose of the letter.
Your introduction must be concise but impactful. It can be written in three to five sentences clearly stating who you are and why you are applying for the scholarship.
Body
The body of a scholarship application letter is another very important section of the scholarship letter. It is where the main content of your letter lies.
In the body of the letter, you're expected to provide details about your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, any relevant experiences that will convince the scholarship committee to grant you the scholarship and your future aspirations.
To create a well structured body, you can divide your scholarship application letter into 3 paragraphs. Now, let’s discuss each of the paragraphs.
Body Paragraphs of a scholarship letter
First Paragraph
The first paragraph should include your academic achievement and record. You can outline all the degrees you have gotten and their grades, you can also highlight your future plans for your academics.
Second Paragraph
The second paragraph details your work experience and extracurricular activities that may be relevant to the scholarship.
Third Paragraph
In the third paragraph, you can go a little further to explain how the scholarship will help you achieve your academic goals and why you deserve the scholarship.
Conclusion
The conclusion should be a strong statement summarising why you are a good fit for the scholarship. It should also express how grateful you are for the opportunity to apply in 1 or 2 sentences.
Lastly, state that you are looking forward to hearing from them. The conclusion should have a confident and polite tone.
Closing
Always end your Scholarship Application Letter with a simple closing remark, like "Yours Sincerely" or "Kind Regards.”
You should use a formal closing to show your professionalism. If you’re submitting a physical copy, you can sign your name at the end. For online submissions, you can scan your signature or type out your name.
Attachment
This part of your letter is only required if you’re submitting additional documents(like a transcript or cover letter for scholarship) with your letter. You can mention your attachments in one sentence like; “Attached are my educational transcripts”.
How to write a Scholarship Application Letter
To write a good scholarship letter, you must know the formatting style that is required. Remember that your scholarship letter is a formal letter so it must be professional and easy to read.
Formatting Style for Scholarship Application Letter
Fonts: Use Times New Roman, Calibri or Arial
Font size: between 10 and 12 points for readability.
Margin: Set margins to 1 inch on all sides.( this is the default for most word documents)
Spacing: Use single-spacing within paragraphs and double-spacing between paragraphs.
Tone: your scholarship application letter should have a formal tone.
Alignment: Left Align your texts.
Now, let’s look at the step-by-step guide on how to write a strong and effective letter:
1. Start with a Formal Header
Scholarship letters are considered to be formal letters so your letter must follow the structure of a formal letter. The first thing on your scholarship letter is your contact information, followed by the date, and then the contact information of the scholarship committee or organization you are applying to.
Example:
Your Name
Your Address
City, State, Country
ZIP Code
Email Address
Phone Number
Date
Scholarship Committee
[Scholarship Name]
Organization Name
Address
City, State, ZIP Code
2. Use a Professional Salutation
Avoid mistakes when saluting the recipient of your scholarship letter. If you know the name and title of the recipient, Use "Dear" followed by the title and last name. If you don’t, "Dear Scholarship Committee" is appropriate.
Example:
Dear Mrs Rhoda Ossien,
3. Introduce Yourself and State the Purpose of the Letter
After the salutation, you are required to give a brief introduction of yourself and also explain why you are writing a scholarship application letter. It is advisable to mention the specific scholarship you are applying for and briefly explain your current academic situation.
Example:
My name is Emmanuel and I am currently a student of the University of Liverpool pursuing a degree in Business Analytics.
I am writing to express my interest in applying for the Youth Business Leaders for the 2025 Academic Year.
4. Explain Your Academic Background and Achievements
Provide a brief overview of your academic achievements, such as your GPA, notable coursework, awards, or any special projects you’ve worked on.
This helps to show that you are a strong student and capable of succeeding with the scholarship support.
Example:
Throughout my studies, I have maintained a 3.9 GPA and have been actively involved in charity work for single mothers operating small businesses in my area.
These experiences have shaped my academic journey and deepened my passion for Business.
5. Discuss Why You Need the Scholarship
Explain why you are seeking financial assistance and how receiving the scholarship will help you achieve your academic or career goals. Be honest and clear about your financial need, but avoid sounding overly desperate.
Example:
While I am dedicated to my education, I am facing financial challenges that may hinder my ability to continue my studies. This scholarship would greatly ease my financial burden and allow me to focus on my coursework without the stress of financial constraints.
6. Highlight Why You Are a Good Candidate
Show the committee why you deserve the scholarship. Mention personal qualities, goals, and any special attributes that align with the values of the scholarship and will make you stand out. It is necessary to make a good impression in this part.
Example:
I am committed to achieving my long-term career goals in Business and believe that this scholarship will enable me to take the next steps in my academic journey.
I am passionate about Business Analytics and intend to use my education to diversify the cocoa business in my home country.
7. Conclude with Gratitude
End the letter by thanking the committee for considering your application. Reaffirm your interest in the scholarship and express your willingness to provide additional information if needed.
Example:
I sincerely appreciate your time and consideration of my application. I am eager to continue my studies and would be grateful for the opportunity to receive this scholarship. If you need any further information, please feel free to contact me.
8. Sign Off
Finish with a formal closing such as “Sincerely,” followed by your name.
Example:
Sincerely,
Emmanuel.
Tips for Writing a Good Scholarship Application Letter
Start with a captivating introduction
The introduction should be compelling enough to grab the reader's attention and encourage them to read to the end.
When starting your scholarship application letter, outline the content of your essay. State the role or scholarship you're applying for and why you applied.
Proofread before submitting
Proofreading your scholarship letter is very important. A good scholarship application letter is expected to be error - free.
After writing, use online proofreading websites to check for errors before you submit. You can also send it to your English teacher to get a more objective viewpoint.
Research about the school and committee you're applying to
Investigate the school and committee you want to study or work at.
Get a clear picture of what the scholarship provider or institution is looking for before you write your letter. This is necessary because it'll help you match your skills and abilities perfectly.
Keep it Brief
The scholarship letter for students should contain every information that can convince the reader that you're the ideal candidate for the award in 500-1000 words.
Tailor the Letter
If the scholarship has specific criteria, make sure to address them in your letter.
Scholarship Application Letter Sample
Here is a scholarship application letter sample doc from us.
Jennifer Wisdom,
Lagos, Nigeria
[City, State, ZIP Code]
+234-XXX-XXXX
01-12-2024
Admissions Committee
Black Women in Business Scholarship
London Business School
Regent’s Park
London NW1 4SA
United Kingdom
Dear Helen Baker,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to express my interest in applying for the Black Women in Business(BWB) Scholarship for the 2025/2026 academic year.
I have a degree in business analytics and a second degree in Marketing. My passion for entrepreneurship began when I was 10 years old. I was raised by a single mother who struggled with providing my financial needs.
So, I started a lemonade stand beside my mom’s shop to help her raise some money. My business and marketing skills came naturally and I was able to raise enough money to cover my tuition fees for my first year in high school. Fast forward to today, I successfully run a marketing firm aimed at empowering single mothers in business.
I am applying for this scholarship because I believe it will provide me with the opportunity to further improve my leadership skills and expand my business knowledge, enabling me to contribute meaningfully to the lives of business owners in Nigeria.
My passion for business blossomed during during my second degree at the University of Lagos. I was actively involved in various initiatives aimed at bridging the gap between minority communities and business opportunities. One of the initiatives I founded earned me recognition from Dangote Groups, one of the biggest business companies in Nigeria.
I want to go a step further in my business journey by studying for an MBA at London Business School.
London Business School has a world-renowned reputation for fostering diverse leadership and supporting women in business and it has been my dream to study there since I came across the school in 2021. However, I am unable to afford the tuition costs on my own.
The scholarship would help me alleviate the financial burden of pursuing an MBA and also provide me with the invaluable network and mentorship opportunities that are vital to my future aspirations.
I hope to use the knowledge I will gain from the MBA program from London Business School to create innovative, inclusive marketing campaigns and initiatives that empower women all around Africa.
In conclusion, I believe that this scholarship will enable me to fully pursue my dreams, and contribute to the vision of creating an equitable business environment for women of all backgrounds in my home country. I am incredibly grateful for your consideration and look forward to the opportunity to contribute to the London Business School community.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Wisdom.
Note: It might interest you to know that the above scholarship application letter sample is downloadable. Click on scholarship application letter for pdf to download the sample application letter for student scholarship.
Scholarship Application letter Samples pdf
If it’s your first time writing a scholarship application letter, you might find it a tad challenging.
A simple application letter for scholarship has the same format but some may need a little change here and there.
To make it easier for you, we have provided scholarship application letter sample pdf of scholarship programs. Download the one related to your program and use it to write your own letter. It is important that you do not copy and paste word for word but use it as a guide to compose your own scholarship application letter.
Here are 10 spectacular scholarship application examples, including application letter for scholarship for poor students. We believe these scholarship letter samples will give you a shot at winning your dream scholarship.
Scholarship Application Letter for Undergraduate
Are you applying for an undergraduate degree? Here is an undergraduate application letter for scholarship request pdf to guide you in your scholarship application.
Download the Application Letter for Undergraduate Scholarship
Scholarship Application Letter for Postgraduate
A compelling postgraduate scholarship letter is required if you want to study a postgraduate course at an affordable fee. Use this sample to request for scholarship lettter
Download the Scholarship Application Letter for Postgraduate
Application Letter for Grant Scholarship
Are you applying for grant in an American university? Download this letter below to stand a chance at securing a scholarship.
Download the Application Letter for Grant Scholarship
Scholarship Application Letter for Poor Student
This scholarship letter is the best sample to use when writing a scholarship application letter for poor students.
Download the Scholarship Application Letter for poor student
Application Letter for Scholarship for Black Students
Black students have a wide range of scholarship opportunities available in universities across the world. Apply to your dream scholarship with this pdf sample below.
Download the Application Letter for Scholarship for Black Students
Application Letter for Nursing Scholarship
Nursing is one of the most expensive courses to study. A nursing scholarship is the best choice if you're not financially capable of paying your tuition.
Download the Application Letter for Nursing Scholarship
Scholarship Application Letter for disabled persons
This is the best scholarship application letter sample for disabled persons. Download it now!
Download the Scholarship Application Letter for Disabled Persons
Athletic scholarship application letter
Are you into any kind of sport? If yes, an athletic scholarship is just what you need. Download the sample pdf below.
Download the Athletic Scholarship Application Letter
Merit Scholarship Application Letter
This Merit scholarship application letter is great for students who do not know how to write a scholarship letter. Download the pdf below so you can how to write a letter that stands out.
Download the Merit Scholarship Application Letter
Request for Scholarship Application Letter Student
Here is a request for scholarship application letter. Download a sample copy below.
Download the Request for scholarship letter template
Conclusion
Securing admission abroad is no easy task, especially when you need a scholarship to cover your tuition fees. We at uscholarships understand this, which is why we stay committed to providing you with top notch information and content to guide you on your study abroad journey.
Check our website regularly to stay updated with the latest scholarship opportunities for study abroad.