Your scholarship journey isn’t complete if you don’t show appreciation to your sponsor. It is a show of gratitude that makes your scholarship donor/sponsor’s gesture fulfilled.
As a student, getting a scholarship will reduce a lot of burdens off your shoulders. This will also give you an advantage to make the best out of your academic career.
Remember when you started pursing for a scholarship, the challenges and stress you had to overcome to become selected for the award. Also remember how you started out by writing a scholarship application letter, motivation letter, financial aid letter, essay etc. just to have an opportunity to get a scholarship.
Fortunately, you got selected and awarded the scholarship grant. The excitement and joy that was filled in your heart knowing you have no need to worry about educational expenses. Now is the time to show appreciation to your sponsors and organizers of the scholarship.
What is a Scholarship Thank you letter?
A scholarship thank you letter is a written letter by a beneficiary of a scholarship award to the scholarship sponsor, to show your immerse gratitude for receiving the award.
It is simply telling a person thank you for assisting and adding value to your life, but in a written form.
After you have successfully graduated from high school, college or university under a scholarship, you should show appreciation to the scholarship donor, and the best way to do that is by writing a simple “Thank You” letter.
Purpose of writing a Scholarship Thank you letter
The purpose of every letter is to inform. As a graduate student, you write a scholarship thank you letter to inform your sponsors that you are thankful for the opportunity. This also sends a message to the scholarship sponsors that their good works are well appreciated by their benefactors.
When you write a “Thank You” letter for a scholarship, you create more scholarship opportunities for incoming freshmen students.
It’s quite simple, if you render help to a person and that person shows appreciation, what do you do? You keep rendering help to others! The same goes to Scholarship bodies. They continually award scholarships because of the good feedback from benefactors.
Is Writing a “Thank You” Scholarship letter Compulsory?
No, it is not compulsory, but it is necessary. A lot of college students don’t write back to their scholarship donors expect when the cash stops flowing. Such habits are likely to limit further scholarship opportunities in the future.
Don’t just write to the committee when you have complaints regarding your scholarship, rather write to also show acknowledgement. You can choose to write a thank-you letter during or after your program of study.
What should Your Thank-you letter contain
- Name of scholarship donor/foundation.
- Purpose of writing the letter (acknowledgement).
- How the scholarship has impacted in your career life.
- What you intend to do after graduation.
Scholarship Thank you letter format
Just like the format for writing a formal letter, a scholarship thank you letter also has an introduction, body and a conclusion.
Tips when writing your letter
#1. Be precise
Go straight to the point, don’t include too many compliments in your thank-you letter. Tell your scholarship donor how grateful you are and your intentions towards the scholarship. Also state your future goals. Your goals after graduation should include what you intend to offer to the community.
#2. Avoid grammatical errors
You need to prove that you are worth the investment. Avoid making grammatical errors in your letter. It is advisable to proofread before submission. Let your sponsors know you gained valued through their scholarship program.
#3. Show Sincerity
Pour your sincere thoughts in your letter. Don’t fake or exaggerate your happiness. Just be real and straightforward.
Example: Thank you so much for this opportunity, I am indeed grateful to be part of the (name of Scholarship) beneficiaries.
#4. Describe the impact of the award
Tell your scholarship sponsor how your chosen institution and program has impacted in your life. Briefly explain your high school/college journey. List your school achievements, awards, course you studied, and your interest outside school.
Scholarship Thank you letter samples
A Thank you letter for supporting my studies sample is shown below. As a high school or college student, you can decide to write a thank you letter during your program of study. If you can’t write a thank you letter before graduation, it is necessary you write after graduation.
Thank you letter for High school/College Sample
Date
Re: (Name of Scholarship)
Dear Sir/ma,
With gratitude in my heart, I am delighted to be part of the awardees for the (name of Scholarship) in 2021 school year.
Growing up, I wasn’t privileged to afford a proper education because of my parent’s inability to finance my studies. However, my challenge has made me realize the value of college education.
I am presently in my second year, studying Microbiology at the Prestigious (name of college). I was elected as the Student Union leader and also awarded as the best outspoken student during the annual student’s week.
This scholarship has opened a lot of opportunities for me as a student. I am going to utilize this opportunity to the fullest. I plan on starting a campaign to combat viral zoonosis in Africa after completing my program. Furthermore, I also intend to create scholarships for disabled and underprivileged students.
My educational pursuits would not be possible without generous support from scholarship sponsors like your organization. Thank you very much for this opportunity.
Sincerely,
(Your signature)
(Your name).
Thank you letter after Graduation Sample
Date
Re: (Name of Scholarship)
Dear Sir/ma,
It is an honor to be awarded the (name of Scholarship) for the fall 2022-2023 semester at the Prestigious (name of college).
I am currently a graduate of Mechanical engineering from the aforementioned school. I have also started my enrollment at The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).
These past few years have been life changing for me. From being a financially challenged student, to becoming a First class degree holder in Mechanical Engineering.
Thank you for your support in making my educational dreams come true. I promise you I will work very hard and eventually give back to others, and God’s willing, I will create scholarship opportunities to students like me.
Sincerely,
(Your signature)
(Your name).
Conclusion
As a scholarship awardee, writing a “Thank You” letter should be the least you can do to appreciate your sponsor. It is a show of gratitude and an opener for more scholarship opportunities to incoming freshmen students.
You don’t need to make a lengthy letter of appreciation, just 3-5 paragraphs is enough to thank your donors.
Recommendation
It is quite competitive to get a scholarship award as a result of the limited number of opportunities. Many students are struggling to get selected for a scholarship because they are not equipped with the right knowledge and mindset.
However, the majority of scholarship opportunities require students to make efforts by giving reasons why they deserve the scholarship. To do this, there are certain important things you need to learn as a Scholarship seeker. These things increase your chances of getting selected for a scholarship award.
Every scholarship seeker must know the following:
How to write a Scholarship Application letter
Complete Guide to write a Study plan
How to write a Motivation letter
Easy method to write a financial Hardship letter for scholarship.
