Download the article Show your gratitude to scholarship donors with a short message
This article was written by Tami Claytor and the wikiHow Hunter Rising staff writer. Tami Claytor is an Etiquette Trainer, Image Consultant, and Owner of Always Appropriate Image and Etiquette Consulting in New York, New York. With over 20 years of experience, Tami specializes in teaching etiquette courses to individuals, students, businesses, and community organizations. Tami has spent decades studying cultures through her extensive travels across five continents and has designed cultural diversity workshops to promote social justice and intercultural awareness. She has a bachelor’s degree in economics with a concentration in international relations from Clark University. Tami studied at the Ophelia DeVore School of Glamor and the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she became certified as an image consultant. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
After completing applications and writing essays, it’s often easy to overlook sending a thank you note after receiving a scholarship. Sending a thank you note to a donor shows that you are grateful for their generosity and can help make professional connections for the future. Thank you letters are short and sweet, and we’ll show you how to write one in minutes. With our comprehensive guide, you’ll learn what to include in your thank you letter along with examples of what to write.
- Begin the letter with “Dear” followed by the donor’s title and last name. In the first sentence, thank them for the scholarship and support for your education.
- Provide a brief personal account so the donor can get to know you better. Please list any extracurricular activities, work experience or volunteer opportunities in which you participate.
- Explain how the scholarship funds will help you achieve your educational goals. End the letter by thanking the donor one last time and signing your name.
Address scholarship donors by title and last name. Look for the name of the scholarship donor or organization on the acceptance letter you received. Type the word “Dear” followed by the person’s proper title and last name. If the donor is anonymous or you cannot find the name, use “donor” or “benefactor” in place of the title and name.[1]
- dear mr smith
- Dear Dr. Martin
Thank the donor and express your gratitude in the first paragraph. First of all, say thank you for the scholarship. Be specific about what you are thanking them for by including the full name of the scholarship. If the scholarship doesn’t have a name, just thank them for their overall support. Avoid including a dollar amount or thanking them for choosing, as the donors may not have personally chosen the scholarship recipients.[2]
- Thank you so much for supporting my education with the Washington Memorial Scholarship and helping me advance my career.
- I am very honored to receive a scholarship from Arizona State University.
Write a short paragraph about your personal background. Take a few sentences to cover basic information, such as your hometown, high school experience, family history, or any other major life events that led you to the educational path you are on. A donor who reads the letter will appreciate knowing more about who they are supporting with the scholarship funds.[3]
- I’m from a small town in rural Wisconsin and I had to make up my own games to keep myself entertained. It quickly became clear that I wanted to pursue a career in game design, and I took programming classes during high school, which led to my being accepted into the UW-Milwaukee game design program.
- I was born in New York and have been writing for as long as I could hold a pen. My grandfather was a published author and I have always aspired to follow my dream of writing. The stories I wrote were published in the school newspaper and in local magazines during my teenage years.
Talk about the activities or jobs you are currently involved in. If you are currently studying at a university, let the donor know what your major is or what you enjoy about the college experience. If you’re still in high school, explain what you expect. Also list any organizations or volunteer opportunities you are involved with.[4]
- During my freshman year at UCLA, I began studying social work and became involved in local programs to help homeless neighbors. Each week I organize and volunteer in local communities to meet basic needs while fighting for housing reform.
- I am looking forward to starting journalism at NYU and looking forward to learning from professionals in the field. I have been a regular contributor to the school newspaper and have submitted stories to our local newspaper and am looking forward to improving my journalistic skills.
- If you are sending a thank you note for a renewable scholarship, update what has changed in your life since you last sent the letter.[5]
Explain how the scholarship will help you achieve your goals. Let the scholarship donor know how you will use the funds they are providing to continue your education. Mention the courses or experiences you expect and be specific about the goals you want to achieve and the interests you will pursue.[6]
- With this scholarship, I am excited to continue taking film classes that I would not otherwise be able to take and continue to hone my craft. I am especially looking forward to taking the short film class to gain more experience in producing and directing.
- Coming from a lower income, I would not have had the opportunity to take these courses otherwise, but thanks to your generous scholarship, I am able to continue exploring my passion for graphic design and learning from industry experts.
Say thank you one last time before signing the letter. End your letter with a closing sentence thanking the donor for the scholarship and the opportunity it has given you. Use “Sincerely” as the ending before writing your name. You may also include your signature, email address, and mailing address after your name.[7]
- Thanks again for supporting me with State Fund University and giving me this opportunity.
- I am honored to receive the Johnson Memorial Scholarship and thank you again for your generous donation.
Categories: How to
Source: HIS Education