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Are you having trouble with how to write a scholarship application letter?
For many scholarship applicants, writing a good scholarship application letter can be a challenging activity, but with the right guidance, it can be an easy one.
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Scholarship application letters are not just crucial, they are as important as the other required documents, and hence must be written in a compelling and well-structured format
This article contains a well-detailed step-by-step guideline on how to write winning scholarship application letters for opportunity applicants.
What is a Scholarship Application Letter?
A scholarship application letter is a document written to formally to request consideration for a particular opportunity/scholarship.
It is a formal letter written to the selection committee of a particular scholarship to state the reasons for applying for the scholarship, and what makes you qualify as an applicant.
Scholarship application letters are very crucial to your applications, let us take a quick look as to why this is so.
What are the Importance of Scholarship Application Letters?
A scholarship application letter is the featured image of your whole submission. It serves as your first impression of the host, panel, or selection committee.
The letter gives you the opportunity to showcase your achievements, life goals, and abilities, and how they align with the scholarship host’s values.
A well-written letter can be a gam changer for your scholarship application. Let us show you how!
What To Consider When Writing a Scholarship Application Letter
The following points are very important when you write your scholarship application letters;
- Understand the Scholarship Requirements
Before writing your letter of application, or even deciding to apply for any scholarship, you must first read and fully understand the requirements of the scholarship as well as how the host wants the letter to be structured.
Understanding these requirements lets you have an idea of the letter format, word count, submission instructions (PDf or E-mail), and the details (of referees, your contact details, matriculation number) to include.
Scholarship eligibility criteria are very essential for meeting expectations and getting selected.
- Research the Scholarship Host/Provider
As a scholarship applicant, you must find credible information about the host organization before writing your letter, this will help you tailor your achievements and goals to suit that of the host organization.
- Write a Well-Structured and Organized Letter
Your letter becomes unreadable if not well organized and structured. Every scholarship application letter should include a header, salutation, body, and complimentary closing. We will provide more details about the structure later in this post.
- Write a Strong Introductory Paragraph
Your introduction must be catchy and compelling. You should begin your letter with a clear statement of intent (why you have written the letter) while mentioning your academic aspirations.
- Highlight Goals and Achievements
Do not be magnanimous to not show your achievements and not outline your goals. Flaunt your CGPA, mention the extracurricular and volunteering activities you participated in, tell your leadership roles, and explain how they align with the scholarship goals.
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Other Factors To Consider Include;
- Personalize the Content
Make sure the letter aligns with the values of the scholarship provider. If the organization supports leadership, mention your leadership experiences.
- Conclude with Confidence
Your final paragraphs should reiterate your interest and qualifications for the scholarship. You should also thank the selection committee or host, and state your willingness to provide more information if needed.
- Proofread and Edit
Make sure you review, proofread, and correct any spelling or grammatical mistakes in your letter before submission.
How To Write A Scholarship Application Letter (Steep-by-Step Guide)
The scholarship application letter is written as a formal letter with two addresses, a salutation, an introduction, a body, a conclusion, and a complimentary close. Here is a template.
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]
[Scholarship Committee/Organization Name]
[Address]
Title: Letter of Application/ Application for the xxx Scholarship
Introduction: I am writing as an applicant for the [Scholarship Name, Year]. I am a third-year undergraduate student of [Your Program] from the [Your Institution].
Main Body: Your achievements, goals, (include any other details required by the host), and alignment with the scholarship values. You should also include level of indigence if it is a scholarship based on need.
Conclusion: I am grateful for your consideration of my application. I look forward to benefitting from the [organization/host] while also promoting its goals and values.
Sincerely.
[Your Full Name]
Common Mistakes in Scholarship Application Letters
Avoid the following mistakes while writing your application letters;
- Date Ommission/ Wrong Date Format
- Gibberish Introduction
- Appearing needy or begging instead of showcasing abilities or achievements.
- Punctuation or grammatical errors.
- Inadequate knowledge of the scholarship requirements or goals.
- Not aligning or personalizing the letter to suit the scholarship values.
- Late submission
- Incomplete or incorrect personal details
Scholarship Application Letter Format
Here, we’ll share a simple format for your scholarship application letter.
Always use a professional font like Times New Roman, Calibri or Arial
Use a font size between 10 and 12 points.
Your margins should be 1 inch on all sides, this makes your work easy to read.
Use single-spacing within paragraphs and double-spacing between paragraphs.
Avoid using a casual or informal tone in your Scholarship Application Letter.Also avoid the use of slangs or cliche words.
The scholarship application letter should have a formal tone.
Always include your name and contact information at the top of the scholarship application letter and introduce yourself in the first paragraph
Ensure you address the letter to the appropriate person or committee. Of you do not know who to address it to, use a generic term like ‘ Dear Sir/Ma’ or ‘Dear Scholarship Committee’
Scholarship Application Letter Samples (PDF DOWNLOAD)
Here are some scholarship application letter samples for you to check. Please note that these letters are to serve as guides only and should not be copied and followed in full context.
Click below to download your letters.
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