letter for applying a scholarship

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How to Apply for a Passport Online

All U.S. citizens require a valid passport for international travel. You’ll want to ensure that you apply for a passport well before your travel date. Luckily, you can apply for a new passport online and then print out the form and mail it in for processing.

Gather the Necessary Documents

Before you begin the process of filling in the application form, gather all of your supporting documents. The documents you need will vary depending on your situation. You may need evidence of your citizenship, such as an expired passport, a birth certificate or a certificate of naturalization or citizenship. You should also have a government-issued ID. If you are simply renewing your passport, have it close at hand while filling out the application of renewal.

Fill Out Your Application

Visit the official U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs website. All official government websites should have a .gov domain name. There are two types of passport applications that you can complete online, the DS-11 is for first-time applicants, and the DS-82 is for passport renewal.

Fill in the required fields with your passport information online, ensuring that you spell everything correctly. Be sure to especially double-check your name, birth date, address and social security number. After following the instructions for filling in the form, a page instructs you to print the form.

If you’re a first-time applicant, you may need to appear in person at a passport agency with your form and supporting documents. If you’re renewing a passport, you can typically print the form and mail it with your photo to the provided address.

Take a Passport Photo

Have someone take a passport photo of you or find a service to take one for you. The photo must be 2 inches by 2 inches, in color in front of a white or off-white background and show your entire face. If you wear glasses, be sure to take them off for the photo. Ensure that your eyes are open in the photo and that your expression is neutral.

Pay the Fee

Check the official U.S. Department of State website for a complete up-to-date list of passport fees. The fee can vary depending on the service you require. Whether you are mailing your application or applying at a passport agency, you can only pay by check or money order. Make the amount payable to the “U.S. Department of State.”

Submit the Application

Place your printed application form, passport photo, payment and any other required supporting documents in an envelope and mail them to the address provided to you when you completed the application on the website. Passport processing times can vary and are usually longer before the summer traveling months. However, routine passport processing can typically take between four to six weeks. If you require expedited processing, which typically takes two to three weeks, you will have to pay an additional fee. You may also be able to check your passport status online.

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Cover Letter Examples

Sample Cover Letter for Scholarship Application in 2023

Scholarships and grants change lives. Whether you’re an aspiring undergrad or postgrad, here you’ll learn how to write a cover letter for scholarship that will win you this money.

As seen in:

That’s the average price of a four-year college degree.

Looking at going to grad school? That’s at least another $30k on top. But there are ways you can ease that pain.

Scholarships, grants, and research grants offer incredible opportunities and freedom from debt.

But to land a scholarship you have to prove yourself to the committee through a convincing scholarship cover letter.

And we’ll help you get it written.

This guide will show you:

Want to write your cover letter fast? Use our cover letter builder. Choose from 20+ professional cover letter templates that match your resume. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.

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Sample Cover Letter for a Resume— See more cover letter examples and create your cover letter here .

Scholarship Cover Letter Sample

Having been accepted to UT Austin for the 2019 fall term to pursue a Bachelor’s in Architecture, I am writing to express my desire to participate in the University Leadership Scholarship Program. For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a strong passion for architecture, my favorite Texas landmark being the pink granite edifice of the State Capitol. I’m particularly excited by the opportunity to join a network of leaders who help to maintain UT Austin’s reputation as a world-leading public research university.

My parents came to Texas as immigrants and have worked tirelessly in low paid jobs to provide for our family. If I am accepted to the program, I would be the first member of my family to benefit from a college education. My goal is to use my education to give back to the community. I want to specialize in designing affordable and environmentally sustainable housing. My passion for this field was inspired by my winning virtual city design for the National Future City competition, and I am all too aware of the impact of high housing costs and environmental destruction on underprivileged communities.

Servant leadership is the philosophy I intend to follow as a program participant and alumni. I want society to benefit from my education and UT Austin to gain prestige as an institution providing innovation for the greater good. This scholarship would enable me to achieve these aims. In fact, my high school principal is an alumnus of the program. She has been a huge inspiration to me and many others, and I hope to follow her example should I be accepted.

Please get in touch to arrange a meeting with me. I’d love to tell you more about my upbringing and my desire to give back to my community through my further education.

Best Regards,

P.S. I’d also love to discuss how my experience in volunteer mentoring and academic coaching of younger students could contribute to the program’s leadership aims.

When the review committee sees that, you’re already winning.

Looking for tips on how to make your scholarship resume pass pass the litmus test? See this guide: Scholarship Resume Sample: Template and Complete Guide

Now, here’s how to write a cover letter for a scholarship application, step-by-step:

Use The Best Scholarship Cover Letter Template & Format

Getting a college scholarship isn’t easy but the formula for a successful scholarship cover letter is. Just follow this checklist and your letter will be as well structured as the best degree programs out there.

Scholarship Cover Letter Sample—Checklist

Apart from the right section order, there’s one more thing that all best scholarship cover letters need.

This is good formatting. Here’s how to make it right:

Cover Letter For Scholarship—Formatting Basics

That’s the theory section dealt with, let’s put it into practice. The very first part you’ll write is a header and a scholarship cover letter header is a bit like taking attendance in class.

Boring but necessary.

You’ll need your name, address, phone number and email address first. Then the date, and the name and address of the person you’re writing to.

Here’s how to get it right:

Scholarship Cover Letter Example—Header

What about salutation?

For a formal document like a scholarship cover letter stick with [Dear Title Surname]. Like “Dear Mr Clark” in the example above.

Warning! Do not use “To Whom It May Concern.” It’s more old-fashioned than your creepy Uncle’s mullet. Worse, it puts you at a disadvantage.

Personalization is powerful.

That’s because using a person’s name actually activates their brain and makes them pay more attention. So make sure you flip that switch.

Get more formatting tips in our expert guide: Cover Letter Format

Start Your Scholarship Application Cover Letter Right

Think of your scholarship cover letter as your elevator pitch .

You have two minutes to impress and make the committee genuinely interested in your application.

Here’s how to get them hooked faster than you can say “school’s out for summer.” Show passion and understanding for the scholarship program plus a real insight into the benefits you’ll bring to society after completing your area of study. Come in strong.

Let’s see how to put it to good use with an example.

Scholarship Cover Letter Sample First Paragraph—Undergraduate Scholarship

That’s not just good, it’s great.

Passion, dedication and insight work together to create a powerful first paragraph. And a nice little humblebrag helps, too.

That’s all brag with no humble. No understanding of the scholarship and no passion. All achievements and no heart.

The board won’t even bother reading the application. Now for a sample suitable for a postgrad research grant.

Scholarship Cover Letter Sample First Paragraph—Research Grant

This is a great introduction that zones in on the aims of the program. There’s useful info about the applicant and it whets the appetite for more detail to follow.

All about me. No understanding of the program either. It sounds like a generic scholarship cover letter template.

Whatever sort of scholarship you apply for, make the introduction passionate and focused. Show from the outset that you’re a good fit for the program’s ethos.

We’ve got more great advice on cover letter openings in our guide: How to Start a Cover Letter

Next, the main event.

Write a Sensational Middle for Your Scholarship Covering Letter

You’ve got a compelling introduction, but you’ve got to keep the review committee reading. Model yourself on the great teachers you’ve had. They keep you entertained for the whole lesson.

You have to keep your readers entertained for the whole letter. To do that, you need two middle paragraphs.

The first details why you’re the best candidate for the scholarship and what you hope to achieve. The other shows your motivation and passion for the scholarship program.

Undergraduate Scholarship Cover Letter Example—Middle

The committee is convinced!

This just works. It covers the applicant’s needs and personal circumstances perfectly.

It also mentions what they hope to achieve and reinforcement of understanding the program’s philosophy.

Next candidate, please.

It’s eager, but where’s the detail? Where’s the understanding of the scholarship program?

Let’s take another look at our postgrad research grant candidate.

Research Grant Scholarship Cover Letter Example—Middle

That’s powerful. It shows a deep personal understanding of the scholarship and a personal affinity with the intended area of study that shows the committee the money will be well spent.

They’re ready to sign on the dotted line.

Lackluster and no detail. Next.

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Tempted to write a longer cover letter? Don’t be. Find out why in our guide: Cover Letter Length: How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?

End Your Cover Letter for Scholarship with a Call to Action

Your cover letter is almost perfect.

But there’s one last thing before you can graduate top of the cover letter class. You need to beat the competition and get in front of the committee for a scholarship interview.

How? You’ve just got to ask.

Use a CTA to do it right. Give them a reason to want to meet you.

Undergraduate Scholarship Cover Letter Sample—CTA

That sample asks for an interview and delivers even more focus on the program's aims. It’s relevant and compelling. Worthy of an honors degree in itself!

This is the spot where you can really make use of your achievements. For a scholarship it means showing what you’ve done that really goes beyond the call of duty.

Good grades are great, but cast your net wider. Volunteer work, extra-curricular activities, hobbies, sports. Any area you excel in that demonstrates your abilities is a good bet here.

In fact good grades really aren’t the final word. Only 55% of scholarships are won by straight-A students.

Low-energy, old-fashioned, all ask, and no give. There’s a place scholarship cover letters ending like this end up.

Pro Tip: The P.S. is your secret weapon. It makes the committee sit up and pay attention. Use it to add another relevant achievement and get them sold on interviewing you.

This closing strategy is the most effective. It works equally well for grants and postgrad research, too.

Just follow the formula of adding value to your invitation and you’ll be set.

One last thing.

For all types of scholarship cover letters use the right formal closing. “Sincerely” is always a good go-to, but there are alternatives.

Try these for a finishing touch as classic as a mortarboard on graduation day.

Top 5 Scholarship Cover Letter Closing Salutations

Can’t think of a great offer to finish your scholarship covering letter? Get inspired. Read our guide: How to End a Cover Letter

Key Takeaways

Let’s summarize how to write the perfect cover letter for scholarships:

Scholarships can change lives. If you want more advice on how to get the scholarship covering letter right then please ask in the comments section. We’d love to help.

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Applying For Scholarships

Write a Killer Cover Letter for a Scholarship in 2023 (w/Example)

David Jul 24, 2022

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It’s easy to get put off by scholarship applications that require a cover letter. Cover letters may seem annoying but there is a bright side here. A simple letter gives you another opportunity to convince the scholarship committee that you deserve to win the award.

So how do you start? What should you include in the letter? How should you end it? In this post, we’ll answer all these questions and we’ll even provide a sample letter that you can use as a template in the end.

What Is a Cover Letter?

Let’s start with the basics. A cover letter for a scholarship is similar to a cover letter you’d submit for a job . What does that mean exactly?

It’s simply a letter you write to the scholarship committee. In the letter you should explain what makes you a great candidate for the award. You should also talk about how the scholarship will help you reach your educational and career goals .

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The scholarship committee wants to find the most fitting students to invest their money in. Make them see the reasons why they should they invest in you.

Why a Cover Letter?

Whether you have those things or not, many scholarship committees look for something else. They look at students who have overcome struggles. Students who are leaders in their community. And students who have unique hobbies. Your cover letter is the place to show off your unique self.

Although not every scholarship application requires students to submit a cover letter, when they do, it’s a great idea to submit a great one. Use the opportunity to think about how can you make yourself stand out from other applicants. What is unique to you that other applicants don’t have? Brainstorm and show it off!

What Should Your Cover Letter Accomplish?

Your cover letter should do the following:

Cover letters can be a great opportunity for you to convince the scholarship committee that you are the best candidate for the scholarship. Take time writing your cover letter and don’t wait until the final days before the deadline to start writing. A little bit of effort, could be the difference that helps you win the award!

Scholarship Cover Letter Example

Alexis Smith 4519 Owl St. Bend, OH 45052

The Scholarship Committee University of Pennsylvania 3440 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19104

To Whom It May Concern,

My name is Alex Smith and I am a high school senior in Bend, Ohio. In the fall of 2019, I will be starting my freshman year at the University of Pennsylvania at the Annenberg School of Communication with an intended major in communications.

Since my freshman year of high school, I have served on my school’s journalism team. During freshman and sophomore year, I worked as a writer. By junior and senior year, I became the senior editor and co-manager of the school paper. Throughout my four years of being part of the club, I have learned so much about journalism; from pitching creative ideas, to carrying out interviews, and writing up an article. I have also learned about editing and publishing. Although these tasks intimidated me in the beginning, I can confidently say that I now feel very skilled and knowledgeable about the field.

I am particularly passionate about giving the underserved population a voice to be heard. Some of my favorite interviews and articles I have published have been with female refugees from the community here in Ohio. Some of my articles have been published in our local paper in Bend.

Of course, there is so much that I still have and want to learn. I am eager to start my undergraduate education and learn from experts in the field. I am excited to take journalism, communication, and marketing courses and learn everything there is to know. I am also hoping to work with the Pennsylvania Daily and join the journalism club on campus. I want to take advantage of every opportunity offered to further my career and personal growth.

As you are well aware, the cost of college is very high. As much as I have saved during high school, I will still have to take out loans to fund my college education. I am planning to work part-time during my studies, but I don’t want work to interfere too much with my school work. This scholarship would greatly help me cover some of these fees and give me more time to focus on school.

I am very hardworking and creative, and I can’t wait to contribute my talents to the University of Pennsylvania. I would be so grateful to receive a scholarship. Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Alexis Smith

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David Tabachnikov is the CEO of ScholarshipOwl. Formerly at Waze and Google, David is an experienced CTO/R&D manager with over 10 years of experience of leading tech teams. David fervently believes that students should have greater access to education, and is passionate about using technology to help them achieve that goal.

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Scholarship Application: The ABCs of Writing a Scholarship Essay

Scholarship application: a two-word horror story. But is it really so? Writing a scholarship application letter can seem like an off-putting venture, but these essays are a surefire way to actually win a scholarship because the awarding committee gets a chance to learn more about you. In this crash-course on writing scholarship application letters, we’re going over form, structure, and the content you need to include as well as some examples of good practice.

scholarship application - studysmarter magazine

When You Need to Write a Scholarship Application Letter

If there’s one thing that sounds like a nightmare to any student, it’s writing various application letters. These pieces of writing have a strict form, their readers nurture a set of expectations on what they want to read, and tons of students are writing more of the same. Welcome, folks, to the scholarship application drama. Did I say drama? I meant course. There’s nothing dramatic about scholarships, is there? *checks notes nervously*

Just as you thought you were done with the hard work (finding the right university for yourself, applying, going to interviews , filling out forms, or taking an entrance exam ), you find out you have to repeat the process with a scholarship application. Yay!

The first thing you need to check is which scholarships you can apply for. There is a wealth of scholarships out there, elusive as they are, but you will find that you’re likely not eligible for all of them. Depending on your course of study, degree (bachelor, master, doctoral, etc.), GPA, and social and political engagement, you will have to filter your options to find possible solutions. And then the drama starts.

Scholarships are won by merit

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Is There Such a Thing as a Scholarship Application Form?

To cut straight to the chase, the answer is yes and no. There is no such thing as a completely specific scholarship application form (don’t trust those websites selling you one), but there are certain aspects that’ll be the same in each application. You can learn to manipulate those aspects to bring out the best of your experience and knowledge and then write a convincing motivation letter .

There, I’ve said the dreaded word: the key component of many scholarship applications is a motivation letter , and we’re here to dispel any myths surrounding this mystical document.

But, let’s start with the form:

Once these pesky formalities are out of the way, you can start working on your letter.

Scholarship Application – Examples of Good Practice

So, how do you write a proper scholarship application letter? Words like structure, strong vocabulary, and convictions come to mind, and you will need all of them for a successful motivation letter. Before you start, however, you should spend a decent amount of time brainstorming your strengths and how you wish to present them.

The key element of a successful scholarship application is the relevance of your points regarding the open call . For instance, if the scholarship is purely merit-based, you’ll want to highlight your achievements and faculties. On the other hand, if the scholarship is offered by a political foundation, you should provide examples of your engagements that demonstrate how your beliefs align with the ideals of the said organisation.

This does not mean that you need to change your entire personality to fit the proposed standards of a particular organisation – you must, first and foremost, be loyal to yourself . Anything else will appear dishonest. Nevertheless, you should write a list of your most relevant characteristics that correspond to the scholarship requirements. When that is done, you just need to arrange them.

Here’s how:

Introduction. Your motivation letter needs a firm, attention-grabbing introduction. Present yourself and your qualifications in several sentences, and reiterate what you’re applying for.

Example: My name is XYZ, and I am a graduate of ABC school, where I attended X course of study (e.g. sciences and mathematics). I would hereby like to express my interest in the scholarship offered by [selected institution].

Details about you. One thing you don’t want to do in your scholarship application letter is go on a long-winded personal history. If you’re bringing examples from your childhood, they’d better be extremely related to your reason for studying a particular subject. For instance, if your ant farm tipped over and the ants refused to leave it, you can call that a good inspiration for studying the social behaviour of ants. However, if you study German literature, leave the ants be.

What you should write in this section is a rundown of your most notable accomplishments, which, put together, provide a good reason for you to apply for this scholarship. For instance, you can list a particularly good paper you’ve written, any volunteering you’ve done, and your desire to truly devote your time to your studies, which will be facilitated by obtaining this scholarship.

Scholarship committees are often impressed by extracurricular activitie s, so I suggest that you elaborate on those. However, don’t go listing everything you’ve ever done (your CV does that for you anyway). Rather, select a few examples and emphasise what you have learnt in the process of participating in this activity and how that is relevant for your studies. For instance, if you’ve volunteered abroad , you’ll have learnt the ropes of international cooperation, deepened your understanding of different cultures, and learnt how to take charge in difficult situations – skills which have proven useful in your study field (e.g. international politics , cultural studies, business administration, etc.). Underscore any internships you may have done, courses and certifications you have, or competencies you can apply across various disciplines, e.g. soft skills .

Piece of cake, right? 😉

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General Scholarship Application

Many universities open an annual call for general scholarship applications. The deadline for such applications is usually at the beginning of the year, although it varies from one university to another – check the relevant website to be on the right track.

General scholarship applications are favourable, as you can repurpose your older scholarship essays with some tweaks, thus saving time. Furthermore, they typically do not come with any specific requirements in terms of social and political engagements, making it easier to write essays for them.

The same rules apply for such an application: The structure should be clear and easy to follow. Make sure to emphasise your achievements to demonstrate why you deserve the scholarship and how you’ll benefit from it.

Application for Scholarship in College – Pro Tips

There are ways of improving your scholarship application and making it easier to write. Follow these tips to make the most out of your application:

Last but not least, do mind the deadlines (tardiness is not tolerated) and make sure all accompanying details and documents are included in your application.

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Why No Scholarship Application Sample Ever Works – And What Does?

To briefly recap, lots of scholarship applications include writing a motivation letter or essay along with providing relevant documents outlining your academic and personal successes. Writing a scholarship application letter, daunting though it is, is not that difficult once you’ve got the hang of it. One thing you should be wary of are various online templates and samples. Most of the time, these are generic letters that don’t say anything about you and do not fit the criteria of the scholarship you’re applying for.

Here are the things that do work when you’re applying for a scholarship:

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17+ Scholarship Application Letter Templates – PDF, DOC

Education Template is one of the most important steps we have to take to reach our dreams, but it can be costly. Whether a college or university, undergraduate and postgraduate are not affordable, especially those that require other school facilities. Scholarship letters are not easy to write. You need to include any reason for applying for corporate funding, spouse sponsorship, and academic program. Are you picking a technical course or a 4-year major at a top school in the Philippines, US, China, or any country? We made professionally written samples for any individual or student to use. Find the best formal letter of applying format for your school.

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Scholarship

Scholarship Cover Letter Example

You have to write a cover letter as part of your scholarship application. What’s your first question? Something like: How do I write a great cover letter for a scholarship? Good question! A cover letter, also called a letter of motivation, is highly valuable when it comes to awarding scholarships. Before an organization will cut you a check, they want to be sure that you’re a motivated, engaged and forward-thinking student who is worth the investment. While job applicants usually have the benefit of an accompanying resume, a student might not have the advantage of a lengthy work history. So in this case, your cover letter often weighs more than your resume when it comes time to distribute the funds.

Scholarships are not just about paying down tuition costs. Many of the organizations, clubs and community members who offer them are truly interested in getting to know their scholarship recipients and following them along through their educational journey. A scholarship may even lead to new connections, mentorship opportunities, internships and post-graduation job offers. In other words, a knock-out cover letter is worth the effort. This guide, along with an effective cover-letter example will:

P.S. – If you’re still working on getting your resume just right, resume.io’s free resources can save you time in creating the perfect resume. Start with our profession-specific examples , templates and general resume writing guide .

Best format for a scholarship cover letter

The structure of a cover letter for a scholarship application follows much the same outline as any other type of application letter and includes these sections:

Let’s dive into each one.

Scholarship - Scholarship cover letter structure

Cover letter header

Many students and recent graduates struggle with determining exactly what should go in the cover letter header. The thing to remember is that the header serves an important role in identifying the document and giving it an aesthetically-pleasing formatting.

Believe it or not, some scholarships will still ask you to send in your application materials via mail. In that case, your header should include the name and address of the scholarship organization and/or contact person as well as the date. This formal letter heading is not necessary when applying online or emailing your cover letter. In that situation, you may opt to include just your name, phone number and other contact information plus the name of the organization.

The goal of this section: Identify the document, keep your name and contact info easily accessible and create visually appealing formatting.

Cover letter greeting

This short section can trip up a lot of students who aren’t sure which tone to take. A scholarship application is a request, usually of someone in a more senior position than yourself. You’ll want to take a respectful tone without seeming too formal, thus “Dear” is usually the best option and our cover letter sample goes that route. Scholarships are usually pretty upfront about who handles the selection process. Oftentimes, it’s a committee. “Dear Scripps Howard Foundation Scholarship Committee,” will do the trick. Or you might include the name of the chairperson and the committee as well: “Dear Dr. Batts and CCAP Scholarship Committee,”

Watch out for the name game!

Addressing your letter to a real, specific person or the committee is one of the best ways to get things started on a positive note. For a scholarship cover letter, however, this takes on additional importance. Committees often consider a misspelling or a generic greeting like “To Whom it May Concern:” as a sign that the student was not careful enough to include the names given to them. Make sure to check and double check that you have everything spelled correctly and have used the proper salutations like Mr., Mrs., Ms. or Dr.

The goal of this section: Use the right tone when greeting the reader or the committee and make sure you’ve included the correctly spelled name of the person or organization.

Dear Professor Huddleston,

Cover letter introduction

Your introduction is the first chance for the scholarship committee members to get to know you. When applying for a scholarship, it’s important to get this initial paragraph right. You want to come across as respectful, but also enthusiastic and passionate about the field or program you’re entering. A charismatic opening that conveys character and personality is a good way to hit it off. You might choose to start with a tasteful (mind the boundaries of propriety!) personal anecdote or a bit of background information, but just remember that the majority of the other candidates are also students, probably in the same field or major as you. Show off what makes you stand apart!

Don’t neglect to explain exactly the scholarship you are applying for if the organization offers more than one and tell why you are looking for funding. The sentence below from our cover letter example explains what the applicant will use the money for.

As I approach the dissertation year of my MA in Arabic at the UCLA Department of Near Eastern Languages and Cultures (NELC), I am writing to inquire about participating in the annual fellowship program. Much of my work has been based at the university, but the demands of my dissertation entail a significant amount of travel and expense.

The goal of this section: Capture the reader’s attention with a snappy sentence that introduces yourself in an interesting and exciting way.

Cover letter middle part (body)

The cover letter body is where you can really get into your strongest qualities and skills. Start off by explaining your goals or what you plan to do with the education or funding you receive. Remember, each sentence should add evidence to the argument that you are the best candidate for this financial investment.

Committees often appreciate personal stories, but they should be related to your career or educational goals. Keep your sincere stories/statements concise so that the reader doesn’t lose the message. Make sure you are answering any questions asked in the application directions.

How long should my cover letter be?

Unless the scholarship application specifies a word count, it’s best to keep your letter to between 200 and 400 words – or one page. Students are often tempted to over compensate for thin resumes by writing expansive, multi-page cover letters that cover every imaginable area of the applicant’s life. However, it’s a much smarter idea to keep your letter focused and concise enough for a single page.

The goal of this cover letter body: Create your own narrative using personal stories/statements, facts and evidence of your hard work and determination, align yourself with the mission of the organization or scholarship.

I have been self-funding my current studies with part-time interpreting and translation work. I do not come from a privileged background and my parents give all that they can, but the costs of a dissertation that involves interpreting and observing at over 40 international conferences in one year are monumental. My dissertation on the “Cultural Considerations in English-Arabic Simultaneous Translation” seeks to provide a new perspective on what lies behind the language, but it cannot be written from inside a library. I have already contributed much to my UCLA faculty, including curating the Persian section of the Language Materials Project and running events for the Near Eastern business community in Los Angeles. I worked on the Arabic section of a successful translation app and have published a number of well-reviewed academic papers on Arabic linguistics. My career aim is to become an interpreter at the United Nations in New York. I have a month’s work experience lined up there at the end of this academic year and see it as the perfect start for my dissertation year. I want to bring the 300 million Arabic speakers that bit closer to the rest of the world. That can only happen with a thoughtful interpretation of both their words and their cultural background.

How to close a scholarship cover letter (conclusion and sign-off)

So you’ve laid out your personal story, skills and experiences, now what? Creating a positive closing paragraph. Ending on a positive note is important, but there’s one more thing you can do to seal the deal. A call to action invites the committee to contact you and shows that you are enthusiastic about their support. Our cover letter example conclusion below accomplishes both of these goals.

The fellowship would allow me access to the leading experts in the field and I would have an opportunity to practice my specialty at the most important events. I would welcome a meeting to discuss my application in more detail and hope for your assistance in this matter.

Sincerely, Simon Travers.

Drive home the point by using a thankful and sincere tone to show the committee you are worthy of their investment. “Best regards” or “Sincerely” can work well. A “Thank you for considering me for your scholarship” can’t hurt.

The goal of this section: Leave the reader on an upbeat note and invite them to contact you, convey gratitude and enthusiasm for their support.

Writing psychology – cover letter tools and strategies

As a potential scholarship recipient, there are a few key qualities you want to convey:

The Yale approach to persuasion

The Yale Attitude Change Approach is a long-term study on the effects of persuasive communication. The study covers numerous principles, including the ways in which audiences perceive speakers and their messages. The study has found that people can easily sense when a speaker is trying to persuade them and it causes them to take a negative view of both the message and communicator. Thus it is important for the speaker to first develop credibility with their audience. The more trustworthy the audience finds the speaker, the more receptive they are to the message.

Focus on building your trustworthiness in the eyes of the reader by explaining the projects you took on and how those developed you into the student and person you are today. No scholarship committee wants to feel like you’re pleading and begging for their money. Rather, they want to feel like they’ve just had a stimulating conversation with a bright and motivated young person who will succeed because of hard work and determination.

This overall guide on cover letters can offer more detail on each of these requirements. You can also make sure the formatting is appropriate and professional by using a template, like these from resume.io.

Some students are afraid to apply for scholarships because they don’t believe they are impressive enough to beat out the other candidates. While it’s true that some scholarships can be very competitive (about 12 percent of all undergrads depend on this type of aid), there’s plenty of options that only require you to be yourself. Some of the most notable: scholarships for avid coffee drinkers, glasses wearers, people with curly hair and people who are unusually tall. What’s more, about 100 million dollars in scholarships goes unclaimed every year – you can’t win if you don’t try!

Scholarship cover letter format and common mistakes

Spelling and grammar. Students are often in a rush, juggling classes, clubs and activities and so they wait until the last minute to write and submit cover letters. Unfortunately, simple spelling mistakes can weigh heavily against an applicant in the scholarship selection process. Make sure to proofread reread your letter closely before submitting, and/or ask a friend to double check it for you.

Scholarship Cover - Scholarship cover letter mistakes

What makes a scholarship cover letter unique?

There are a few key differences between a scholarship application letter for a scholarship for a high school or college student and one that a job applicant might use. The first is that a job applicant is looking to fill a specific vacancy for an employer. In their cover letter, they will often talk about why they are a good fit for the role and how their previous experiences have demonstrated the same skillset. A scholarship applicant isn’t being asked to do a job so the letter is much less focused on tasks and hard skills than it is on personality traits, extracurricular activities and career goals. Scholarship programs are also far more interested in the candidate’s personal experience and may sometimes even ask about their financial background.

While a scholarship applicant might not have a job posting to refer to, one piece of information they can use to their advantage is the organization’s mission statement or primary activities. If, for example, the association is geared toward advancing the contributions of black women in science, an applicant might talk about her love of math from an early age and her current internship at a medical research center. She might also include personal motivations and experiences, like challenges she faced after entering a mostly male-dominated profession.

Key takeaways

Other educative cover letters and resumes examples from the same industry:

Need more inspiration for cover letter writing and resumes? Click on our related education cover letter examples below.

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