• Applying For Scholarships

How to Write a Scholarship Motivation Letter in 2023

Jennifer Finetti Sep 26, 2022

How to Write a Scholarship Motivation Letter in 2023

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A scholarship motivation letter can make or break your application. This is your opportunity to showcase your knowledge before an in-person interview. Motivation letters are not required for every application. Yet when they are necessary, they are critical. In this guide, we will provide tips for writing a scholarship motivation letter.

What is a scholarship motivation letter?

A motivation letter is like a cover letter you may include with a job application and resume. The goal of the letter is to explain:

Review committees often use motivation letters to narrow down their pool of applicants. Then they assess the rest of the application from the candidates they like best.

Motivation letters are usually required for graduate-level scholarships. Sometimes, you may need to write one for specialty programs at a bachelor’s level too. If you have the option to include a motivation letter with your scholarship application, take it. This may be the only chance you have to wow the review committee.

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Motivation letter for scholarship applications – general guidelines

Usually, the application will not specify how long your motivation letter should be. You will need to use your best judgment to write a concise motivation letter. The letter should include:

Motivation letters are usually around 500-1,000 words. Split them into paragraphs for easy reading.

tailor motivational letter concept

Tailor your motivation letter to fit the sholarship

Your motivation letter should link your future plans with the goals of the scholarship . How will you benefit from continued education in this field? How will you use this knowledge to support the mission of the scholarship provider?

Say that the scholarship is from an agency that supports wildlife preservation. Your letter should explain how you plan to apply your education towards a career in that field.

You also need to establish why you deserve this application more than other applicants. What specific experiences do you have now that set you apart from the rest? What specific plans do you have that will address a current issue in the world? Even if you currently have limited knowledge about the issue, use that to your advantage. Explain how you could thrive with more education and solve even more problems in the future.

The structure of a scholarship motivation letter

Scholarship motivation letters vary by award, but they usually consist of three elements:

Your introduction should include your name, level of education and the degree program.

Your first body paragraph should include any work-related experience you have. This can include both paid and unpaid internships. You should show the growth of your career in chronological order. Finally, suggest where your career will go with continued education.

Your second body paragraph should explain what you hope to gain from your education. Think of which problems you aim to solve or uncover.

Your final body paragraph should explain your holistic plans for the future. Some ideas for inspiration:

Finally, your conclusion should re-emphasize why you are a good candidate for the scholarship.

writing motivational letter

What NOT to include when writing a scholarship motivation letter

Your scholarship motivation letter should be well-written with no grammar or spelling errors. Use a professional tone and advanced phrasing (no slang). Provide specific examples about your past, present and future. Stay away from vague generalizations. Vagueness suggests a lack of care or knowledge. Neither of  these are impressive to a scholarship review committee.

Some final tips

Writing a motivation letter for scholarship applications takes time and commitment. Plan what you will say in advance, and allow at least three days to write the letter, review it, step away from it and edit it. This extra time will provide the best chance of success with your application.

A Sample Scholarship Motivation Letter

Julie Moore 9876 Smith St. Stillwater, OK 74074The Scholarship Committee 123 Learning Rd. Suite 4A Oklahoma City, OK 73127

To Whom It May Concern:

My name is Julie Moore and I am a third year student at Oklahoma State University. I am currently pursuing a five-year Bachelor of Architecture Degree. My plan is to follow up with a one-year master’s degree after I graduate.

In high school, I worked extensively with my local Habitat for Humanity branch to help build homes for low income families. I learned about the construction process from the ground up, and I discovered the importance of function in architectural design. The homes we built during my four years as a volunteer were never extravagant. They served their purpose and became a beacon of hope for their owners.

My education has been focused on this mindset: function over form, stability over showmanship. I have enrolled in several classes that crossover to the Architectural Engineering major. My goal is to have a comprehensive view of how design meets structure. I have worked on three extra-credit residential design projects under the supervision of my architecture professors (Dr. X and Dr. Y). This helped speed up my research and education.

My goal is to become an architect to create accessible, affordable housing opportunities in underprivileged communities. Living in a college town, I have seen countless rental properties available. Yet there are few homes for sale that are affordable enough for college students and first-time buyers. This is the case in many towns throughout America, especially areas with a low standard of living. I want to create neighborhoods that include affordable starter homes. This would enable low and middle-class families to build equity, avoid excessive debt, and create financial stability for their futures.

This summer, I will intern with  LMNOP Architects. Upon completion of my master’s degree, I hope to continue there as I further develop my skills. After working under acclaimed residential architects Suzan Craft and Peter Wood, I would like to open my own architectural firm focused on developing inexpensive, high-quality housing. I also would like to work with Habitat for Humanity again, this time as an architect instead of a general laborer. I believe firmly in their mission to build “a world where everyone has a decent place to live.” I appreciate your consideration. With your help, I can continue my schooling in architecture and design to bring accessible homes to those in need.

Sincerely, Julie Moore

Jennifer Finetti

Jennifer Finetti

As a parent who recently helped her own kids embark on their college journeys, Jennifer approaches the transition from high school to college from a unique perspective. She truly enjoys engaging with students – helping them to build the confidence, knowledge, and insight needed to pursue their educational and career goals, while also empowering them with the strategies and skills needed to access scholarships and financial aid that can help limit college costs. She understands the importance of ensuring access to the edtech tools and resources that can make this process easier and more equitable - this drive to support underserved populations is what drew her to ScholarshipOwl. Jennifer has coached students from around the world, as well as in-person with local students in her own community. Her areas of focus include career exploration, major selection, college search and selection, college application assistance, financial aid and scholarship consultation, essay review and feedback, and more. She works with students who are at the top of their class, as well as those who are struggling. She firmly believes that all students, regardless of their circumstances, can succeed if they stay focused and work hard in school. Jennifer earned her MA in Counseling Psychology from National University, and her BA in Psychology from University of California, Santa Cruz.

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Home Cover Letter Help How to Write a Cover Letter for a Scholarship (+ Examples)

How to Write a Cover Letter for a Scholarship (With Examples)

Corissa Peterson

A compelling cover letter will impress scholarship committees and go a long way towards convincing them that you’re worth the investment. Learn how to write a great cover letter for a scholarship with our helpful tips and examples!

A cover letter for a scholarship.

While cover letters are mostly used for job applications, they’re also commonly requested as part of scholarship applications.

Scholarship committees and organizations want to see that you’re dedicated to your studies and are serious about getting the most out of a college education. A great scholarship cover letter is the perfect opportunity to highlight your passion and show them that you’re deserving of their financial support.

Use our tips and examples below to write a great scholarship letter and set yourself apart from other applicants:

Why write a scholarship cover letter?

Scholarship committees get plenty of applicants with great grades, numerous extracurriculars , and high SAT scores. Applicants that don’t stand out will have a hard time getting noticed.

Writing a scholarship cover letter gives you an opportunity to highlight your dedication, goals, and passion to the committee or organization granting the scholarship, greatly improving your chance of convincing them that you’re the best candidate to receive their assistance.

Use your cover letter to explain some of your motivations, challenges in life, or accomplishments.

Tips for writing a scholarship application cover letter

Not sure where to start? No problem. Here are some tips for writing a compelling cover letter for a scholarship:

While scholarship committees want insight into your life and motivations, that doesn’t mean they want your whole life story. Your scholarship application cover letter should be focused, to the point, and cover all the information that needs to be included on a cover letter.

For example, here’s the primary information that you need to include in your scholarship cover letter. If you’re ultimately not providing scholarship committees with this information, your cover letter is probably not focused enough:

Give the scholarship committee an overview of who you are. Demonstrate your qualifications and why you deserve the scholarship. Convey your interest and enthusiasm for the scholarship. State how you intend to use the scholarship. Structure your scholarship cover letter.

Structure your scholarship cover letter

It can be difficult to know how to sell yourself to a committee you’ve never met. If you’re having trouble knowing where to start or how to write your cover letter , it can be helpful to make an outline for yourself first.

Knowing how to format your cover letter is the first step. A cover letter’s basic structure can be broken down into five main components:

Once you’ve got the personal information and salutation locked in, turn your attention to the most important part: writing tailored paragraphs. Like every piece of writing, your scholarship letter should have a clear beginning, middle, and end. The template below outlines the purpose for each paragraph, and what it should include:

Your Name [Your phone number] [Your email address] [Your mailing address]

[Date] [Scholarship organization name] [Organization address] [Organization phone number]

Dear [Mr./Ms./Mx. Recipient’s name] / [Scholarship Committee],

Start with an opening paragraph that briefly introduces who you are, and your relevant experience, how you learned about the scholarship, and why you are interested in applying. If writing multiple cover letters, take care to customize this paragraph to target a specific scholarship.

Next come your body paragraphs , which highlight your academic accomplishments as well as any related skills and experience. Depending on the scholarship application requirements, you may need just one body paragraph or several (always check the length requirement first). The question you are really addressing in this section is what makes you deserving of this particular scholarship, so make sure that everything you include bolsters your case.

End with a closing paragraph that restates your interest in the scholarship and why you should be a recipient. Include a call to action to inspire the committee to reach out to you – by saying you’d love the opportunity to schedule a call or a meeting, for instance.

[Sincerely / Best / Best regards],

[Your name]

Customize your scholarship cover letters

When writing cover letters, it’s the little touches that make all the difference.

Once you’ve read a stack of cover letters (like the scholarship committee has), it becomes pretty easy to judge which ones are generic cover letters and which ones have been tailored to an individual scholarship.

The easiest way to customize your cover letters is to use the introductory paragraph to include information specific to that particular scholarship.

The basis for granting scholarships varies widely. Some organizations look at academic performance, while others look at financial need or other special circumstances.

Before writing your cover letter (or application), carefully consider what the scholarship committee is looking for and make addressing this the focal point of your letter.

Scholarship cover letter example

Here’s an example of a strong scholarships letter sample that you can use to inspire your own scholarship cover letter:

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Corissa Peterson

Written by Corissa Peterson

Corissa is a Career Advisor and Staff Writer at Resume Genius, where she loves equipping others with the tools they need to pursue their dreams. She graduated from the... more

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How to Write a Scholarship Letter of Recommendation [2022 Edition]

If one of your students asks you to write them a recommendation letter for a scholarship, it’s a big deal! 

Some of the most popular scholarships receive thousands of applications from hopeful students every year. And only a small percentage of applicants end up winning. 

Scholarship selection committees use your recommendation letter as a way to get an outside perspective of the student. This makes their job of selecting the most deserving students a little bit easier. 

Luckily, for you and your students, there’s an easy way to get all the information you need to write a strong recommendation letter! We’ll be sharing what that is later in this blog post. And, we’ll also be looking at:

Let’s get right to it! 

The Purpose of a Letter of Recommendation for Scholarship Applications

The application review process of many scholarships spans months. And, in that time, there can be a lot of nitpicking over students who, oftentimes, start to look fairly similar on paper.

Your recommendation letter helps your student by: 

BUT your recommendation letter can only do those things if it includes all of the information scholarship selection committees are looking for. 

What to Include in Your Scholarship Recommendation Letter

Your experience with each student that asks you for a recommendation is likely unique. And you’ll want to make sure each letter sounds authentic and not like a copy and paste template. 

But, even still, the best recommendation letters follow a similar format: 

How to Get All the Info You Need to Write a Strong Scholarship Recommendation Letter  

Writing a strong recommendation letter for some of your students might come easy. Maybe you’ve known these students for several years, coached them outside of class for extracurriculars, or been their teacher for more than one subject. 

But what about the students who you don’t know so well? And what about when you have to write multiple recommendation letters for students applying to scholarships with upcoming deadlines? What do you do then? 

You ask your students! But, don’t worry, no one’s expecting you to sit down with each student. You don’t have time for that. 

Instead, you’re going to get your students to do the work. How? By getting them to create and send you a document that has the following information: 

This may seem like a lot of information. And you probably won’t need all of it. But, believe us, you’ll be happy you asked for it when it comes time for you to sit down and write! 

And if you think your students will be intimidated by that list, consider copying it onto a nice-looking Word Doc first. Or use something like the Common App’s brag sheet that serves the same purpose. 

Sample Letter of Recommendation for a Scholarship 

Let’s look now at an example of what a strong recommendation letter looks like. 

To whom it may concern: 

I’m delighted to recommend Louis D. for the ABC scholarship. I have been Louis’s English teacher and debate team coach at A.W. High School for the past three years and know that he is exactly the kind of student your foundation hopes to reward. 

Throughout my career, I’ve met very few students that are as inquisitive and engaged with the local community as Louis. In my English class, he regularly leads class discussions and writes in a way most students only grasp once they’ve spent several years in college. I can say without a doubt that he is in the top 10% of students I’ve had the pleasure to work with during my 15 years as a teacher. 

Louis is also the debate team captain and makes my job as the coach incredibly easy as he’s always going out of his way to help new members improve. For example, in preparation for a recent debate tournament, he spent several hours working one-on-one with one student who was new to the team and still struggling with stage fright. Although Louis didn’t do as well as he would have liked to in that tournament, he still took immense pride in seeing how much his teammate improved in just a short time. 

This willingness to help others is also reflected in Louis’s community service work — something I know the ABC scholarship foundation greatly values. Outside of school, Louis is actively involved in tutoring ESL learners at a local community center. Although I’m not present at the center, it’s easy for me to imagine how lucky those students must feel to have a tutor like Louis. His work ethic and dedication to helping people improve are impeccable.  

I have full confidence that Louis will continue to do great things next year when he begins college at Rice University. I also am confident that the ABC Scholarship Foundation would be hard-pressed to find another student as deserving and representative of your mission to support the future community leaders of America.

It is for these reasons I’ve had zero hesitation to write this recommendation for Louis. 

Please feel free to contact me at ###-###-#### or samgreen @awhs.com if you have any questions. I’d be more than happy to provide more information on why Louis is a deserving candidate for the ABC scholarship. 

Want to Help Your Students Find More Scholarships? 

As an educator, you want to see your students succeed. We hope you can use the tips we shared here to write strong recommendation letters for the scholarships that will help lower their costs for college.

And, if you want to go the extra mile, make sure they’re not just applying to one or two scholarships. Encourage them to find all of the scholarships they qualify for! 

To easily find them, they can download Scholly , the #1 scholarship app in the world that instantly matches students with hundreds-of-thousands of dollars in scholarships based on their interests, accomplishments, and traits!

You can also share information from the rest of our blog where we provide in-depth guides and articles on how students can find ways to pay for college, write amazing scholarship essays and personal statements , and win a variety of scholarships like the National Merit Scholarship .

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How to Win a National Merit Scholarship [2022 Edition]

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Letter of Intent (LOI) for Scholarship or Admissions Application

Letter of intent.

Photo of Fiza Aslam

Letter of Intent (LOI) for Scholarship. If you are applying for the first time for the scholarship then you don’t know about the word letter of intent, motivational letter, and statement of purpose. In this article, we will provide you with complete detail about the letter of intent and the procedure to write a perfect letter of intent for your scholarship application.

Letter of intent or LOI:

The letter of intent is a document that is necessary for the applicants to submit because it provides information about the specific job post, scholarship, admission into a university, or a task. It also provides information about why you want to choose the university or needs the scholarship.

Write a Letter of Intent for Study, Scholarship, or admission:

The letter of intent provides the student’s aims or motivation for studying a specific field at a specific institution. The applicants have to write about their goals and passion for the field and what motivates them to start their higher education when they already graduated from a university.

DATE SHEET FOR CLASS 10TH 2023 FOR ALL PUNJAB BOARDS

You can also write about your experiences and your knowledge of the relevant field. And why you have an interest in studying at the university. If you have any of the research you can also explain your proposals in your intent letter. You have to mention your experiences when you are applying for the post-graduate degree. You can also mention how your academic career is related to the scholarship you are applying for.

Writing an Inspiring Letter of Intent (LOI) for all your requirements:

You have to follow the steps given below for writing an impressive intent letter.

The important section is a letter of intent

#1 The letterhead

In the first step, you have a letterhead in which you have to explain your address and the address of the institute that has announced the scholarship. You have to write your address on the top corner and the receiver’s address on the other side.

#2 The overview

In the second you have to introduce yourself briefly and your academic qualification.  And then explain your future plans in a few lines and why you are applying for the scholarship.

#3 The main section

The body consists of two paragraphs. In the first paragraph, you have to write about your education and your extracurricular activities. This will explain why you are interested in the scholarship. It shows the passion of the students for the study and the level of interest in the program and much more. You can write at least two paragraphs in which you have to convince the committee that you are the perfect one for the scholarship.

#4 The assumption

In the end, you have to write a concluding paragraph. In the end, you can make a little debate about the scholarship and your eligibility for the scholarship. And make it clear that you are the perfect one for the scholarship.

It simply brings the discussion to an appropriate end. In the concluding words, put emphasis on your merit and prove yourself worthy of the scholarship. Give arguments that make the reader think ‘you are a perfect fit for the scholarship.’

Take note of the following preceding Writing your Intent Letter

You have to remember the following points when you are writing your intent letter.

Everyone who is applying for anything must have a plan in their mind. You must have a plan for your academic or professional career. You have to write clear thoughts about your future plans and didn’t write about irrelevant stuff.

Write a letter in such a way that shows your maturity and as a grown-up and a responsible person. You have to write a sensible and professional words when you are writing your letter.

While writing an intent letter you have to make an outline and then you can write the letter by keeping each and every point in mind. Your letter must have clear words and explain your thought.

You have to research the scholarship and criteria for the scholarship and what type of candidates are eligible for the scholarship so you can prepare yourself according to the criteria and then you have to write a letter in such a way that you present yourself as an ideal student.

The student while writing makes a lot of mistakes but they didn’t pay attention to that mistakes. Most of the candidates think they are perfect in writing and didn’t revise their piece of writing so if you want your letter didn’t have mistaken then you have to recheck your letter after writing and then you can submit it.

FOR MORE VISIT THE WEBSITE AND WRITE YOUR LETTER OF INTENT FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP. 

Photo of Fiza Aslam

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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 - studysmarter magazine

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 organization.

This does not mean that you need to change your entire personality to fit the proposed standards of a particular organization – 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:

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].

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 résumé does that for you anyway). Rather, select a few examples and emphasize what you have learned 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 learned the ropes of international cooperation, deepened your understanding of other cultures, and learned 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 favorable, 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 emphasize 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, be mindful of 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 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:

how to write a letter of application for scholarship

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How do you write an application letter for a scholarship?

How do you answer scholarship application questions, what makes you stand out from every other scholarship applicant.

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How to write a motivation letter for masters scholarship

A motivation letter should be concise and to the point. Aim for around 500-700 words, and make sure to stay focused on the topic you have chosen

Write a Successful Motivation Letter for Your Master's

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How to write a Motivation Letter for Scholarship Application

The first paragraph of the main body of the motivation letter should include information about your academic and professional experience. The second paragraph

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How to Write a Winning Recommendation Letter for Your Student

Letter of Recommendation For Scholarship

Students might need letters of recommendation for a variety of reasons. It could be for a job application, to get an internship, or to get into a competitive program for college students. 

This article provides tips on writing your recommendation letter and a template you can edit. Continue reading to learn more.

Why Students Need A Recommendation Letter

Students need recommendation letters to support their applications for academic programs, scholarships, internships, jobs, and other opportunities. Recommendation letters are crucial for students because they can greatly impact their academic and professional futures. Here are some reasons why:

Most universities and graduate schools require applicants to submit recommendation letters as part of their application. These letters can provide insight into the student’s academic and personal qualities and help the admissions committee determine if the student is a good fit for the school.

Scholarships often require recommendation letters from teachers, professors, or others who can attest to the student’s academic or extracurricular achievements. These letters can greatly increase the student’s chances of receiving financial aid.

Certain internships or jobs may require applicants to submit recommendation letters from previous employers, teachers, or others who can speak to the student’s work ethic, skills, and character. These letters can be critical in distinguishing the student from other applicants and securing the position.

Some programs may require recommendation letters from teachers, professors, or others who can attest to the student’s academic or personal qualities. These letters can demonstrate the student’s suitability for the program and increase their chances of acceptance.

Certain professional certifications or licensing bodies may require recommendation letters from colleagues or supervisors who can attest to the applicant’s skills, knowledge, and character. These letters can be important in demonstrating the applicant’s qualifications and professionalism.

How To Write A Recommendation Letter For A Student

A recommendation letter for a student should provide a comprehensive and compelling overview of the student’s achievements, character, and potential. When writing a recommendation letter for a student, it’s important to keep the following tips in mind:

When writing a recommendation letter for a student, it’s important to start by introducing yourself and explaining your relationship with the student. This could include your role as a teacher, employer, mentor, coach, or any other position that has given you insight into the student’s character and achievements.

In the body of the letter, provide specific examples of the student’s achievements and strengths. This could include academic performance, leadership skills, extracurricular activities, community service, or other areas where the student has excelled.

In addition to describing their achievements, discussing their character and personal qualities is important. This could include their work ethic, creativity, problem-solving skills, communication skills, or any other traits that make them valuable assets to the community.

Provide anecdotes and examples of the student’s achievements and qualities to make the letter more engaging and memorable. This could include stories about how the student overcame obstacles, demonstrated leadership, or positively impacted others.

Finally, discuss the student’s potential for future success. This could include their academic or career goals, potential to excel in a particular field or industry, or any other factors that make them strong candidates for the opportunity they seek.

Tips For Writing A Recommendation Letter For A Student

A recommendation letter for a student should provide a comprehensive and compelling overview of the student’s achievements, character, and potential. Here are some tips for writing a recommendation letter for a student:

It’s important to establish your credentials and your relationship with the student right from the beginning. This can give your letter more credibility and help the reader understand why your opinion matters.

When writing a recommendation letter, it’s important to focus on the student’s positive qualities and accomplishments. Be specific and give examples of how the student has demonstrated their skills, character, and work ethic.

Use descriptive and positive language when describing the student’s strengths and accomplishments. Avoid vague or generic language that doesn’t provide specific examples or evidence.

In addition to highlighting the student’s strengths and accomplishments, discussing their potential for success in the program or opportunity they are applying for is important. Provide specific examples of how the student’s skills, interests, and experiences make them a good fit for the program.

If any weaknesses or areas for improvement are relevant, it’s important to address them in your recommendation letter. However, do so constructively and tactfully, emphasizing the student’s potential and positive qualities.

In your conclusion, make a clear and enthusiastic recommendation for the student. Use confident and positive language that emphasizes the student’s potential for success.

Before submitting your recommendation letter, proofread and edit it carefully. Check for spelling or grammar errors, and ensure that the tone and content are appropriate for the audience and the opportunity.

Sample and Template

Here is a sample letter of recommendation for a student that you may use.

(Date’s Today)

(Your Name)

(Your Company Name)

(Your Street Address)

(Your City, State Zip)

(Recipient’s Name)

(Recipient’s Company Name)

(Recipient’s Street Address)

(Recipient’s City, State Zip)

(Salutation: Mr./Ms./Miss/Mrs. Dr., et Last Name: )

I’m writing to suggest (student’s name) for the (name of scholarship program) Scholarship with your organization (name of school or name of scholarship program). I was his/her (your relationship with the student) and have known him/her for the last (number of months or years).

(Insert a few positive, descriptive sentences about the applicant’s performance in school, character, personality, extracurricular activities, etc.)  In addition to having firsthand knowledge of (insert applicant’s name) academic commitment, I am also familiar with his/her educational goals, as well as the challenges he/she will face when it comes to funding college tuition. I cannot think of anyone more deserving, and I wholeheartedly support his/her application. 

I’m sure that you’ll like (student’s name) just as much as I do. As a (job title) who wants to see students who deserve it do well, I strongly urge you to consider (student’s name) for this scholarship.

Please let me know if you have any questions or if I can give you any more information to help this student. You can call me at (your number) or (your email address).

(Your Full Name and Signature)

(Job Title)

Letter of Recommendation For Different Scenarios

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How to Write a Scholarship Application Cover Letter

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By Guest Writer

How to Write a Scholarship Application Cover Letter main image

Guest post: Isabel Ara López

When deciding who to grant a scholarship to, scholarship evaluation boards have a lot of information to take into consideration. In some cases, the decision will be based on academic excellence (high grades, language skills, good overall academic skills  and record) or on economic factors (low income, family difficulties).

In many cases, you are required to attach a scholarship application cover letter , in which you should explain why you are applying for this specific scholarship and how it could help you achieve your education and career objectives. This is one of the best tools you can use to make your scholarship application a success, together with the correct submission of any other required documents. Here are some tips on how to write a compelling scholarship application cover letter.

1. Explain why you’re a good match for the scholarship

The scholarship application cover letter is an opportunity to outline your main strengths from an educational and professional perspective, your plans for future career growth , why you would be suitable for this scholarship, and how you would benefit if selected. Make sure you cover all of these points, using specific examples where possible.

2. Establish a formal tone, use a clear structure and check spellings

The cover letter should be written in a formal tone, and have a clear, concise, structured flow. Each applicant should also make sure to check for and correct any accidental spelling or grammar mistakes. To make sure you submit a successful cover letter, ask another person, with an objective eye, to read it before sending. This will minimize the risk of any spelling or grammatical errors, and can also help you eliminate any information that is unclear, redundant or irrelevant to what you are asking for.

3. Match your cover letter to the context

There are various situations of scholarship applications in which you would be requested to attach a cover letter. You may, at the same time, be applying for admission to an institution or a program. Or you may be requesting a grant or scholarship to cover tuition fees or other costs for a program you have already been admitted to.

If your letter is intended for the initial case, you should start with a formal address and greeting, followed by a short paragraph presenting your academic skills, achievements and strengths. The following paragraph should explain the reasons you would need a scholarship to fund your studies. The third paragraph should talk about how the specific program, course or project you are applying for will help you achieve your objectives, and how you can contribute during your studies. Do not forget to close with a formal, polite farewell.

If the letter is requesting funding for a program you have already been accepted to, there are a few aspects you should consider. The introduction should be similar to the structure above, emphasizing your academic skills. In the second paragraph you should emphasize your financial condition, and the reasons why you need the funding. In a third paragraph you can explain your interest in studying at that specific institution and how much you will be able to benefit from it.

In such cases, the institution may actually provide you with guidelines for the information to be included in the scholarship application cover letter, such as income data, career background etc.

To conclude the scholarship application cover letter is meant to highlight your strengths, academic skills and goals, and you should ensure you fully communicate all of these in order to ensure your success.

Get more tips on how to write a winning scholarship essay here .

You can browse our various scholarship listings here , and QS also offers its own scholarships . 

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Sample Cover Letter for Scholarship Application in 2023

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.

Jacques Buffett, CPRW

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

Armando Gutierrez

4215 Duval St

Austin, TX, 78751

(512) 522-6167

[email protected]

Adrian Clark

ULN Coordinator

2304 Whitis Ave

Austin, TX, 78712

Dear Mr Clark,

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.

When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check . Start building a  professional resume template here for free .

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When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.

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.

Jacques Buffett, CPRW

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Cover Letter for Scholarship: Examples & Templates for 2023

I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your cover letter.” Patrick I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work! Dylan  My previous cover letter was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful! George

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, how to write a strong recommendation letter for your student's scholarship.

Letters of Recommendation

feature_moneygradcap

There are numerous scholarships out there for students entering college, and each has its own special set of guidelines. A recommendation letter for scholarship from teachers, counselors, and other important people in a student's life can serve as powerful testaments to a student's past and future achievements.

As an English teacher and college counselor, I put a lot of time into crafting personalized letters of recommendation for students applying to scholarships. In this article, I discuss what exactly should go into an effective scholarship recommendation letter, along with the importance of tailoring your letter to the scholarship at hand. 

So how exactly should recommenders frame their letters to best help their students win a scholarship? And what purpose do reference letters serve as scholarship committees sift through applications?

Purpose of Recommendation Letters in Scholarship Applications

A letter of recommendation for scholarship can accomplish a number of things within a student's scholarship application. First, they can act as strong endorsements of a student, praising her academic and personal qualities and expressing confidence in her future success. The best letters allow a student to transcend her resume and come alive, so to speak, as a multi-dimensional person to a scholarship committee. They also show that she has people in her life motivated to speak on her behalf.

While illuminating a student's impressive qualities (her compassion, energy, or leadership skills, for instance), a recommendation letter provides further evidence that the student is qualified to receive the scholarship . Most scholarships are awarded for students with specific commitments or goals . They might be awarded to students pursuing engineering, math, science, computer science, or literary studies.

Recommendations should be customized to each scholarship. They can attest that a student is both eligible for and deserves the scholarship based on her merit and/or need. For those scholarships geared toward students that have financial need, a recommendation letter may discuss a student's ability to succeed despite limited resources.

A recommendation letter for scholarship can complement and add to the story a student tells in her application about who she is and why she deserves it . In order to do this successfully and accurately, you, as the recommender, should first gather essential information and brainstorm ideas before beginning to write.

how to write a letter of application for scholarship

Want to build the best possible college application, with the strongest recommendations?

We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies . We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools , from state colleges to the Ivy League.

We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools .

Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

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Even before the chicken and the egg came the brainstorming stage.

  

Before Writing Your Scholarship Recommendation Letter...

Since letters of recommendation carry such weight, first you should ask yourself if you can write a genuine and meaningful letter of support for the student. If you feel you don't know her well or have little to share on her behalf, then your letter could come off as lukewarm or uninformed, both of which would add little, or could even hurt, her chances.

Assuming you're motivated to recommend the student, you should make sure to find out exactly what the scholarship is for. Is it looking to award students who have overcome significant challenges? Is it helping girls who want to study computer science? Minority students entering technology fields? High academic achievers that contribute to their communities?

By being aware of the guidelines and expectations of the scholarship, you can make sure to validate your student's qualifications to receive it. If it's a scholarship for future engineers, talk about your student's fascination with physics. If it has to do with community involvement, talk about her volunteer work at the Boys and Girls Club. 

Your recommendee should provide you with information about the scholarship, along with her resume, "brag sheet," and any other relevant information. If you still have unanswered questions, it could help your letter writing to sit down with the student and talk about her high school experiences and post-secondary goals.

Once you have a clear sense of the scholarship and themes within the student's application, you can think about the story you want to tell in your recommendation letter for scholarship. Think about the student's outstanding strengths, along with significant experiences that have shaped her or obstacles she's overcome.

 Finally, consider what anecdotes or observations you can share to demonstrate those strengths. If she's applying to a computer science scholarship, you can highlight her year-long project designing an app to track water use and promote conservation. If she's applying for a literary scholarship, talk about her publications in the town's local magazine.

All of these components are important to include in the scholarship recommendation letter. Read on to learn more about key content in recommendation letters for scholarships. 

body_onceuponatime

Include meaningful stories to support your recommendation.

What Are the Main Parts of a Recommendation Letter?

Each recommendation letter you write will be personalized to the specific student you're writing about, but many of these letters follow a similar template. Here's everything that you should include in your recommendation letter:

What to Include in Your Recommendation Letter

Once you've brainstormed a list of the student's strengths, meaningful anecdotes, and qualifications to win the scholarship, you can start to draft your letter.

Introduction

As with recommendations for college, you should begin by stating who you're recommending, how you know her and in what contexts , and what makes you qualified to give your assessment.

If you've known the student in different contexts, like as both her teacher and club advisor or coach, then you should say so. This further shows that you know her well and have seen how she interacts and performs in different roles and environments.  

It's my great pleasure to recommend Janet for the X Scholarship , who I got to know as her 11th grade AP Calculus teacher. Throughout the three years I've known Brian as his baseball coach and 11th grade English teacher, he's impressed me with his intense focus and commitment.

 Body of the Letter: Why the Student Deserves the Scholarship

Once your introduction incorporates these elements - a strong statement of support and an explanation of who you are and how you know the student - then you can move into your assessment. You should highlight the student's primary strengths, again, making sure to tailor your evaluation to the specific scholarship.

If the scholarship is focusing on academic achievement, then a statement of high ranking from an established teacher could go a long way. Stating that the student is one of the top three you've taught in twenty years or the best student in her class suggests that she's an outstanding applicant who will likely continue to excel in college.

Since most scholarships are awarded for students going into certain fields, you should speak about your vision of the student at college. If the scholarship is awarded to someone going into mechanical engineering, then you can corroborate the student's academic and professional goals and paint a picture of what you see her accomplishing in the field. Talk about her aptitude for the subject, involvement in Robotics Club, and excitement to study with renowned engineer Professor Smith at college.

Ultimately, you want to make the student stand out as a motivated individual that the scholarship donors would want to invest in . You may emphasize her unique commitment, talent, drive, and passion, and show them how her contributions in high school predict her continued pursuits in college. Show them that she deserves the scholarship and that you have no doubt she will put it to good use.

Your Contact Information

In the end of your letter, you can give your contact information and invite the scholarship committee to get in touch with any further questions. If you've provided a complete, glowing picture of the student, then they should have all the information they need. On the other hand, your letter may fall short if it includes some of the following elements.

body_coffee-2

Neither your coffee nor your recommendation letter should be lukewarm.

What Not to Include in Your Scholarship Recommendation Letter

It's unlikely that any recommendation letter will be explicitly bad. If you didn't get along with a student for some reason, then presumably she wouldn't ask you to recommend her. Even if she mysteriously did, you'd most likely decline or suggest someone who would be a better choice for recommender. However, recommendation letters can still end up being mediocre and not very helpful compared to others that rave about a student.

Lukewarm Praise

Letters that come off as lukewarm stand in stark contrast to enthusiastic ones. To avoid this, make sure to be intentional with your word choice and to avoid cliches. Talking about how a student is hard-working and a good student might not stack up well beside descriptors like diligent, insightful, intellectually curious , or compassionate , to name a few. Try not to use vague or overused adjectives that sound generic and lack impact. 

Additionally, a mediocre ranking like "above average" doesn't do much to help a student, especially if the scholarship is looking for exceptional academic merit. You also want to avoid covering every grade, club, or activity associated with the student, as this lacks focus. It wouldn't zero in on the specific qualifications the scholarship committee is looking for, and thus wouldn't help prove that the student deserves their time and money. 

Non-Descriptive Reasons Why the Student Deserves the Scholarship

You also want to avoid simply listing adjectives in your recommendation without having the stories to back them up. Just as a picture is worth a thousand words, a story about your student is more memorable and telling than using an adjective with no example. In addition to calling Roger a caring, sensitive, and proactive leader, talk about how he developed a week of programming at school to raise awareness of mental health issues. Simply put, avoid abstract language if you can't support it with real examples.

Generic Writing

Finally, to reiterate the point, the least effective recommendation letter is one not tailored to the scholarship itself . While you may use the same letter of recommendation for more than one college a student is applying to, you should make sure to customize your letter for scholarships. They tend to be both competitive and specific. Therefore a student needs a strong, customized letter that talks about why she's the perfect person to win that money.

Sample Recommendation Letter for a Scholarship

Now that you know all the parts your letter should include, here's an sample scholarship recommendation letter so you can see how it looks all tied together. Notice how, in this letter, the writer clearly explains how he knows the student, gives specific examples of why the student is exceptional,  discusses how the scholarship would benefit the student, and overall presents a strong and passionate case as to why this student deserves the scholarship.

Dear Scholarship Selection Committee, I'm thrilled to recommend Nathan Daniels for the Aspiring Entrepreneur  Scholarship. I taught Nathan's Introductory Economics and AP Macroeconomics classes, and I also am the advisor for the high school Business Club, which Nathan is Vice President of. I've known Nathan for three years, and I've seen him use intelligence, business savvy, hard work, and people skills to accomplish more than almost any high school student I know. I highly recommend him for this scholarship. I first met Nathan when he was a sophomore in my Introductory Economics class. Right away he stood out by being able to quickly grasp economic concepts and engage in thoughtful discussion. He's very skilled at being able to apply even abstract business and economics concepts to real world examples and understand how they impact everyday life. In both classes I have taught him in, Nathan has been an active participant and one of the highest-scoring students in the class, but he always takes time to help his classmates. By the time he was in my AP Economics class, I could put him in a group with students struggling to understand certain concepts and trust him to competently answer any questions they had while I was working with other groups. Despite being an excellent student and considerate peer, Nathan's most impressive achievement is the business he started on his own and continues to run. At the end of his sophomore year, Nathan came to me with a business plan he had for a tutoring business he wanted to run. It was extremely detailed, well thought-out, and based on solid business principles, so I recommended giving it a shot. I've seen numerous students come up with great ideas but not follow through, so I didn't expect much of it. However, Nathan not only got his business up and running, he has managed to keep it going and even expand it so that he now has three tutors working under him. He has shown incredible drive and business skills, and I truly believe this is only the beginning for him.  Nathan has discussed with me how he would use this scholarship to help expand his current tutoring business as well as begin a new business to help college students resell their textbooks. I've looked over the plan for this new business, and it appears as well planned as his first. I have no doubt Nathan has both the motivation and the business sense to continue growing as an entrepreneur. I believe Nathan would be an extremely deserving recipient of this award and that you can be certain he'd make the most of it, the way he has made the most of all opportunities he has had.   Sincerely,   Terrance Ives Social Science and Business Teacher

body_impact

Key Takeaways: Recommendation Letter for Scholarship

To review, let's go over the key points to remember when writing your letters of recommendation for scholarships. When writing a letter of recommendation for scholarship, remember to

Whether your student is applying to a scholarship for academic achievement, financial need, or a specific field of study, her application can receive a serious boost from a strong, thoughtful, and supportive recommendation letter. While her mission is to win the scholarship, yours can be to present the scholarship committee with an exceptional letter of recommendation about a student they won't soon forget.

What's Next?

Are you also writing letters of recommendation for colleges? Check out our full guide for teachers on how to write reference letters and help your students get accepted.

Along with understanding the key content that should go into a recommendation letter, it's helpful to read these examples of great and bad references.   Here you can read 4 great teacher recommendation letters , plus 3 examples of bad teacher recs . 

Are you a counselor writing a letter of recommendation?  Check out our guide that includes three excellent examples of counselor letters of rec  to give you some ideas.

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Rebecca graduated with her Master's in Adolescent Counseling from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She has years of teaching and college counseling experience and is passionate about helping students achieve their goals and improve their well-being. She graduated magna cum laude from Tufts University and scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT.

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Scholarship Cover Letter Example

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

Scholarship - Key takeaways for a scholarship resume

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

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how to write a letter of application for scholarship

How To Write A Good Motivation Letter For Scholarship (4 PDF Sample Examples)

Scholarship Application 34,962 views 19 September, 2020

How To Write A Good Motivation Letter For Scholarship (4 PDF Sample Examples)

Are you looking for how to write a motivational letter for university scholarship or a motivation letter for masters scholarship? Don't worry any further. Today, we are going to deliberate on how to write the best motivation letter for scholarship.

Particularly, we will discuss the following;

Before you start reading, checkout; ongoing scholarships for international students - study abroad scholarships

WHAT IS A SCHOLARSHIP MOTIVATION LETTER

A scholarship motivation letter is a statement that aims at convincing a scholarship committee that you are a perfect candidate for the scholarship. You are expected to express why you should be chosen for the award with reasonable arguments. Like in a bursary motivation letter template, you are also expected to incorporate your goals as to how you will utilise the education you receive. How important is this scholarship motivation letter?  Very important.

You see, the university board usually employs the method of requesting a scholarship motivational letter to abridge the number of people applying for the award. In essence, in order to be confident that you would continue with the application process, your motivation letter has to be smashing.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION LETTER AND SCHOLARSHIP MOTIVATION LETTER

Now in this previous article, we learnt about the features of an application letter. And you may surmise that the application letter and motivation letter are identical. Well, you are not necessarily wrong. Some sources find these two documents as interchangeable. However, these two letters serve different purposes.

A scholarship application letter is written to indicate one's interest in a scholarship award with proven examples. A motivational letter is meant to convince the committee that the author is a perfect fit for scholarship. The latter appeals to the committee's sense of empathy, compassion while the formal appeals to logic and rational evidence. Therefore, the structure, formatting and guidelines of writing a motivational letter would quite different. So follow along as we proceed with the parts of a scholarship motivation letter.

PARTS OF A SCHOLARSHIP MOTIVATION LETTER.

When composing a motivation letter for study assistance, there are a number of factors to consider. Your motivation letter for scholarship will entail pivotal elements of your resume, your work experience and past education. With the information fetched from these sources, you are expected to compose a 500 - 1000 words content. Lastly, your letter should be flexible and fit into the goal, values and aspirations of the sponsor of the scholarship. So let's see the structure of the sample motivation letter for fellowship program.

Introduction

Start with a mouthwatering sentence and proceed with vital information. This would include your name, education and the degree program you are hoping to attain.

Work Experience

In this paragraph, you will discuss about your professional experience. Don't leave unpaid internships and volunteering out. They are equally important and they reflect your wealth of experience. You are also advised to explain your job responsibilities in detail as the reader can get full grasp of your content.

In this education section, you can briefly explain the skills you acquired and the knowledge you have so far. Then, quickly proceed with the degree you want to pursue and why. Restate the institution's goals and values and prove how you can contribute to their actualization by granting you the scholarship.

Is there any extent you wish toreach after completing the scholarship program? Perhaps a PhD? Are there companies you want to work for in the future? Are there any organizations you would like to develop? In these concluding remarks, you are allowed to incorporate all of these and end with a smashing farewell sentence.

WHAT TO DO IN A SCHOLARSHIP MOTIVATION LETTER

While writing the scholarship motivation letter, there are few facets to consider and there are other things you should exclude. Let's proceed with "what to do".

Include the core values, vision and mission of the university

The institution must have been long established them. Thus, there must be a well - structured organizational culture. It's your duty as a scholarship candidate to recognize that.

Include volunteering work and community service.

Have you served a particular community or volunteered for a non - governmental organization? This is ace in your sleeve. This would reflect team spirit, problem solving and collaboration skills on your part.

Include future plans and aspirations

Don't be oblivious of your reasons for taking up a scholarship application. Express how far your scholarship application can take you and how it may even contribute to the improvement of your community.

Don't fail to research on past scholarship .

The institution you are interested in may have initiated the scholarship application process many sessions ago. It would be very prudent on your part to take your time and research on the winning scholarship.

Don't submit without be proofreading .

Time and again in other articles , we have reiterated the importance of cross checking your work. This is equally be essential in this case. Convincing the committee of your eligibility should be error - free.

LETTER FORMAT FOR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

Let's reiterate a point here. The content of the letter is as important as the structure of the letter. This means the motivation letter for scholarship format has to be set in a way that makes the content edible and appealing. It can also serve as a scholarship letter format for school. So how about you follow the few guidelines below:

SAMPLE MOTIVATION LETTER FOR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

Here is a letter of motivation for scholarship sample that would be of great help in grasping the above steps fully.

Gregory Lions

45, Walkway, Queensland,

Michigan, USA,

P.O. 56789.

University of St Hector's,

60, Samson street,

Texas, Pennsylvania,

My name is Gregory Lions. I am a graduate of Accounting and Finance from the University of Michigan. I have passion in assisting clients with giving their shots in the stock market and real estate. My academic record and professional experience can clearly testify to the smooth path I am trying to pave in my career. Therefore, I am applying for the scholarship award for Masters in Investment Management.

I have been working as an investment banker in one of the top notch wealth management companies in the state. My job entails developing different types of financial models to value debt and equity, develop recommendations for product offering and create presentations for client portfolios. In time, I have been able to develop strong communication and networking skills.

As an intern in a commercial bank, I was opportune to practice impeccable research and quantitative analysis and learnt to explain market events. My supervisors were all proud of my ability to organize and track overlapping tasks and assingnment.

As earlier mentioned, I studied Accounting and Finance. Throughout my courseworks, I learnt to analyze and utilize financial information in order to evaluate a business financial position. I was trained in handling basic book - keeping and managing balance sheets and income statements. However, I want to take my career a step further.  That's why I would love to study investment management because I will be able to professionally determine the optimal strategy for achieving a clients' goal, perform portfolio allocation between bonds and stocks and issue buy and sell recommendations.

I understand that the values of St' Hectors University consists of consistency, commitment and efficiency. This is one of my major reasons for applying. Your core values resonate with me as they have guided me through my academic progress and work experience. I strongly believe that I can contribute to the accomplishment of the institution's mission. I am looking forward to discussing how the Department of Investment Management fosters learning for its students and how it plans to research on Investment Management.

SAMPLE SCHOLARSHIP MOTIVATION LETTER PDF

The above sample is on a motivation letter for scholarship application pdf version for faster accessibility and assistance in drafting your own motivational letter. Kindly download the sample motivation letter for scholarship pdf version

VARIOUS SAMPLE SCHOLARSHIP MOTIVATION LETTERS

So now we will proceed with manifold sample motivation letters for scholarship examples. There are various samples to look up to. Let's take a look at each purpose and back it up with a sample from various sources.

Sample Motivation Letter for Undergraduate scholarship.

What if you just jumped be out of high school want to get a bachelor's degree. Unlike a motivation letter for phd scholarship , a motivation letter for scholarship bachelor is a lot different for other degrees.

Download motivation letter for undergraduate scholarship

Sample Scholarship Motivation Letter for PhD

You may want to apply to a  University for a PhD  but might be clueless on how to wow the committee. This example of motivation letter for scholarship application  would be a perfect fit for you. Check out the following statement of motivation for scholarship.

Download motivation letter for Ph.D Scholarship

Sample Motivation Letter for Masters Degree

You may want to further your education through Masters Degree. The following example shares some very important features to consider when writing a motivation letter for scholarship master’s degree. Check this motivation letter for master scholarship out.

The above motivation letters samples are a great guide for you to proceed with your application process. It is most likely to be required by the institution or sponsor you are applying to. So being fully equipped is an amazing asset. And we have it all with a platter of gold. A successful motivation letter for scholarship, if properly composed is a tool that sets you apart from others. Before you embark on the scholarship interview ,or presentation of your resume , a motivation letter is a great opportunity to show the committee that you are the real deal

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Sample Cover Letter With No Experience in Field (And How to Write Yours)

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How to Write a Cover Letter With No Experience in Field - Samples and Steps

Writing an articulate cover letter is challenging for all job seekers. But if you have little or no work experience in a field, the stakes are higher. It’s more challenging to prove your value when you don’t have a series of professional accomplishments to back up your assertions. On the bright side, you probably have more to offer an employer than you realize. You just have to package your strengths the right way. 

In this article, you’re going to learn how to write a cover letter for a job with no experience in that field. And we’ll look at a full sample after going through the steps.

Let’s get started…

How to Write a Cover Letter With No Experience

1. the main purpose of your cover letter with no experience.

The purpose of a cover letter is to complement your resume and convince more employers to interview you. You may refer to your resume when writing a cover letter for a job application, but you must expand upon points made in the resume when writing the cover letter.

The cover letter should breathe life into the points made in the resume, and create a compelling—or even emotional—narrative around your career hopes and aspirations . It’s your chance to tell your story and show that you have the passion and the drive to come into a job and make a difference.

And at the end, it should ASK for the interview. We’ll talk about that coming up. Let’s get started by going through how to write a cover letter with no experience, step-by-step…

2. Cover Letter Contact Information

When beginning a cover letter for a job application, start with your contact details in the top left-hand corner of the page. Include your name, city of residence, phone number, and email address. (To preserve your privacy, do not include your physical address). You should also include your LinkedIn URL. Next, write the name of the company you’re applying to, and its city of residence.

3. Your Salutation

Ideally, you address your reader by name in your salutation. Internet sleuthing may reveal the name of the hiring manager. If you can’t find a name, you have two options: call the organization and ask to learn more about the position, or write “Dear [Company Name]” or “Dear Hiring Manager.”

This isn’t ideal, though. You should really only be sending a cover letter if you know the hiring manager’s name and have some specific information about the position. So if you know nothing specific about the hiring manager or job, and the company hasn’t asked for a cover letter specifically, then you probably don’t need to send it .

4. Cover Letter Introduction

Use this section of your cover letter to introduce yourself and share your enthusiasm and why you applied for the position .

Start with your name and provide some background on your strengths. Always identify the position you’re seeking and how you learned about it. If someone at the company told you about the job, then mention that person’s name (only after asking their permission, though). Aim for one to two sentences in your Introduction—keep it short, sweet, and precise.

Example Cover Letter Introduction with No Experience in the Field:

“Hello, my name is Grace Addington, and I’m a goal- and detail-oriented civil engineering graduate from Petaluma College. I was excited to learn about the Junior Engineer internship at Bay Area Rapid Transportation through my former classmate Katie Heinz.”

5. Body Paragraphs

Here comes the most critical part of writing a cover letter with no experience. The purpose of your body paragraphs (one to two brief paragraphs, tops) is to prove that you’re the best candidate for the position. Seeing as how you have little or no previous professional work experience to fall back on, you’ll want to place emphasis on soft skills —attributes of a personal nature that say a lot about your work ethic and ability to work in sync with others. Or, if you have job-related skills (AKA hard skills) from another type of role, point out how those skills will help you transition into this next job and succeed quickly. 

That’s what hiring managers are looking for! So while it’s great to write about soft skills and put together a cover letter talking about how you’re willing to learn their job… it’s much better to point out any hands-on experience that you have. So if you’re able, always highlight that first and foremost.

For example, if you had an internship, worked in an unrelated field, did a few academic projects while studying, gave a presentation, etc., those are still valuable pieces to put on your resume AND in your cover letter.

Your resume likely already consists of part-time jobs or school activities or memberships in school associations that maybe aren’t 100% related to the job you’re going after.

Look closer, though—you’ve probably garnered skills in these experiences that can carry over to the job you’re applying for. Below are two examples of cover letter body paragraphs that hone in on two key phrases noted in a job advertisement as requirements: “strong interpersonal skills” and “positive work ethic.” You should be able to figure out pretty quickly which example hits the mark.

Let’s look at two sample paragraphs now from cover letters with no experience in a field:

“I am Twig & Twine’s ideal office manager. As my resume states, I served as an RA at my dorm. I know how to manage an array of things.”
“You’re looking for a candidate with strong interpersonal skills and a positive work ethic. While serving as an RA at Porter College’s main dormitory, I planned monthly social events for over 200 students, settled two to five student disputes per week, and mentored a select group of students in Composition. The experience taught me, rather quickly, how to efficiently multi-task, and how to effectively settle conflicts of all types in a calm, level-headed manner. I feel confident stating that I can bring these talents to Twig & Twine’s office manager position.”

The second example takes the duties that likely appeared in the RA position on the resume and then digs deep, illustrating how the tackling of those duties turned into accomplishments, and led the applicant to grow the crucial skills needed for the office manager position.

One last thing about body paragraphs—remember to frame your message around the employer’s needs, and not yours. Focus on what you can bring to the job, and how your talents will translate into success for the company. That’s important in any cover letter, and becomes even more crucial in a cover letter with no previous work experience.

6. Concluding Your Cover Letter

End your cover letter by reiterating why you’re the best candidate and express your interest once again in the position. And ask them for the interview! It’s surprising but most job seekers don’t do this, and it’s been shown to improve your chances of getting a call to come in for an interview!

So conclude your cover letter by thanking the reader for the time they took to review your application, and tell them you’d like to find a time to meet for an interview to see if it might be a good fit to work together. To close, sign off formally. Try “Respectfully yours” or “Sincerely.”

7. Proofread Everything

Before sending out your new cover letter, read it out loud to catch errors quickly. Ask a trustworthy person to read it as well. Nothing stops you from getting interviews faster than an obvious typo or error in your cover letter or resume, and you only have to check once, but make sure you’re checking it thoroughly!

8. Save it as a PDF

Once the content is finalized, save it as a PDF and title it “[Your Name] Cover Letter” to prevent confusion. Voila! You’re done. If you follow the tips above, you’ll have a great cover letter with no experience so you can get interviews and job offers in this new field!

Sample Cover Letter With No Experience in Field:

Next, let’s look at a full sample of a cover letter that explains why you’d fit well in a role ( and why you chose to apply for this type of role ):

Dear Name, I’m writing to you regarding the Sales Associate job posting, which I believe reports to you. I can offer 5+ years of experience working directly with customers over the phone and in person, primarily in customer support. Although I haven’t worked directly in sales, my customer support experience has helped me build skills in communication, persuasion, and problem-solving, which I believe will translate well into selling software subscriptions for your firm. I’m motivated to transition into sales to continue challenging myself and growing in my career, and I’ve always enjoyed a challenge, which I think working in sales will provide me.  I’ve attached my resume for your review. If any of the above sounds interesting, I’d welcome the chance to talk on the phone this week. Thanks for considering my note today. Best regards, Your Name

This cover letter is upfront and clear that you have no experience in the field of sales, but shows that you’re willing to learn and excited to learn this new job. That’s essential!

You don’t JUST want to say you’re willing to learn, though. You want to PROVE that you’ll be able to learn. That’s why this letter also mentions the experience you have that is most similar. In the case of the example above, it’s the customer service experience and communication skills.

While this person may not have sold anything to customers, they still interacted with customers directly, which will be seen as a plus. 

One other thing you should always point out if possible: Experience working in the same industry. So if you’ve never done sales, but you did customer support in the exact same industry as the employer, that’s a huge plus… because it means you’ll have less learning needed on the job!

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