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Updated June 29, 2022 A recommendation letter for scholarship provides information regarding the character, qualities, and achievements of a candidate to fulfill the basic criteria of a chosen scholarship. The author (usually a teacher or counselor) will need to thoroughly familiarize themselves with the scholarship’s requirements in order to match the letter more precisely to the terms of reference of the award. Before writing their letter, the author should also interview the student regarding any relevant extra-curricular activities the candidate is involved in or any awards they may have received that the may be relevant. Most scholarships are awarded to students with specific commitments, achievements, and goals. They are usually tailored to students pursuing a specific field of study, such as engineering, math, biology, or literary studies. However, a scholarship may instead be based upon athletic performance or the need for financial aid. By being aware of the guidelines and expectations of the scholarship, the author will be able to better validate their student’s qualifications to receive it.
Who to Select?Most often, this letter will be written by a teacher, a professor, or a counselor. However, depending on the scholarship criteria, an employer or athletic coach may also be an appropriate, or required, choice. What is most important is that the author understands the scholarship requirements and will be able to use their personal relationship to the candidate in order to justify their personal recommendation with specific examples. VideoHow to Write (Format)A scholarship letter of recommendation should fill an entire page (approximately 300 – 500 words) and contain a letterhead, an introduction, 2 body paragraphs, and a conclusion. LetterheadAt the top left-hand corner of the page, the author should include the following information:
IntroductionThe introductory paragraph will briefly introduce the candidate, state the scholarship for which they are recommending the candidate for, and describe the nature and length of the author’s relationship with said candidate. Specific details of the candidate’s suitability will be described in the body paragraphs, so the introduction only needs to be 2 or 3 sentences in length. Example #1
This sample has a counsellor writing on behalf of a student who has special financial needs. The author has clearly illustrated which scholarship they are recommending the student for and the length and nature of their relationship. In the third sentence, the counsellor introduces the candidate’s financial needs, while also stating that the student has not allowed their difficulties to hinder their education. By making this statement they are implying that financial aid would only enable the student to excel further and that they are a worthy candidate. Example #2
In this example, the author (a teacher) simply states who they are recommending for which scholarship and the nature and length of their relationship with the candidate. Paragraph #1In the first body paragraph of the letter, the author will describe the ways in which the candidate fulfills the criteria for the scholarship. Here, the author can use quantitative examples such as the candidate’s grades and academic performance to demonstrate that the candidate is a stand-out student. By demonstrating that they understand what sort of candidate the scholarship committee is looking for, the author will make their recommendation worthier of consideration. This paragraph should be approximately 3 to 5 sentences in length. Example #1
In this sample (written by a teacher) the author clearly states their understanding of the scholarship guidelines, lists examples of how the student fulfills these criteria, and expresses their qualitative assessment of the student as being a high academic performer. All of their examples would need to be expanded upon in the next paragraph in order to make them more convincing. Example #2
A scholarship recommendation letter written by an employer is sometimes required by a scholarship committee. A candidate’s employer will most likely be unfamiliar with a student’s academic performance, and therefore will have to provide a personal assessment of the student’s character, describe the candidate’s work responsibilities, and provide examples of how the student’s work habits translate to the scholarship guidelines. Paragraph #2Having expressed that the student is a suitable candidate in the previous paragraph, the author should now use concrete examples to support their assessment. For instance, if the first paragraph states that the student meets the academic requirements in a particular field of study (e.g. biology, literature), the second paragraph could follow up with examples of the student’s relevant schoolwork (e.g. lab work, essays) or awards. Depending on the number of examples that the author is able to use, this paragraph can run from 3 to 5 sentences in length. Example #1
This example features a positive character assessment of the candidate and expresses their financial needs. Scholarships are often awarded at least partially based on financial need, so it is important to address this point if possible. Example #2
In the above example, a mentor/supervisor uses one convincing example to illustrate the candidate’s efficiency, initiative, work-ethic, and leadership skills. By expanding upon how the student dealt with one situation, they are able to concretely illustrate how the candidate is able to bring their many positive attributes into play when given a challenge. ConclusionA scholarship letter of recommendation should end with a concluding paragraph which emphasizes the author’s endorsement of the candidate and leaves an invitation to contact the author by email or telephone (a preferred contact, not necessarily both). The author will also need to sign the letter by hand in order to certify its authenticity. This conclusion should leave the reader with a deep impression of the author’s confidence in the candidate and will generally run from 2 to 4 sentences in length. Example #1
Here, the author concludes their letter on a positive note and offers a clear invitation for further communication. Example #2
This author concludes by professing their confidence that their high opinion of the candidate will be shared by the person/committee awarding the scholarship. Sample 1
Sample 2
Sample 3
How do you write a letter of recommendation for a family friend?How to write a reference letter for a friend. Accept if you can provide a quality reference. ... . Request details about the job opening. ... . Ask your friend about goals and objectives. ... . Discuss the background of your relationship. ... . Mention examples of skills and qualifications. ... . Focus on improvement and progress.. Can a friend write a letter of recommendation for scholarship?Examples of People You Should NOT Ask
Every scholarship is different, but most scholarship committees are looking for recommendation letters from professional contacts, not personal relationships. When considering who to ask your letter of recommendation, avoid the following: Family members. Friends.
How do I recommend a friend for a scholarship?Give some specific examples of positive traits the person has that are relevant to the scholarship. Include relevant facts that could help the individual win the scholarship, such as financial hardship, unique talents, or special circumstances.
Can you get a letter of recommendation from a family member?Do not ask a family member, friend, or a teacher you had several years ago. Your uncle and your second grade teacher may be wonderful people, but their letters won't have much credibility. And don't ask someone who doesn't know you well, no matter what their title is.
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