15 Smart Scholarship Recommendation Letter Examples in 2023

In the competitive world of academia, scholarships play a pivotal role in supporting deserving students in their pursuit of higher education. One of the key components of a successful scholarship application is the recommendation letter. A well-crafted smart scholarship recommendation letter not only highlights the applicant’s achievements and potential but also provides valuable insights into their character and abilities.

Teachers, employers, volunteer work supervisors, and mentors are the most typical sources for a scholarship letter of recommendation. Coworkers occasionally could also be good choices, depending on the nature of the relationship.

As we go further into the year 2023, it’s essential to understand the evolving landscape of scholarship recommendation letters. we will explore 15 smart scholarship recommendation letter examples that showcase effective strategies, innovative approaches, and valuable qualities sought after by scholarship committees.

What is Scholarship Recommendation Letter

A letter of recommendation for a scholarship offers details on a candidate’s traits, accomplishments, and ability to meet the fundamental requirements of a particular scholarship.

In order to more closely match the letter to the terms of reference of the award, the author (often a teacher or counselor) will need to thoroughly educate oneself on the requirements of the scholarship.

Prior to writing the letter, the author should speak with the student to learn about any relevant extracurricular activities they are involved in and any honors they may have won.

Most scholarships are given to students who have made particular commitments and achieved certain objectives.

They are typically designed for students who are interested in a particular subject, including engineering, math, biology, or literary studies.

Instead, a scholarship could be awarded based on physical prowess or the requirement for financial aid. The author will be better able to verify their student’s eligibility for the scholarship by being informed of the requirements and expectations of it.

Structures or How to Write Scholarship Recommendation Letters

Letterhead

At the top left-hand corner of the page, the author should include the following information:

1. Date of Writing
2. Full Name
3. Title
4. School Name
5. Street Address
6. City, State, Zip Code
7. Preferred Contact (optional)

Introduction

The introduction will include a brief introduction to the applicant, identifying the scholarship for which they are providing a recommendation, and explaining the nature and duration of the author’s relationship with the applicant.

The body paragraphs will go into more detail on the candidate’s qualifications, therefore the introduction just has to be 2 or 3 sentences long.

Example #1

Dear Admissions Committee,

I wish to recommend Angela Bursette for the FNSA scholarship program. As a counsellor at Rosehip High School, I have worked closely with her for the past four years and have developed a great deal of respect for this remarkable young woman during that time. Despite having financial hardships to overcome, she has excelled in all academic fields.

A counselor is submitting this sample on behalf of a student with specific financial needs. The length and quality of their relationship as well as the scholarship the author is suggesting the student for are all clearly described by the author.

The final sentence describes the candidate’s financial needs while also noting that they haven’t let their problems stop them from pursuing their degree.

This phrase implies that the student is a deserving applicant and that financial aid will only help them thrive even more.

Example #2

To the Jim Norton Memorial Scholarship Committee,

I am writing this recommendation letter on behalf of my student Joe Nagora to recommend him for the Jim Norton Memorial Scholarship. I have become very familiar with him during the past two years as his Biology teacher at Oak Ridge High School.

In this instance, the author (a teacher) only identifies the scholarship recipient(s) they are endorsing along with the type and duration of their contact with them.

Paragraph #1

The author will outline how the applicant satisfies the requirements for the scholarship in the first body paragraph of the letter.

Here, the author can include quantitative evidence showing the candidate is a standout student, such as the candidate’s grades and academic performance.

The author will increase the value of their recommendation by indicating that they are aware of the type of applicant the scholarship committee is seeking. The length of this paragraph should be between three and five sentences.

Example #1

I personally feel that the GNCA scholarship should go to someone who possesses strong leadership qualities and a genuine concern for their community. Fernanda fits these guidelines perfectly. Last year, she acted as Student Body President, and this year she took on the primary responsibility of organizing the school’s annual talent show. 

In this example (written by a teacher), the author conveys their qualitative evaluation of the student as being a good academic performance, indicates their comprehension of the scholarship guidelines, offers examples of how the student satisfies these criteria, and more.

The next paragraph would need to elaborate on each of their instances to make them more compelling.

Example #2

Jared’s principal duties as a Supervisor/Technician have been managing a team of workers, maintaining equipment, and the overseeing and management of ingoing and outgoing shipments of supplies and merchandise. This is a lot of responsibility for someone so young, and Jared has risen to the occasion with authority and ease. Your scholarship is meant to aid individuals who have the ambition, work ethic, and most importantly, the leadership skills to excel in business. Jared quickly moved up the ladder here at Trafford Publishing by displaying initiative, reliability, organization, and an outstanding ability to manage his team.

A scholarship committee may occasionally request a letter of recommendation for a scholarship from an employer.

The employer of a candidate must give a personal evaluation of the candidate’s character, outline the candidate’s job responsibilities, and give examples of how the candidate’s work habits relate to the scholarship requirements because the employer is unlikely to be familiar with the candidate’s academic performance.

Paragraph #2

After stating in the previous paragraph that the student is a qualified candidate, the author should now provide specific examples to back up their judgment.

For instance, the second paragraph could go on to include instances of the student’s pertinent coursework (such as lab work, essays, or awards) if the first paragraph declares that the student meets the academic standards in a certain field of study (such as biology, or literature).

This paragraph can be 3 to 5 sentences long, depending on how many instances the author is able to provide.

Example #1

I am familiar with Jane’s education and career goals, and I know that without financial aid she may not be able to achieve these aspirations. Jane is capable student, and more importantly, she is driven by a desire to do good for her community. She has volunteered for the school’s special needs program and is a member of her local park’s EcoWatch group. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this scholarship and I wholeheartedly support her application.

In this case, the candidate’s character is praised and their financial needs are stated. It is crucial to address this issue if at all possible because financial need is frequently at least partially considered when giving out scholarships.

Example #2

The best example of Ivan’s leadership skills that comes to mind is the manner in which he has taken charge of the children’s tours of our facilities. In addition to the biological tracking and preservation work that we do here, we also give tours to elementary and junior school classes. When I tasked Ivan with performing a class tour, I was immediately impressed by his ability to quickly and efficiently prepare himself. Personally, I struggle with public-speaking, so I was all the more amazed by the confidence and precision with which Ivan conducted himself while leading the class around our observation facilities.

The mentor or supervisor in the example above offers one strong example to demonstrate the candidate’s effectiveness, initiative, work ethic, and leadership abilities.

By elaborating on how the student handled one circumstance, they are able to clearly demonstrate how the candidate is able to put their many advantageous qualities to use when faced with a problem.

Conclusion

A recommendation letter for a scholarship should conclude with a conclusion paragraph that highlights the author’s support of the applicant and extends an invitation to get in touch with the author by phone or email (the preferred contact, not necessarily both).

The letter must be hand-signed by the author to attest to its validity. This conclusion, which typically lasts between two and four sentences, should give the reader a strong sense of the author’s faith in the candidate.

Example #1

It has been a joy to work with Barbara and I am proud to be able to provide this letter of recommendation for the scholarship program you represent. I can be reached at (555) 555-5555 if you have any question’s regarding Barbara’s application.

Regards,

____________

Frederick McKinsley

Here, the author concludes their letter on a positive note and offers a clear invitation for further communication.

Example #2

Ashley is an ideal candidate to receive this scholarship, as I am sure you can agree, and she deserves this opportunity to pursue her academic goals. Please feel free to contact me if you need any further information.

You may reach me at: (555) 555-5555 or [email protected]

Sincerely,

____________

Ms. Susan Preston

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

April 19, 2017

Frank Jacobs
Literature and English Teacher
Franciscan High School
31 Lewis Street
Bridgetown, CA, 90210

Dear Sir/Madam,

I write this letter in support of Jan Stewart’s application for the Big Sur Poetry Scholarship. I had the pleasure of teaching Jan in her 11th and 12th grade English Literature class at Franciscan High School. She has always impressed me with her ability to be articulate difficult concepts and understand dense texts. Jan’s sensitivity to the nuances within literature, and her passion for reading and writing, set her apart both as a student and as a writer.

During her senior year, Jan produced an extraordinary thesis paper on creative identity development, in which she compared works from three different time periods and synthesized cultural and historical perspectives to inform her analysis. When called upon to give her thesis defence in front of her peers, Jan spoke clearly and eloquently about her conclusions and responded to questions in a thoughtful way. While she shows much promise as a well-rounded liberal arts student, it is poetry which most interests Jan. She publishes her poetry in our school’s literary magazine and has also had her work published in online magazines.

Throughout the year Jan was an active participant in our discussions, and she always supported her peers. Her caring nature and personality allow her to work well with others in a team setting, as she always respects others’ opinions even when they differ from her own. Throughout the year, Jan demonstrated this openness to and empathy for the opinions, feelings, and perspectives of others, along with shrewd powers of observation, all qualities that makes her outstanding as a student of literature and aspiring poetess.

I am certain that Jan is going to continue to do great and creative things in her future. Her work, as I am sure you will agree, demonstrates an impressive depth for a young student. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions at: [email protected].

Sincerely,

Mr. Frank Jacobs

Sample 2

April 19, 2017

Charles Mingus
Mathematics Teacher, Charter High School
333 Rolly Ave
Furtherville, UT, 60210

To The J.D. Smith Memorial Scholarship Committee,

It is with great pleasure that I recommend Prince Hedges, who I taught in my 11th grade math class, for the J.D. Smith Memorial Scholarship. Prince demonstrated tremendous effort and growth throughout the year I taught him and always brought a focused energy to class. He has that combination of a positive attitude and the belief that he can always improve that’s rare in a high school student, but so essential to the learning process. I am confident that he will continue to display the same commitment and diligence in everything he does. Your scholarship is intended for students who have had a rough start in life and who need financial assistance to realize their academic dreams. Prince deserves to be able to go to the college of his choosing, and this scholarship will enable him to do so.

Prince would not describe himself as a math person. He’s told me on several occasions that he can’t get his head around a mathematical problem. I always smile when he said this, because he ultimately always found the solution on his own with only a faint hint of which direction he should be thinking in. Where so many others have given up, Joe maintained a high average throughout the year. He stayed after school for extra help, got extra tutoring at the nearby college, and asked questions in and out of class. Prince has truly demonstrated a growth mindset, and he inspired his peers to adopt that valuable perspective, too. Prince helped contribute to our classroom environment to be one where all students can feel supported and able to ask questions.

Prince’s strong belief in his ability to acquire new skills and improve through practice was likely shaped by his years as a hockey player. He’s played all through high school and is one of the team’s most valuable players. In his final project for our class, Prince completed an impressive statistics report on defence versus offence in NHL teams and made a strong case for the defence being the dominate deciding factor of every Stanley Cup winner since the year 2000. While he initially described himself as not being a math person, Prince found a way to make the subject come alive for him in a way that he was personally invested in. As a teacher, it is incredibly fulfilling to witness a student make this kind of academic and personal progress.

Prince is an outstanding student and individual who supports others in and out of the classroom. He was a pleasure to have in class, and his positive attitude and belief in himself, even in the face of difficulty, is an immensely admirable asset. I’m confident that he will continue to demonstrate the same diligence, perseverance, and optimism that he showed myself and his peers. I give my highest recommend for Prince to receive the J.D. Smith Memorial Scholarship. Please feel free to contact me with any further questions at [email protected].

Sincerely,

Mr. Charles Mingus

Math Teacher

Charter High School

Sample 3

April 19, 2017

Helen Bridgeman
Teacher, Fallow High School
51 Long Street
Fallow, CA, 90210

To The Oakridge Scholarship Committee:

I am writing this letter to recommend Francesca Stevens for the Linda Williams Scholarship. I was her Social Studies and History teacher and have closely followed her academic progress during past three years.

As a student, Francesca demonstrated a love of learning and the level of commitment necessary to succeed in college and beyond. I am happy to be able to provide this recommendation for such a deserving student. As her academic record attests, Ms. Williams has maintained an A grade average across the board during her study here at Fallow High School. I have great respect for Francesca and truly believe that she is a deserving candidate that you will be proud to have representing your college.

Francesca has distinguished herself as an incredible young writer through her work in my classes as well as in her creative and essay writing in English and Literature. This past year she wrote a history paper on the Spanish Renaissance which was one of the most impressive pieces of writing that I have ever encountered in my 23 years of teaching. In addition to having firsthand knowledge of Francesca’s academic commitment and talent, I am also familiar with her educational goals, as well as the challenges she will face when it comes to funding college tuition. I cannot think of anyone more deserving and I wholeheartedly support her application. 

I feel certain that you will be just as impressed with Francesca as I am. As an educator who is committed to helping deserving students succeed, I strongly encourage you to consider her for the Linda Williams Scholarship. Please do not hesitate in contacting me with any questions that you may have, and let me know if I can provide any additional information in support of this deserving student. You may reach me at [email protected].

Regards,

Helen Bridgeman

People to Meet for Scholarship Recommendation Letter

1. The Inspirational Mentor

This recommendation letter highlights the transformative impact of a mentor on the applicant’s academic journey. It emphasizes how the mentor’s guidance, support, and dedication have shaped the student’s personal and intellectual growth.

2. The Research Supervisor

This letter focuses on the applicant’s research abilities, highlighting their significant contributions to a specific project or field of study. It provides concrete evidence of the student’s research skills, analytical thinking, and intellectual curiosity.

3. The Dedicated Volunteer

This letter showcases the applicant’s commitment to community service and its impact on the lives of others. It highlights the student’s empathy, leadership skills, and ability to make a difference in their community.

4. The Global Citizen

This recommendation letter emphasizes the applicant’s international experiences and cultural sensitivity. It highlights their adaptability, intercultural competence, and ability to thrive in diverse environments.

5. The Innovator

This letter focuses on the applicant’s creative thinking, problem-solving abilities, and entrepreneurial spirit. It highlights their innovative projects, inventions, or initiatives and demonstrates their potential to drive positive change.

6. The Team Player

This recommendation letter showcases the applicant’s collaborative skills, teamwork, and ability to work effectively in group settings. It provides examples of their contributions to team projects, leadership within groups, and their ability to inspire and motivate others.

7. The Future Leader

This letter highlights the applicant’s leadership potential, vision, and ability to inspire others. It provides examples of their leadership roles, initiatives, and accomplishments that demonstrate their capacity to make a significant impact in their chosen field.

8. The Academic Prodigy

This recommendation letter focuses on the applicant’s exceptional academic achievements, intellectual prowess, and thirst for knowledge. It highlights their outstanding grades, awards, research publications, or presentations at conferences.

9. The Passionate Advocate

This letter showcases the applicant’s dedication to a specific cause or social issue. It highlights their advocacy work, community involvement, and ability to raise awareness and effect change.

10. The Resilient Individual

This recommendation letter focuses on the applicant’s ability to overcome challenges and adversity. It highlights their perseverance, determination, and their capacity to bounce back from setbacks.

11. The Philanthropist

This letter emphasizes the applicant’s commitment to philanthropy and their involvement in charitable initiatives. It showcases their ability to contribute positively to society and make a difference in the lives of others.

12. The Effective Communicator

This recommendation letter focuses on the applicant’s exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal. It highlights their ability to articulate ideas, engage in meaningful dialogue, and effectively convey complex information.

13. The Cultural Ambassador

This letter highlights the applicant’s role in promoting cultural understanding and

fostering intercultural dialogue. It showcases their involvement in cultural exchange programs, language proficiency, and their ability to bridge cultural gaps.

14. The Entrepreneurial Spirit

This recommendation letter focuses on the applicant’s entrepreneurial mindset, business acumen, and innovative thinking. It highlights their initiatives, start-ups, or projects that demonstrate their potential as future business leaders.

15. The Scholar-Activist

This letter showcases the applicant’s commitment to academic pursuits alongside their passion for social justice. It highlights their involvement in research or projects that address social issues and their potential to contribute to positive social change.

Conclusion

Scholarship recommendation letters play a crucial role in determining the success of an applicant’s scholarship application.

By highlighting different aspects of the applicant’s character, achievements, and potential, these letters provide a comprehensive and nuanced perspective to scholarship committees.

In this blog post, we explored 15 smart scholarship recommendation letter examples that illustrate effective strategies and highlight sought-after qualities.

From the inspirational mentor to the scholar-activist, each example sheds light on specific attributes that can make an applicant stand out in a competitive pool of candidates.

As scholarship programs continue to evolve, it is essential for recommenders to adapt their approaches to capture the unique strengths and qualities of each applicant.

By utilizing these smart scholarship recommendation letter examples as a guide, recommenders can help deserving students secure the financial support they need to pursue their educational aspirations and make a positive impact in their chosen fields.

Remember, when writing a scholarship recommendation letter, it’s important to be genuine, provide specific examples, and tailor your letter to the scholarship’s requirements and criteria.

By doing so, you can contribute to the success of deserving students and the continued advancement of education and society as a whole.

Frequently Asked Questions

Reference

• https://eforms.com/recommendation-letter/scholarship/

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