write a scholarship recommendation letter

24 Templates for Writing a Letter of Recommendation for a Scholarship

Watching your high school students get ready to graduate can be an emotional time of year for any teacher, advisor, or family friend. That’s especially true if you’re taking an active role in helping them apply for colleges or scholarships. Getting asked to write letters of recommendation can be equal parts flattering and daunting. Crafting a convincing scholarship application letter requires a unique set of skills as well as insight into a student’s personal character and academic performance. But if you write them well, letters of recommendation can set your student apart from the crowd. To help make your job easier, we compiled this list of 24 templates to help you write reference letters for need-based awards, merit scholarships, and everything in between. 

24 Scholarship recommendation letter templates  

There’s nothing more formidable than a blank page. That’s where templates come in handy. Most of these templates are specifically for recommendation letters for scholarship programs. However, some of them are more general letters of recommendation for admission, for a job, or an internship program that can be made into scholarship letters with a bit of tweaking. Many of these are editable, printable, or downloadable. That means you can get straight to work adding details that will make your reference letter sing. It’s important not to just copy and paste, however, but use these as a jumping off point. Remember, the best letter of recommendation is the one that’s most personalized to the student. To get you started, here are 24 of our favorite templates for scholarship recommendations. 

1. General letter from a teacher

This sample template , which focuses primarily on the student’s academic performance, is a great place to start. It’s useful whenever you need to provide a general letter of recommendation from a teacher, advisor, or other educator. Because this letter also highlights a student’s financial need, it helps build a complete case as to why they deserve a scholarship.

2. General letter with an academic focus

It’s imperative to highlight a student’s academic achievements when writing a letter of recommendation. Many reviewers like to focus on extracurricular activities, leadership skills, or other intangibles. But if your applicant is applying to a top-tier program that prizes academic rigor, this template will be helpful as you set out to write. 

3. General letter with a financial focus

Scholarships are important for all types of students , and particularly those with financial needs. This sample scholarship recommendation letter highlights a student’s achievements in the classroom while also touching upon how much the scholarship would mean for them financially. If your applicant has significant financial needs, take a look at this example for inspiration.

4. Short general letter

As Shakespeare wrote, brevity is the soul of wit. For reviewers looking for a more succinct template for their reference letter, this one is perfect . This letter manages to cover all the key components of a strong letter while still keeping things short and sweet.

5. Short general letter with a focus on extracurricular activities

Designed to be written by a student’s coach or P.E. teacher, this letter touches on a few key points without getting too wordy. In it, you’ll address a student’s extracurricular success, community service projects, and future career goals, in addition to financial need. If your letter has a strict word limit, this template could be a great place to start. 

6 . Letter for a prestigious award 

If your student is applying for a highly-coveted scholarship, this template will help you craft a narrative that will convince even the most discriminating of selection committees. This letter is specifically tailored to a student applying for the Rhodes scholarship, but you can simply swap out “Rhodes” for any other prestigious award. 

7. Letter for a prestigious award that also illustrates financial need

Many prestigious awards are need-blind, but some consider financial need in addition to a student’s merit. If you’re recommending a student for a competitive award but also want to touch on financial considerations, this template is for you . It balances a passionate belief in the student with pragmatic analysis of the economic help the scholarship could provide. 

8. Letter from a mentor

If you’re writing a letter on behalf of a student you’ve mentored, this template could be a great choice. This letter speaks more broadly to a student’s character and achievements over a longer period of time, versus just highlighting their academic performance over the past year of school. 

9. Letter from an employer

Many high school students hold part-time jobs, which can both demonstrate their determination and help them pay for college. If you employ high school students, you might be asked to write reference letters on their behalf. For employers looking to write effective reference letters for their young employees, this is an excellent format to follow. 

10. Short letter from an employer

Some scholarship and college applications require a number of recommendation letters and don’t require them to be any specific length. This template demonstrates an effective, effusive letter of recommendation for an employee — and accomplishes all that in two short paragraphs. 

11. Letter from a TA or Associate Professor

As a graduate student or associate professor, you might be asked to write on behalf of your students, even if you don’t teach them full-time. This sample scholarship recommendation letter is detailed, insightful, and personal, and could help your students continue their education at your institution. 

12. Letter from a personal friend or family member

Some student scholarship programs request letters from personal friends or extended family members who can speak to a student’s character in a more intimate way. For those types of personal recommendations, this is a great template that balances honesty with effusiveness. 

13. Letter from a religious leader

For scholarships with a faith component (like this one from the Christian Connector ), you may need a letter of recommendation from a pastor or other religious figure. This sample document provides a helpful framework for writing about a student’s character and religious life. Though it’s not specifically tailored to a scholarship, it can be easily adjusted to suit your needs. 

14. Letter for a study abroad scholarship

Studying abroad can be a great way to expand one’s horizons and learn through experience, but it often comes with a high price tag. Fortunately, there are many scholarships for students who hope to supplement their higher education with a semester abroad. If you’re writing a reference letter for this type of award, try this template .

15. Letter for a student-athlete

Coaches have unique insight into a student-athlete’s personality and character. This template is designed with ample space to expand upon your applicant’s work ethic and determination. It can be useful for college application letters as well as letters for student-athlete-specific scholarship programs .

16. Letter for a subject-specific scholarship program

This sample scholarship recommendation letter is designed for a student applying to a math scholarship program. However, this template can be customized to fit any subject-specific scholarship program your students might be applying to. Simply sub in whichever subject for math and find key examples to fit your subject.

17. Letter for a needs-based scholarship

Many scholarship programs are tailored to students who demonstrate need and might be seeking to fill a gap in their financial aid. If this sounds like the type of program you’re recommending a student for, check out this template. 

18. Letter to highlight leadership skills

Many scholarship programs seek to award students who have demonstrated an ability to lead their peers. If your applicant is applying for an award like this, this letter should help you speak to a student’s leadership abilities both inside and outside the classroom. 

19. Letter to highlight extracurricular activities

For scholarship programs related to a specific extracurricular activity or community service area , it’s important to have a letter that focuses on a student’s passion for that subject. This sample letter is customized to a student with a passion for the environment, but it can be personalized to fit any number of extracurricular interests. 

20. Letter to highlight an artistic pursuit

Extracurricular activities like visual arts, theater, dance, and music can provide great material for writing about a student. This particular template uses a student’s love of dance to demonstrate her work ethic, care for others, and skill. 

21. Letter to highlight a specific academic strength 

In this sample letter, the teacher speaks with passion and gives specific examples of how this student outperforms their peers in the realm of literature, English, and creative writing. If you’re writing to highlight a single academic achievement or strength, consider this template a great blueprint.

22. Letter for an honor society program

Most honor society-type organizations prioritize academic achievement among their members, and many offer scholarships to help offset the cost of college tuition. For students seeking this type of award, this letter for a program sponsored by a legal honor society provides helpful insight. 

23. Letter for graduate school 

Students don’t just need letters of recommendations in their senior year of high school; there are many scholarships geared towards graduate students as well. If you’re recommending a student for a graduate program, try to speak to their undergraduate track record as well as their leadership skills. Graduate schools are often more selective than undergraduate programs, which means recommendations matter a lot . Fortunately, this template should help take some of the pressure off. 

24. Letter for a position

Sometimes, scholarships come with work-study jobs or other employment opportunities. (This one from Goldman Sachs and this one from RealtyHop both come with potential job offers.) In these circumstances, it might be helpful to have a teacher or past employer speak about an applicant’s work ethic or ability to succeed in a corporate environment. This template is a great example of how to write this style of letter. 

How to write a scholarship letter of recommendation 

A good template isn’t the only thing you need to write a memorable scholarship recommendation letter. Below are some steps that anyone — even the busiest teachers — can follow to make the writing process quick, painless, and effective.

Step 1: Start by gathering all the information you need  

If you’re writing multiple letters of recommendation, create a cheat sheet. This could be a simple spreadsheet or an online form that you can share when a student asks for a reference letter. This form should gather the student’s relevant personal information, educational priorities, and any other answers you might need before you begin writing. (The CommonApp also has created a “ BragSheet ” to help teachers, if you want to use theirs instead of creating your own.) 

If you’re building your own document, make sure it gathers the following information:

• The student’s full name
• The student’s GPA and standardized test scores
• A full list of schools they’re applying to
• Whether the scholarship is needs-based or merit-based
• A list of the scholarship requirements and eligibility criteria 
• Confirmation that the student meets all the requirements  
• A URL to the scholarship website 
• Why the student thinks they’d be a good fit for the scholarship
• A list of the student’s greatest achievements in high school (both inside and outside the classroom)
• A list of extracurricular activities, community service hours, and leadership positions held 
• A copy of their scholarship essay or personal statement 
• A description of the student’s educational aspirations and/or career goals 
• The deadline for submission of your letter of recommendation 
• Instructions for how to submit the letter of recommendation 

Step 2: Use a letterhead and add your personal information

Selection committees look for reference letters that are convincing and professional. They should both give insight into a student’s abilities and demonstrate your authority. So, if your school, company, or organization has a letterhead, be sure to use it when printing (or emailing) your letter. At the top of the page, include your full name, title, and contact information, as well as the date.

Step 3: Use the right greeting

Letters of recommendation are formal, businesslike letters, sort of like cover letters written on someone else’s behalf. It’s proper to start these types of correspondences with the salutation “To Whom it May Concern” or “Dear Sir or Madam.” It’s also tradition to use a colon after the greeting instead of a comma. 

Step 4: Start with an introduction (1 paragraph)

Your introductory paragraph is the place to acquaint yourself with the selection committee and describe your connection to the student. This is your opportunity to establish your relationship with the student and demonstrate why you’re qualified to speak on their behalf. 

What context do you know the student in? If you’ve taught them in English for the past two years and coached them to a state championship in soccer, this is the place to include those details. Be sure to include how long you’ve known the applicant, particularly if you work with them outside of an academic capacity. 

The introduction is also a great opportunity to demonstrate that you’ve done your homework on the scholarship — you know the award and can speak to how qualified your applicant is to receive it. 

For example, you might write something to demonstrate that you understand how rigorous the selection process is and can assure the selection committee that your student has the academic record they need to be eligible. Additionally, if you have received this award (or a similar scholarship) in your academic career, this could be an excellent place to include that information. 

Step 5: Write the body (3-4 paragraphs) 

Think of your reference letter as a place to advocate for your applicant’s merit and how deserving they are of the award. The body paragraphs are the meat of your argument. Your task in these paragraphs is to expound on the applicant’s achievements and explain why they’re a deserving candidate. If you can, point out distinct traits, unique abilities, or examples of success to help your student stand out amid the sea of other applicants.

If you’re feeling stuck, try brainstorming some specific examples of times when the applicant demonstrated their creativity, resilience, or leadership skills. 

• Did the applicant help other students when they struggled with the material? 
• Did your student persevere in the face of adversity? 
• Is there a circumstance where they took the initiative to start something new at your school, like a club or a recycling program? 

Selection committees want to learn about students who not only have a stellar academic record, but are hard-working and well-rounded, too.

It’s also important to tailor each recommendation letter to the award. As you weigh the scholarship requirements against your recommendation letter, ask yourself: are there any additional comments or insights that might be helpful to include? If the requirements list community service as a defining factor, maybe there are additional comments you could include about your student’s volunteer experience. 

All that said, don’t put too much stress on yourself to make the letter perfect. As long as your recommendation is well-written and heartfelt, it will likely help increase the applicant’s chances of being selected for the scholarship.

Step 6: Sign off with your contact information

The conclusion is the place where you’ll wrap up all your praise and make your final argument. Underline your students’ strengths, personal qualities, and what sets them apart. Restate your reasons for endorsing the applicant to the committee and, most importantly, keep it short and sweet. There’s no need to rehash examples you included in your body paragraph. Think of the conclusion as the bite-sized version of the recommendation that allows the committee to walk away with a snapshot of why they should award your student with this scholarship. 

At the end of your letter, you’ll also want to include your personal contact information so that the scholarship program or admissions committee can contact you if they have any further questions. Providing your mailing and email addresses should be sufficient.

FAQs about scholarship recommendation letters

Scholarship recommendation letters can vary widely depending on the type of award and its specific requirements. That said, these FAQs provide some helpful answers that apply to most scholarship reference letters. 

How long should a scholarship recommendation letter be? 

It depends. Typically, reference letters don’t need to be longer than a single page (usually between 300 and 500 words). Most scholarship selection committees will be reading numerous letters, so keeping your letter succinct is usually the best way to go. 

However, if a strict word count isn’t stipulated, it’s usually acceptable to go slightly longer than a page if you need. Just make sure you’re using the space to share illustrative anecdotes or relevant examples, and not just repeating the same ideas. 

Who can write a letter of recommendation for a scholarship?  

The best person to write a scholarship letter is someone who can speak with authority about the student’s performance in some realm, whether that’s academic, athletic, or personal. Some scholarship programs request multiple types of letters, maybe one from a teacher and another from a personal friend. Other programs only accept letters from academic figures — like teachers, administrators, or advisors. For scholarship programs that focus on a particular skill, like athletics or arts, a coach or art teacher might be the best person to write the letter of reference.

What is a scholarship committee looking for in a letter of recommendation ? 

This depends on the scholarship program. However, most selection committees are hoping to hear about the student’s academic achievements, personal qualities, strength of character, willingness to work hard, and overall well-roundedness. If there are additional areas of focus, the scholarship website should list these.

What if I don’t feel qualified to write a reference letter for a student?

Just because a student asks you to write a recommendation letter doesn’t mean you’re required to say yes. Recommendation letters can be powerful tools, but only if they come from the right person. 

If you can’t speak to a student’s performance and character, it might be better to decline. An impersonal or lukewarm reference letter doesn’t do much to help the applicant’s case, and they’d likely be better off finding an adult who can write about them with conviction. Likewise, if a student asks too close to a deadline or after you’ve already agreed to write for a handful of other students, it’s more than okay to say no. 

Should the letter be digital or printed?

It depends. Each scholarship application has different requirements. Some might ask for all scholarship materials to be printed, signed, and mailed directly to the scholarship office, while other programs might require digital submissions. Check the scholarship requirements and decide how to proceed from there. 

Help your students find more scholarships 

Being asked to write a scholarship letter of reference is an honor. It means your student or employee trusts you and values your perspective. That said, writing reference letters can also be a lot of work. Using a good template can take a lot of the pressure off. It can also help to keep in mind that your letter doesn’t have to be absolutely perfect. The most important thing is to write from the heart; that can win over even the most difficult of selection committees.  If you want to help your student or employee find even more scholarships, consider pointing them to a platform like Going Merry. At Going Merry, we curate lists of promising awards specifically tailored to each student. All your student needs to do is sign up, complete a profile, and let us deliver scholarships they’re eligible for. So if you want to help your student find ways to afford the next chapter of their academic career, encourage them to sign up for Going Merry today .

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How To Write Scholarship Recommendation Letters (Plus Scholarship Recommendation Letter Examples)

Categories Education/School

When a student applies for a scholarship, they may be asked to submit a scholarship recommendation letter as part of the application.

And, if you’ve been influential in their life, you may be the person they choose for this letter.

If you are asked to write a letter of recommendation, it can be a real honor, but it’s also nerve-wracking as you want to do the best job possible for the person applying.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to write a scholarship recommendation letter and provide a structure and some examples for you to follow.

You’ve got this!

Who Can Write A Letter Of Recommendation?

In most instances, the student will choose a favorite teacher or professor to write their letter.

Mentors, employers, or voluntary work supervisors can also give letters of recommendation.

Some scholarship programs will ask for more than one type of recommendation letter – in those instances, a student may approach a teacher for a professional recommendation and a friend for a personal one.

What Makes An Excellent Scholarship Recommendation Letter

A good letter of recommendation is concise but still manages to convey all of the student’s achievements. Aim to write about 300 words and no more than 500 words.

Start by explaining who you are, how long you have known the student, and in what capacity.

Make sure you’ve studied the requirements of the scholarship and then illustrate why the student would be the best person for the scholarship.

Share some of the student’s strengths and academic achievements and give some solid examples of these.

If you have any extracurricular examples, it’s also worth mentioning them.

You may also want to discuss the student’s personal qualities and positive characteristics – talk about what makes them stand out as a good candidate.

It’s vital to make sure your letter reads well and has had a thorough spelling and grammar check.

How To Structure A Scholarship Recommendation Letter

When writing a scholarship recommendation letter, it can be helpful to start with a basic structure, like the one we’ve included below:

[Your Name] [Your Title/Position] [Your Institution/Organization] [Your Email Address] [Your Phone Number] [Today’s Date]

[Scholarship Committee’s Address] [Scholarship Committee’s Name (if known)] [Scholarship Name (if specific)]

Dear [Scholarship Committee’s Name or “Scholarship Selection Committee”],

• Introduction:
• Academic Achievements:
• Extracurricular Achievements and Character:
• Scholarship Relevance:
• Personal Anecdote (Optional but effective):
• Conclusion:
• Offer to Provide Further Information:

Sincerely, [Your Handwritten Signature (if submitting a hard copy)]

[Your Typed Name]

Starting with the above structure, you can then expand each section and provide details on why the student will be perfect for the scholarship program, using our tips above.

Additional Tips For Writing An Effective Scholarship Recommendation Letter

We’ve included our top tips for creating the best possible letter:

• Personal Touch: While you should keep the letter professional, adding a personal touch or anecdote about the student can give the letter a genuine feel. This will help the committee connect with the student on a more personal level, showcasing not only their academic achievements but also their personal values and their character.
• Be Specific: When mentioning the student’s achievements or characteristics, be specific. Instead of just saying they are “hardworking,” give a particular instance or project they worked on that showcased their dedication.
• Maintain a Positive Tone: Always focus on the positive aspects of the student. If you have reservations or can’t genuinely recommend the student, it’s better to decline writing the letter.
• Relevance is Key: Ensure that the points you mention are relevant to the scholarship in question. If the scholarship is for leadership, highlight the student’s leadership skills. If it’s for academic excellence, focus on their scholarly achievements.
• Keep It Timely: If there are recent achievements or milestones the student has reached, include those in the letter. This gives a more current and up-to-date representation of the student.
• Format and Presentation: If you’re submitting a hard copy, ensure it’s printed on official letterhead. The presentation matters as it gives a professional touch.

Scholarship Recommendation Letter Examples

Below, we’ve created some sample sections to include in your recommendation letter:

Introduction

“I am writing to recommend [Student’s Full Name] for the [Scholarship Name]. As [Your Title, e.g., “his Chemistry teacher for two years”], I’ve observed his dedication, intelligence, and determination firsthand.” Academic Achievements

“In his tenure at [School/College Name], [Student’s Name] consistently ranked in the top 5% of the class. He was not just content with his own performance but often assisted peers in study groups, showcasing both his mastery of the subject and his collaborative nature.”

Extracurricular Achievements and Character

“Beyond the classroom, [Student’s Name] played a pivotal role in the school’s chess club, leading the team to a state championship. His ability to strategize and lead serves as a testament to his problem-solving skills and leadership qualities.”

Scholarship Relevance

“Given that the [Scholarship Name] values community service, I’d like to highlight [Student’s Name]’s relentless commitment to our community clean-up program. He initiated, organized, and led a team of students every month to help keep our community parks clean.”

Personal Anecdote

“I recall an instance when [Student’s Name] spent weekends tutoring a fellow student struggling in Chemistry. Not only did the student’s grades improve, but [Student’s Name] also helped instill confidence in him. This act was not for extra credit, but purely out of kindness.”

“Considering [Student’s Name]’s exceptional academic and extracurricular achievements, combined with his integrity and drive, I am confident he will be an outstanding candidate for the [Scholarship Name].”

Example Letters

And, if you’re still looking for inspiration on how best to write your scholarship recommendation letter, take a look at these example scholarship recommendation templates:

• Template One
• Template Two
• Template Three
• Template Four

Remember, a scholarship recommendation letter can play a crucial role in the decision-making process for the scholarship committee.

Taking the time to write a thoughtful, well-structured letter can make all the difference in the student’s chances of receiving the scholarship.

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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

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.

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.

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. 

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:

• A salutation
• An introduction that explains your relationship to the student
• The body of the letter where you explain the reason(s) for why you believe the student deserves the scholarship
• A summary where you reiterate your main points
• Your contact information and signature

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.

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

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

• Tailor your letter to the specific scholarship and its guidelines and expectations.
• Customize your letter to each individual student.
• Speak enthusiastically about a student's merit and why the scholarship committee should invest in her academic and professional future. In other words, emphasize your confidence in her future success.
• Highlight the student's primary strengths , particularly as they relate to the scholarship. Don't feel like you have to cover everything on a student's resume.
• Give stories, examples , and observations to back up your praise. In a phrase, " show, don't tell ."
• Be intentional with your phrasing and flow of ideas. Choose words that are powerful and have impact , while avoiding generic language and cliches.

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.

Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?  We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

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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