How to Write A Scholarship Application Letter in 2021

For many students in Nigeria seeking admission into any universities across the globe, the process required can be daunting and very tasking as most of these universities requires from the applying candidate’s various document to put to test their qualification for the program which they are applying for, not only that these universities especially the foreign universities always go the extra mile to authenticate the validity of the aspiring student, they also put to test their intellectual capacity to determine their suitability for the spot which they are applying for.

With the limited job opportunities in Nigeria and the unstable and declining state of most of our universities coupled with the irregular duration of running academic programs in Nigeria, most students, either undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate might at one point or the other decide to apply for academic programs outside their nationalities.

Adding to these there are many companies and organizations within and outside the country that donate scholarships each year to college students. To apply for this money for school, an application letter needs to be sent. The purpose of this letter is to convince the powers that be who they should award the money too. The scholarship application letter provides the student the opportunity to outline their strengths from an educational and professional perspective, their plans for the future, career growth, and how they will benefit from the funding or scholarship program

When you are required to write a scholarship application letter there are various things you must take cognizance of, this is not just an ordinary letter which you can just write without taking note of the various important factors which must be considered in writing it. This is because you will be assessed by the committee which has been set by the school you are applying for. Whatever it is that you write will be critically reviewed among other requirements. Thus by implication, the onus rests on your shoulder to ensure that you prepare a very convincing scholarship application letter that has been thoroughly checked and considered fit for your purpose.

The content of this letter should be centered on academic accomplishments and stress leadership abilities and initiative. This letter must be correctly formatted with proper spelling and grammar. Any errors could be cause for immediate rejection of the request.

The purpose of the student application letter is designed to help the student with the student cost of his or her tuition fee. The scholarship application letter is always written by the student who is from an underprivileged background and he or she requires financial support and assistance to successfully run their academic program.

The scholarship application letter is important as stated above because it helps facilitate the choosing process of the funding committee to pick those that they will be sponsoring. The funding committee of the organization can also assess if the scholarship application letter is in tandem with its objectives. Students write this letter in order for them to sell themselves to the funding organization or committee by explaining their motivation and plans after they have been awarded or granted the fund they desired to be granted.

Before writing anything, make sure to gather specifics that will be needed for the letter. Some scholarships have specific application requirements and if these guidelines are not followed, the application can be instantly rejected.

Length of the Scholarship Application Letter

Normally, the length of the scholarship application letter is not specified, but it cannot be too long or too short. The idea is to precisely and cogently give the best arguments. Also skipping relatively small detail is not recommended. Sometimes small specifics make a huge difference. The scholarship application letter must contain vital details about you and why you need or require funding. Generally, a range of 100 to 150 words is recommended for a scholarship application letter. Paragraphing is important, as it makes your letter organized, neat, and easy to read.

Two of the most important points that you must address in your application letter are:

Why you are deserving of this particular award – this is where you showcase your interest or skills in a field relevant to the scholarship. You must endeavor to put in clear terms and words your interest in the program and the various reasons why you must be considered for it. Before you go about writing this, do well to do background research about the scholarship, the requirements needed to be qualified for this.

How you will put the scholarship award to good use – you can do this by providing details on what you plan to do with the education that you receive. Funding committee and organization are not just looking to give out funds or grants scholarship to people who do not show in clear terms how they employ to use the opportunity to advance themselves.

Helpful Hints When Writing Scholarship Application Letter

It is important to be thorough and include all requested information in an application letter because an incomplete application letter will not be forwarded to the scholarship committee. In your letter of application include what you have done academically, what skills you have developed, and how you may apply those learned skills in your future career. Detailed recognition and awards which you have received.

Emphasize activities that yours your talents and passions, especially those that demonstrate your ability to lead, take initiative, persist through adversity, and take care of your community.

Also, remember to state your future goals; your application letter must have a professional, academic, and formal tone. However, a personal tone can be used in your personal stories, but then ensure that you do not abbreviate.

Furthermore, you can add flair and credibility to your application letter by bringing together experiences from your past and present with a future goal to communicate your story.

Your scholarship application letter must contain or follow the under-listed structure

• Your contact info
• The scholarship organization’s contact info
• Dear (addressee’s name
• Paragraph 1: Introduction and a big achievement fitting the scholarship
• Paragraph 2: Key Information about you and why fit the scholarship
• Paragraph 3: Show your passion and why you want it
• Paragraph 4: Your call to action
• Best regards and your name [add title]

Apart from the right section order or structure, there is one more thing that all the best scholarship application letter needs. That is good formatting.

Here is how to go about it.

Formatting Basics

• Left-align your letter, it is easy on the eye. Do not use justification, it is against the rules of business letter formatting
• Use the correct spacing 1 or 1.15
• Double-space between paragraphs.
• Go pro. Use a digital copy of your handwritten signature in your sign-off
• Save your application documents in PDF format. It is best for application letters because it keeps the layout intact. Keep a copy in another format because some institutions might not accept PDF.

Scholarship Application Letter Samples

From,

_____________

_____________

Date (date on which letter is written)

To,

________________

________________

Sub:_________________________________________

Dear _________________,

I hereby write to apply for the ____________ scholarship at ____________ University for the ____________ postgraduate program. I am motivated to apply for this scholarship because of its purpose to offer young professionals from unprivileged backgrounds, opportunities to engage in postgraduate education and training in specialized studies.

I completed my bachelor’s degree with financial strain hence I am unable to pay my postgraduate education. While at the university I gained skills in ____________, ____________ and ____________. Pursuing this master’s will enable me to develop these skills and understand how to implement them in my community.

I wish to study at your university because of its commitment to teaching and research with the support of the sustainability of the current social model. This master’s program will enable me pursue ____________ studies to take a career as a ____________. I aim at acquiring skills in ____________ and ____________ that will be important in developing policies to protect human rights in my country.

I hope that you will consider my scholarship application.

Yours Faithfully,

__________

(__________________)

______________________________________________________________________________

Sample 2

From,

Richard Louis

Lagos

Kingfisher Str

Nigeria

Date:____________ (Date on which letter is written)

To,

The Scholarship Selection Committee,

Delon University

72 Aso St.

Lagos,

Nigeria

Sub; Application for a scholarship

Dear Sir/Madam,

I would wish to appreciate the opportunity to apply for the International Training Program scholarship to attend the International Module in Spatial Development Planning training at Delon University.

I am an Urban and Regional Planner who’s inclined towards governance and development, spatial planning policy research and analysis, urban mobility, and settlement upgrading. I wish to partake in this training to improve my knowledge of analytical skills for sustainable development. This program is of value to my country as challenges that result from rapid urbanization increase.

I wish to take this training to impact sustainable development in my country. I am glad that your university offers students from economically unprivileged backgrounds to pursue this training under a scholarship. This scholarship will enable me to acquire skills to be an advocate of sustainable ideas in my country

I would highly appreciate it if you award me this scholarship.

Yours sincerely,

__________

Richard Louis

______________________________________________________________________________

From,

Richard Louis

Kingfisher Street

Lagos

Nigeria

Date:____________ (Date on which letter is written)

To,

The Scholarship Selection Committee,

Delon University

72 Aso St.

Lagos

Nigeria

Sub; Application for a scholarship

Dear Sir,

I am currently associated with ABC  organization as a CDE. Now I desire to do my MBA degree at your university. To expand my information in this area, I wish to focus on the field of developed administration. I have finished my intermediate written test University with a percentage of TY. This know-how gave me much self-assurance and knowledge to work in this area. I aspire to work with a well-reputed business, and for accomplishing that goal, this Master’s Degree will help me an allotment.

I accept as true that for developing this attitude, the studies in your university are welcoming one for students who come from all parts of the world, which would be of large support to me.

I will be obliged if you kindly supply me with the possibility to study at your university.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

____________

Name and Signature

From,

Richard Louis

Kingfisher Str.

Lagos

Nigeria

Date:____________ (Date on which letter is written)

To,

The Scholarship Selection Committee,

Delon University

Aso St.

Lagos

Nigeria

Sub; Application for a scholarship

Dear Sir,

I am currently associated with QPR organization as a JKL. Now I desire to do my MBA degree at your university. To expand my information in this area, I wish to focus on the field of developed administration. I have finished my intermediate written test University with a percentage of TY. This know-how gave me much self-assurance and knowledge to work in this area. I aspire to work with a well-reputed business, and for accomplishing that goal, this Master’s Degree will help me an allotment.

I accept as true that for developing this attitude, the studies in your university are welcoming one for students who come from all parts of the world, which would be of large support to me.

I will be obliged if you kindly supply me with the possibility to study at your university.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

____________

Name and Signature

Marcus Amudipe