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

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Use our tips and examples below to write a scholarship letter that shows you’re dedicated to your studies and are serious about getting the most out of a college education.

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Why write a scholarship cover letter?

Scholarship committees get plenty of applicants with great grades, numerous extracurriculars, and high SAT scores. So you need to make your application stand out in order to get 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.

You can also use your cover letter to explain some of your motivations, accomplishments, or obstacles you’ve overcome.

Scholarship cover letter example

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

An example of a cover letter for scholarship — This applicant cleverly uses bullet points to make their most impressive achievements stand out.

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How to structure your scholarship letter

Selling yourself to a committee you’ve never met can be daunting. If you’re having trouble knowing where to start or how to write your cover letter, start by making an outline.

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:

Personal information
Salutation and opening paragraph
Body paragraph(s)
Closing paragraph (call to action)
Sign-off

You can also make the process easier for yourself by starting with a professional cover letter template.

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]

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:

Be concise

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 and to the point.

To help keep your writing focused, here are the main points that you should address in your scholarship cover letter:

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 your long term goals and how you intend to use the scholarship.

Customize each scholarship application letter

Scholarship committees read hundreds of cover letters. Generic cover letters stand out immediately.

Here’s how to set yours apart:

Address the specific scholarship: Use your introductory paragraph to explain why you’re a strong fit for that particular award.
Tailor your body paragraphs: Adjust each application to target the scholarship’s priorities, even if that means only minor changes.
Research the organization: Identify the sponsoring organization’s core values and mission, then highlight skills and characteristics that align with their goals.
Match their priorities: Some organizations focus on academic performance, while others emphasize financial need or special circumstances.

If you need a little help tailoring your cover letter, try using a cover letter generator that can quickly help you change and adjust your writing to target specific skills.

Scholarship cover letter vs. scholarship essay

Both aim to secure funding, but they serve different purposes.

A scholarship essay responds to a specific prompt from the committee. A scholarship cover letter has no set prompt, which can trip up students used to structured instructions.

If the open-ended format feels daunting, imagine a hidden prompt: “Tell me about yourself and why you’re a good fit for this scholarship.”

The essay dives deep into a specific experience or value. The cover letter provides context for your entire application, connecting your academic history, personal background, and future goals into one cohesive narrative. Think of it as a high-level summary that bridges your resume and essay.

Years of Experience

Articles Written

Emily Crowley loves helping job seekers overcome obstacles to advance their careers.

She graduated from George Mason University with a degree in Foreign Language and Culture and relocated to Taipei shortly after. As a writer and career advisor, she takes a particular interest in empowering young professionals through practical knowledge and advice on topics like resume writing, interviewing, and navigating career changes.

Emily’s career advice has been featured in online publications such as Global Trade Magazine and Parade. For media-related queries, she can be reached at emily [at] resumegenius [dot] com.

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