Sample Scholarship Recommendation Letter

Updated December 23, 2019
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Have you agreed to write a letter recommending someone for a scholarship award? Writing this kind of letter is a big responsibility, and it's one that can seem overwhelming when it's time to get started. Using the scholarship recommendation letter templates provided here can make it a bit easier to craft an effective letter.

Three Editable Scholarship Recommendation Letters

When you are ready to begin drafting a scholarship letter, simply click on the image corresponding to the type of relationship you have with the person who has requested a recommendation letter. Each template can easily be edited and customized to help you get across the points you want to convey in an appropriate format. Downloading the templates is easy. Just click the image of the template you wish to use and save it to your computer, then open and edit to fit your needs. If you need help downloading the template, check out these helpful tips.

Scholarship Recommendation From an Employer or Co-Worker

If someone that you currently work with or have worked with in the past is attending college or planning to go back to college, you just might find yourself being asked to write a recommendation letter for a current or former co-worker or employee. You'll likely need to provide information on the scholarship applicant's work ethic, personality traits and ability to function as a team player.

Scholarship Recommendation Letter From a Teacher

If you are or have been a teacher, you may be asked to write a recommendation letter in support of a former student's application for a college scholarship. The letter you write will need to provide information about your experience with the applicant in an academic setting and your opinion of his or her potential for success in a higher education setting.

Sample Scholarship Recommendation From a Personal Friend

Scholarship applicants sometimes ask friends, relatives, neighbors and other people they have personal relationships with the right letters on their behalf. If you've been asked to write this type of letter, you'll need to describe the nature and length of your relationship with the applicant and provide information about his or her character as it relates to the scholarship program.

Scholarship Recommendation Letter Writing Tips

While the printable letters above are good options, they may not be exactly what you have in mind. You may find it helpful to review additional sample recommendation letters for inspiration. Whether you edit one of the provided templates or write your own letter from scratch, there are a few important tips to keep in mind.

  • Follow an appropriate business letter format when writing a recommendation letter.
  • Include information about how long you have known the person and in what capacity.
  • Adapt the letter to the purpose of the scholarship program for which the purpose is applying.
  • 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.
  • Review the finished letter to be sure it clearly conveys your intended meaning and is free from errors.

Follow Through With Your Commitment

The fact that you've agreed to write a recommendation letter for someone - no matter how you know the person - is a big commitment that should be honored. If you don't turn in a quality letter than paints the applicant in a positive light by the deadline, your actions could keep the individual from being considered for a financial award that could help defray the cost of attending college. Be sure to honor the commitment that you've made and submit an appropriate and well-written letter that has been proofread carefully within the necessary time frame. Fortunately, using the templates provided in the article can help make it easier to follow through with what you've agreed to do.

Sample Scholarship Recommendation Letter