The college journey starts way before stepping foot on campus — mainly due to the staggering tuition rates.
Due to this, many students are turning to scholarships to fund their higher education and avoid diving headfirst into academic debt.
In addition to financial status and educational achievements, students are often advised to submit a scholarship recommendation letter that vouches for their eligibility.
Obviously, a well-written recommendation letter matters and can make all the difference. So, if one of your students or someone you know has asked you to craft a recommendation letter for a scholarship, you’ve come to the right place.
We’ll provide samples covering various circumstances that will kickstart your inspiration and give you some splendid ideas.
Now, without further delay — let’s jump in.
Letter of recommendation for scholarship samples
A scholarship recommendation letter can go a long way in helping a student achieve their educational goals.
But, how do you go about writing one?
Of course, you should be honest and highlight the student’s positive qualities. However, before anything else, you should consider the type of scholarship they’re applying for.
After all, a letter of recommendation for a student applying to study Biology will be different from the one you’d write for a student looking to get into the Applied Arts program.
To give you a solid starting point and clear up any confusion, we’ll analyze 14 samples you can customize to suit your needs. These are:
- A general scholarship recommendation letter,
- A recommendation letter by a family member or friend,
- A Rhodes Scholarship recommendation letter,
- A Marshall Scholarship recommendation letter,
- A scholarship sample letter highlighting artistic capabilities,
- A leadership letter of recommendation,
- A recommendation letter sample by a school principal,
- A law school scholarship letter,
- A scholarship letter for studying abroad,
- A scholarship letter for financial aid,
- A recommendation letter for STEM students,
- A scholarship recommendation from a teacher,
- A scholarship recommendation from an employer, and
- An athletic scholarship letter from a coach.
Remember to tailor the templates so that they align with the scholarship applicant’s unique situation and capabilities.
#1 General scholarship recommendation letter
This type of letter focuses primarily on a person’s academic performance. The below sample may benefit teachers, mentors, advisors, and educators looking for a place to start.
“Dear Mr. John Walters,
I’m writing this letter to recommend Anna Jones for the Crown Lake scholarship.
I was her English teacher during the 11th grade and can vouch for her drive and commitment.
During her time in my classes, Anna showed an impressive thirst for knowledge, which — I have no doubt — will help her achieve academic excellence at a college level. As an educator, it is always an honor to teach such motivated students and aid them in discovering their full potential. I am proud to have been one of Anna’s teachers and believe that she would make an exemplary representative of Crown Lake University .
Anna’s receptiveness to feedback has allowed her to continuously surpass expectations, which is reflected in her grade point average.
Besides witnessing Anna’s academic achievements, I’m also impressed by her long-term educational goals and I believe this scholarship would greatly alleviate the financial strain she may face in their pursuit.
Thus, I wholeheartedly urge you to consider Miss Anna Jones for the scholarship, as I have met few students who would make more deserving candidates.
Feel free to reach out should you have any questions about Miss Jones or require additional information.
Best regards,
Tim Edwards
[Address]
[Phone Number]
[Email]”
⬇️ Click here to download and customize the General scholarship recommendation letter template
#2 Recommendation letter by a family member or friend
Family members and close friends can submit psdkp-bitung.com recommendation letters to give more insight into someone’s character.
However, personal recommendation letters can often veer into biased territory. So, take a look at our template to see how to balance enthusiasm and honesty.
“Dear Mrs. Jemima Lawson,
I am writing to formally recommend Naomi Sloan as a deserving candidate for the Lift & Inspire scholarship at Quinton University.
During the 15 years I’ve known Miss Sloan, I’ve been continuously impressed by her commitment to learning and desire to improve her community. Thus, I can think of no one else who could better represent your university as a recipient of this scholarship.
As her classmate and friend, I’ve had the privilege of watching Miss Sloan grow into an individual who values education and strives to uplift others so that everyone can become the best version of themselves.
The values behind this scholarship program are the ones I recognize in Miss Sloan, and I am sure she will prove herself to be a worthy scholarship recipient.
If you have any other questions or wish to gain more information, don’t hesitate to contact me. You can reach me at [Phone Number] or [Email Address].
Kind regards,
Timothy Grant”
⬇️ Click here to download and customize the Recommendation letter by a family member or friend template
#3 Rhodes Scholarship recommendation letter
The Rhodes Scholarship allows students from the US to pursue graduate studies at the University of Oxford.
Compelling recommendations for a Rhodes Scholarship underscore:
- Leadership potential,
- Concrete examples that indicate how the candidate will progress in their studies and future career, and
- Favorable characteristics without succumbing to implicit bias.
Here’s an example demonstrating how such a recommendation can look in practice.
“Dear Mr. Hugh Warrant,
I am happy to recommend Jennifer Song for the Rhodes Scholarship.
Although I’ve only had the pleasure of teaching her on 3 of my undergraduate courses, I’ve worked with her on several research projects directly tied to my department.
Most notably, I’ve witnessed the time and effort Miss Song has invested as the Vice President of the Student Council to optimize the college’s community work and impact. Moreover, she has gone to great lengths to involve more high schoolers in the annual Science Fair held on campus. As a result, more students have started inquiring about upcoming events, curious how they can help — all thanks to Miss Song’s extraordinary contributions.
With a grade point average of 4.0, Miss Song has demonstrated impressive dedication to her studies, but I am most in awe of her time management skills. Alongside respecting all coursework and tight deadlines, she has managed to publish 2 research papers in the college’s scientific journal and excelled at her part-time job.
Miss Song’s extracurricular activities [volunteering at relief shelters, organizing fundraisers, etc.] and interest in using her research to find optimal solutions to real-life problems are qualities that will undoubtedly make her an exemplary Rhodes scholar.
I could not be more enthusiastic about this recommendation and implore you to contact me regarding any additional information.
Best wishes,
Dr. Andrea Jefferson”
⬇️ Click here to download and customize the Rhodes Scholarship recommendation letter template
#4 Marshall Scholarship recommendation letter
The Marshall Scholarship, another program that supports American students applying for a graduate degree in the UK, boasts strict eligibility criteria. Thus, your recommendation letter should focus on the candidate’s:
- Academic results and flexibility,
- Leadership capabilities, and
- Ability to represent both the US and the UK in the best possible light.
Given these requirements, a sample like the one below could help sway the minds of the selection committee.
“To the Marshall Scholarship Committee:
I am thrilled to recommend Mr. Tom Anderson, a senior in the Political Science program at Jordan Springs University for the prestigious Marshall Scholarship.
The PolSci program at our college encompasses various courses notorious for their workload, and many students choose to extend their time here by 1-2 years to meet all the requirements. However, that isn’t the case with Mr. Anderson. Besides staying on top of their studies, he has taken additional courses each semester, often exceeding the regular credit limit — a testament to his motivation and excellence.
His multidisciplinary strategy has produced several detailed research papers on the use of language in public spaces, focusing extensively on the impact rhetoric can have on marginalized communities.
Mr. Anderson’s calm and friendly demeanor has solidified his reputation as a reliable team player. Moreover, he’s always ready to use available resources to fund community-centered initiatives.
For instance, Mr. Anderson was the one who crafted the proposal letter for establishing the Alliance of International Students, a student-governed body seeking to amplify the voices of international scholars at our institution.
In conclusion, I’m happy to recommend Mr. Tom Anderson for the Marshall Scholarship. His academic excellence and leadership qualities make him an ideal candidate.
Sincerely,
Lorna Cox”