motivation essay sample for scholarship

• Applying For Scholarships

How to Write a Scholarship Motivation Letter in 2023

Jennifer Finetti Sep 26, 2022

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A scholarship motivation letter can make or break your application. This is your opportunity to showcase your knowledge before an in-person interview. Motivation letters are not required for every application. Yet when they are necessary, they are critical. In this guide, we will provide tips for writing a scholarship motivation letter.

What is a scholarship motivation letter?

A motivation letter is like a cover letter you may include with a job application and resume. The goal of the letter is to explain:

• Why you are a good candidate for the scholarship
• What you plan to do with the education you receive.

Review committees often use motivation letters to narrow down their pool of applicants. Then they assess the rest of the application from the candidates they like best.

Motivation letters are usually required for graduate-level scholarships. Sometimes, you may need to write one for specialty programs at a bachelor’s level too. If you have the option to include a motivation letter with your scholarship application, take it. This may be the only chance you have to wow the review committee.

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Motivation letter for scholarship applications – general guidelines

Usually, the application will not specify how long your motivation letter should be. You will need to use your best judgment to write a concise motivation letter. The letter should include:

• The most important elements of your resume
• Your education
• Your professional experiences and plans for the future.

Motivation letters are usually around 500-1,000 words. Split them into paragraphs for easy reading.

Tailor your motivation letter to fit the sholarship

Your motivation letter should link your future plans with the goals of the scholarship . How will you benefit from continued education in this field? How will you use this knowledge to support the mission of the scholarship provider?

Say that the scholarship is from an agency that supports wildlife preservation. Your letter should explain how you plan to apply your education towards a career in that field.

You also need to establish why you deserve this application more than other applicants. What specific experiences do you have now that set you apart from the rest? What specific plans do you have that will address a current issue in the world? Even if you currently have limited knowledge about the issue, use that to your advantage. Explain how you could thrive with more education and solve even more problems in the future.

The structure of a scholarship motivation letter

Scholarship motivation letters vary by award, but they usually consist of three elements:

• An introduction
• Three body paragraphs
• A conclusion

Your introduction should include your name, level of education and the degree program.

Your first body paragraph should include any work-related experience you have. This can include both paid and unpaid internships. You should show the growth of your career in chronological order. Finally, suggest where your career will go with continued education.

Your second body paragraph should explain what you hope to gain from your education. Think of which problems you aim to solve or uncover.

Your final body paragraph should explain your holistic plans for the future. Some ideas for inspiration:

• You can include extra education you plan to pursue after education.
• You can write about companies or agencies you’d like to work for after graduation.
• You can talk about programs or organizations you would like to develop.

Finally, your conclusion should re-emphasize why you are a good candidate for the scholarship.

What NOT to include when writing a scholarship motivation letter

Your scholarship motivation letter should be well-written with no grammar or spelling errors. Use a professional tone and advanced phrasing (no slang). Provide specific examples about your past, present and future. Stay away from vague generalizations. Vagueness suggests a lack of care or knowledge. Neither of  these are impressive to a scholarship review committee.

Some final tips

Writing a motivation letter for scholarship applications takes time and commitment. Plan what you will say in advance, and allow at least three days to write the letter, review it, step away from it and edit it. This extra time will provide the best chance of success with your application.

A Sample Scholarship Motivation Letter

Julie Moore 9876 Smith St. Stillwater, OK 74074The Scholarship Committee 123 Learning Rd. Suite 4A Oklahoma City, OK 73127

To Whom It May Concern:

My name is Julie Moore and I am a third year student at Oklahoma State University. I am currently pursuing a five-year Bachelor of Architecture Degree. My plan is to follow up with a one-year master’s degree after I graduate.

In high school, I worked extensively with my local Habitat for Humanity branch to help build homes for low income families. I learned about the construction process from the ground up, and I discovered the importance of function in architectural design. The homes we built during my four years as a volunteer were never extravagant. They served their purpose and became a beacon of hope for their owners.

My education has been focused on this mindset: function over form, stability over showmanship. I have enrolled in several classes that crossover to the Architectural Engineering major. My goal is to have a comprehensive view of how design meets structure. I have worked on three extra-credit residential design projects under the supervision of my architecture professors (Dr. X and Dr. Y). This helped speed up my research and education.

My goal is to become an architect to create accessible, affordable housing opportunities in underprivileged communities. Living in a college town, I have seen countless rental properties available. Yet there are few homes for sale that are affordable enough for college students and first-time buyers. This is the case in many towns throughout America, especially areas with a low standard of living. I want to create neighborhoods that include affordable starter homes. This would enable low and middle-class families to build equity, avoid excessive debt, and create financial stability for their futures.

This summer, I will intern with  LMNOP Architects. Upon completion of my master’s degree, I hope to continue there as I further develop my skills. After working under acclaimed residential architects Suzan Craft and Peter Wood, I would like to open my own architectural firm focused on developing inexpensive, high-quality housing. I also would like to work with Habitat for Humanity again, this time as an architect instead of a general laborer. I believe firmly in their mission to build “a world where everyone has a decent place to live.” I appreciate your consideration. With your help, I can continue my schooling in architecture and design to bring accessible homes to those in need.

Sincerely, Julie Moore

• Scholarship Essay

Jennifer Finetti

As a parent who recently helped her own kids embark on their college journeys, Jennifer approaches the transition from high school to college from a unique perspective. She truly enjoys engaging with students – helping them to build the confidence, knowledge, and insight needed to pursue their educational and career goals, while also empowering them with the strategies and skills needed to access scholarships and financial aid that can help limit college costs. She understands the importance of ensuring access to the edtech tools and resources that can make this process easier and more equitable - this drive to support underserved populations is what drew her to ScholarshipOwl. Jennifer has coached students from around the world, as well as in-person with local students in her own community. Her areas of focus include career exploration, major selection, college search and selection, college application assistance, financial aid and scholarship consultation, essay review and feedback, and more. She works with students who are at the top of their class, as well as those who are struggling. She firmly believes that all students, regardless of their circumstances, can succeed if they stay focused and work hard in school. Jennifer earned her MA in Counseling Psychology from National University, and her BA in Psychology from University of California, Santa Cruz.

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• How to Write a Scholarship Essay | Template & Example

How to Write a Scholarship Essay | Template & Example

Published on October 11, 2021 by Kirsten Courault . Revised on May 31, 2023.

A good scholarship essay demonstrates the scholarship organization’s values while directly addressing the prompt. If you plan ahead , you can save time by writing one essay for multiple prompts with similar questions.

Table of contents

Apply for a wide variety of scholarships, make a scholarship tracker spreadsheet, tailor your essay to the organization and the prompt, write a focused and relevant personal story, scholarship essay example, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about college application essays.

Scholarships are a type of student financial aid that don’t require repayment. They are awarded based on various factors, including academic merit, financial need, intended major, personal background, or activities and interests.

Like college applications, scholarship applications often require students to submit their grades, standardized test scores, letters of recommendation, and an essay.

A scholarship essay shares your values and qualities in the context of a specific question, such as “How does technology affect your daily life?” or “Who has had the greatest impact on your life?”

Be wary of scholarship scams

While some applications may not require an essay, be wary of scholarship scams that do the following:

• Guarantee you scholarship money for a fee
• Claim scholarship information is exclusive to their company
• Ask for your bank or credit card information to hold the scholarship

Some legitimate companies do charge for releasing comprehensive scholarship lists or creating a tailored list of scholarship opportunities based on your profile.

However, you can always discover scholarship opportunities for free through your school counselor, community network, or an online search.

Many students focus on well-known, large scholarship opportunities, which are usually very competitive. To maximize your chance of success, invest time in applying for a wide variety of scholarships: national and local, as well as big and small award amounts. There are also scholarships for international students .

In addition to charitable foundation and corporate scholarships, you should consider applying for institutional scholarships at your prospective universities, which can award money based on your application’s strength, your financial situation, and your demonstrated interest in the school.

Check with your guidance counselor, local organizations, community network, or prospective schools’ financial aid offices for scholarship opportunities. It’s a good idea to start applying as early as your junior year and continue throughout your senior year.

Choose the right scholarships for you

Choose scholarships with missions and essay topics that match your background, experiences, and interests. If the scholarship topic is meaningful to you, it will be easier for you to write an authentic and compelling essay.

Don’t shy away from applying for local scholarships with small dollar amounts. Even a few hundred dollars can help you pay for books.

Local scholarships may be more tailored to your community, background, and activities, so they’re likely more relevant to you. Fewer students apply for these scholarships, so you have less competition and a higher chance of success.

Some places to look for local scholarships include

• Civic organizations, such as the Rotary Club, Lions Club, etc.
• Your church, mosque, synagogue, or place of worship
• Community groups, such as the YMCA
• Ethnicity-based organizations
• Your local library or local small businesses
• Organizations related to your intended major
• Your city or town
• Your school district
• Unions, such as SEIU, the Teamsters, CWA, etc.
• Your employer or your parents’ employers
• Banks, credit unions, and local financial institutions

Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

While researching scholarship opportunities, create a scholarship tracker spreadsheet to keep track of the following:

• Scholarship amounts
• Required application materials

You can use our free Google Sheets template to track your scholarship applications.

Scholarship application tracker template

You can also include scholarship essay prompts in your college essay tracker sheet . By grouping or color-code overlapping essay prompts, you can plan to write a single essay for multiple scholarships. Sometimes, you can also reuse or adapt your main college essay .

Even if you’re adapting another essay, it’s important to make sure your essay directly addresses the prompt, stays within the word count limit , and demonstrates the organization’s values. The scholarship committee will be able to tell if you reuse an essay that doesn’t quite respond to the prompt, so be sure to tailor it to the questions asked.

Research each organization

Before writing, research the scholarship organization’s mission and reason for awarding the scholarship. Learning more about the organization can help you select an appropriate topic and relevant story.

While you should tailor your essay to the organization’s values, maintain your authentic voice. Never use false or exaggerated stories. If the organization’s values don’t align with yours or you can’t brainstorm a relevant story for the scholarship, continue searching for other scholarship opportunities to find a more appropriate one for you.

After researching the organization, identify a specific personal experience that embodies its values and exemplifies why you will be a successful student.

Choose a story with the following criteria:

• Responds to the prompt
• Demonstrates the organization’s values
• Includes an authentic story
• Focuses on you and your experience, not someone else’s

A good scholarship essay is not

• A resume of your achievements
• A lengthy opinion piece about the essay topic
• An essay featuring a negative tone that puts down others

If appropriate, you can briefly address how the scholarship money will help you achieve your educational goals. You should also end with a brief thank-you.

Take a look at the full essay example below. Hover over the underlined parts to read explanations of why they work.

Prompt: Describe how working for Chelsea’s Chicken restaurant has developed leadership skills that will help you succeed in college. Give specific examples of leadership characteristics that you have exhibited during your employment with us.

As a nervous 16-year-old, I walked into Chelsea’s Chicken for my first day of work determined to make enough money to put gas in my car and buy pizza on the weekends. My only previous job was mowing my neighbors’ lawns when they were on vacation, so I had no idea what to expect. I was a bit intimidated by my new responsibilities, especially handling money and helping disgruntled customers.

However, it didn’t take me long to learn my way around the cash register and successfully address customer complaints. One day, Roger, the store manager, asked me if I wanted to join Chelsea’s Chicken Leadership Training Initiative. He said he saw leadership potential in me because of my attitude with the customers and my enthusiasm for learning new job responsibilities. It surprised me because I had never thought of myself as a leader, but I quickly agreed, and Roger handed me a three-ring binder that was thicker than my math and science textbooks put together! He told me to take it home and read over it during the following week.

In that binder, I discovered that being a leader means taking the initiative, especially when the job is undesirable. One week later, I got to practice that idea when a little kid threw up in the bathroom and missed the toilet. It smelled terrible, but I stepped forward and told Roger that I would clean it up. My coworkers thought I was crazy, but I started to believe in my leadership potential.

That night as we closed the store, Roger pulled me aside in the parking lot and told me that he could tell that I had been studying the manual. He wanted to give me more responsibility, along with a dollar-per-hour pay raise. I was surprised because I had been working there for only a couple of months, but his encouragement helped me make a connection: good leadership helps other people, and it often is rewarded. I was determined to experience more of both.

Within a month, I was ready to take the Team Leader exam, which mattered because I would receive a promotion and a much bigger raise if I passed. But, when I got to work, two of the scheduled team members had called in sick. We were noticeably short-handed, and our customers weren’t happy about it.

I walked back to the lockers, put on my vest and hat, and took my place behind an open register. Customers immediately moved into my line to place their orders. Roger looked at me with surprise and asked, “Did you forget that you’re testing tonight?” I responded, “No, sir—but what’s the use of taking a leadership test if you aren’t going to lead in real life?” Roger smiled at me and nodded.

He stayed late that night after we closed so that I could leave early and still take the test. I noticed that Roger was always staying late, helping employees learn new skills. His example taught me that leaders take the initiative to develop other leaders. He gave me a clear picture of what shared leadership looks like, making room for others to grow and excel. When I asked him where he learned to do that, he said, “From the same leadership manual I gave you!”

Chelsea’s Chicken has offered me so much more than a paycheck. Because of Roger’s example, I have learned to take the initiative to care for my family and friends, such as being the first to do the dishes without my mom asking or volunteering to pick up my friend for our SAT prep course. Now, as I prepare to enter college, I have confidence in my leadership ability. I know I’m signing up for a challenging major—Biology, Pre-Med—yet I also know that Chelsea’s Chicken has helped me to develop the perseverance required to complete my studies successfully.

If you want to know more about academic writing , effective communication , or parts of speech , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Academic writing

• Writing process
• Transition words
• Passive voice
• Paraphrasing

 Communication

• How to end an email
• Ms, mrs, miss
• How to start an email
• I hope this email finds you well
• Hope you are doing well

 Parts of speech

• Personal pronouns
• Conjunctions

A scholarship essay requires you to demonstrate your values and qualities while answering the prompt’s specific question.

After researching the scholarship organization, identify a personal experience that embodies its values and exemplifies how you will be a successful student.

Invest time in applying for various scholarships , especially local ones with small dollar amounts, which are likely easier to win and more reflective of your background and interests. It will be easier for you to write an authentic and compelling essay if the scholarship topic is meaningful to you.

You can find scholarships through your school counselor, community network, or an internet search.

You can start applying for scholarships as early as your junior year. Continue applying throughout your senior year.

Yes, but make sure your essay directly addresses the prompt, respects the word count , and demonstrates the organization’s values.

If you plan ahead, you can save time by writing one scholarship essay for multiple prompts with similar questions. In a scholarship tracker spreadsheet, you can group or color-code overlapping essay prompts; then, write a single essay for multiple scholarships. Sometimes, you can even reuse or adapt your main college essay .

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How to Write a Motivation Letter for a Scholarship: Tips and Examples

Motivational letters are sometimes treated the same way as cover letters by scholarship applicants, which is not unusual. Both are commonly confused with one another even though each has a clear difference.

For example, a motivational letter might explain how one’s academic background, extracurricular activities, and other factors make them an ideal candidate for a particular scholarship or course program. To write a compelling letter of motivation, you need to do extensive study on a university’s academic atmosphere and the programs it offers.

If you are looking for a motivation letter for a scholarship program, we will show you how to write a great one. Before we continue, let us find out what a motivation letter is.

Learn More About What a Motivational letter is

A motivational letter is just like a CV for a job or a cover letter for a scholarship. You have to explain why you are the best fit for this particular scholarship/program in a motivational letter along with some of your best performances.

In order to qualify for graduate-level scholarships, applicants must submit a motivational letter. Sometimes you will need to create one for a bachelor’s degree program in a particular field. It is always a good idea to add a motivation letter to your scholarship application. There is a reasonable probability that this is your last chance to impress the reviewer. 

You are more likely to have success with an excellent motivation letter if you have that motivation. Ultimately, you must believe in yourself and give it a shot. So, do not give up on your dreams if you fail the first time.

Motivational Letter Format

You must add the following things in your motivational letter.

• Intro : This will have your introduction, including your background (This portion is all about you excluding your academia). The intro should be 100 words lengthy.
• Body : This part of your letter should have 3-5 paragraphs. Do not write more than five paragraphs. The body will have everything, including complete details of your education, your future goals, why you are the best fit for this post, and what you can do for the organization. The body should be 300 words in length.
• Outro : Tell the jury that you’re available if they want further information about you. Outro will have your end like your name, contact information, and address. You can keep the outro around 100 words.

Pro tip : Keep your motivational letter compact, unidirectional, and between 300-500 words. Never exceed 500 words count.

How to Write a Motivational Letter Guide

Write about yourself.

Truth and integrity are other key aspects of a letter of motivation that should not be overlooked. It would be best if you are honest about your strengths and flaws without inflating or omitting any of them from your writing. 

Is there anything about you that sets you apart from other candidates and makes you deserving of consideration? Jot it down. However, describe how you plan to overcome these flaws and become a better person.

Look for Grammatical Errors

To prepare a compelling letter, it is essential to utilize proper grammar. In your writing, you should stick to typical academic vocabulary and punctuation. Using complex vocabulary will do nothing but bore the readers Avoid seeming conceited and arrogant at the same time.

Expert Advice : A motivational letter is not like a cover letter. Admission committees take these letters seriously—Reserve time to craft an excellent motivational letter. Be available for at least three days to write a motivational letter.

Want to know?  How to Write a Fabulous Cover Letter !

Write about your Goals

The interviewer wants to know whether you have any future goals or ambitions that you want to attain. Tell us about your goals and why you believe this scholarship program will help you reach them. Look for inspiration factors in your life, things that led you to where you are now. Write about them. Keep it natural, but don’t make it too long on it.

Proofread / Get a feedback

It is advisable to seek guidance from your friends, an instructor, or someone who is already/currently enrolled in the program you are applying for. Give your 2-3 revisions before submitting it. These revisions will not only omit grammatical errors, but these can help you to sound clearer and better.

A Few Extra Tips on How to Write Best Motivational Letter

• Before going to write a motivational letter, do your homework . Outline the ideas that you want to cover in your letter. Support your content with examples and evidence.
• Use clear and concise language. Do not fluff your letter with wordiness and out-of-the-topic things. Keep it between 300-500 words, and it should not utilize more than 1 page.
• Organize the body of the letter. Please don’t write it in a hurry. Give it proper time, at least 2-3 days.
• What are your goals for the future? What do you want to do in the future? Discuss your plan. Think bigger and have some excellent plans.
• Your motivational letter should be well-written. Take care of font style, font size, and formatting. Use a suitable style and maintain positive thinking throughout the letter.

Download PDF Guide about How to Write a Motivational Letter by Radboud University Nijmegen

Motivation letter sample.

My name is [name], and I’m writing to apply for [program name] in [university name]. This degree, offered by one of the world’s top universities, is an opportunity for me to broaden my knowledge and develop professionally. In so doing, I’ll contribute to the development of humanity and human rights. Studying here, I’ll get a chance to promote world peace by assisting in developing politics both in my home country and around the world.

Because of [list of excellent traits], I believe I would be a valuable contribution to your organization. In addition, I am proficient in [number of accomplishments talents], which I acquired from [experiences or programs that taught you skills]. Hence, I’ll be a valuable addition to your Hall of Fame.

Aside from that, this scholarship will offer me a chance to make a major impact in the community. I hope to be known for my inventions in the future. Our job as humans, who share this globe, is to improve our future since the future belongs to everyone. Our children will be grateful to us when they see how tirelessly we worked to improve the world. In my opinion, my qualifications and your requirements are a perfect match.

A leader’s prestige and credibility play an enormous influence in promoting social programs, especially at the national and worldwide levels. Defined as a result of the institution’s performance, my personal standing will give extra chances to my society.

I have a strong desire to learn and accept new technology. In order to better grasp diverse [subject] concepts and their applicability to more complicated real-life circumstances, I’m eagerly looking forward to enrolling in the [subject] program at [university name]. Please contact me if you need any more information or papers.

I’m looking forward to hearing from you. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Warm Regards,

Your complete information + contact details]

Frequently Asked Questions

A motivation letter for a scholarship is a letter that explains why you are the best candidate for a scholarship and how receiving the scholarship will benefit you and your future goals. It is typically written as part of the application process for a scholarship and should be tailored to the specific scholarship and organization offering the scholarship.

A motivation letter is an important part of a scholarship application because it allows you to showcase your unique strengths, achievements, and goals to the scholarship committee. It helps the committee understand your background, your motivation for applying for the scholarship, and how receiving the scholarship will impact your future.

A motivation letter for a scholarship should include information about your academic achievements, your career goals, and your motivation for applying for the scholarship. It should also include details about your personal background, any relevant work or volunteer experience, and any leadership or community service activities you have participated in. It is important to be specific and to tailor your letter to the specific scholarship and organization offering the scholarship.

To start a motivation letter for a scholarship, begin by introducing yourself and explaining your interest in the scholarship. Next, outline your academic achievements and any relevant work or volunteer experience you have. Then, explain your career goals and how receiving the scholarship will help you achieve those goals. Finally, conclude your letter by reiterating your motivation for applying for the scholarship and expressing your gratitude for the opportunity.

A motivation letter for a scholarship should typically be one to two pages long. It is important to be concise and to focus on the most relevant information. Avoid including unnecessary or unrelated details and be sure to proofread your letter for spelling and grammar errors.

The tone of a motivation letter for a scholarship should be professional and respectful. Avoid using overly casual language or slang and strive for a formal, yet personal, tone.

There may be specific formatting guidelines for a motivation letter for a scholarship depending on the organization offering the scholarship. It is important to follow any guidelines provided and to use a professional font and layout.

A motivation letter for a scholarship can often be used as a template for other applications, such as job applications or graduate school applications. However, it is important to tailor the letter to the specific application and to highlight the relevant experiences and achievements for that specific opportunity.

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Scholarship Essay Examples

With college tuition costs rising each year, many students apply for merit scholarships to help make college more affordable. However, merit scholarships can be competitive—and that’s where our scholarship essay examples come in. By reading our scholarship essay examples, you can learn what it takes to write an award-winning essay. 

Scholarships are an excellent opportunity for students to lessen their college tuition costs. Most merit scholarships require a brief application, usually including one or more essays. Below, we’ve rounded up our best scholarship essay examples.

Reading winning scholarship essay examples, especially scholarship essay examples about yourself, can help you begin the scholarship essay process. By reviewing essay examples, you can learn how to craft a strong essay. You’ll also get a better sense of what scholarship committees look for when they review applications.

In this guide to Scholarship Essay Examples, you’ll find tips on how to write the best scholarship essay, as well as:

• Various scholarship essay examples about yourself
• A strong scholarship essay sample about why I deserve the scholarship
• Scholarship essay examples about financial need, and more!

We’ve included scholarship essay examples specific to schools, including UC Berkeley, as well as specific programs, like the SHPE scholarship. We’ll also discuss the different types of scholarships you’ll find on your scholarship search. 

Now, before we jump into our essay examples, let’s learn more about getting scholarship money for college.

What is a scholarship essay?

A scholarship essay is an essay you’ll include in your merit scholarship applications. In many ways, your scholarship essays might resemble your college essays. So, the scholarship essay format should seem familiar. 

The best scholarship essays will highlight who you are and why you deserve money for college. Scholarship essay prompts will ask you to include various information, from details about your background to explanations of why you deserve a scholarship.

Crafting a compelling, well-written essay can help you win substantial financial awards to help cover your college tuition costs. However, not all scholarship essays are the same. Later on, we’ll review different winning scholarship essay examples to show you what kind of essays you’ll write in your application process.

Types of Scholarships

There are many different types of scholarships available to students. You can find a variety of scholarship opportunities on scholarships websites. The earlier you start your scholarship search, the more scholarships you’ll find. 

While some scholarship applications accept applicants of all backgrounds and abilities, some have very specific eligibility guidelines. So, you may not be eligible for every scholarship. If you’re not sure whether or not you’re eligible, you can find eligibility information on most scholarships websites. 

Here are a few different scholarship types you may come across in your scholarship search:

• Academic scholarships
• Merit scholarships
• Essay competitions
• Community service scholarships
• Military scholarships

Scholarship essay prompts will differ across programs. As you’ll see in our winning scholarship essay examples, the prompts can vary in word count and complexity. We’ll provide you with descriptive essay examples to help you get an idea of what to expect.

Merit-Based Scholarships

Most scholarships we’ll highlight in this article are merit-based scholarships . A merit-based scholarship is money awarded by a college or community organization based on your academic achievements. 

In contrast, a need-based scholarship is awarded based on a student’s financial need. If you are applying for financial aid, be sure to check out our scholarship essay examples about financial need. You’ll find both merit- and need-based scholarships on your scholarship search.     

To qualify for a merit-based scholarship, you generally must meet specific criteria. Scholarship committees look at your grades, academic achievements, extracurriculars, and even test scores. Need-based scholarships can have similar requirements, but they’re primarily concerned with your family’s financial status.

There are many merit-based scholarships available to help students afford college, including:

• National merit scholarships
• Gates Scholarship
• Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship
• Robertson Scholarship

Check out our guides on these popular merit-based scholarships for more details. There, you’ll find tips on how to write a winning essay. Our descriptive essay examples can also help prepare you to apply to these programs After all, while prompts vary, the scholarship essay format remains fairly standard. 

Finding scholarships

In this guide, we’ll highlight some scholarships you may be eligible for. However, make sure to check out the rest of our resources to help you approach the scholarship search. 

Some scholarships we’ll discuss include:

• QuestBridge scholarship : helps low-income students attend elite colleges
• Park scholarships : for students attending NC State University
• SHPE scholarship : offers financial assistance for Hispanic students interested in STEM degrees. 

Scholarship essay examples about financial need will help you prepare for your scholarship applications. For instance, if you apply for the SHPE scholarship, you’ll include a lot of details about your background. 

You can also use scholarship search portals or scholarships websites to find other scholarships you may be eligible for. 

How do you write a scholarship essay?

While scholarship essay prompts may differ, you’ll usually stick to the same general scholarship essay format. 

One resource that can help you write the best scholarship essays and find money for college is Sallie Mae. Sallie Mae is a private lender offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional student loans. They also grant scholarships and provide aspiring college students with a scholarship search portal on their scholarships websites. Here’s what they have to say about having a winning scholarship essay format.

Organization

When writing a scholarship essay, it’s best to start with a scholarship essay format that organizes your thoughts. This will allow you to follow a plan that clearly and concisely gets your points across. You should begin your essay with a solid introduction. Then, introduce your supporting arguments and add an appropriate conclusion. 

A good scholarship essay clearly states why you deserve to win money for college with evidence to back up your argument. You’ll see how to do this in our scholarship essay sample about why I deserve the scholarship. The best scholarship essays will be original and honest. It should be written in an inspirational and positive tone, highlighting your strengths and capabilities. 

When you feel like you have put your best foot forward, you should ask others for their feedback. This can be from a teacher, counselor, or one of our advisors here at CollegeAdvisor! Proofread your final essay and make sure you’ve caught any spelling and grammatical errors before submitting your application.

Up next, we’ll get into our descriptive essay examples and the different scholarship essay prompts they responded to. 

By looking at scholarship essay examples, you can learn what exactly makes a good essay. So, let’s look at some descriptive essay examples written by students looking to secure money for college. 

First, we will walk you through scholarship essay examples about yourself. Then, we’ll look at a scholarship essay sample about why I deserve the scholarship. Lastly, we will provide you with scholarship essay examples about financial need. Remember to keep these scholarship essay examples in mind when writing essays of your own!

Scholarship Essay Examples About Yourself

Let’s take a closer look at some scholarship essay examples about yourself.

Scholarship essay prompts vary quite a bit, so make sure you understand what the prompt really asks of you. That way, you can answer the question or address the prompt in its entirety.

Some scholarship essay prompts may ask how the scholarship will make a difference for you. They may also ask about any contributions you have made to your community. 

Ready to look at some winning scholarship essay examples? Check out these scholarship essay examples below.

The first of our scholarship essays is for Phi Sigma Rho. Here’s the prompt: 

How do you promote Phi Sigma Rho and STEM on your campus or in your community? (300 words Max)

Phi sigma rho scholarship essay.

In my campus and community, I strive to promote Phi Sigma Rho and STEM by promoting Phi Rho’s values and sharing my experiences and passion for Phi Rho.

My involvement in the Women in Engineering Program (WEP) and Society of Women Engineers (SWE) has allowed me the opportunity to promote Phi Rho and STEM. These activities have given me insight into how to successfully create a network that will support and encourage women in engineering to continue their careers. 

Within WEP, I served as a sophomore orientation leader (Envoy), mentoring first-year women and assisting with program logistics. As an envoy, I was able to promote Phi Rho ideals of friendship and encouragement. I was also able to informally recruit for Phi Rho by sharing my experiences and passion for the sorority.

Within SWE, I was the Internal Relations Chair my freshmen year and am the Director of Member Engagement this year. Both roles are related to member engagement, allowing me to promote friendship within engineering. Member engagement is important for creating a community among female engineers. Similar to my envoy position, my leadership within SWE has allowed me to share my love for Phi Rho.

Additionally, my volunteer experience with Engineering Ambassadors (EA), a STEM outreach group, has allowed me to promote STEM in the community. In EA, I give presentations on engineering, speak on panels, and lead hands-on activities for K-12 students. EA has taught me strategies to promote STEM to children and teenagers.

Because of Phi Sigma Rho, I have the confidence to inspire and encourage the next generation of female engineers. I hold the values of scholarship, friendship, and encouragement in the highest regard and strive to embody those in every leadership position and volunteer role. Through SWE, WEP, and EA, I have promoted Phi Sigma Rho, its values, and STEM as a whole in both my campus and community.

This is, in many ways, a scholarship essay sample about why I deserve the scholarship. The writer clearly highlights how they’ve engaged with Phi Sigma Rho and how their values align with those of the organization. The writer also provides specific examples of their leadership positions, skills, and accolades. 

The next two of our scholarship essay examples about yourself are for the SHPE scholarship. Here they are: 

SHPE Scholarship essay example #1

Essay prompt:.

Summarize your life experiences and any challenges that have impacted your path to higher education. (250 Words) 

Essay Example:

I vividly remember the first day of First Grade because I didn’t know the Pledge of Allegiance like the rest of my classmates. Growing up in a Hispanic household, I had never learned what the pledge was. This was the beginning of several years of disconnect. 

From receiving weird looks when I told classmates my family opened Christmas gifts at midnight, to my parents’ confusion when I didn’t want them to speak Spanish in public, both sides of my life never understood the other. As a result, I always felt out of place in school, like I was behind in some way because I didn’t share the same upbringing as my classmates. In contrast, academics felt like a level playing field, something we were all learning together in the same way.

While I couldn’t tell you who won the super bowl, I could do mathematics or read just as well, if not better, than my classmates. Socially, I always felt out of place, but academically I was always comfortable, and as a result, I tried to excel in that area of my life. That desire to succeed created the relentless work ethic I have today and the appreciation I have for education.

Despite the lack of emphasis from my parents on schoolwork, I developed this sense of responsibility and persistence to pursue an education. Although my family’s Hispanic culture made my life difficult when I was younger, it made me a more resilient person.

More scholarship essay examples

Shpe scholarship essay example #2.

Discuss your educational and career aspirations as well as your ability to complete and achieve these goals. (250 words)

Using a degree in engineering, I hope to work on improving sustainability and efficiency in the aerospace industry by creating cheaper, safer, and more environmentally-conscious options.

Recently, Pratt and Whitney designed an engine that is 16% more efficient and will release 3600 less metric tons per airplane per year. Excitingly, it also greatly reduces the noise footprint of an airplane. Innovations like these will allow the aerospace industry to evolve and improve while reducing negative environmental impact. I hope to work at the forefront of this innovation, pushing the boundaries of improved engine performance and efficiency. 

Last semester, I started working in the Experimental and Computational Convection Laboratory on campus to learn more about turbines. Some current projects in the lab involve new turbine cooling techniques and additive manufactured heat exchangers. Throughout the course of my undergraduate career, I hope to learn more about the barriers facing improved engine and turbine efficiency. Following undergraduate, I plan to attend graduate school to gain a deeper knowledge of these topics. Following graduate school, I may go into industry working on turbines and jet engines. Due to beginning research early, I believe graduate school is an attainable educational goal.

The potential ability to make a difference in the environmental impact of the aerospace industry is exciting. To accomplish this, I know studying Mechanical Engineering will give me the skills necessary to fulfill my career goals.

Both of these scholarship essay examples use specific details to highlight the writer’s strengths, experiences, and accolades. In reading these winning scholarship essay examples, we get a sense of who the writer is both as a person and as a student. 

Scholarship Essay Sample about “Why I deserve the scholarship”

Another scholarship essay prompt you may come across is “why I deserve this scholarship.” A good scholarship essay clearly highlights why you deserve to win the scholarship and provides evidence to support your argument. 

Below, you’ll find scholarship essay samples about why I deserve the scholarship. You can use these as a guide to help you tackle your own scholarship essays. 

Here’s the first of our scholarship essay examples, which was used for the Park Scholarship: 

The Park Scholarship is an investment in the potential of young people. It prepares scholars to make lifelong contributions to communities, states, nations, and the world. Tell us a story that illustrates your potential to make these lifelong contributions. (What have you done that should compel us to invest in you?) (Max. 3,990 characters including spaces.)

Park scholarship essay example.

Coming from a Venezuelan family, I have always been able to connect with total strangers through Spanish. Whether I’m eating at a restaurant or volunteering, I am constantly stumbling upon other Spanish speakers. The ability to converse in their language allows me to bond with them in a way I couldn’t in English, something I do not take for granted. 

Because of my experience, I believe that learning a foreign language is an incredibly important skill. Being able to speak in a second language allows a person to understand another community and reach out to people within that community. Additionally, speaking a second language assists in appreciating other cultures. This appreciation is important for fostering open-mindedness, something America as a whole struggles with today. 

In my school district, foreign language classes are not offered until late middle school. Once in high school, many students drop the class. In addition, those who stay in the class often find that the classes provide little more than a basic understanding of the language and then become discouraged in their learning. On a larger scale, this issue affects America as a whole. Second language programs often come second in terms of funding and planning and are not encouraged as rigorously as other academic courses. As a result, many Americans are ignorant to the benefits of bilingualism and are unable to understand the viewpoint of those who are multilingual.

After my freshman year of high school, my frustration with my community’s lack of priority for second language learning culminated in my desire to take some sort of action to promote foreign language education. In my sophomore year, a classmate and I created and ran an introductory Spanish program, Spanish in the Spring, at my local library for young children in the district. I spent hours at home creating lesson plans, activities, themes, and advertisements for the program. I placed heavy emphasis on cultural aspects and the importance of the Spanish language in America and the world as a whole.

My purpose for this program was to introduce children at a young age to learning a foreign language, so their desire to learn would continue throughout their life. Through the program, I was also able to share my belief of the importance of learning a second language with the children, as well as their parents. After the final day of the program, I was thrilled when one parent mentioned their desire to learn a foreign language program themself. I felt that if I made an impact on one person or family, the entire program was worthwhile. 

Unfortunately, this past spring I was unable to continue the Spanish in the Spring program due to library scheduling restraints. However, I hopefully plan to offer the program again this spring with some changes that will improve and expand the experience. One of these changes will include the immersion of parents into the experience to encourage foreign language education as a family activity.

While this program was only offered once, the impact was immeasurable, for the children, for the cause of foreign language education, and for me.

This is another scholarship essay sample about why I deserve the scholarship. In it, the writer clearly and directly answers the prompt—that is, they highlight their potential to make a lifelong impact on members of their community. 

Ready for another scholarship essay example? Here’s the next one: 

How will a ScholarSHPE impact your life and education? (200 Words)

Shpe scholarship essay example.

Receiving a ScholarSHPE will give me the gift of time and opportunities. My parents are unable to support me financially throughout college due to large amounts of accrued debt. A ScholarSHPE will reduce my financial stress and allow me to improve my overall health as a result. It will also prevent the need to work several hours a week at a part-time job to pay for tuition, books, and living expenses, which will limit what I can do academically and outside of class. A ScholarSHPE will allow me to spend more time on research pursuits, engineering extracurriculars, volunteer work, and school work, instead of long hours at a part-time job. 

This essay sample is fairly straightforward. In it, the writer follows a clear scholarship essay format, explicitly answering the prompt. 

UC Berkeley Scholarships essay examples

Let’s look at some school-specific merit scholarship essay examples. 

At the University of California – Berkeley , students can apply for a variety of merit scholarships. These scholarships can help offset the cost of UC Berkeley tuition. 

Below, we’ve included various scholarship essay examples for the UC Berkeley scholarships. These UC Berkeley scholarships can help students cover their college tuition costs. This can make the UC Berkeley tuition less of a barrier for students hoping to attend. 

You’ll find a variety of UC Berkeley scholarships that can help you afford UC Berkeley tuition. Available UC Berkeley scholarships include: 

• Berkeley Undergraduate Scholarship
• Fiat Lux Scholarship
• Middle Class Scholarship
• Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholarship

These are just a few ways to cover the cost of UC Berkeley tuition. UC Berkeley students also receive more than $10 million per year in outside scholarships to cover college tuition costs. If you are interested in exploring non-UC Berkeley scholarships, check out this list of outside scholarship resources . 

To help you get started, check out our winning UC Berkeley scholarship essay examples. The authors of these scholarship essay examples about financial need all won money to help cover their UC Berkeley tuition.

UC Berkeley scholarship essay examples

I am grateful to realize how fortunate I am today. All the loved ones around me and their acts of kindness have given me such a great life. I also realize the sacrifices that those around me have had to give up in order for me to succeed. It is because of this that I have realized what “paying it forward” truly means. I have been given the opportunity to make an impact in my community and I have fully taken advantage of this opportunity. I have been a volunteer for the Buddyball Sports Organization, which is a non-profit sports organization dedicated to providing the opportunity for children with developmental disabilities to play sports.

Growing up, watching and playing sports has been one of my greatest pleasures of life, so teaching these less fortunate kids has been something I have enjoyed doing every single weekend. On top of this, I am also both a volunteer at the South Orangetown Ambulance Corps and the Nyack Hospital. With the desire to pursue a career in the medical field, volunteering at these places has given me a great idea of what my career could look like in the near future. While all of these volunteer activities have had a significant impact on me, little did I know that this summer would truly make a lasting difference in my life. 

This past summer, my family decided to go on a vacation to India to visit my relatives. This was the first time in my life that I was going to India and this was only because my grandmother came down with Parkinson’s disease and was extremely sick. Little did I know at that time that my visit to India would be a life-changing experience. Never could have I imagined such a filthy village. Everywhere I looked, there was garbage and to make matters worse, no one seemed to do anything to try to ameliorate the repugnant image of my home country.

While I realized on my flight home that I was not going to be able to make a difference and help my community back in India, there was nothing stopping me from doing so right here in Rockland County, New York. When I was told that I would have the opportunity to help organize and direct “Make a Difference Rockland,” I joyfully accepted! Make a Difference Rockland is a free public meet and greet for all local non-profits and other government agencies in an attempt to promote different community service opportunities within the public. By gathering all the local non-profit organizations and giving them a chance to present themselves, people learn more about all of the local community service opportunities that are available to them. This way, the community will be able to recruit volunteers and will not have to suffer through calamitous conditions.

As one of the people in charge of organizing, it was my responsibility to adequately contact, invite and help prepare for hundreds of people. Once I gathered their contact information, I had to ask each one of these places if they would be interested in joining the fair. If interested, I had to also prepare a table for them to present themselves at the fair. The feeling of bringing all of these community service groups together brought me a feeling of happiness that I will never forget. 

The best scholarship essays will teach the reader about who the writer is, what they care about, and why they deserve a scholarship. The essay above does just that—it highlights the writer’s background and describes how they give back to their community. 

Next, let’s dig into a few more scholarship essay examples. 

If you’re interested in more descriptive essay examples, keep reading. 

Reading a ton of winning scholarship essay examples is a great way to pick up on what makes them winners. Over time, you’ll start to notice how the details, tone, and flow all work together to tell a story.

Below, you’ll find a few more scholarship essay examples. Our first one is from the NC Parks Scholarship. Here’s the prompt:

What do you do to serve your community? Why do you do the service that you do? What impact have you made? What challenges or insights have your service contributions given you? (Max. 3,990 characters including spaces.) 

Community-focused scholarship essay example #1.

“What are the boys like in high school?” “Is it easy to get a boyfriend?” Sighing, the other frustrated leaders and I look at each other as we read the questions posed by the younger girls. Every year at Girls’ Night Out (GNO), a program that introduces and prepares eighth-grade girls for high school, the girls question the leaders about relationships and dating ad nauseum, irritating other leaders to the point of ignoring the questions. 

Giving each question a careful and deliberate answer is often difficult, but instead of disregarding the issue, I try to offer my most sincere and honest advice. Originally, when I began as a group leader in the program I would give the same response, “You shouldn’t worry about boys. Instead, enjoy your friends, and do things you enjoy.” While that advice is true, it is often not the answer that will satisfy the girls. Through many years in the program, I have learned that advice is not “one size fits all”; it must be individualized to the person’s needs. Now, when faced with a question about dating, I respond with more questions before giving “words of wisdom”.

Many times I am able to understand the perspective of the middle school student, allowing me to give advice accordingly. Supplying proper advice about sensitive topics is one of the most impactful parts of GNO. As a role model and positive influence for the girls, I largely impact their ideas and perception of the environment when entering high school. In addition to teaching the students valuable lessons, volunteering at GNO has taught me that various perspectives may present themselves identically. To better understand those around me, it is important that I look beyond the surface for the other person’s viewpoint.

Beyond understanding other viewpoints from GNO, I have learned from other service that understanding a person’s situation is essential for providing exceptional assistance. Through Key Club, I volunteer many times a year at the local food pantry. As a volunteer, I help the recipients “shop” at the small grocery store using a point system. The process takes up a lot of time because shoppers do not always know what they want. Originally I  thought this was a poor design. I believed it would be much more efficient to just hand out the food rather than giving out points and shopping with the food pantry recipients.

Upon expressing my opinion to one of the adult food pantry staff, he explained to me that the grocery store aspect of the store taught the recipients life skills. Additionally, by giving them autonomy over what food they “bought”, they retained a sort of independence, an important skill to have if they find themselves above the income level required to use the food pantry.

The next time I volunteered I took note of the skills presented. Budgeting of points, deciding whether or not they needed something, determining the quality of the fruit, and decision-making of choosing extra food or toiletries, were all skills that those above the poverty line have ingrained. For those who have been using food pantries and other assistance for prolonged periods of time, these skills are not so natural. As a result, teaching the people means after they no longer need the services of the food pantry, they have valuable skills necessary for their independence.

From this experience, I learned an important lesson: helping people is not just giving them what they need at the moment, but understanding what they will need in the future and providing that as well. After realizing this, I emphasize the abilities that the food pantry teaches whenever I dedicate my time. By doing that, I am positively affecting the development of those skills. 

When reflecting on the various ways I have served my community, one thing stands out to me: I always understand another viewpoint or gain a new perspective afterwards. For me, the ability to look at something from different angles is an unparalleled talent, and one of the most important skills a person can have.

Describe your volunteer or community experience with SHPE or other organizations and any internships you have held.  (250 Words)

Community-focused scholarship essay example #2.

In SHPE, I have been involved in planning the Penn State College of Engineering STEP-UP (Student Transition Engineering Program at University Park) Program as a chair. The STEP-UP program helps students from Penn State branch campuses smoothly transition to the University Park campus through a 3-day program in the spring. The program introduces them to engineering resources, other engineering students, and provides professional development. Due to COVID-19, this year it was held virtually. 

Within the Society of Women Engineers and the Women in Engineering Program, I have volunteered at different STEM events in the community for elementary school students. I am also currently serving as an Envoy (a mentorship and logistical position) for the Women in Engineering Program Orientation. Additionally, I participate in many of SWE’s service events, such as donating and collecting donations, cleaning up areas on and around campus, and visiting nursing homes.

On campus, I am also involved with Engineering Ambassadors (EA), a group that does STEM outreach around Pennsylvania from the elementary school to high school level. EA goes virtually or in person to schools, does engineering presentations and activities, and answers questions.

Prior to COVID-19, I had secured an internship with Pratt and Whitney, however, they had to cancel their internship program. As a result, I was fortunate enough to obtain a Process Quality Engineering internship at Brentwood Industries for summer 2020.

Both of these scholarship essay examples highlight how the writers have given back to their communities. These winning scholarship essay examples highlight the writers’ strengths. In doing so, they highlight why these writers deserve help with college tuition costs. 

Reflecting on scholarship essay format

As important as the content of your essay is, your scholarship essay format is equally important. As you write, be sure to adhere to the scholarship essay format guidelines provided to you. 

However, there are some things all of the best scholarship essays have in common. Here are some general tips, tricks, and outlines to help you in your own writing process.

Three scholarship essay writing tips:

• Word counts are hard to adhere to, but the other applicants must adhere to them, too. Make sure every word counts. 
• When you write a solid essay, you can repurpose some of your key points, including specific anecdotes and details, in other scholarship applications.
• Writing a good essay helps you solidify who you are and what you want. This sets you up for success in the scholarship application process and beyond. 

Three essential elements to include in your essay:

• State your goals. Scholarship committees are investing in your future and your potential. To take a chance on you, they need to know your plan and what you want to do with your award. 
• Establish an implicit or explicit link between your goals and the scholarship you are applying for. Describe to the committee how the specific scholarship will help you attain your goals. Give them a tangible reason as to why you deserve their investment. 
• Share your story. Use personal details about your experiences that highlight your identity and objectives. How have you pursued your goals and prepared for your future? How will the scholarship help you going forward? Get personal and be honest.

Storytelling in your essay

Some of the best scholarship essays utilize good storytelling strategies. You should share the details of your personal story in a narrative, using a logical order. Remember, telling personal details about yourself and your goals does not mean simply restating your resume!

By the end of the essay, the scholarship committee should have an in-depth sense of why you applied. You should reveal:

• When and how you arrived at your future goals
• Your motivations to accomplish these objectives
• What traits or skills you have developed along the way
• The meaningful experiences that drive you to your goals
• Any personal challenges you have faced and how you have overcome them
• What has shaped you and your worldview

These details humanize you and show your complexity as a person and an applicant. It’s helpful to use anecdotes and personal experiences to give life to facts and details about yourself. Sharing real-life experiences will help make your essay more interesting and more fun to read.

Creating your scholarship essay format

Once you have thought about what you want to say, start thinking about your scholarship essay format. You may start by making a list of what your reader may be interested in:

• How you spend your time
• Your accomplishments
• What your passions are, etc.

Start by brainstorming everything you may want to include in your essay. Then, think about whether the stories you include support your arguments. Ask yourself, “What did I learn?” or “How did this get me closer to my goals?”. These reflections help the reader connect to your purpose for writing. 

Make sure to organize your thoughts in a narrative order. However, there isn’t just one way to write an essay. So, don’t limit yourself to one version of your story. You may find yourself writing multiple drafts before you get to your final scholarship essay format.

Editing and proofreading your essay

When you think you have finished, be sure to proofread and edit to ensure it’s ready to be submitted. Check that you’ve adhered to all the scholarship essay format guidelines (like the word count). 

Reviewing also includes getting input from others! An outside reader’s opinion can help you confirm your essay effectively communicates your ideas.

Tips for scholarship essays

You may notice some similarities between the scholarship essay examples about yourself we’ve provided. That’s because the authors of the best scholarship essays all use similar strategies to make their essays great. 

Here are 5 tips from U.S. News to help you make all of your scholarship essays stand out:

Tips for writing stand-out scholarship essays

1. get personal and be specific.

The best scholarship essays will share an authentic story with impactful details. The key is to be yourself and not shy away from personal details. The more the committee gets to know about you, the more likely they are to invest in your future. You want your essay to offer a genuine, in-depth look into who you are as a person.

2. Tell a story

Your essay should be more than a collection of facts—it should tell a story. That means having a solid introduction that grabs the reader’s attention from the very start. Then, you should include a logical flow of experiences or details. By the end of your essay, you want your reader to have learned something valuable about you.  

3. Tailor the scholarship essay to the prompt

Some of your scholarship essay prompts may be similar across different scholarship applications. However, it’s important that your essay is specific to each prompt and answers the question entirely. While you can repurpose an essay you’ve already written as inspiration or a starting point, be extra attentive when doing so.

4. Don’t tailor yourself to the reader

Many students fall into the trap of telling a story they think scholarship foundation committees want to hear. Instead, stay true to yourself as you craft your scholarship application essays. Don’t tell your reader what you think they want to hear—just tell them who you are. 

5. Follow directions

This final tip may arguably be the most important. Above all else, students should follow instructions. This means adhering to the scholarship essay format guidelines and word count. It also means answering the essay prompt in its entirety. Application readers can be easily frustrated by a student’s failure to follow directions. This could reflect poorly on you and your essay in the long run. 

Use these tips to guide you as you approach the scholarship essay format. 

Scholarship Essay Examples – Final Thoughts

We hope our roundup of scholarship essay examples has shown you how to approach your scholarship applications. With rising college costs, scholarships should be a part of your college financial planning process. Take the time to do your own scholarship search based on your specific interests. You can find plenty of scholarships to apply to on scholarships websites and college financial aid pages. There are many different scholarships websites to help you with your search. 

Save this guide

Feel free to save this guide and review our scholarship essay examples about yourself and about financial need. You can always look back on our scholarship essay sample about why I deserve the scholarship when writing your own essay. 

Start with an outline that organizes your thoughts. Then, make sure your essay is clear and concise. Be original and honest, and include personal details and anecdotes when appropriate. State why you deserve to win the scholarship. Then, support your claim in a way that makes a scholarship committee invested in your future. 

We’re here to help

Don’t forget to proofread your essay and ask others for their feedback. When in doubt, reach out to our advisors at CollegeAdvisor. Our team is always here to help support you find and apply for scholarships!

This article was written by Bailey Bennet. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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How to write a Motivation Letter for Scholarship (5 Examples)

The motivation letter is what sets you apart from the rest when applying for a scholarship. A winning motivation letter has not only helped us win scholarships (academic and professional practice) but also to find employment with large companies. Now we want to tell you everything you have to keep in mind while writing a motivation letter for scholarship. Here we will teach you to develop your own template so that you can apply to multiple calls and increasing your chances of winning scholarships abroad.

Motivation letter for scholarship should include your academic achievements. It should explain: Why are you the ideal candidate? How do your skills and abilities contribute to the university or country? You should show the desire that you want to learn and contribute new knowledge.

Note: This does not mean that academic performance, experience and recognition do not matter and that just having an attractive and clear motivation letter will be enough to get the scholarship. Your achievements and skills make you the right candidate for the scholarship and the motivation letter helps you excel as indicated.

Also Check How to write an Impressive Academic CV for Scholarship along with Template

Before Writing your Motivation Letter for Scholarship

Investigate the institution and the country you want to travel to and study. What profile does the institution or the scholarship provider looking for? Browse its official page, review the sections: About, Our Culture, Philosophy, among others, and analyze the institution. Do they value leadership more or the ability to work as a team? Are they socially responsible and concerned about the environment? What is the role of ethics? Or are they more focused on numbers and concrete results?

This research will not only help you shape your motivation letter according to the interests of the institution but also to find out if this opportunity suits your interests.

Strategy 1: Review the Mission and Vision of the institutions and analyze profiles of faculty members. Use synonyms of the words they use in the motivation letter.

Strategy 2: Check the section of testimonies of students (scholars or not) or employees of the institution. Sometimes they have official videos and what they say also helps you to analyze and find out if you like the program and then address your motivation letter accordingly.

Also Check How to Write a Winning Statement of Purpose for Scholarship

How to write a winning motivation letter for Scholarship?

Now that you have made the respective analysis, it is time to write a winning motivation letter for scholarship. The letter of motivation must have the following points:

(1)  Title and header:

Title: “Letter of motivation for [scholarship to which you are applying]”

• Address + postal code
• Optional: Skype and social networks
• Header position : I recommend upper right but upper left can also be.

(2)  Introduction:

Start with formal greeting and to the point, mention the reason for this letter. “Through this I want … apply to the scholarship … published in …. “. Also answer briefly: why are you applying to this scholarship, what motivated you from the program? In this way, you can write concisely about what you like about the institution and / or country to which you are applying for scholarship. And finally, do not forget to mention your objective and how it relates to the objectives of the program to which you are applying. Example: “… I’ve been looking for an international experience for … And I trust that the study program X in the institution can help me …. “

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(3)  Who are you?

This is the second paragraph of the motivation letter where you should write:

• Your academic achievements.
• Why are you the ideal candidate?

Tip: No matter what kind of achievements you have had, write them down in a way that demonstrates the value they bring to the institution or country to which you apply.

(4)  How do you contribute?

Just as you really want to learn and travel, how do your skills and abilities contribute to the university or country? You can place things like “increase the knowledge of my colleagues about my country, participate in sports or art activities etc.”

(5)  Demonstrate in advance that you know who you are addressing (institution and / or country):

You mentioned it in the introduction but here you must give more details of your motivation. According to the previous research: Why does the program mean so much to you? How the research projects and facilities of the institution and country will help you to achieve your goals?

(6)  Final words:

You and I know that you really want to do this, prove it! Show the desire that you want to learn and contribute new knowledge. Here are words like “I am very motivated by …” “it would be an honor and the beginning of a road full of …” etc

(7)  Acknowledgments and dismissal:

Again, time is supremely valuable, so we must thank the reader for giving attention and make it clear that you are looking forward to work with them. Finish with “Cordially” or “Cordial Greetings” is more than good.

Please also check Netherlands Government Scholarship and get Free costs of living, Free tuition fee, Free visa, Free roundtrip travel tickets and Free Health insurance

Motivation Letter for Scholarship Template

I know that you want to apply for several scholarships but you do not have to write a different motivation letter for each application. Develop a template that allows you to adapt the content to the specific situation. But how do you do this? Once you have carried out the 7 steps of the previous section, you already have a template that you can edit so that your motivation letter corresponds to the scholarship you want to apply for. However I have provided motivation letter template below.

Tips on writing a Brilliant Motivation Letter for Scholarship

Structured: If your ideas are not clear and the letter does not have a natural flow of reading, it will be very difficult for the examiners to continue reading. Identify your strengths and show them in a concrete and coherent way with the program to which you are applying. Write convincing and results-oriented sentences.

Clear: Easy to read, avoid complex words and separate the paragraphs by the sections about which you speak.

Short: If you are clear, you do not have to extend more than 1 page. In fact, it is often necessary for the motivation letter to meet this requirement. If not, a page and a half is enough … remember that time is the most important resource we all have, even those that examine your application

PDF: Although you write it in Word, you must save it and present it as a  PDF  document, unless otherwise specified.

Formal: The letter should be formal, but this does not mean you should write words that you cannot even pronounce, be practical, be yourself.

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Deadline: Remember the deadline to send the application and do not miss the opportunity of your life.

Review: Do not forget to correct spelling and writing. Someone in your family or a good friend can help you with that if you’re not very good … my spelling has been terrible since school, but I’ve had to put the batteries

Correct Title: Also make sure that it is addressed to who it should be … I am looking for work, for the efforts I sent a letter of motivation to a company with the title addressed to another. Hahahaha! That is really embarrassing and unprofessional and should not happen to you.

Language: In case you apply in another language, make sure you make proper use of the language, the writing and the translation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Motivation Letter for Scholarship

As we already know, the motivation letter is the most important document when it comes to winning a scholarship in another country. In addition, a well written motivation letter also facilitates the attainment of employment and even volunteering.

However, the motivation letter for scholarship is not only about mentioning your desires to obtain new opportunities, but about defending the idea of ​​why it should be you and not one of the other very capable candidates.

(1) Less Words and More Facts

It is easy to express your desires to travel or study in a certain country but it is difficult to express the reasons why they should choose you. Many of us want to travel, expand our vision of the world, improve other languages ​​and improve our quality of life, but in reality what you should do to make you worthy of that prize.

It begins to replace phrases like “my dream has always been xyz” because “my achievements have been …” to “I consider I am the ideal candidate because …” and / or “my work is characterized by …” Remember that the prize does not go to the one who most want it, but the one that correctly demonstrates deserving it

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(2) Take Ownership and Demonstrate Deep Knowledge

In the above paragraph, I do not mean that your wishes are not taken into account. These are important to the extent that you prove, you clearly know what you want and why you deserve it. As an example I want to show you an excerpt from one of the motivation letters for scholarship which come to me recently to be corrected:

“What particularly attracted me to the program is the broad spectrum of skills to be developed that it offers, the quality of the faculty and the internship program; all these aspects will make it possible to win different opportunities at the time of employment …”

Here the applicant is staying in the basics. Underlined words can be explained to demonstrate ownership and mastery of the topic because: knowledge = motivation. An alternative is:

“What particularly attracted me to the Modern Art program is the possibility of specializing in lighting and sound, as well as the teaching staff, which has world-renowned professors. Another reason why I prefer this program is the opportunity to have direct contact with exhibitions in one of the capitals of modern art in the world through the professional practices that are offered in the last semester.”

Another of my tips to demonstrate knowledge is that you replace words like ‘I believe’ with ‘I know’ or ‘I’m sure that …’

(3) It matters more what you will do for them

That your reasons should not be limited to the comfort of living in a developed country. The study scholarship providers expect you to be genuinely interested in the study program and the positive impact you will make with what you learn. To make it more clear: they do not care a whistle that you feel safer, happier, richer or healthier living in the country offering the scholarship. What they want to know is how the hell you will return to society the investment they will make in you. Tranquil! They do not want money. Count the contribution you will make in terms of cultural exchange, what you can teach the other students or teachers, the extracurricular clubs you can contribute to and other cooperation projects that you have in mind.

Tip: If the scholarship requires you to return to your country of origin upon completion of the study program, it is important that you mention how you will apply in your country what you intend to learn.

(4) The rules are the rules

Finally, limit the letter of motivation to what it is and what they ask you. If they tell you 1 sheet, send a sheet. Please, do not expect that the scholarship provider will exempt you from some of the requirements for the motivation letter. If they ask you for IELTS band 7, it is 7 and not 6.5, the same with certified work experience: two years are 24 months and not 22 and a half, etc. However it is beautiful to show that you deserve the scholarship and not to convince them that you have worked hard but have not been able to meet the other requirements. If you do not comply with all the requirements, give yourself time because there are always new application dates and scholarship opportunities.

Also Check How to find job in Japan after graduation

Motivation Letter for Scholarship Samples

ScholarshipRoar.com has compiled a list of motivation letter for scholarship samples from world top university websites. We hope this list will help you in writing effective and winning motivation letter for scholarship.

• University of Washington Motivation Letter (Cover Letter) Guide and Samples
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Motivation Letter Samples
• University of Mississippi Cover Letter Tips and Sample
• UC Davis Motivation Letter Guide and Samples

February 21, 2020

Ms. Liza Wideman Recruiting Coordinator Great Strategy Consulting Firm 200 Shell Fish Blvd, Suite 199 San Francisco, CA 94080

Dear Ms. Wideman:

I am writing to express my interest in securing an Associate position at Great Strategy Consulting Firm. I am a Master of Liberal Arts degree candidate at Harvard Extension School, specializing in Information Technology. I come from a solid technical background with a strong interest in business and a passion towards strategy. My area of focus and interest varies from quantitative analysis to project management. I have maintained a 3.95 GPA through a well-balanced program of study, which is not only very analytical and technical by nature but also helps to build leadership and team building qualities. I am extremely impressed with Great Strategy’s approach to strategy consulting, especially within the Business Development and Innovation practice areas. I believe my academic background, business knowledge and industry experiences have provided me with the credentials needed to thrive as an Associate.

Prior to Harvard, I worked as a technology professional, primarily resolving strategic issues related to technology process improvement. I gained solid research, analytical and problem solving skills while working in Fortune 500 companies. My background in generating innovative ideas and strategies to improve processes has provided me with a deeper understanding of multifaceted problems that companies encounter in their daily operations. Moreover, because of my work experiences, I fully understand how important it is to have great team dynamics in today’s multi-disciplinary business environment.

To date, my experience as an IT professional has been extremely rewarding and productive. However, it is through strategy consulting that I can use my analytical aptitude and creative problem solving skills to their fullest. I strongly believe that consulting is a discipline that will force me to view problems not only from the client’s standpoint but also from a marketplace, best practices and “think out of the box” point of views.

I would appreciate the opportunity to interview with Great Strategy Consulting Firm for the Associate position. Please find enclosed my resume for your review. I can be reached via email at [email protected] or by phone at (617) 555-3456. I enthusiastically look forward to hearing from you soon.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Jacob A. McLean

Now its your turn!

I hope these tips and examples will help you to prepare an impressive Motivation Letter for Scholarship and to win scholarships. If you have some tips that worked for you, let us know in the comment section.

Thanks for reading and wishing you success with everything!

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How to Write a Scholarship Essay (with Examples)

September 27, 2023

While applying to college, many students are faced with an additional, daunting task: how to write a scholarship essay. Financial need, already a sensitive subject, can become a stressful factor in the process alongside other existential unknowns. Luckily, scholarship essays will not require you to go tiptoeing around the taboo topic of money. Furthermore, most scholarship essay prompts more or less resemble standard supplemental essay questions. The trick then is to make your scholarship essay stand out. The following article and scholarship essay example will offer up pointers for anyone striving to win a college scholarship.

Organizing Scholarship Essays by Prompt

You may feel like melting into a lump of despair when facing a browser full of tabbed scholarships. The best way to avoid getting overwhelmed is to organize and analyze a list of prompts. Why? Because your first goal is not simply to figure out how to write a scholarship essay. Rather, you’ll want to know how to save time while writing complex and relevant scholarship essays.

As you look over the various prompts, you’ll notice that some sound fairly open-ended, while others ask for something quite specific. In response, you should annotate each prompt with thematic keywords. This will help you figure out when you can use the same essay for several prompts.

Your annotated list may look something like the following…

Sample Scholarship Essay Prompts

1) “Explain something that made a big impact in your life.”

• Keywords: event , personal development, growth, background

2) “We’re committed to diversifying education abroad by providing funding to students who are typically under-represented in study abroad. Please describe how you and/or your plans for study abroad could be viewed as under-represented.”

• Keywords: minority, diversity, identity, study abroad

3) “Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.”

• Keywords: background, identity, interest, talent

Sample Scholarship Essay Prompts, Continued

4) “Please explain a personal hardship or catastrophic life event that you have experienced. How did you manage to overcome this obstacle? What did you learn and how did you grow from it?”

• Keywords: event, personal development, growth, challenge, background

5) Describe a change you would like to make in the world. Tell us about how you would plan to make that change, and what obstacles you might encounter along the way.

• Keywords: world development, challenge, future

6) “Tell us three things that are important to you. How did you arrive at this list? Will these things be important to you in ten years? Why?”

• Keywords: background, values, interest, development, identity, future

Scholarship Essay Prompts ( Continued)

7) “What does it mean to you to be part of a minority community? What challenges has it brought and how have you overcome them? What are the benefits?”

• Keywords: minority, community, challenge, growth

8) “Please explain how your experience volunteering and participating in community service has shaped your perspective on humanity. Elaborate on how these experiences have influenced your future ambitions and career choice.”

• Keywords: community service, humanity, community, background, future, values, career

9) “Discuss in your essay any challenges or obstacles you have dealt with and overcome in life and how this will help you succeed in college and beyond. Describe how volunteer, community service or extra-curricular activities have shaped who you are today and what it has taught you. May also include future educational plans and career goals.”

• Keywords: challenge, future, community service, interests, value, personal growth, career

How to Write a Scholarship Essay through Prompt Analysis

Let’s compare some prompts by keywords. You’ll notice that some prompts have a lot of overlap, such as prompts 1 and 4. Both have event, personal development, growth, and background as keywords . Prompt 4 includes the additional keyword challenge . This prompt explicitly asks you to explain how you have “overcome” a “personal hardship or catastrophic life event.” While prompt 1 is not so specific, it would be easy, even natural, to include this narrative arc in your response. This means depicting how you faced the thing that “made a big impact in your life.” In other words, these two essay prompts, though worded differently, allow you to tell the same story.

Other prompts provide potential overlap. In this case, it’s up to you to find and interpret these moments. You may consider the values, strengths, interests, and experiences you wish to relate. For example, prompts 7, 8, and 9 all mention community through different approaches. While prompt 7 focuses on one’s past involvement in a minority community, prompts 8 and 9 are more future-facing, and don’t mention minorities.

Scholarship Essay Examples (Continued)

Here, your best strategy involves answering prompts 8 and 9 together in a single scholarship essay. To do so, the essay would need to detail “a challenge or obstacle you have dealt with” (9) which has thus “shaped your perspective on humanity” (8). This narrative arc will thus inform your “future” educational and career plans (8 and 9). Note that prompt 9 allows you to mention extra-curriculars. However, I wouldn’t recommend it, since this would make your essay less relevant to prompt 8. After your essay is written, adapt it to align with prompt 7. Consider condensing the part about the future into one final sentence and focusing more on minority aspects of your community.

How to Scholarship Essay Avoid Burnout

The above tactic will allow you to avoid burnout by strategizing your essay approach ahead of time. In turn, you’ll be able to maximize your efforts from the get-go. You’ll also likely find that your essays become more complex and nuanced when you consider several prompts at once.

The next step involves editing. Refer back to the prompt, once you have a draft written. Ask yourself, did I answer the question fully? Do I need to edit this essay further to emphasize a particular point? Do I need to cut the essay down to fit a new word count? Contrarily do I need to bulk it up? If so, are there other essays in my portfolio from which I can borrow material? Strategic editing will allow you to respond to a large number of essays during peak essay-writing season.

Finally, you’ll notice that most essays require a word count between 250 to 600 words. It’s often easier to write a longer essay first. This will allow you to go into greater detail without censoring your ideas. You may find yourself including dialogue, scenery, emotions, and all sorts of other specifics that make an essay personal. As you whittle down this essay to comply with a similar prompt, you’ll want to identify which pieces of the essay do the most work to get your message across. Don’t simply condense everything by eliminating details, for details are often the most memorable aspects of an essay. More on this next.

How to Write a Scholarship Essay Using the Three Fs

The three Fs can be applied to any college essay, though they are particularily useful in scholarship essays. Why? Because the three Fs will enable you to impress readers and beat out other applicants. Ultimately, they’ll help you win financial support. Think of the three Fs as a checklist to go over, once you’ve completed an essay draft. Ask yourself, is my essay fabulous? Flawless? Fearless?

How to Write a Scholarship Essay (Continued)

If your essay is fabulous , it glitters with personality. It is detailed, unique, and does its best to highlight your impressive journey. If your essay lacks a little fab, ask yourself, how can I make this essay more enjoyable and memorable to read? If your essay is flawless , it lacks all spelling, syntactic and grammatical errors. It answers every aspect of the essay prompt, and leaves no room for vagueness or misunderstandings. To avoid flaws, give your essay to several people to proofread. Finally, if your essay is fearless , it is not afraid to get a little vulnerable. This may sound contradictory to the first F. On the contrary, this fearlessness refers to the confidence to tell your own story. A fearless story isn’t afraid to go deep, add complexity, or get emotional. It is unafraid to show why its author deserves a financial boost.

Scholarship Essay Example

Now that we’ve established how to approach the scholarship essay, let’s dive into a scholarship essay example. The scholarship essay below stems from a prompt we saw above: Describe a change you would like to make in the world. Tell us about how you would plan to make that change, and what obstacles you might encounter along the way (500 words).

My generation is growing up in a time of increased global turmoil. We’ve witnessed Brexit, the Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. elections, a series of refugee crises, and the invasion of Ukraine. It’s easy to liken this moment to Europe in the 1930s, which saw a spike in fascism and propaganda (their version of fake news). Only now, my generation must also contend with the hottest summers on record, raging forest fires, and the beginning of the 6 th extinction. It’s no wonder we deal with it all through increased skepticism and existential dread.

While I don’t have a simple solution, I believe most problems stem from ignorance. Xenophobia and racism, offshoots of ignorance, can be overcome by exposing isolated groups of people to greater diversity. This begins in the classroom. While dictators are hard to dispose of, education provides critical thinking skills, which allow citizens to make informed decisions when electing officials. Finally, developing a willingness to learn at an early age creates an instinct to continue learning throughout life. We desperately need intellectual flexibility if we are going to adapt to the planet’s needs as a world population and put a stop to industry-led fossil fuel burning.

Scholarship Essay Example (Continued)

The change I’d like to make is free, enhanced education for everyone, at every level, from elementary school to post-doctorate research institutes. To do so, I suggest defunding national militaries and channeling this spending into schools. Imagine if 80% of the 877 billion dollars the U.S. military spends annually went into learning. Combating fascism and climate change would look more feasible. And yet, no leader would agree to making their country more vulnerable by relinquishing arms and armies. Change must come from the people.

As the planet continues to heats up, and conflict over land increases, we must work together. The first step towards increased education is communicating this need for education: through journalism, on social media, in the streets. Next, I suggest lobbying politicians for incremental change. Finally, I believe a global grassroots movement to implement future-focused education, led by activists, educators, and philanthropists, would make this theoretical idea a tangible reality.

Last year, my mother, who never received a college education, decided to offer free gardening courses in our backyard. I quickly joined in. While teaching a handful of neighbors how to provide year-round food for pollinators may seem trivial, I’ve already seen positive repercussions. One conservative neighbor has set up an organization that collects and redistributes leftover produce from the markets to refugees. Another neighbor is now teaching middle schoolers how to cook and compost. These efforts have brought unusual strangers together and given visibility to our movement, #futurefocusededucation. I’ve seen it firsthand. The more we educate, the sooner we can combine our knowledge to create solutions.

Scholarship Essay Example Dissected

This scholarship essay succeeds at answering all parts of the prompt. It includes the change the author wants to make, and inevitable obstacles she’d face at the governmental and international level. These obstacles may sound insurmountable. Yet the essay shows that individuals are not powerless to enact change when they work together towards a common goal. The author provides various thoughtful steps we might take in order to prioritize education and peaceful collaboration.

Finally, the author portrays herself as someone personally invested in the political, humanitarian, and environmental state of the world. She proves that she’s already begun to make the changes she wants to see at the microscopic level. Overall, readers of this scholarship essay can see that this student is invested in bettering the world. This student would make for a proactive participant in her academic environment.

What’s Next?

Now that you have some inkling of how to write a scholarship essay and have reviewed of our scholarship essay examples, you may want to delve into more aid-related articles on the College Transitions Dataverse. You can read up on Need-Based Financial Aid Grants , and learn about Selective Colleges with Generous Scholarships . Furthermore, you may want to create your own Scholarship Timeline , in order to stay on top of the various deadlines. Good luck!

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Kaylen Baker

With a BA in Literary Studies from Middlebury College, an MFA in Fiction from Columbia University, and a Master’s in Translation from Université Paris 8 Vincennes-Saint-Denis, Kaylen has been working with students on their writing for over five years. Previously, Kaylen taught a fiction course for high school students as part of Columbia Artists/Teachers, and served as an English Language Assistant for the French National Department of Education. Kaylen is an experienced writer/translator whose work has been featured in Los Angeles Review, Hybrid, San Francisco Bay Guardian, France Today, and Honolulu Weekly, among others.

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Published by Nicolas at January 17th, 2024 , Revised On January 23, 2024

How To Write A Motivational Letter For Scholarship With Examples 

Landing a scholarship is not just about stellar grades and perfect IELTS and ACT scores. It is about telling your story, your aspirations, and how that coveted scholarship unlocks the door to your academic dreams. 

Table of Contents

One of the key components of a scholarship application is the motivational letter, also known as a personal statement or statement of purpose. This document serves as a platform for applicants to articulate their aspirations, achievements, and motivations. 

What Is A Motivation Letter For Scholarship?

A motivation letter for a scholarship, also known as a personal statement or statement of purpose, is a document submitted by a student as part of a scholarship application. The primary purpose of this letter is to provide insight into the applicant’s character, motivations, aspirations, and qualifications. Unlike academic transcripts and standardized test scores, a motivation letter offers a more personal and subjective perspective on the applicant.

The motivation letter is different from a reference letter and serves as a means for the scholarship committee to assess the applicant’s suitability for the award. It allows the committee to go beyond academic achievements and numbers, gaining insight into the applicant’s personality, values, and commitment to their chosen field of study.

How To Write A Motivational Letter For Scholarship

A well-structured motivational letter enhances readability and makes a lasting impression. While variations exist, a standard structure typically includes:

Introduction

• Begin with a captivating opening to grab the reader’s attention.
• Clearly state the purpose of the letter and the scholarship you are applying for.

Dear [Scholarship Committee], I am writing to express my enthusiastic interest in the [Name of Scholarship] as advertised on your esteemed institution’s website. As a passionate advocate for [relevant field of study], I am eager to contribute to and benefit from the unique opportunities this scholarship presents.

Educational Background

• Highlight your academic achievements and relevant coursework.
• Emphasize how your academic background has prepared you for the scholarship.

Having graduated with honours in [Your Major] from [Your University], I have developed a strong foundation in [Key Subjects] that has equipped me with the necessary skills to excel in [Field of Study].

Personal Achievements And Experiences

• Showcase extracurricular activities, volunteer work, internships, or research projects.
• Connect these experiences to the values and objectives of the scholarship.

During my undergraduate years, I actively participated in [Relevant Extracurricular Activity], where I honed my leadership skills and cultivated a deep sense of community engagement. This experience not only enriched my academic journey but also instilled in me the importance of [Core Value of the Scholarship].

Career Goals And Aspirations

• Articulate your long-term goals and how the scholarship aligns with them.
• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the field and the impact you aspire to make.

My long-term goal is to [Your Career Aspiration], and I believe that the [Name of Scholarship] will provide me with the necessary resources and mentorship to achieve this vision. I am committed to leveraging my education to contribute positively to [Field or Industry] by [Your Contribution].

Why You Deserve The Scholarship

• Summarize why you are the ideal candidate.
• Highlight unique qualities, skills, or experiences that set you apart.

My unwavering commitment to academic excellence, coupled with my dedication to [Specific Cause or Project], positions me as a deserving candidate for the [Name of Scholarship]. I am confident that my passion and drive align seamlessly with the values upheld by your institution.

• Reiterate your gratitude for considering your application.
• Express enthusiasm about the opportunity to contribute to the scholarship program.

In conclusion, I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to apply for the [Name of Scholarship]. I am excited about the prospect of becoming a part of [Institution’s Name] and contributing to the diverse community of scholars who share a common commitment to [Core Value]. Thank you for considering my application.

How To Write A Motivation Letter For A Scholarship Template

[Your Name]

[Your Address]

[City, State, Zip Code]

[Email Address]

[Scholarship Committee Name]

[Name of the Scholarship]

[Institution’s Name or Organization]

Dear [Scholarship Committee],

I am expressing my sincere interest in applying for the [Name of Scholarship]. As a dedicated student passionate about [Your Field of Study], I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to contribute to [Institution’s Name] and further my academic pursuits with your support.

In this opening paragraph, briefly introduce yourself and state your purpose for writing the letter. Express your enthusiasm for the scholarship opportunity.

Highlight your academic achievements, relevant coursework, and any honours or awards. Connect your educational background to your interest in the scholarship.

Personal Achievements and Experiences

Share details about your extracurricular activities, volunteer work, internships, or research projects. Emphasize how these experiences have shaped your character and aspirations.

My active participation in [Relevant Extracurricular Activity] has not only honed my leadership skills but also instilled in me a deep sense of community engagement, aligning with the values upheld by your esteemed institution.

Career Goals and Aspirations

Articulate your long-term goals and explain how the scholarship will support your ambitions. Demonstrate a clear understanding of your chosen field and the impact you aim to make.

My long-term goal is to [Your Career Aspiration], and I believe that the [Name of Scholarship] will provide me with the necessary resources and mentorship to achieve this vision.

Why You Deserve the Scholarship

Summarize why you are the ideal candidate, emphasizing your unique qualities, skills, or experiences that set you apart.

My unwavering commitment to academic excellence, coupled with my dedication to [Specific Cause or Project], positions me as a deserving candidate for the [Name of Scholarship].

Express gratitude for the opportunity to apply, reiterate your enthusiasm for contributing to the scholarship program, and end on a positive note.

In conclusion, I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to apply for the [Name of Scholarship]. I am excited about the prospect of becoming a part of [Institution’s Name] and contributing to the diverse community of scholars who share a common commitment to [Core Value].

Thank you for considering my application

[Your Full Name]

[Your Contact Number]

Motivation Letter For Scholarship Examples

Here are two motivation letters for scholarship examples to inspire you to start writing your own.

Example 1: The Aspiring Environmentalist

From planting trees in my neighbourhood to leading protests against deforestation, environmentalism has been my compass. My research on sustainable irrigation practices in arid regions reflects this passion. The [Green Future Scholarship] aligns perfectly with my goal of pursuing a Master’s in Environmental Engineering and developing solutions to water scarcity. Witnessing my village struggle with droughts fueled my dream to combat water insecurity. This scholarship would be the oxygen that grants me the freedom to breathe life into that dream.

Example 2: The Music Prodigy

Imagine the soul-stirring symphony of a violin played not with fingers, but with the power of code. That’s my vision – creating artificial intelligence that composes music that resonates with every human heart. My journey began at five, enthralled by my grandfather’s violin. Years of practice, coding bootcamps, and winning the Junior Music Composition Competition honed my skills. The [Tech and Music Fusion Scholarship] would be the bridge between my present and my future – a future where technology amplifies the magic of music.

• Keep it concise: Aim for 500-700 words, depending on the scholarship requirements.
• Use active voice and strong verbs.
• Be yourself! Let your personality shine through.
• Tailor your letter to each scholarship you apply for.
• Showcase your achievements without bragging.
• Proofread, proofread, proofread!

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Frequently Asked Questions

How to write a motivational letter for scholarship.

To write a compelling scholarship motivation letter, succinctly express your passion, achievements, and future goals. Tailor each letter to the specific scholarship, highlighting unique qualities that make you an ideal candidate. Be genuine, focused, and demonstrate a clear alignment between your aspirations and the scholarship’s objectives.

What is a motivation letter for scholarship?

A motivation letter for a scholarship is a concise document submitted with a scholarship application, outlining the applicant’s qualifications, aspirations, and reasons for deserving the scholarship. It provides a personal perspective, allowing the scholarship committee to understand the candidate beyond academic achievements and assess their suitability for the award.

How to conclude a motivation letter for scholarship?

Conclude your scholarship motivation letter by expressing gratitude for consideration, reiterating enthusiasm for the opportunity, and emphasizing your commitment to contributing positively. Leave a lasting impression by summarizing key points and reinforcing how your goals align with the scholarship’s mission, leaving the reader with a strong, positive impression.

How to write a motivation letter for masters scholarship?

For a master’s scholarship, succinctly highlight your academic achievements, relevant experiences, and career goals. Emphasize the specific skills or knowledge you aim to acquire through the master’s program and explain how the scholarship will enable you to contribute meaningfully to your field. Tailor the letter to the scholarship’s criteria and mission.

How long should a motivation letter be?

A motivation letter should typically be one to two pages long, equivalent to around 300 to 500 words. It’s crucial to convey essential information concisely while maintaining the reader’s interest. Adhering to the specified word count demonstrates your ability to communicate effectively and follow application guidelines.

How to start a motivational letter?

Begin your motivational letter with a captivating introduction that grabs the reader’s attention. Clearly state your purpose and express enthusiasm for the opportunity. Consider sharing a brief anecdote, a relevant quote, or a personal insight that sets a positive tone and engages the reader from the outset.

How to address a motivation letter?

Address your motivation letter formally by using a respectful salutation, such as “Dear Scholarship Committee,” or if possible, find out the name of the specific person in charge and address them directly. This shows attention to detail and a genuine interest in the application process.

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How to Write a Motivation Letter for a Scholarship (With Example)

Whether you’re a Bachelor’s or Master’s student vying for a scholarship, crafting a compelling motivation letter is a pivotal step. In the competitive landscape of scholarship applications, this document holds immense importance, acting as your initial introduction and setting you apart from a sea of applicants. Effectively articulating your aspirations and aligning them with the scholarship’s values can be a game-changer, making the difference between acceptance and rejection.

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The significance of a well-crafted motivation letter cannot be overstated in the scholarship application process. While not universally required, when requested, it becomes a critical tool for presenting your qualifications before a face-to-face interview. In this comprehensive guide, we offer valuable insights and practical tips on composing a scholarship motivation letter, ensuring that your application not only meets but exceeds expectations.

Navigating the intricacies of writing a motivation letter for a scholarship may seem daunting, especially if you’re grappling with the structure and content. Fear not! Opportunities Circle presents an in-depth article, demystifying the art of crafting a persuasive motivation letter. As your gateway to international scholarships, we provide a comprehensive resource to empower you in showcasing your unique qualities and enhancing your chances of securing coveted opportunities.

Your motivation letter is more than just a formality; it’s a narrative that introduces you to the scholarship committee. Understanding the purpose behind this requirement is crucial. Scholarship committees seek these letters to gain insights into your persona and motivations. It’s your chance to weave a compelling story, sharing your journey, aspirations, and driving forces behind pursuing advanced education in your chosen field. A meticulously written motivation letter serves as a powerful tool, illuminating why you’re an ideal fit for the scholarship program and deserving of selection.

What Is a Motivation Letter?

A motivation letter is essentially your formal pitch for a scholarship or academic program. It’s not just a list of achievements; it’s a strategic presentation to convince the decision-makers that you’re the ideal candidate.

Consider it a persuasive essay where you delve into your background, aspirations, and the reasons you’re a standout applicant. Your aim? To leave the selection committee thinking, “This is the person we’ve been looking for.”

Keep it concise, roughly 400 to 700 words, organized into a polished introduction, a couple of informative body paragraphs, and a strong conclusion. It’s a delicate balance—enough detail to make your case, but not so much that it becomes overwhelming. Each paragraph should contribute to the overall narrative, building a solid case for why you’re the perfect fit. Ready to craft your compelling story? Let’s get started.

Before writing a scholarship motivation letter:

• Recognize the Unique Nature:  Understand that a motivation letter for scholarship stands apart from other types. Tailor your writing specifically to the purpose of securing funding for your educational aspirations.
• Seize the Opportunity:  Acknowledge that this letter is a shared opportunity for all candidates. Recognize its significance as the committee’s initial tool for assessing applicants. Invest the necessary time to ensure your letter makes a lasting impression.
• Individuality Matters:  While exploring scholarship motivation letter examples can be insightful, resist the temptation to duplicate. Instead, narrate your story authentically in your own voice. Honesty enhances your chances of resonating with the selection committee.
• Personalization is Key:  Tailor your presentation to the audience—those who will be reading your letter. Showcase genuine interest in the organization’s mission and elucidate how their scholarship aligns with your goals, demonstrating a clear understanding of the opportunity at hand.

Key Points While Writing a Motivation Letter for Scholarship:

1# Tailor to the Scholarship:

Customize your motivation letter for each scholarship application. Highlight how your goals align with the specific values and objectives of the scholarship program. This shows dedication and genuine interest.

2# Showcase Relevance:

Focus on experiences, achievements, and skills that directly relate to the scholarship criteria. Provide concrete examples to demonstrate your capabilities and how they make you a deserving candidate.

3# Personalize Your Story:

Make it personal. Share anecdotes or challenges you’ve overcome, connecting them to your academic and career aspirations. This helps create a compelling and authentic narrative that sets you apart.

4# Be Clear and Concise:

Keep your letter clear, concise, and to the point. Adhere to word limits, and avoid unnecessary details. Every sentence should contribute to showcasing your qualifications and motivation.

5# Research the Institution:

Demonstrate your knowledge of the institution offering the scholarship. Mention specific programs, faculty, or initiatives that align with your interests. This reflects thorough research and genuine enthusiasm.

6# Highlight Academic Achievements:

Emphasize your academic accomplishments, but go beyond grades. Discuss relevant projects, research, or coursework that showcase your passion and competence in the chosen field of study.

7# Address Weaknesses Positively:

If there are gaps in your academic or extracurricular record, address them positively. Explain what you learned from any challenges and how they shaped your determination and resilience.

8# Express Future Goals:

Clearly outline your future goals and how the scholarship will contribute to achieving them. This demonstrates foresight and a well-thought-out plan, reinforcing your commitment to making the most of the opportunity.

9# Professional Tone:

Maintain a professional and respectful tone throughout your letter. Use formal language and structure, addressing the selection committee with courtesy and gratitude for considering your application.

10# Proofread and Edit:

Eliminate typos, grammatical errors, and awkward phrasing. A well-polished letter reflects your attention to detail and dedication to presenting the best possible application.

What’s a good scholarship motivation letter structure?

Crafting an effective scholarship motivation letter requires adhering to a well-defined structure while infusing it with your unique voice. Here’s a refined breakdown:

Introduction:

Initiate with a concise introduction introducing yourself, your goals, and the purpose behind seeking the scholarship. Capture attention by expressing your aspirations genuinely.

Academic and Professional Profile:

Provide a snapshot of your academic achievements and professional journey. Showcase the milestones that illustrate your competence and dedication to your chosen field.

Financial Aid Justification:

Articulate the core of your motivation letter—why you seek financial aid. Outline how the scholarship will be transformative for you, the institution, and the broader community. Emphasize the symbiotic relationship.

Future Plans:

Dedicate a section to your future plans post-scholarship success. Briefly outline your ambitions and how the scholarship will propel you towards achieving them.

Conclusion:

Summarize the key points, reiterating why you are the deserving candidate for financial aid. Conclude with a compelling emphasis on how the scholarship aligns with your goals and the positive impact it can facilitate.

While the structure may seem straightforward, the challenge lies in infusing sincerity and conviction into each section. Remember, your task is not just to follow the structure but to make your motivation letter resonate as the most heartfelt and persuasive among the competition.

Scholarship motivation letter – Sample

[Your Full Name]

[Your Address]

[City, State, Zip Code]

[Email Address]

[Scholarship Committee Name]

[Scholarship Name]

[Institution or Organization Name]

Dear [Scholarship Committee Name],

I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for considering my application for the [Scholarship Name]. As a dedicated student passionate about [Your Field of Study], I am eager to convey why I am a deserving candidate for this esteemed scholarship.

Allow me to introduce myself—I am [Your Full Name], currently pursuing a [Your Current Degree] at [Your Current University/College]. My passion for [Your Field of Study] has been the driving force behind my academic journey, leading me to achieve [Highlight Any Noteworthy Academic Achievements].

My academic journey has been marked by [Any Relevant Achievements or Projects], illustrating my commitment to excellence. Furthermore, I have gained practical experience through [Internships, Research Projects, or Relevant Work Experience], honing my skills in [Highlight Relevant Skills].

The [Scholarship Name] holds immense significance for me as it aligns seamlessly with my academic and career goals. With this financial support, I aspire to [Your Aspirations and How the Scholarship Will Facilitate Them]. This scholarship is not just an investment in my education but a commitment to fostering positive change in [Specify Any Relevant Community or Field].

Upon successful completion of my studies, I am dedicated to [Briefly Outline Your Post-Scholarship Aspirations]. I am confident that the skills and knowledge acquired through this scholarship will empower me to contribute meaningfully to [Your Field] and make a lasting impact.

In conclusion, I am deeply committed to leveraging this opportunity to its fullest potential. I sincerely believe that my passion for [Your Field] and my dedication to academic excellence make me a fitting candidate for the [Scholarship Name]. I am eager to contribute positively to your institution and the broader community.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to further discuss my candidacy.

Feel free to customize this template to align with your personal experiences and the specific requirements of the scholarship you are applying for.

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How to Write an Outstanding Motivation Letter for a Scholarship Application

Got No Time? A Quick Answer for you: A motivation letter, also known as a personal statement, is a key part of any scholarship application. To write an effective motivation letter, start by researching the scholarship and university to tailor your letter. Use the introduction to grab the committee’s attention and clearly state your goals. In the body paragraphs, expand on your background, skills, interests, and future aspirations, using specific examples. Emphasize how the scholarship will help you achieve your academic and career objectives. Close with a summary of why you are an excellent candidate. Proofread carefully and avoid common mistakes like focusing too much on personal benefits over contributions. An outstanding motivation letter shows your unique qualifications and passion.

Applying for scholarships to help fund your education can make a huge difference, opening doors to new academic and career opportunities. But competitive scholarships require more than just submitting your application and transcripts. You need to convince the scholarship committee that you are the most deserving recipient.

This is where the motivation letter , also known as a personal statement or statement of purpose , comes in. The motivation letter is your chance to showcase your key qualities, goals, and reasons for applying. With so much riding on this document, it is essential to learn how to write an outstanding motivation letter that will catch the attention of scholarship providers.

Understanding the Purpose of a Motivation Letter

Before diving into how to write your motivation letter, it is important to understand why scholarship committees request this document in the first place.

• It gives them insight into who you are as an individual – your background, passions, goals, and what drives you.
• It shows why you are interested in the particular university and academic program you are applying to.
• It demonstrates why you deserve the scholarship over other candidates based on your skills, experience, and future aspirations.
• It reveals how you plan to make the most of the opportunity if awarded the scholarship.

So in your motivation letter, you need to paint a vivid picture of yourself as a motivated, accomplished, worthy candidate who will thrive in the university program and contribute meaningfully if given this scholarship.

Key Tips for Writing a Winning Motivation Letter

Follow these essential tips when crafting your motivation letter:

1. Research the Scholarship and University Thoroughly

• Review the scholarship provider’s mission statement , priorities, and past recipients to understand what they look for.
• Explore the university’s values , programs, research, and extracurriculars to reference in your letter.
• Tailor your motivation letter specifically for this scholarship and university. Generic letters are less compelling.

2. Grab Attention with an Engaging Opening

• Hook the committee right away in your introduction. Consider starting with a relevant quote, statistic, or anecdote.
• State your purpose clearly – your goals, field of study, and reasons for applying to this program.

3. Structure the Body with Key Details

• Expand on background, relevant skills, academic and professional accomplishments, passions, and future goals.
• Use specific examples and anecdotes to illustrate points and make yourself stand out.
• Emphasize transferable skills like leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving.

4. Demonstrate Fit and Enthusiasm for the Program

• Align your interests, experiences, and aspirations with the university and scholarship program.
• Show your unique qualifications and how they would contribute to the university community.
• Convey genuine excitement about the program and how it would further your goals.

5. Explain Why You Need the Scholarship

• Share any financial difficulties or hardships that make funding essential.
• Describe how the scholarship would enable you to fully focus on your academics.
• Outline your career dreams and how the scholarship is critical to making them a reality.

6. Close with a Summary and Statement of Appreciation

• Recap your main qualifications, passion, and fit for the scholarship and university.
• Thank the committee sincerely for their time and consideration of your application.
• End on a high note reaffirming your motivation and goals.

7. Edit and Proofread Meticulously

• Allow plenty of time for careful editing – typos or grammatical errors can jeopardize your chances.
• Check for awkward phrasing, repetition, unclear points, and inconsistent formatting.
• Ask teachers, peers, and family to proofread and provide feedback.

What to Include in Each Section of Your Letter

Now let’s explore what key details to cover in each section of your motivation letter:

Introduction

• Attention-grabbing opening (relevant quote, anecdote, statistic, question)
• Brief background about yourself
• Academic interests and goals
• Reason for applying to this scholarship/university

Body Paragraph 1

• Summary of your relevant academic background
• Key courses, projects, research experiences
• Academic honors, awards, scholarships
• GPA and major academic achievements

Body Paragraph 2

• Highlights of work experience and internships
• Skills developed and contributions made
• How experiences relate to your program/goals
• Employment awards or recognition

Body Paragraph 3

• Extracurricular activities – clubs, sports, volunteering
• Leadership roles and success stories
• Passions, hobbies, unique interests outside academics
• How activities shaped your personal growth

Body Paragraph 4

• Post-graduate goals and career aspirations
• How the degree/program will help you achieve your aims
• Plan to apply what you learn through your future work
• Ways you will positively impact your field and community
• Summary of your key qualifications and passion
• Reasons you are an excellent fit for the program
• Appreciation to the committee for their consideration
• Excitement for what you will achieve if awarded scholarship

Common Motivation Letter Mistakes to Avoid

While writing your motivation letter, beware of these common pitfalls:

• Providing general platitudes rather than specific details and examples from your experience.
• Focused too much on personal benefits rather than your potential contributions.
• Repeating information already in your transcripts or resume.
• Failing to tailor the letter to the specific scholarship/university.
• Listing achievements without explaining their relevance.
• Inappropriate tone (too casual) or many grammar/spelling errors.
• Negativity or blaming others for grades/experiences.
• Waiting until the last minute to write the letter.

Putting It All Together: Sample Motivation Letter

Here is an example of how you can put the above tips into practice in a compelling motivation letter:

Dear Scholarship Committee,

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” As Benjamin Franklin understood centuries ago, true education goes beyond textbooks – it requires active participation. I am thrilled to apply for the [Name] Scholarship, which would empower me to fully engage in the outstanding research opportunities at the University of [X] and their world-renowned Electrical Engineering program.

Ever since building my first circuit board in my 7th grade robotics club, I knew I wanted to become an engineer. Now graduating in the top 5% of my high school class with a 4.0 GPA, I am eager to immerse myself in the University of [X’s] rigorous engineering curriculum. Most exciting to me are the ample research projects and student design competitions, such as the Electric Car Design Contest. Through this hands-on experience, I will gain critical real-world skills to complement my classroom knowledge.

In addition to academics, I have demonstrated leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving as varsity soccer captain for two years. Leading my teammates taught me effective communication, accountability, and commitment – skills I am keen to bring to collaborative engineering projects. I also excel at math and physics, having led my math team to back-to-back first place finishes in the state math Olympics. With my analytical capabilities and leadership experience, I am prepared to thrive in the University of [X’s] inspiring engineering community.

The [Name] Scholarship would enable me to focus on my engineering studies rather than financially worrying. Being the first in my family to attend college, I have worked two part-time jobs after school to save for tuition. But working so much has left me exhausted and struggling to keep up – I do not want finances to derail the future I have dreamed about. This scholarship would be life-changing – I could dedicate myself fully to academics and research without financial constraints.

After earning my engineering degree, I aspire to obtain a graduate degree and work for an innovative firm like Tesla designing sustainable transportation solutions. This scholarship would put me on that path and empower me to apply what I learn to advance green energy technology and make a positive impact. Thank you for your time and consideration of my application. I look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Key Takeaways for an Outstanding Motivation Letter

• Research the scholarship and university to tailor your letter specifically to them.
• Use the introduction to grab attention and state your goals clearly.
• Expand on your background, skills, interests, and future plans in the body paragraphs.
• Demonstrate your fit, unique qualifications, passion, and need for the scholarship.
• Close with a summary of why you are an excellent candidate.
• Edit meticulously and avoid common mistakes like focusing on personal versus collective benefits.

By showcasing your individual story and qualifications, an outstanding motivation letter can convince any scholarship committee that you have the skills, passion, and potential to thrive in their program and make a meaningful impact. With dedication, research, details, and a persuasive closing argument, your letter can open the door to transformative academic experiences and career opportunities.

With over two decades of experience, renowned scholar Dr. John Morris has become the #1 trusted global expert on winning prestigious government scholarships. Having personally received full funding awards from Germany, Brazil, Spain, the UK and Australia during his esteemed educational career, Dr. Morris now dedicates himself to helping disadvantaged students access the same life-changing opportunities through his motivational speeches at universities worldwide and highly popular Scholarships Office blog.

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Scholarship Essay Writing

Scholarship Essay Examples

Winning Scholarship Essay Examples for Students: Tips Included

37 min read

Published on: Mar 14, 2021

Last updated on: Jan 31, 2024

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Many students face financial barriers when it comes to pursuing higher education. The rising costs of tuition, books, and other educational expenses can be overwhelming. 

This is why the scholarships offer a lifeline by providing financial aid to students, but the competition is fierce. 

That's where CollegeEssay.org comes in. 

In this blog post, we are providing scholarship essay examples that will inspire and guide you in creating your own exceptional essay. 

These examples serve as beacons of success, offering valuable insights into the art of scholarship essay writing. 

So, without further ado, let’s get started. 

On This Page On This Page -->

Scholarship Essay Examples Financial Need

Why this scholarship essay worked.

This scholarship essay example effectively conveys the applicant's financial need and their determination to overcome the challenges associated with it. Here's why this essay worked:

• Personal Storytelling: The essay begins with a personal anecdote that establishes a connection between the applicant's background and financial constraints. This helps create empathy and demonstrates the genuine impact of financial challenges on their educational journey.
• Resilience and Resourcefulness: The applicant showcases their resilience and resourcefulness in navigating financial hardships. They highlight their proactive approach to seeking part-time employment and actively pursuing scholarships.
• Academic Commitment: Despite the financial strain, the applicant emphasizes their commitment to academic excellence by maintaining a high GPA. This showcases their dedication and ability to prioritize their studies amidst challenging circumstances.
• Community Involvement : The essay also highlights the applicant's involvement in community service. This demonstrates their desire to give back and make a positive impact.
• Connection to Scholarship: The applicant clearly articulates how receiving the scholarship would benefit them. This demonstrates a strong alignment between their goals and the purpose of the scholarship.

Want more examples, check out these winning scholarship essay examples.

Financial Aid Scholarship Essay

Scholarship Essay for Financial Need

Scholarship Essay Examples About Yourself

Why this essay worked.

This scholarship essay worked for several reasons, such as:

• It effectively showcases the applicant's passion for mathematics, community engagement, and resilience.
• It compellingly conveyed the applicant's dedication, ambition, and potential for making a positive impact. This makes them a deserving candidate for the scholarship.
• Clear connection to the scholarship's goals and how it would further the applicant's educational journey and impact.

Here are some scholarship essay examples about yourself; get an idea from them, and create a successful essay.

Scholarship Essay Example About Yourself

Scholarship Essay About Yourself

Scholarship Essay Examples for Nursing

Why this essay worked.

This essay worked due to its compelling portrayal of the applicant's genuine passion for nursing, coupled with their unwavering dedication to making a positive impact in patient care.

The essay effectively demonstrates the applicant's well-rounded preparation for a nursing career and their clear alignment with the goals and mission of the scholarship, making them a strong candidate for consideration.

Below are some more examples of scholarship essays for nursing.

Nursing Scholarship Essay

Scholarship Essay for Nursing

Scholarship Essay Examples About Career Goals

This essay worked for the following reasons:

• Clear and Specific Career Goals: The essay effectively outlines the applicant's career goal of becoming a clinical psychologist specializing in mental health support. The clarity and specificity of the goal demonstrate a well-defined path and a strong sense of purpose.
• Demonstrated Preparation and Commitment: The essay showcases the applicant's comprehensive preparation for their career goals. It also demonstrates their readiness and dedication to excel in the field.
• Alignment with Scholarship Objectives: The essay effectively highlights how the scholarship will contribute to the applicant's career aspirations. This includes attending conferences, workshops, and advanced training programs.

If you find difficulty writing the scholarship essay about career goals, get help from the below-mentioned examples, and submit a well-written essay.

Scholarship Essay Examples About Leadership

Three reasons why this essay worked are:

• Demonstrated Leadership Experience : This essay effectively highlights the applicant's practical experience in leadership roles, showcasing their ability to lead teams, organize events, and coordinate volunteers.
• Commitment to Personal Growth : The essay demonstrates the applicant's proactive approach to leadership development by seeking formal training and participating in workshops focused on honing their skills. 
• Emphasis on Collaboration and Empowerment: The essay emphasizes the applicant's belief in collaborative leadership. It promotes inclusivity and empowers team members to contribute their unique perspectives. 

Here we gather some good scholarship essay examples about leadership that help in your writing.

Leadership Scholarship Essay Example

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Scholarship Essay Examples About Community Service

Here are the reasons:

• Genuine Passion and Commitment: The essay effectively conveys the applicant's genuine passion for community service, highlighting their long-standing involvement and the transformative impact it has had on their life. 
• Integration of Service with Education: The essay demonstrates the applicant's proactive approach to integrating their passion for community service with their educational pursuits.
• Aspiration for Social Change: The essay goes beyond personal experiences and highlights the applicant's aspirations for broader social change.

Here is an excellent community service scholarship essa y that can help you write for community college.

Scholarship Essay Example about Community Service

High School Scholarship Essay Examples

• Clear and Convincing Goals: The essay effectively communicates the applicant's strong desire to pursue higher education despite financial constraints.
• Demonstrated Leadership and Well-Roundedness: The essay showcases the applicant's involvement in extracurricular activities. It highlights their ability to balance academic responsibilities with active participation in clubs, sports teams, and community service initiatives.
• Emphasis on Giving Back and Community Engagement: The essay not only focuses on the applicant's personal aspirations but also highlights their commitment to giving back to their community.

The following are the best high school scholarship essay examples, use this for your help, and write an attention-grabbing essay.

Scholarship Essay Example for High School

Scholarship Essay for High School

Scholarship Essay Examples for University

Why this essay works.

Three reasons why this essay works are:

• Strong Personal Motivation: The essay effectively communicates the applicant's unwavering commitment and determination to pursue a university education.
• Articulation of Long-Term Goals and Social Impact: The essay goes beyond highlighting the applicant's academic achievements and financial needs. It emphasizes the applicant's desire to contribute to their community and make a positive impact on society.
• The connection between Scholarship and Applicant's Potential: The essay effectively illustrates how receiving the scholarship would directly address the financial burden. Plus, it will enable the applicant to fully embrace the university experience.

Here are some excellent scholarship essay examples for university students that help you in writing the essay.

Scholarship Essay Example for University Students

Scholarship Essay Examples for Engineering

This essay worked because of the following reasons:

• Passion and Commitment: The essay effectively conveys the applicant's deep passion for engineering. It also shows their genuine commitment to making a positive impact in this field.
• Alignment with Scholarship Objectives: It clearly establishes the connection between the scholarship and the applicant's goals in engineering.
• Future Impact and Growth: It also communicates the applicant's aspiration to contribute to the field of engineering and make a positive difference in the world.

The following is another scholarship essay example that can help you in creating the perfect essay on your own.

Scholarship Essay Examples for Masters

This essay worked for several reasons:

• Clear Purpose and Goal: The essay effectively conveys the applicant's clear purpose and goal of pursuing a master's degree. It highlights the transformative impact that a master's degree can have on personal and professional growth.
• Financial Need and Scholarship Alignment : The essay addresses the financial challenges associated with pursuing a master's degree. It demonstrates the direct alignment between the scholarship and the applicant's needs.
• Impact and Giving Back : The essay goes beyond personal aspirations and emphasizes the applicant's intention to make a broader impact on their community and society.

Here is an example that you can use as a guide and write a perfect scholarship essay.

Why Should You Receive this Scholarship Essay Examples

Three brief reasons why this essay worked are:

• Clear and Convincing Arguments : The essay presents concise and compelling arguments to support the applicant's case for receiving the scholarship.
• Personal Connection : It demonstrates how receiving the scholarship would directly impact the applicant's academic journey
• Gratitude and Future Commitment : It expresses sincere gratitude for the opportunity and emphasizes the applicant's commitment to making the most of the scholarship.

Here is an example, take help from them for your scholarship essay.

Why Should You Receive this Scholarship Essay Example

Why I Deserve This Scholarship Essay Examples

• Compelling Personal Story: The essay effectively presents the applicant's personal story and highlights their dedication and commitment to their education
• Addressing Academic Excellence and Financial Need : The essay successfully addresses both academic excellence and financial need, which are two crucial aspects considered by scholarship committees.
• Commitment to Making an Impact: The essay goes beyond the applicant's personal goals and emphasizes their dedication to making a positive impact in their community. 

Here’s another example for this scholarship essay below:

Why I Deserve This Scholarship Essay Example

Tips for Writing the Effective Scholarship Essay

When it comes to writing an effective scholarship essay, there are several key tips to keep in mind. 

By following these guidelines, you can maximize your chances of standing out and impressing scholarship selection committees. 

Here are some essential tips to help you craft a compelling scholarship essay:

• Understand the Prompt

Take the time to thoroughly understand the essay prompt or topic provided by the scholarship provider. Pay attention to any specific instructions or guidelines given.

• Research the Scholarship

Familiarize yourself with the organization or institution offering the scholarship. Understand their values, mission, and objectives. This knowledge will help you align your essay with their goals and demonstrate your fit for the scholarship.

• Tell Your Unique Story

Use the essay as an opportunity to showcase your personal experiences, like obstacles you might encounter, achievements, and aspirations. Highlight what sets you apart from other applicants. Be authentic and genuine in conveying your story, like overcoming personal failures.

• Start with a Compelling Introduction

Grab the reader's attention from the beginning with a strong and captivating introduction. Consider starting with a compelling anecdote, a thought-provoking question, or a powerful statement.

• Structure Your Essay

Organize your essay into a clear and logical structure. Start with an introduction, followed by body paragraphs that support your main points, and end with a concise and impactful conclusion.

• Be Concise and Specific

Scholarship essays often have a word or character limits, so make every word count. Be concise in your writing and avoid unnecessary fluff. Focus on providing specific examples and details that support your claims.

• Showcase Your Achievements

Highlight your academic accomplishments, extracurricular involvements, community service, leadership roles, or any other relevant achievements. Link them to the values and goals of the scholarship.

• Address the Selection Criteria

Ensure that your essay addresses the selection criteria specified by the scholarship provider. If they are looking for specific qualities or skills, tailor your essay to showcase how you possess those attributes.

In conclusion, writing an effective scholarship essay is a crucial step in securing the financial aid you need for your education. 

By following the tips outlined here, you can enhance your essay-writing skills and create a compelling narrative that captivates scholarship selection committees.

Be authentic, concise, and specific in your writing. Tailor your essay to align with the values and objectives of the scholarship provider. And above all, believe in yourself and your potential to make a difference through education.

If you're seeking further guidance and support in your scholarship essay writing journey, consider partnering with our AI essay writing tools !

We also have a team of experienced and professional essay writers who can provide personal essay writing service with valuable insights. 

Hire our college paper writing service  today and take the next step towards securing the financial aid you deserve.

Barbara P (Literature, Marketing)

Barbara is a highly educated and qualified author with a Ph.D. in public health from an Ivy League university. She has spent a significant amount of time working in the medical field, conducting a thorough study on a variety of health issues. Her work has been published in several major publications.

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Scholarship Essay Writing

Scholarship Essay Examples

12 Winning Scholarship Essay Examples for Aspiring Students

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Scholarships can be the key to your dreams of higher education, but the process often begins with one crucial step - the scholarship essay. 

A scholarship essay is not just another requirement. It is your chance to stand out from the competition and convince the selection committee that you are the perfect candidate deserving of their support.

However, crafting a winning scholarship essay is not an easy task. You are in competition with hundreds of applicants, and you need to get a lot of things right to stand out.

But don’t worry; reading some winning samples can help you understand how to write better scholarship essays. 

This blog presents 12 remarkable scholarship essay examples to inspire your success. These real-life essays, written by scholarship recipients, offer invaluable insights and strategies to help you secure funding for your education. 

So read on!

• 1. Financial Need Scholarship Essay Example for College
• 2. Leadership Scholarship Essay Examples
• 3. Scholarship Essay Example for Engineering
• 4. Nursing Scholarship Essay Example 
• 5. Scholarship Essay About Yourself
• 6. Winning Scholarship Essay Examples
• 7. Tips to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay 

Financial Need Scholarship Essay Example for College

Students often apply for financial assistance scholarships for their college education. Such scholarships require you to provide compelling reasons as to why you deserve financial aid. 

Here is an example that successfully caters to this question:

Why This Scholarship Essay Succeeded

This scholarship essay effectively conveys the applicant's financial need while also highlighting their determination and commitment to education. Here are some key elements that contributed to its success:

• Personal Story: The essay starts with a personal story about growing up in a single-parent household, providing context for the financial need. This makes the essay relatable and emotionally engaging.
• Specific Financial Challenges: The essay details the specific financial challenges the applicant faces, such as tuition, textbooks, and living expenses. Specificity adds credibility to the financial need.
• Explains the Significance of the Scholarship for Education: The essay explains how receiving the scholarship would positively impact the applicant's education, allowing them to focus more on studies and extracurricular activities.

Leadership Scholarship Essay Examples

When applying to programs for training young leaders, they often require you to write an essay. Here is a leadership scholarship essay sample:

Why This Scholarship Essay Worked

This leadership scholarship essay effectively showcases the applicant's leadership journey, growth, and suitability for the scholarship. Here are some key elements that contributed to its success:

• Personal Growth: The essay highlights the applicant's personal growth and development through their leadership experiences, demonstrating a clear understanding of what leadership entails.
• Specific Examples: The applicant provides specific examples of challenges faced and initiatives undertaken as a leader, adding credibility to their claims.
• Lessons Learned: The essay discusses the lessons learned, emphasizing qualities such as communication, teamwork, and empathy, which are essential for effective leadership.
• Alignment with Scholarship: The essay explains how the scholarship will support the applicant's continued leadership growth and commitment to making a positive impact.

Scholarship Essay Example for Engineering

Engineering schools have a strong vetting process to ensure that they only let in serious students. Writing a scholarship essay is their way of judging a student’s interests and capabilities. 

Check out this catchy sample:

Why this Engineering Scholarship Essay Worked

Here are some key elements that contributed to the essay’s success:

• Passion and Dedication: The essay clearly communicates the applicant's deep passion for engineering, emphasizing their lifelong commitment to the field.
• Specific Examples: The applicant provides specific examples of their experiences in engineering, such as the cooling system project and the sustainable housing initiative, demonstrating their practical application of engineering skills.
• Financial Need: The essay briefly touches upon the financial challenges faced by the applicant, which adds context to their need for financial support.
• Impact and Contribution: The essay discusses how receiving the scholarship will enable the applicant to focus more on their studies and research projects, emphasizing their desire to contribute meaningfully to the field of engineering.

Nursing Scholarship Essay Example 

Nursing institutions require hard-working and committed pupils. That’s why the scholarship essay is an essential part of their application process.

So, what does a good nursing scholarship essay look like? Here’s an example:

Why This Nursing Scholarship Essay Succeeded

This nursing scholarship essay effectively conveys the applicant's passion for nursing and their commitment to patient-centered care. Here are some key elements that contributed to its success:

• Passion for Nursing: The essay clearly communicates the applicant's passion for nursing, emphasizing personal experiences that ignited this passion.
• Continuous Learning: The essay highlights the applicant's commitment to ongoing learning and professional growth, which is essential in the nursing field.
• Community Engagement: The applicant showcases their involvement in community health initiatives and volunteering, demonstrating a dedication to improving healthcare beyond the clinical setting.
• Leadership Experience: The essay discusses leadership roles within the nursing program, emphasizing the applicant's understanding of nursing as a leadership role in healthcare.
• Impactful Clinical Experience: The inclusion of the palliative care unit experience adds a unique perspective. It also adds an emotionally resonant dimension to the essay, highlighting the applicant's dedication to patient-centered care.

Scholarship Essay About Yourself

Some scholarship essays require a more personal touch. Scholarship committees are interested to learn about your experiences and how you express them. 

Here is an example of an essay focusing on the applicant’s life experiences.

This scholarship essay effectively highlights the applicant's personal experiences and qualities that make them a suitable candidate for the scholarship. Here are some key elements that contributed to its success:

• Values and Background: The essay begins by establishing the applicant's background and values, emphasizing the importance of education and family sacrifices.
• Academic Excellence: The applicant showcases their commitment to academic excellence, including being named valedictorian, which adds credibility to their dedication to learning.
• Passion and Career Goals: The essay highlights the applicant's interest in psychology and mental health, revealing their career aspirations and a deep sense of purpose.
• Courage to Grow: The essay concludes with a strong commitment to education and the desire to use it as a tool for positive change in their community.

Winning Scholarship Essay Examples

You have read five scholarship essay examples with a complete analysis of why they were successful. Here are some more excellent examples that stand out due to similar reasons.

Read these samples and ask yourself, can you figure out why these essays catch the readers’ attention?

Sample Scholarship Essays

Sometimes, scholarship essays require a limited word count. You should always read the instructions and requirements of an essay before writing. 

Here are two scholarship essay samples with different word limits.

500-Words Scholarship Essay Example About Career Goals

250 Words Scholarship Essay Example

Scholarship Essay Examples for Different Academic Levels

These scholarship essay examples cater to various academic levels. They demonstrate how students at different stages of their education can craft successful essays.

Scholarship Essay Example For High School Students

Scholarship Essay Example For College Application

Masters Scholarship Essay Example For Students

Scholarship Essay Examples - Why You Deserve This

These examples focus on explaining why the applicants deserve the scholarship, emphasizing their qualifications, achievements, and aspirations.

Why I Deserve This Scholarship Essay Example

Why Should You Receive This Scholarship

There are many different prompts you can be assigned for your scholarship essay, so better be prepared. Check out this list of scholarship essay prompts to get a better idea!

Tips to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay 

The following are some useful tips and suggestions for writing a successful scholarship essay:

• Understand the Prompt: Carefully read and understand the essay prompt. Ensure that your response directly addresses the specific questions or topics provided. Tailor your essay to the scholarship's requirements.
• Plan and Organize: Start with an essay outline . Identify key points you want to cover and the structure of your essay. A well-organized essay with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion is more engaging and easier to follow.
• Be Authentic: Be true to yourself and your experiences. Authenticity resonates with scholarship committees. Share your genuine motivations, goals, and challenges, as it makes your essay more relatable.
• Address Your Audience: Consider your audience, that is the scholarship selection committees. Tailor your essay to their expectations and values, emphasizing how you align with the scholarship's mission and goals.
• Highlight Achievements and Impact: Showcase your accomplishments, both academic and extracurricular, and discuss the impact they've had on your life and your community. Explain how the scholarship will enable you to achieve even more.
• Express Your Passion: Demonstrate your passion for your field of study or the cause the scholarship supports. Explain why you are deeply committed and how the scholarship will help you make a significant contribution.
• Follow Instructions: Pay close attention to any specific instructions or requirements provided by the scholarship organization. Failure to comply with guidelines can lead to disqualification.
• Revise and Rewrite: After an initial draft, take time to revise and rewrite your essay. Don't hesitate to make substantial changes if necessary to improve clarity, coherence, and impact.
• Seek Feedback: Have someone else, such as a teacher, mentor, or family member, review your essay. Fresh perspectives can identify areas for improvement.

To conclude,

These essay examples were a good way to start. You’ve read and learnt the qualities that made them successful. Now, it’s your time to apply what you’ve learnt to your own scholarship essays.

Remember, crafting a winning scholarship essay takes time and effort. Be authentic and convey your aspirations, achievements, and the impact you hope to make. With dedication and these valuable tips, you can create a compelling scholarship essay that helps you achieve your education goals.

In addition, we understand that writing a scholarship essay can be incredibly difficult due to the high stakes. But don’t let the stress takeover, let our professional scholarship essay writing service handle it. 

Our expert writers have written hundreds of successful scholarship essays with a high rate of success. Trust our write my essay website to craft a stand-out scholarship essay and achieve your academic goals!

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How to Write a Personal Statement for a Scholarship + Examples

What’s covered:, what is the purpose of the scholarship personal statement, what to include in your personal statement, personal statement example: breakdown + analysis, how to make sure your writing is effective.

Either before or after you’ve gotten into your dream school, you’ll have to figure out how to pay for it. For most students, this involves a combination of financial aid, parent contributions, self-contributions, student loans, and scholarships/grants. Because scholarships are money out of someone else’s pocket that you never have to pay back, they are a great place to start!

Scholarships come in two forms: merit-based and need-based. Need-based scholarships are also often called grants. These designations tell you whether an organization looks at your financial situation when deciding about your scholarship.

Additionally, different scholarships fall under different categories based on the mission of the organization or person providing the scholarship’s financing. These missions typically emphasize different things like academic achievement, specific career goals, community service, leadership, family background, skill in the arts, or having overcome hardship. As you select scholarships to apply for and complete your applications, you should keep these missions in mind.

No matter what type of scholarship you are applying for, you will be asked to provide the review committee with standard materials. This includes your transcript, GPA, and resume/extracurriculars, but also, importantly, your personal statement. A scholarship personal statement is a bit different from your normal college essay, so we’ve put together this guide and some examples to help you get started!

The purpose of your personal statement is to help a review committee learn more about your personality, values, goals, and what makes you special. Ultimately, like with your college essays, you are trying to humanize your profile beyond your transcript, GPA, and test scores.

College essays all have one goal in mind (which is why you can apply to multiple schools at once through applications like the Common App or Coalition App): convince admissions officers that you would be a valuable addition to the university environment. The goal of your scholarship personal statement is different and differs more from one scholarship to the next. Rather than convincing various review committees that you are a generally good candidate for extra funding for college, you need to convince each review committee that your values have historically aligned with their organization’s mission and will continue to align with their organization’s mission.

Common missions amongst those who give scholarships include:

• Providing opportunities for students with career ambitions in a particular field
• Helping students who have experienced unexpected hardship
• Supporting students who show outstanding academic achievement
• Funding the arts through investing in young artists with strong technical skill
• Supporting the development of civic-minded community service leaders of the future
• Providing opportunities for historically underrepresented ethnic communities 

If a specific mission like this is outlined on an organization’s website or in the promotional material for its scholarship, the purpose of your personal statement is to show how you exemplify that mission.

Some scholarships ask for your personal statement to be guided by a prompt, while others leave things open for interpretation. When you are provided a prompt, it is obvious what you must do: answer the prompt. When you are not provided a prompt, you want to write a personal statement that is essentially a small-scale autobiography where you position yourself as a good investment. In either case, you should identify a focus or theme for what you are trying to say about yourself so that your application does not get lost in the shuffle.

Prompts include questions like:

• Why do you deserve this scholarship?
• How have you shown your commitment to (leadership/community service/diversity) in your community?
• When did you overcome adversity?
• Why is attending college important to you?

If you are provided a prompt, develop a theme for your response that showcases both your values and your achievements. This will help your essay feel focused and will subsequently help the review committee to remember which candidate you were as they deliberate.

Themes include things like:

• I deserve this community service scholarship because my compassion for intergenerational trauma has inspired me to volunteer with a local after-school program. I didn’t just sympathize. I did something about my sympathy because that’s the type of person I am. Within the program, I have identified avenues for improvement and worked alongside full-time staff to develop new strategies for increasing attendance.
• I overcame adversity when my mother had to have a major surgery two months after giving birth to my younger brother. I was just a kid but was thrown into a situation where I had to raise another kid. It was hard, but I’m the kind of person who tries to grow from hard times and, through my experience taking care of a baby, I learned the importance of listening to body language and nonverbal cues to understand the needs of others (baby and nonbaby, alike).

Without a prompt, clarity can be harder to achieve. That said, it is of the utmost importance that you find a focus. First, think about both your goals and your values.

Types of goals include:

• Career goals
• Goals for personal growth
• The type of friend you want to be
• The change you want to make in the world

Values could include:

• Authenticity
• And many more!

After you write out your goals/values, write out your achievements to see what goals/values you have “proof” of your commitment to. Your essay will ultimately be an exploration of your goal/value, what you have done about your goal/value in the past, and what you aspire to in the future.

You might be tempted to reflect on areas for improvement, but scholarships care about you living out your values. It is not enough to aspire to be exemplary in leadership, community service, or your academic field. For scholarships, you have to already be exemplary.

Finally, keep in mind that the review committee likely already has a copy of your extracurricular activities and involvement. Pick one or two accomplishments, then strive for depth, not breadth as you explore them.

My interest in the field of neuroscience began at a young age.  When I was twelve years old, my sister developed a condition called Pseudotumor Cerebri following multiple concussions during a basketball game.  It took the doctors over six months to make a proper diagnosis, followed by three years of treatment before she recovered.  During this time, my love for neuroscience was sparked as I began to research her condition and, then, other neurocognitive conditions.  Later, my love of neuroscience was amplified when my mother began to suffer from brain-related health issues.  My mother had been a practicing attorney in Dallas for over twenty years.  She was a determined litigator who relentlessly tried difficult cases that changed people’s lives.  Now, she suffers from a cognitive impairment and is no longer able to practice law.  Oftentimes, she has headaches, she gets “cloudy,” her executive functioning slows down, she feels overwhelmed, and she forgets things.  My mother has gone from being the strong, confident, emotional and financial caretaker of our family to needing significant help on a daily basis. Once again, with this illness came a lot of research on my part — research that encouraged me to pursue my dreams of exploring neuroscience.

Due to my experiences with my mother and sister when I was in middle school, I knew that I wanted to make a difference in the field of neuroscience.  I also knew that, to obtain this goal, I needed to maintain superior grades in school while also pursuing opportunities outside of school to further my education.  In school, I was able to maintain superior grades to the point where I am currently valedictorian in a class of 567 students.  In addition, in school, I challenged myself by taking 16 Advanced Placement classes and 19 Honors classes.  Two of the most beneficial classes were AP Capstone Seminar and AP Capstone Research.  AP Capstone Seminar and AP Capstone Research are research-oriented classes where students are given the opportunity to pursue whatever track their research takes them down.  As a junior in AP Capstone Seminar, I researched the effects of harmful pesticide use on the prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in children.  This year, as a senior in AP Capstone Research, I am learning about the effects of medical marijuana on the treatment of Multiple Sclerosis (MS).  

Outside of school, I furthered my education through taking advantage of the Duke TiP summer program. Duke TiP is a summer program run by Duke University where students who score extremely well on the SAT as middle schoolers are able to take college classes at different universities throughout the summers of their middle school and high school years.  I took advantage of this opportunity twice.  First, I went to Trinity University in San Antonio to expand my horizons and learn more about debate.  However, once I was done exploring, I decided I wanted to go into neuroscience.  This led me to take an Abnormal Psychology class at Duke University’s West Campus.  This class opened my eyes to the interaction between neuroscience and mental health, mental illness, and personality.  Years later, I am currently continuing my education outside of school as an intern at the University of Texas Dallas Center for Brain Health.  Through this internship, I have been able to see different aspects of neuroscience including brain pattern testing, virtual reality therapy, and longitudinal research studies.  With this background, I have positioned myself to be accepted by top neuroscience programs throughout the nation.  So far, I have been accepted to the neuroscience department of University of Southern California, the University of Virginia, the University of Texas, and Southern Methodist University, as well as the chemistry department at University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill.  

It is with this passion for neuroscience driven by my family and passion for education driven by internal motivation that I will set out to conquer my career objectives.  My educational aspirations consist of acquiring a bachelor’s degree in a biological or health science that would assist me in pursuing a medical career as a neuroscience researcher.  I decided to attain a career as a researcher since my passion has always been assisting others and trying to improve their quality of life.  After obtaining my Masters and my PhD, I plan to become a professor at a prestigious university and continue performing lab research on cognitive disorders.  I am particularly interested in disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).  In the lab, I hope to find different therapies and medications to help treat the 3.5 million people around the world suffering from ASD.  Furthermore, I want to contribute back to underserved populations that struggle because they do not have as much access to medical assistance as other privileged groups.  As such, I hope to do a part of my research in less developed or developing Spanish-speaking countries. This will also allow me to pursue my love of Spanish while pursuing my love of neuroscience.  I think that following such a career path will provide me the opportunity to learn about the medical needs of the autistic community and improve their quality of health.  Furthermore, I hope to train a new generation of students to strive to research and make comparable discoveries.  Whether it be through virtual reality labs or new drug discoveries, I believe that research leads to innovation which leads to a brighter future. 

This student does a great job of making themself appear competent and dedicated to the field of neuroscience. This is primarily because they provided tangible evidence of how they have pursued their dedication in the past—through their AP Capstone courses, their Abnormal Psychology class at Duke TiP, and their internship at UTD. There is no doubt in the mind of a reader that this student is high-achieving. 

This student also engages successfully with a past-future trajectory, where they end with a vision of how they will continue to use neuroscience in the future. This helps the review committee see what they are investing in and the ways that their money will go to good use.

This student has two major areas for improvement. As we have said, the purpose of a personal statement is for a student to humanize themself to a review committee. This student struggles to depict themself separately from their academic achievements. A solution to this would be for the student to establish a theme towards the beginning of their essay that relates to both their values as a human and their achievements.

At the beginning of the essay, the student explores how their interest in neuroscience began. They explain their interest through the following sentences: “During this time, my love for neuroscience was sparked as I began to research her condition and, then, other neurocognitive conditions” and “Once again, with this illness came a lot of research on my part — research that encouraged me to pursue my dreams of exploring neuroscience.” The student made the great decision to tell the backstory of their interest, but they described their research in very mundane and redundant terms. Instead, they could have focused on their value of intellectual curiosity as a magnetic force that encouraged them to research their mother and sister’s ailments. Curiosity, then, could serve as a value-related thematic throughline to taking AP Capstone classes, taking college courses during the summer that weren’t required, and interning before even graduating high school.

A second area for improvement would be avoiding statistics. As the student identifies their valedictorian status and the number of AP classes they have taken, they might turn away certain personalities on a review committee by appearing braggy. Even further, these statistics are a waste of space. The review committee already has access to this information. These words distract from the major theme of the essay and would have been better used to humanize the student.

Throughout my academic career, I have been an avid scholar, constantly pushing myself towards ambitious goals. I held and continue to hold myself to a high standard, enrolling myself in rigorous curriculum, including Honors and Advanced Placement courses to stretch my mental potential. During my junior year of high school, I took four AP tests, two on the same day, and earned the AP Scholar with Honor Award. Additionally, I received the Letter of Commendation for the PSAT/NMSQT, and qualified for Rotary Top 100 Students both my freshman and senior year, a sign of my commitment to my studies. However, school has not been all about having the best GPA for me; beyond the numbers, I have a deep drive to learn which motivates me to do well academically. I truly enjoy learning new things, whether it be a new essay style or a math theorem. I always give each class my best effort and try my hardest on every assignment. My teachers have noticed this as well, and I have received school Lancer Awards and Student of the Month recognitions as a result. It is a major goal of mine to continue to aspire towards a high level of achievement regarding future educational and occupational endeavors; I plan on continuing this level of dedication throughout my educational career and implementing the skills I have learned and will learn into my college experience and beyond.

This fall, I will begin attending the University of California Los Angeles as an English major. I chose this major because I am fascinated by written language, especially its ability to convey powerful messages and emotions. I also enjoy delving into the works of other authors to analyze specific components of their writing to discover the meaning behind their words. In particular, I cannot wait to begin in-depth literary criticism and learn new stylistic techniques to add more depth to my writing. Furthermore, I recently went to UCLA’s Bruin Day, an event for incoming freshmen, where I was exposed to many different extracurriculars, some of which really piqued my interest. I plan on joining the Writing Success Program, where I can help students receive free writing help, and Mock Trial, where I can debate issues with peers in front of a real judge. The latter, combined with a strong writing background from my undergraduate English studies will be extremely beneficial because I plan to apply to law school after my undergraduate degree. As of now, my career goal is to become a civil rights lawyer, to stand up for those who are discriminated against and protect minority groups to proliferate equality.

As a lawyer, I wish to utilize legislation to ameliorate the plight of the millions of Americans who feel prejudice and help them receive equity in the workplace, society, and so on. Though this seems a daunting task, I feel that my work ethic and past experience will give me the jumpstart I need to establish myself as a successful lawyer and give a voice to those who are often unheard in today’s legal system. I have been a Girl Scout for over a decade and continually participate in community service for the homeless, elderly, veterans, and more. My most recent project was the Gold Award, which I conducted in the Fullerton School District. I facilitated over ten workshops where junior high students taught elementary pupils STEM principles such as density and aerodynamics via creative activities like building aluminum boats and paper airplanes. I also work at Kumon, a tutoring center, where I teach students to advance their academic success. I love my job, and helping students from local schools reach their potential fills me with much pride.

Both being a Girl Scout and working at Kumon have inspired me to help those in need, contributing significantly to my desire to become a lawyer and aid others. My extracurriculars have allowed me to gain a new perspective on both learning and teaching, and have solidified my will to help the less fortunate. In college, I hope to continue to gain knowledge and further develop my leadership skills, amassing qualities that will help me assist others. I plan to join multiple community service clubs, such as UCLA’s local outreach programs that directly aid residents of Los Angeles. I want to help my fellow pupils as well, and plan on volunteering at peer tutoring and peer editing programs on campus. After college, during my career, I want to use legal tactics to assist the underdog and take a chance on those who are often overlooked for opportunities. I wish to represent those that are scared to seek out help or cannot afford it. Rather than battling conflict with additional conflict, I want to implement peaceful but strong, efficient tactics that will help make my state, country, and eventually the world more welcoming to people of all ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. These goals are close to my heart and therefore I will be as diligent as I am passionate about them. My perseverance and love for learning and community service drive my ambition in both education and life as a whole, and the drive to make the world a better place is one that I will carry with me for my entire life.

This student emphasizes two values in this essay: hard work and community service. These are values that go together nicely, and definitely make sense with this student’s end goal of becoming a civil rights lawyer! That said, some changes could be made to the way the student presents their values that would make their personal statement more convincing and engaging.

Structurally, instead of using a past-future trajectory, this student starts by explaining their academic achievements, then explains their career goals, then explains their history of community service, then explains their future desires for community service. This structure loses the reader. Instead, the student should have started with either the past or the future. 

This could look like 1) identifying their career goals, 2) explaining that hard work and a commitment to community service are necessary to get there, and 3) explaining that they aren’t worried because of their past commitment to hard work and community service. Or it could look like 1) providing examples of their hard work and community service in the past, then 2) explaining how those values will help them achieve their career goals.

Additionally, like with our other example, this student shows a heavy investment in statistics and spouting off accomplishments. This can be unappealing. Unfortunately, even when the student recognizes that they are doing this, writing “beyond the numbers, I have a deep drive to learn which motivates me to do well academically. I truly enjoy learning new things, whether it be a new essay style or a math theorem,” they continue on to cite their achievements, writing “My teachers have noticed this as well, and I have received school Lancer Awards and Student of the Month recognitions as a result.” They say they are going beyond the numbers, but they don’t go beyond the awards. They don’t look inward. One way to fix this would be to make community service the theme around which the essay operates, supplementing with statistics in ways that advance the image of the student as dedicated to community service.

Finally, this student would be more successful if they varied their sentence structure. While a small-scale autobiography can be good, if organized, every sentence should not begin with ‘I.’ The essay still needs to be engaging or the review committee might stop reading.

Feedback is ultimately any writer’s best source of improvement! To get your personal statement edited for free, use our Peer Review Essay Tool . With this tool, other students can tell you if your scholarship essay is effective and help you improve your essay so that you can have the best chances of gaining those extra funds!

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How To Write A Good Motivation Letter For Scholarship (4 PDF Sample Examples)

Published: 19 Sep 2020 Scholarship Application 41,844 views

Are you looking for how to write a motivational letter for university scholarship or a motivation letter for masters scholarship? Don't worry any further. Today, we are going to deliberate on how to write the best motivation letter for scholarship.

Particularly, we will discuss the following;

• What is scholarship motivation letter?
• Difference between scholarship application letter and scholarships motivation letter.
• Parts of a scholarship motivation letter.
• What to do in scholarship motivation letter.
• What not to do in a scholarship motivation letter.
• Letter Formatting for scholarship motivation letter.
• Sample Scholarship Motivation Letter.
• Sample Scholarship Motivation Letter pdf.
• Various Scholarship Motivation Letter samples.
• Motivation letter for PhD
• Motivation letter for Master's Degree
• Motivation letter for Undergraduate / Bachelor

Before you start reading, checkout; ongoing scholarships for international students - study abroad scholarships

WHAT IS A SCHOLARSHIP MOTIVATION LETTER

A scholarship motivation letter is a statement that aims at convincing a scholarship committee that you are a perfect candidate for the scholarship. You are expected to express why you should be chosen for the award with reasonable arguments. Like in a bursary motivation letter template, you are also expected to incorporate your goals as to how you will utilise the education you receive. How important is this scholarship motivation letter?  Very important.

You see, the university board usually employs the method of requesting a scholarship motivational letter to abridge the number of people applying for the award. In essence, in order to be confident that you would continue with the application process, your motivation letter has to be smashing.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION LETTER AND SCHOLARSHIP MOTIVATION LETTER

Now in this previous article, we learnt about the features of an application letter. And you may surmise that the application letter and motivation letter are identical. Well, you are not necessarily wrong. Some sources find these two documents as interchangeable. However, these two letters serve different purposes.

A scholarship application letter is written to indicate one's interest in a scholarship award with proven examples. A motivational letter is meant to convince the committee that the author is a perfect fit for scholarship. The latter appeals to the committee's sense of empathy, compassion while the formal appeals to logic and rational evidence. Therefore, the structure, formatting and guidelines of writing a motivational letter would quite different. So follow along as we proceed with the parts of a scholarship motivation letter.

PARTS OF A SCHOLARSHIP MOTIVATION LETTER.

When composing a motivation letter for study assistance, there are a number of factors to consider. Your motivation letter for scholarship will entail pivotal elements of your resume, your work experience and past education. With the information fetched from these sources, you are expected to compose a 500 - 1000 words content. Lastly, your letter should be flexible and fit into the goal, values and aspirations of the sponsor of the scholarship. So let's see the structure of the sample motivation letter for fellowship program.

• Paragraph one : Introduction
• Paragraph two  : Work experience
• Paragraph three : Education
• Paragraph four  : Conclusion ( future aspirations)

Introduction

Start with a mouthwatering sentence and proceed with vital information. This would include your name, education and the degree program you are hoping to attain.

Work Experience

In this paragraph, you will discuss about your professional experience. Don't leave unpaid internships and volunteering out. They are equally important and they reflect your wealth of experience. You are also advised to explain your job responsibilities in detail as the reader can get full grasp of your content.

In this education section, you can briefly explain the skills you acquired and the knowledge you have so far. Then, quickly proceed with the degree you want to pursue and why. Restate the institution's goals and values and prove how you can contribute to their actualization by granting you the scholarship.

Is there any extent you wish toreach after completing the scholarship program? Perhaps a PhD? Are there companies you want to work for in the future? Are there any organizations you would like to develop? In these concluding remarks, you are allowed to incorporate all of these and end with a smashing farewell sentence.

WHAT TO DO IN A SCHOLARSHIP MOTIVATION LETTER

While writing the scholarship motivation letter, there are few facets to consider and there are other things you should exclude. Let's proceed with "what to do".

Include the core values, vision and mission of the university

The institution must have been long established them. Thus, there must be a well - structured organizational culture. It's your duty as a scholarship candidate to recognize that.

Include volunteering work and community service.

Have you served a particular community or volunteered for a non - governmental organization? This is ace in your sleeve. This would reflect team spirit, problem solving and collaboration skills on your part.

Include future plans and aspirations

Don't be oblivious of your reasons for taking up a scholarship application. Express how far your scholarship application can take you and how it may even contribute to the improvement of your community.

Don't fail to research on past scholarship .

The institution you are interested in may have initiated the scholarship application process many sessions ago. It would be very prudent on your part to take your time and research on the winning scholarship.

Don't submit without be proofreading .

Time and again in other articles , we have reiterated the importance of cross checking your work. This is equally be essential in this case. Convincing the committee of your eligibility should be error - free.

LETTER FORMAT FOR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

Let's reiterate a point here. The content of the letter is as important as the structure of the letter. This means the motivation letter for scholarship format has to be set in a way that makes the content edible and appealing. It can also serve as a scholarship letter format for school. So how about you follow the few guidelines below:

• Use the correct spacing: 1 or 1.5.
• Don't be tempted to use justification. Left side align is easy on the eye.
• There should be one - inch margins for some white space and friendly impression.
• When it comes to the paragraph, there should be double spacing between them.
• Fonts like Calibri, Arial and Times New Roman are welcome.

SAMPLE MOTIVATION LETTER FOR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

Here is a letter of motivation for scholarship sample that would be of great help in grasping the above steps fully.

Gregory Lions

45, Walkway, Queensland,

Michigan, USA,

P.O. 56789.

University of St Hector's,

60, Samson street,

Texas, Pennsylvania,

My name is Gregory Lions. I am a graduate of Accounting and Finance from the University of Michigan. I have passion in assisting clients with giving their shots in the stock market and real estate. My academic record and professional experience can clearly testify to the smooth path I am trying to pave in my career. Therefore, I am applying for the scholarship award for Masters in Investment Management.

I have been working as an investment banker in one of the top notch wealth management companies in the state. My job entails developing different types of financial models to value debt and equity, develop recommendations for product offering and create presentations for client portfolios. In time, I have been able to develop strong communication and networking skills.

As an intern in a commercial bank, I was opportune to practice impeccable research and quantitative analysis and learnt to explain market events. My supervisors were all proud of my ability to organize and track overlapping tasks and assingnment.

As earlier mentioned, I studied Accounting and Finance. Throughout my courseworks, I learnt to analyze and utilize financial information in order to evaluate a business financial position. I was trained in handling basic book - keeping and managing balance sheets and income statements. However, I want to take my career a step further.  That's why I would love to study investment management because I will be able to professionally determine the optimal strategy for achieving a clients' goal, perform portfolio allocation between bonds and stocks and issue buy and sell recommendations.

I understand that the values of St' Hectors University consists of consistency, commitment and efficiency. This is one of my major reasons for applying. Your core values resonate with me as they have guided me through my academic progress and work experience. I strongly believe that I can contribute to the accomplishment of the institution's mission. I am looking forward to discussing how the Department of Investment Management fosters learning for its students and how it plans to research on Investment Management.

SAMPLE SCHOLARSHIP MOTIVATION LETTER PDF

The above sample is on a motivation letter for scholarship application pdf version for faster accessibility and assistance in drafting your own motivational letter. Kindly download the sample motivation letter for scholarship pdf version

VARIOUS SAMPLE SCHOLARSHIP MOTIVATION LETTERS

So now we will proceed with manifold sample motivation letters for scholarship examples. There are various samples to look up to. Let's take a look at each purpose and back it up with a sample from various sources.

Sample Motivation Letter for Undergraduate scholarship.

What if you just jumped be out of high school want to get a bachelor's degree. Unlike a motivation letter for phd scholarship , a motivation letter for scholarship bachelor is a lot different for other degrees.

Download motivation letter for undergraduate scholarship

Sample Scholarship Motivation Letter for PhD

You may want to apply to a  University for a PhD  but might be clueless on how to wow the committee. This example of motivation letter for scholarship application  would be a perfect fit for you. Check out the following statement of motivation for scholarship.

Download motivation letter for Ph.D Scholarship

Sample Motivation Letter for Masters Degree

You may want to further your education through Masters Degree. The following example shares some very important features to consider when writing a motivation letter for scholarship master’s degree. Check this motivation letter for master scholarship out.

The above motivation letters samples are a great guide for you to proceed with your application process. It is most likely to be required by the institution or sponsor you are applying to. So being fully equipped is an amazing asset. And we have it all with a platter of gold. A successful motivation letter for scholarship, if properly composed is a tool that sets you apart from others. Before you embark on the scholarship interview ,or presentation of your resume , a motivation letter is a great opportunity to show the committee that you are the real deal

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Motivation Letter For Scholarship With Example

If you have applied to, or are planning to apply for, any scholarship program then in such a condition you must be aware of the motivation letter for scholarship . A motivation letter is like a cover letter for your application.  It’s the tool that you use to stand out when you are applying for a scholarship. It is the only way by which you can showcase your skills and knowledge before the personal interview.  Not all scholarships require a motivation letter, but if you have a chance to include one for your application, then you want to include one.  It’s a way that you can tell your story.

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links . If you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain my own.

Getting the Most out of Fiverr

In this article today we are going to provide you with a few templates of motivation letters for scholarships. We are also going to tell you how to write a perfect motivation letter when you are applying for any scholarship program. Before moving forward let us learn what is the scholarship motivation letter.

Why Include a Motivation Letter for Scholarships

The motivation letter you write for scholarships is different from any essay that you might be required to write.  The motivation letter is your chance to tell your story and why they should pick you.  There are two big questions that you want to answer in your motivation letter for scholarships:

• Why are you a good candidate for the scholarship program – You want to tell the decision-makers for a scholarship why you are a good candidate for the program and why your background, education, and goals are good for their program.
• What Are You Going to Do With the Education That the Scholarship Makes Available – If you are chosen, why do you want to be part of the program, degree, school, etc. that you can get with the scholarship?  Most scholarships have goals for their program. They are trying to help students advance, make something possible that wouldn’t be otherwise or help bring educated practitioners to certain areas.  Read through their program and consider how their goals line up with what you are trying to accomplish and why you can help them accomplish it.  Will you become an amazing doctor?  Will this let you get a degree you couldn’t afford?  Will you be able to be a great spokesperson for disadvantaged students in the future?

Your motivation letter is how you can communicate to someone reviewing your application. You want to show them how you are a great candidate and what you will do with the education that you are going to get.  Motivation letters help your application stand out to the review committee.

Format of Motivation Letter For Scholarship

You might have heard about the cover letter which is included when you apply for any job along with your resume or CV similarly motivation letter is just like that. The basic aim of providing a motivational letter is to explain why you are a good candidate for the particular scholarship and what you are planning in your education life after receiving the scholarship amount.

In most of the programs, the review committee goes through these motivation letters to narrow down their search for the right applicant. If you are applying for the Graduate Level scholarship then in such conditions you must provide a motivation letter as it is the one that can help you in putting forward your own views.

How To Write a Motivation Letter For the Scholarship?

In this section, we are going to learn about the structure of a motivation letter . Just like any other letter, it has three parts introduction, body, and conclusion. In the introduction, you need to mention your name education level, and the program for which you are applying.

In the portion of the body, you need to mention around two or three paragraphs. Where you will be going to include any relevant experience. You can also explain any of the unpaid and paid internships you had in your life, volunteer activities, special educational programs, or anything else that helps you stand out from other candidates. In the next paragraph, you can discuss your education goals. What do you want to achieve in your life or why you are applying for the particular scholarship program . In the last paragraph speak briefly about your future plans and dreams. You want to achieve this after completing your education.

The body should have at least the following elements:

• The key elements of your background.   – Don’t make the review committee search, connect the dots for them. Highlight past programs, experiences, and activities that make you a great application.
• Your Education – This is a scholarship application, so you need to discuss your educational background and your goals.  Just like when you are applying for a job , go through the scholarship’s requirements, mission, and values which should all be available on their website.  Use similar language and synonyms when you highlight your own experience.   Do not ever lie.   You must be honest.  You can use similar words and ideas, when it fits when you think about your own background and experience, and what to include.
• Plans for the Future – This is where you tell the review committee what you plan to do with the opportunities that you will get from the scholarship.  If you can attend the program or school that the scholarship lets you, what will you do in the future?  You want to make them want you.  This can also be part of the conclusion.

Close it out with a simple conclusion saying how excited you are about the opportunity.  It should wrap up your future plans.  Build a bright view of the future made possible by the scholarship you are applying for.  Perhaps you could tell them about the career that you can have with the scholarship. It might open the door to new educational opportunities.  You can even tell them how you want to start your own scholarship, charity or other amazing future.

Your motivation letter for a scholarship should be about 500-1,000 words. Ideally, it should be one page with short paragraphs.  There’s a good chance that a reader won’t make it past the first page.  Thankfully, though, this is a motivation letter that you can probably get away with making a little bit longer.

Motivation Letter For Scholarship Sample with Example

There are a few things that you should not do while writing a motivation letter for the scholarship. As it can leave a bad impact on the reviewer. You need to write a well-written letter without any spelling errors or grammatical mistakes it is suggested that only use a professional tone and advanced phrasing method without any slang or colloquialism. To make yourself clearer you should provide a few examples related to your past present and future experiences and should always stay away from any vague generalizations. 

So these are a few things we should not be there in your scholarship letter. Apart from this intentionally we are here also providing you some templates that can help you in writing a perfect motivation letter you can take help from these free-of-cost templates. You can simply download any of the desired templates and have a print of it apart from this we hope that you will not face any kind of difficulty or problem while writing a letter for yourself.

Motivation Letter for Scholarship in PDF Format

  PDF   WORD

Some Things to Avoid In Your Motivation Letter for Scholarship

As with any letter, you are applying for an educational opportunity. Check your spelling and your grammar.  Be specific, don’t make vague statements.  Anyone can do that.  Be specific in your statements, your experiences, and your future. You want them excited about your application.

Of course, every word processing program out there has a spell checker.  That will help. A great tool to consider is Grammarly .  They have a fantastic product that is much more robust than anything you will find in your normal spell checker.  The free version does a great job of spell checking, including commonly confused work (like “to” and “too”). 

If English isn’t your first language, or you aren’t a strong writer, it’s well worth checking out their paid version of Grammarly . In addition to spell checking, it will suggest better phrasing and help you with the tone of your letter. It’s a great resource for improving your writing.

Make sure that you are professional and respectful.

Other Resources for Writing Your Motivation Letter for a Scholarship

We provide this guide to you so that we can help you write a motivation letter that works for you.

We do offer a template that you can download and use to get started. It provides you with a good format that you can use to write your motivation letter. It works with both Microsoft Word and Google Docs. We’ve designed it to be easy to use and very affordable.

If you need something more, we recommend working with a freelancer on Fiverr . Fiverr is an online marketplace where you hire freelancers for projects that they advertise for. There are several authors on Fiverr who advertise Motivation Letter writing projects . They can help you write or edit your motivation letter to help you get the best motivation letter for scholarships that you can have. We have built some resources to help you work on Fiverr if you need it.

Motivation Letters for Scholarships Can Really Help You Stand Out

Scholarship review committees definitely pay attention to motivation letters.  If you write a great motivation letter, you can really increase the chances of standing out from other applicants.

Make sure that each motivation letter that you use for scholarships is unique.  There will definitely be some similarities but you want to make sure that you tailor your experiences and your future plan to fit the scholarship programs.  The review committees could be reading hundreds or thousands of these.  It’s your job to show them why you are the best applicant for the scholarship.

Related posts:

• Motivation Letter for Internship with Example
• Motivation Letter for University, College & School With Example
• How to Write a Motivation Letter for Master’s Degree with Sample
• How to Write an Amazing Motivation Letter for a Teacher Position

3 thoughts on “Motivation Letter For Scholarship With Example”

Great information, it was very useful.

Motivational letter for scholarship for Information Technology for Bsc program.

I would look at our articles on motivation letters for computer science and for University .

If you want more help, we usually recommend Fiverr to find a writer to help. We’ve got an article on getting the most out of Fiverr .

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10 Winning Scholarship Essay Examples From Real Students

Make your application shine.

Writing a scholarship essay can be intimidating. The competition is fierce and the stakes are high, so students are bound to feel the pressure. It may be helpful, therefore, to look at essays that were successful. What did those students do to impress the committee? These scholarship essay examples will give you a better idea of how to make an application shine! 

Tips for Writing a Scholarship Essay

We’ve put together a whole guide for how to write a scholarship essay , so if you haven’t read it already, definitely give it a look! In addition, here are some quick tips to help students get started. 

Carefully read the rules

The last thing you need is to be disqualified from winning a scholarship because you didn’t do the right thing. 

Start early

Don’t wait until the last minute to start researching and applying for scholarships. Give yourself plenty of time to work through the process. 

Get to know the provider

Think of the scholarship provider as your target audience. You want to tailor your essay to impress them, so do your research. What kinds of candidates are they looking for? What causes do they support? Dig deep for the information you need!

Think about who you are, what you want to say, and how to appeal to the scholarship committee. Write everything down and then choose the best ideas. 

The scholarship committee will be reviewing many applications. How can you make yours unforgettable? Highlight your strongest assets, share hard lessons if they showcase your growth as a person and/or student, and be honest. Never lie in a scholarship essay!

Be professional

Consider this the most important academic paper you’ve ever written. Don’t use slang or casual language. Submit a properly formatted essay that’s been well-edited and proofread by multiple people.

One last tip

Don’t reuse scholarship essays! Yes, it’s time-consuming, but students need to put the same effort into every application. Use the same process and it will get faster and easier every time!

Scholarship Essay Examples

Afc visionary scholarship essay by nicole kuznetsov.

Award Amount: $5,000

Essay prompt: Why do you want to go to college? Why is it important to you?

Why it was successful: The  beauty of this essay is that it’s well-organized and simple. Nicole Kuznetsov chose to outline her story by using chronology and provided a clean, concise story following a linear path.

North Coast Section Foundation Scholarship Essay by Christine Fung

Award Amount: $1,000

Why it was successful: Christine Fung masterfully shared how her upbringing instilled strong values, a love for education, and a passion for medicine .

The Bill Browning Scholarship Essay by Gabby DeMott

Award Amount: $10,000

Essay prompt: Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Why it was successful: Gabby DeMott shared her experiences with personal growth and overcoming fears in Germany. She also appealed to the very human feeling of wanting to belong in a way that was inspiring. 

Life Happens Scholarship Essay by Emily Trader

Award Amount: $15,000

Essay prompt: How has the death of a parent or guardian impacted your life financially and emotionally? Be sure to describe how the loss of your parent/guardian impacted your college plans, and explain how the lack of adequate (or any) life insurance coverage has impacted your family’s financial situation.

Why it was successful: Emily Trader fully addressed the prompt in honest, beautiful detail. She knew her audience and tailored her essay to appeal to them while telling her compelling story. 

Change a Life Foundation Scholarship Essay by Isabella Mendez-Figueroa

Essay prompt: Please explain how your experience volunteering and participating in community service has shaped your perspective on humanity. Elaborate on how these experiences have influenced your future ambitions and career choice.

Why it was successful: Isabella Mendez-Figueroa shared an empowering story about her parents overcoming financial adversity so that she and her sister could be the first in their family to go to college. 

Giva Scholarship Essay by Joseph Lee

Essay prompt: Who is (or what makes) a good doctor?

Why it was successful: Joseph Lee offered a captivating , personal story that was essentially a list of things that make someone a good doctor without it feeling boring or calculated. 

New York University College of Arts and Science Scholarship by Ana

Award amount: $39,500 

Essay prompt: Explain something that made a big impact in your life.

Why it was successful: Ana discussed how early experiences w ith learning difficult things has contributed to her passion for teaching and supporting students. 

The Fund for Education Abroad Rainbow Scholarship Essay  by Steven Fisher

Award amount: $7,500

Essay prompt: The Fund for Education Abroad is committed to diversifying education abroad by providing funding to students who are typically under-represented in study abroad. Please describe how you and/or your plans for study abroad could be viewed as under-represented.

Why it was successful: Steven Fisher’s powerful essay   connected his realizations about his own sexual identity with embracing the beautiful diversity found all around the world. 

Women’s World Banking Founder’s Scholarship Essay by Rosaisha Ozoria

Essay prompt: Write about your hopes for the future of women and girls worldwide.

Why it was successful: Rosaisha Ozoria   focused on a very specific topic , financial literacy for Hispanic women, and emphasized its importance and relevance to her own life. 

The Millennium Gates Last Dollar Scholarship Essay by Famyrah Lafortune

Award amount: $3,500

Essay prompt: Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” —Nelson Mandela Describe a change you would like to make in the world. Tell us about how you would plan to make that change, and what obstacles you might encounter along the way.

Why it was successful: Famyrah Lafortune starts with a strong statement about ending racial inequality and then details the steps she’ll take to make it happen. 

Do you have any great scholarship essay examples? Share them below!

Plus, check out  the ultimate guide to college scholarships, want more suggestions be sure to subscribe to our newsletters ..

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The Ultimate Guide To Writing a Winning Scholarship Essay

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Making it all easy

How to Write a Motivation Letter for Scholarship | Examples 

Elijah Paul Updated December 16, 2023

Many students want to apply for several scholarships and win them too, but become skeptical knowing they need to write a motivational letter that will help them stand out. That’s why we have provided you with a simple template above to help you write a winning Motivation Letter for a Scholarship . The template will help you adapt to several types of motivational letters for scholarship. We encourage you to read this article to the end to learn how to write a good scholarship motivational letter yourself.

Table of Contents

For A Start Use the Format Above to Write Your Motivation Letter for a Scholarship

A motivation letter for a scholarship is an opportunity to weave a description that will grab the attention of the scholarship committee and prove to them that you’re a good fit for the scholarship program you covet. Hence, it’s a critical part of a scholarship application. Therefore, if a motivation letter is among the requirements for the scholarship you’re applying for, you need to take it very seriously because it can determine your chances of receiving the award.

Furthermore, a motivation letter is not just about showcasing academic excellence. It’s about painting a vivid portrait of your character, your determination, and the unique perspective you’ll bring to the academic table. Moreover, scholarship evaluation committees often use motivation letters to narrow down their pool of applicants. Hence, knowing how to craft a motivation letter for a scholarship will you stand out from a large pool of applicants. 

Whether you’re an undergraduate student or a postgraduate student who wants to write a motivation letter for a scholarship program, you’ve come to the right place. In this piece, you learn about everything you need to know to write an appealing scholarship motivation letter. Thus, ensure you read every line so you don’t miss any vital information.

You can also check out the Fully Funded Scholarships for International Students

What Is a Motivation Letter?

A motivation letter is an essay that indicates your interest in an academic program or scholarship. This letter is critical to receiving a scholarship award since it allows you to make a positive impression on the minds of your readers. Typically, a motivation letter introduces you, your background and academic history, your achievements, and your aspirations to the selection committee. 

In other words, the motivation letter will persuade the scholarship selection committee that you are an ideal candidate. Hence, it highlights your relevant experience, strengths, and future work to demonstrate to the reader why you are a deserving candidate for the scholarship. This will be your opportunity to describe your goals, clarify what you want to do, and demonstrate your unique potential. 

Moreover, the letter is usually short, captivating, and concise. As a result, it ranges from 500 to 8000 words. Likewise, it is organized into three sections: the introduction, the body of the letter, and the conclusion. Read on to learn more about how you can craft an appealing motivation letter for a scholarship. 

Why Do You Need a Motivation Letter for Scholarship?

Typically, a motivational letter allows you to highlight your strengths and accomplishments in ways that a resume cannot. Hence, it’s an opportunity to demonstrate your unique characteristics and why you’re a good fit for a scholarship program. Below are more reasons why you need to craft a motivation letter for a scholarship. 

You can also check out the Easiest Scholarships To Get For International Students

What Should You Include in Your Motivation Letter?

Although each letter is unique, however, all scholarship motivations are supposed to follow a specific structure. Hence, you should format your scholarship motivation letter with an introduction, body, and conclusion.

Introduction : In your introductory paragraph, you should:

Body of the letter: here you have to establish that you are the right candidate for the scholarship. in your body paragraphs, you should write about:, conclusion: for your conclusion, you can:.

You can also check out the Top 115 US Scholarships for International Students

How to Write a Motivation Letter for a Scholarship

Time Needed : 2 hours 0 minutes

Writing a stellar motivation letter takes time, it'll often require thorough writing, review, and editing. To write a motivation letter that properly convinces your audience of your passion and drive for a scholarship program, here are the steps you should take:

Research Scholarships

Outline your information 

Write your letter 

Conclude your letter 

Proofread your letter 

• Laptop or mobile phone
• Online Application

What NOT to Include When Writing a Scholarship Motivation Letter

You have to ensure you carefully write your scholarship motivation letter with no grammar or spelling errors. Hence, use a professional tone and advanced phrasing to avoid using any slang. Ensure to provide specific examples about your past, present, and future. Stay away from vague generalizations. Vagueness shows a lack of care or knowledge of what you are writing. Neither of these are impressive to a scholarship review committee.

You can also check out the Belgium Scholarships for International Students

How to Revise Your Motivation Letter 

Generally, you can never be too careful when writing a motivation letter. Also, your first draft is just the beginning of the journey so, don’t assume your essay will come out perfect after your first draft. Therefore, you need to spend as much time reviewing your essay as you spent writing it. Ideally, you would start writing it at least a few months or weeks before the deadline. 

After you’ve written your first draft, take a break by leaving it for a few days or even weeks. This will provide a mental break, allowing you to approach the editing process with a clearer perspective. Similarly, this distance will help you identify areas for improvement, catch errors, and refine your ideas more effectively than if you were to edit immediately after writing.

Moreover, ensure to keep on editing while you come back to your letter regularly. Your draft will gradually take on its final form, and within a couple of weeks, it will be much better than the first version. Additionally, you can ask your friends or family to review your essay and share their thoughts. In addition, if you’re close with a professor, you can ask them to review it and give you feedback. They will help you catch any grammar errors and give you fresh ideas for improving your essay.

Tips for Writing a Motivation Letter for Scholarship

A well-crafted motivation letter can significantly impact your chances of securing a scholarship. So, here are a few tips to consider when preparing a motivation letter for scholarship:

You can also check out the How To Use A Net Price Calculator | Financial Aid 

Motivation Letter for Scholarship Samples

Our group of professionals at Scholarafrika.com has compiled a list of motivation letters for scholarship samples from the world’s top university websites. We hope this list will help and properly guide you in writing an effective and winning motivation letter for a scholarship.

February 21, 2020

Ms. Liza Wideman Recruiting Coordinator

Great Strategy Consulting Firm

200 Shell Fish Blvd, Suite 199

San Francisco, CA 94080

Dear Ms. Peterson,

I am eager to express my interest in the associate position at great strategy consulting firm. currently pursuing a master of liberal arts degree in information technology at harvard extension school, i bring a robust technical background complemented by a passion for business and a keen interest in strategy..

My academic journey has consistently demonstrated my commitment, maintaining a 3.95 GPA in a well-rounded program that blends analytical and technical proficiency with the development of leadership and teamwork skills. I am particularly drawn to Great Strategy’s innovative approach to strategy consulting, especially in the realms of Business Development and Innovation. I believe my academic grounding, coupled with practical industry experience, positions me well to excel as an Associate.

Before my time at Harvard, I worked as a technology professional addressing strategic issues related to process improvement. This experience in Fortune 500 companies honed my research, analytical, and problem-solving abilities. My role in generating inventive ideas and strategies for process enhancement has deepened my understanding of the multifaceted challenges companies face in their day-to-day operations. Additionally, my professional background underscores the significance of effective team dynamics in today’s diverse business landscape.

While my experience in IT has been fulfilling, I am now eager to channel my analytical and creative problem-solving skills into the field of strategy consulting. I see consulting as a discipline that will challenge me to view problems not just through the client’s lens but also from the marketplace, best practices, and “out of the box” perspectives.

I would be grateful for the opportunity to interview with Great Strategy Consulting Firm for the Associate position. Enclosed is my resume for your review, and I can be reached via email at [email protected] or by phone at (617) 555-3456. I look forward to the possibility of connecting soon.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Xander E. Okpara

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Write a Motivation Letter for a Scholarship 

How do i start a motivation letter for a scholarship.

You can begin your scholarship motivation letter with a strong and engaging introduction. Start by introducing yourself by adding your personal information and contact details in a header as well as explaining why you are applying for the scholarship. 

How many words should a motivation letter for a scholarship be?

Your application letter should be concise, appealing, and impactful within the range of 500 to 8000 words.

How do you end a motivational letter?

In concluding your scholarship motivational letter, express gratitude for the opportunity, restate your enthusiasm, and convey confidence in your ability to contribute. End with a polite closing, such as “Sincerely” or “Best regards,” followed by your name.

Conclusion  

Finally, keep in mind that a motivation letter is it’s about demonstrating your goals and unique qualities and not just about showcasing academic proficiency. Moreover, it is an opportunity to win the heart of the scholarship panel and improve your odds of receiving any scholarship award. So, if the scholarship you’re applying for demands a motivation letter, we hope this post has given you a head start on how you can craft a beautiful and compelling motivation letter for your scholarship.

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How to Write Good Motivation Letter for Scholarship

Updated on 07 november, 2023.

Shivangi Mishra

Sr. content editor.

Wondering how to write a good motivation letter for scholarship applications? Many scholarship-granting institutions, foundations, and sponsors insist on motivation letters as a part of the application procedure. The motivation letter assumes greater importance since it is an opportunity for candidates to convince the sponsors or institutions about their knowledge, experience, and skill sets, along with establishing their credentials for the scholarship in question. 

The motivation letter aims to illustrate why someone is a suitable candidate for any scholarship and his/her future objectives or goals. These letters are often used to filter applicants by review committees. They are mostly needed for scholarships at the graduate levels or even for speciality courses. 

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Table of Contents

How to write a good motivation letter for a scholarship, sample motivation letter for scholarship.

Writing a motivation letter requires candidates to adhere to some basic aspects. Here are a few pointers that might help in this regard: 

• The motivation letter should be crisp and concise, covering the key aspects of the candidate’s resume and educational journey, along with other professional experience and future objectives. 
• The word count is usually between 500-1000 words, divided into paragraphs with an introduction and conclusion. 
• The future plans of the candidate should be closely linked to the scholarship’s objectives. Candidates should also mention the benefits of continuing their education in a particular area of study, and how they will use their knowledge and experience to further the objectives of the scholarship in question. 
• Candidates should also establish their suitability and credentials for the scholarship, using their knowledge, unique skills, and experiences as differentiators and future goals. 
• The introduction should contain the candidate’s name, educational level, and degree course. 
• The motivation letter should undergo thorough proofreading, while maintaining a professional tone all throughout. 
• Candidates should avoid any generalizations or statements of a vague nature. 

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Date: 

Candidate Name: 

Candidate Address: 

To Whom It May Concern: 

My name is (candidate name), and I am a final year student at (institution name), pursuing my master’s in Interior Design . My future objective is to embark on a PhD programme after graduation, with special emphasis on 3D modeling and augmented/virtual reality. 

While in high school, I was associated with a local charitable organization, Sustainable Housing for All, helping skilled architects and interior designers build cost-effective housing for low-income groups. I worked extensively in terms of helping draft the layouts and configurations while talking to the intended recipients and understanding their needs. I was also fortunate to have brushed up my skills in terms of using CAD and other 3D modeling tools. 

I have focused solely on interior designing as my chosen educational and professional field, graduating as a Bachelor in Interior Design from (institution name) with (percentage of marks/GPA) in (year). During my undergraduate programme, I interned with Messrs. Harvey & Co Interior Designers, working closely on collecting client briefs, selecting color schemes, mapping layouts, and assisting professional designers on tweaking plans per prevalent building codes of various regions. 

My master’s program in interior design has also given me rich exposure to the finer nuances of the field, enabling me to leverage my creativity and technical knowledge to work on several hands-on projects as part of the curriculum. I have been actively involved in designing the décor theme for a local brewery and designing a room for a seven-year-old child. My future goal is to expand my knowledge and skills in 3D modeling and also augmented and/or virtual reality. I strongly believe that the future of architecture and interior design lies in creating immersive and digitized spaces for their intended inhabitants as a precursor to the final construction or implementation phase. I wish to pursue further research on the development of AR/VR experiences and models with better walk-throughs and interactive capabilities for clients, while bolstering my technical skills simultaneously. 

I will be interning with design-tech firm PropInterio in the summer, and this stint will help me further develop my knowledge and understanding of various technical tools. I wish to pursue my PhD in interior design, with an emphasis on AR/VR and 3D modeling to continue my educational journey and build more immersive and easy-to-access digital experiences for clients in the future. In future, I wish to open my own design studio, offering these experiences for people at a reasonable cost, enabling them to visualize spaces and eliminate differences between what they expect and the final output as much as possible. Continuing my education and research in the field is thus imperative towards achieving my future career objectives. I appreciate your consideration. With your help and support, I can continue my educational journey in interior design, with a view towards enabling better consumer experiences across the spectrum. 

Yours Sincerely, 

Candidate Name 

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More Resources to Read:

What is to be included when writing a motivation letter for a scholarship?

While writing a motivation letter for a scholarship, candidates should include their educational and professional details and experience, while mentioning why they are the right fit for a scholarship. They should also talk about their future objectives in the letter.

How long should a motivation letter be for a scholarship?

Most institutions will not specify any word count for a motivation letter. However, the thumb rule is to keep it concise, mentioning only relevant and vital information about the candidate. 500-1000 words can be a basic template to follow while writing a motivation letter for a scholarship.

She is an experienced writer and journalist who has extensively covered the education sector in India and Abroad. Now helping Indian aspirants realise their foreign education dream by providing them with relevant content and information through upGrad Abroad. Amateur traveller, loves to read Architectural Digest!

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Motivation Letter for Scholarship in simple words

A motivation letter for Scholarship is an important aspect of the application process for a Master’s degree, a Ph.D degree or even a bachelor’s degree (in some cases) at overseas universities. But what is a motivation letter? What is the ideal way to compose it? And what is the big deal about it, anyway?

Motivation letter

What is the ideal length of a motivation letter for scholarship.

Methods for Writing a Motivational Letter

How to write a cover letter for scholarship?

Tips for writing a perfect cover letter + good covering letter examples

A Motivation Letter for Scholarship , also known as a cover letter or personal essay or application letter, is a letter that explains why you are a perfect candidate for a job or a scholarship by citing instances of your interests and accomplishments. When you apply for a job or a scholarship, it’s normally tied to your resume.

Note: Some people tend to consider that a cover letter differs from a motivation letter in that it provides particular instances of how your work experience and talents match the position you’re applying for. In contrast, a motivation on letter focuses more on your personality, hobbies, and reasons for applying. A cover letter is an effective way to attract an employer’s attention (when applying for a job) while a motivation letter is written in order to be accepted at an educational institution, academic program, or non-profit organization as a volunteer.

A well-written motivation letter for scholarship may make your chances of getting into your selected Master’s /Ph.D program. So it is most likely the most personalized document of a student’s application. As a result, writing an original motivation letter is a task that should not be underestimated.

The length of a motivation letter for scholarship is usually not regulated. It can’t, however, be too long or too short. The goal is to present briefly the best arguments. It’s also not a good idea to overlook minor things. Small details can sometimes make a big difference. The most important educational achievements, information of your resume, talents, and long-term ambitions must all be included in the motivation letter. Motivation letters should generally be between 500 and 1000 words long.

Methods for Writing a Motivation Letter for Scholarship :

A motivation letter is often structured in one of two ways.

Writing a motivation letter the classic way:

A letter of motivation for scholarship should be divided into three parts: introduction, body, and conclusion, according to the traditional method. Using the traditional method isn’t a terrible idea. If you wish to compose the letter’s body like a tale, you can utilize it. As a result, the reading flow is not broken. The letter must include an introduction, a body, and a conclusion, regardless of the approach you use.

Writing a motivation letter the modern way:

Another option for writing a motivation letter is to utilize 5-7 paragraphs, with the body separated into 3-4 paragraphs. It is entirely up to you to decide. However, breaking out the body into several paragraphs is advantageous and vital because it makes the letter easier to read as well as each one emphasizes a distinct point. For these reasons, we are demonstrating how to write a cover letter the modern way:

Title + header:

The title of the letter can be: “Letter of Motivation for [scholarship you are applying to]”.

The header must include: Full name – Address and zip code – Phone number – e-mail address – Skype and social networks accounts (optional).

Introduction

Begin with a formal greeting and then go right to the point by mentioning the purpose of the letter. “Through this, I would want to… apply for the scholarship… published in… motivation letter for scholarship” Also, please respond to the following questions: why are you applying for this scholarship, and what encouraged you to participate in the program? You will be able to write succinctly about what you enjoy about the school and/or nation to which you are applying for a scholarship in this manner. Finally, be sure to include your goal and how it ties to the goals of the school to which you’re applying. “… I’ve been yearning for an international experience for…,” for example. And I am confident that the institution’s study program X will be of use to me…. “

Important details about who you are exactly

This is the second paragraph of the Motivation Letter for Scholarship. It should include the following:

– Your academic accomplishments. – Why are you a good candidate for the scholarship?

Whatever accomplishments you have, write them down in a way that indicates how valuable they are to the institution to which you are applying.

How you can participate

How do your skills and abilities contribute to the institution or country, just as you wish to learn and travel? You can write something like “improve my colleagues’ knowledge of my country, engage in artistic activities or sports, etc.”

More Details of Your Motivation Letter for Scholarship

You need to elaborate on your motivation here. According to previous studies: Why is the program so important to you? How can the institution’s and country’s research programs and facilities assist you in achieving your objectives?

Demonstrate your desire to learn and contribute new information. Words like “I am really driven by…” may be found here. “It would be an honor and the start of a long …” and so on.

Acknowledgments

Time is very precious, so you need to show appreciation to the reader by thanking him/her for giving you attention and make it clear that you would be really pleased to work with him/her. Finishing with  “Cordial Greetings/Cordially” would be more than good.

The following image demonstrates a motivation letter sample .

Tips for writing a perfect cover letter + good covering letter examples :

Take the following tips into consideration while writing your cover letter :

Try showing instead of telling:

If you refer to a good motivation letter sample , you will notice that easily. This holds true for CVs as well as motivational letters . “I am a good leader,” versus “I led a group of my fellow students on a week-long climbing expedition, where we successfully…”, sounds a lot weaker. Avoid making remarks that are extremely vague, since this may cause the admissions committee to lose faith in your objectives. Also, avoid repeating yourself – if you’ve gone over something in detail in your CV, don’t go over it again in your motivational letter.

Be specific and do your research:

One of the most common issues throughout the application process is that candidates fail to sufficiently describe why they want to study the subject they have applied for. Remember that you must explain both your subject and your institution of choice. “Why Biology?” isn’t the only question; “Why Biology at this university?” is another. If you don’t know the answer to this question, read back through the University’s website and figure out what prompted you to take the next step and apply for your desired course.

Academic institutions frequently express their values, priorities, and vision in great detail. What is the motto of the institution you want to work for? Do they place a higher value on sports, the arts, or something else? Do they have a values statement? What are your thoughts on these issues? The most important question to consider in relation to these matters is why you want to go here in the first place. Incorporating your knowledge of these topics into your application or motivation letter for scholarship is a great way to show admissions tutors that you made an informed decision to study at their institution. This research will not only assist you in tailoring your motivation letter to the needs of the institution. It will also help you decide whether or not this chance fits you well.

Imagine you are writing a story:

Stories have a magic effect on people. They enjoy taking them on a journey that culminates in a satisfying conclusion. A list of accomplishments or superlatives isn’t nearly as engaging as an epic tale that connects all you’ve done into a coherent account and justifies your decision to apply. Make sure your motivational letter has a defined beginning, middle, and finish, just like any other story. These should all flow logically from one another, leaving the reader with the impression that your chosen course and institution are a good fit for your skills, experience, and goals.

Avoid being boring when writing a motivation letter for scholarship:

This is, without a doubt, the most important aspect to consider when writing an application letter for scholarship : you must grab the reader’s attention. It’s considerably less likely that you’ll get a good response if you come off as uninteresting (or worse, bored) on paper.

Furthermore, the interest you describe must be personal and closely related to your motivations. Producing a dull, uninteresting page or two about hard effort and how engaged you are in your subject is of no value at all. This is precisely what every other applicant will write, and you’ll want to stand out for the most competitive courses. But the easiest way to achieve this is to be yourself rather than trying to be someone else. Mention how much you like juggling. Discuss how you felt when your father was laid off from his job. Begin with your oldest recollection.

Your hobbies, feelings, and viewpoints are unique. So, including them in your letter is a fantastic approach to set it apart from others and highlight your strengths. Write in a conversational tone that reflects how you would address your recipient if you were in the same room. Include unique information that can make your motivation letter stand out. Because the recipient might misunderstand humor, use a more serious tone.

Check the application letter for errors:

When writing an application letter for scholarship , you must make it more succinct and professional by proofreading it. Correct any grammar and spelling issues, as well as any awkward phrasing. To guarantee your motivation letter contains only unique information, edit material previously mentioned in your application form or CV.

It’s possible that you’ll have to proofread your motivation letter for scholarship numerous times to catch all of the weaknesses. If time allows, complete this step two days or more after drafting your motivation letter. Time away from work helps you see it more objectively. Ask a trustworthy friend or coworker to reread your motivation letter after you. That helps you ensure it has professional grammar and spelling. Then double-check that you have addressed your personal essay to the right institution. Don’t write a letter of motivation to a recipient whose title was intended for someone else. That would be really embarrassing and unprofessional.

  Have a look at good covering letter examples :

A motivation letter sample is very important to get new ideas. Especially if your goal of the letter is a motivation letter for scholarship .

The more you read good covering letter examples the more you know how to write a cover letter professionally .

Despite the importance of the content, you must consider coordination and design. Due to that, it would be great to take the following into account when writing an application letter for scholarship :

• professional letter font with a font size of 12 pt.
• letter spacing of 1 on all sides of the page.
• good letter layout in order to portray professionalism.
• professional letter file title in order to enable recruiters to locate your motivation letter quickly.
• appropriate letter design that shows what you seek as well as your own personality.
• Unless otherwise stated, save and deliver your cover letter as a PDF document, even if you wrote it in Word.

Motivation Letter for Scholarship Sample

“ Dear ___

I graduated from Kampala Medical University in Uganda in 2019 and am writing to apply for a Master of Public Health (MPH) at Imperial College London because I feel that preventing disease is preferable to treating it. Governments can save money and improve citizen well-being by implementing preventative measures and boosting health. As a result, public health is critical because it protects the nation.

I recognized after reading the course description that it combines epidemiology, biostatistics, and health research methodologies with public health abilities. As a result, I believe it is appropriate for me since I am interested in honing my research abilities in preparation for a future in public health. I’d like to further my knowledge in this sector and work toward a future job that allows me to be creative and helpful to those with little means who are trying to better their health.

I spent six years in Uganda studying public medicine and public health. The program included classes in the following areas:

Environmental health, biostatistics, health concepts, communicable and noncommunicable disease research methods, primary health care, epidemiology, health information systems, occupational health, school health, and health economy and management are some of the topics covered in this course. As part of my training, I conducted a residency in the Nairobi State Hospital during my last year of study. In addition, during my second year of study, I took primary health care as a distinct course.

I spent six years in Uganda studying public medicine and public health. Environmental health, biostatistics, health concepts, communicable and noncommunicable disease research methods, primary health care, epidemiology, health information systems, occupational health, school health, and health economy and management were among the topics addressed in the program. As part of my training, I conducted a residency in the Nairobi State Hospital during my last year of study. In addition, during my second year of study, I took primary health care as a distinct course.

I was also engaged in extracurricular activities as a student, and I went to a lot of medical and scientific seminars. During the summer of 2017, I also worked as a communicable disease control consultant in south Mauritania in response to a Malaria epidemic.

I am a hardworking guy who is eager to take on a leadership role and who has a strong capacity for continuous learning and study. I am a really outgoing, open, and kind individual. I adore meeting new people and being in the company of folks from various ethnic backgrounds. That gives me a lot of pleasure. I am also a creative person who enjoys reading and playing the piano in my spare time. I am fluent in English, Swahili, and a smattering of Spanish.

I would want to study in the United Kingdom because it is home to some of the world’s most prominent colleges and offers cultural, racial, and ethnic variety, allowing us to learn from one another. Following completion of my master’s program, I plan to continue my studies and seek a PhD degree at a top institution.

I am certain that Imperial College London’s Master of Public Health program will give me the information and skills I require for my future career. I am also certain that I will give it my all to achieve in this program.

Thank you for taking the time to examine my request, and I eagerly await your response. “

A distinctive letter of motivation is one of the basic criteria for admission to scholarships, so care must be taken to write it in the optimal format. It should be succinct, logically sequenced, written in an interesting style, addressed precisely to the person concerned, and conform to the necessary formatting criteria. There are 2 ways to write a motivation letter: the classic way and the modern way. We recommend you use the latter one because breaking out the body into several paragraphs makes the letter easier to read, as each paragraph emphasizes a distinct point. We also recommend you proofread your cover letter after finishing it to ensure it is free of errors and everything is in the right place..

It is not a big thing to know how to write a cover letter or a motivation letter for a scholarship . The big deal is to learn how to make it amazingly special. That is why we recommend you refer to more good cover letter examples. Google can be of great help with this. And if you are looking for more tips to win scholarships, why don’t you check How To Get a Scholarship !

Maria Sotti

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Motivational Letter for a Scholarship

• Categories: Scholarship

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Published: Dec 5, 2018

Words: 351 | Page: 1 | 2 min read

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