Writing scholarship letters can help a student get the funding that she needs for college. Whether you're a teacher, an administrator or coach, you should know the points to cover in a good letter of reference. When you take the time to do your homework and write a good letter, your student's chances for college scholarships improve.
Do Your Research: When the student initially asks you for the reference, ask the student about her goals. Knowing what the student will be studying, what her interests are and what her career goals are will help you frame your letter in the right context. You should also know the deadline of the scholarship letter so you can be sure to get it in on time.
Follow the Right Structure: Start out with a description of your relationship with the student. You should indicate how long you have taught, coached or known her. This will help give the scholarship board a framework for your recommendation. Be sure to include a description of yourself and why you are qualified to give a recommendation. Write about your length of time at the school or how many students you've taught in the course of your career.
Be Specific: Make sure to emphasize the positive about the student, but back it up with facts. It's not enough to say that "Carla is an excellent student." You should add information about the student's grades while in your class, or performance on a sports team. You should pair this information with general comments about her character. Does the student try to help others understand the material? Does she continually provide the team moral support? Does the student look for ways to contribute to the school community? Share stories of specific instances when the student went above and beyond.
Get a Transcript: Be sure to get a copy of the student's transcript from the office. By looking at her grades in other classes and extracurricular activities, you can get a good idea of how well rounded she is. You can use this information in your letter to demonstrate why the student will be a good choice for the scholarship.
Before you send off the letter, be sure to proofread it, and save it in a special place on your computer. You may be asked to submit the same letter to many different institutions, so it's a good idea to hold onto it. By following these guidelines, you will send in a letter of recommendation that will pull your student ahead of the pack.
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