College scholarships are extremely important for keeping students out of debt while attending college. A scholarship may be invalidated in some cases if a student’s grade point average declines. However, having a scholarship revoked is the worst-case scenario. Before you panic, there is some good news. You could save the situation. You might be able to influence the committee’s decision by writing a persuasive appeal letter.
In this article, we will discuss how to write a scholarship appeal letter, what to include, and provide a sample and template to help you write your own.
What is an Appeal Letter for Scholarship?
A letter of appeal is a written response to a decision that expresses your eagerness for a different outcome regarding your scholarship. An appeal letter for scholarship is an opportunity to explain why you believe the decision was incorrect and propose a more acceptable outcome.
Whatever the reason, if a student’s grade point average falls below the minimum required to retain a scholarship, it is worthwhile to write a scholarship appeal letter to explain the circumstances that made a contribution to the drop in grades.
How to Write an Appeal Letter for Scholarship
Here are some tips to help you write your scholarship appeal letter:
- Consider what was initially wrong
If the scholarship fund declined your inquiry, there had to be a reason. Examine your motivation letter and cover letter to identify any flaws.
- Stick to the facts
Yes, your request may have been denied by mistake, but you must respect the decision. Try to persuade the scholarship to change it by providing more facts and details about yourself. First and foremost, don’t complain or beg for help. It is preferable to impress the commission with your maturity and communication abilities.
- Write about your goals
Show that you understand exactly what you will be studying in the course. Give examples of possible fields you’d like to work in and what your research would be about. Describe which aspects of the program pique your interest the most.
- Emphasize your strengths
To persuade the scholarship committee that you are the right person for the job, make a list of all your accomplishments. Then, choose the most important and life-changing ones for you. Describe how you overcame all obstacles to achieve your goal and what you learned as a result.
- Demonstrate a strong interest in the program for which you applied
You must explain why you chose this program in this section. Discuss what appeals to you the most and what makes it unique. Demonstrate your understanding of the course’s main topics and explain why you think they are important.
- Explain why you’re applying for the scholarship
Be sincere. Simply stating that you are unable to pay your living or educational expenses is adequate. There is no need to explain why you lost your job or why your parents do not want to provide you with a sufficient amount of money.
- Do your research
It is not illegal to be inspired by sample appeal letters found on the internet. You can’t possibly duplicate them. You can, however, borrow some phrases to get a general idea of how the letter should look. But don’t get too overjoyed – each case is unique, so you won’t be able to find an example that completely fits your needs. You must come up with your own words.
- Format it
If you want to make a good impression, you should pay attention to the appeal letter’s structure. There are numerous websites where you can find the requirements for a business letter. The key points are as follows. Begin properly with a greeting, date, and address, then proceed to the main body of a few paragraphs, finishing with gratitude for the time spent reading your letter.
Tips in Writing an Appeal Letter for Scholarship
Here’s what you should include in your appeal letter for scholarship:
- Tone: You must ask for assistance without becoming overly emotional in your letter to the scholarship committee. Instead, make a compelling case for why you deserve the scholarship. A good letter accomplishes this without complaining, demanding, or being overly defensive.
- Attach documents: Documents attached to your letter will help to validate your case. The more supporting information you can provide to the scholarship committee, the more likely the committee will reconsider your case.
- Find the right person: Make direct contact with someone on the scholarship committee or in the aid office. Make sure to address them by name. Thank the person you’re writing to for taking the time to consider your appeal at the end of your letter.
- Find and follow guidelines: Many scholarships already have appeals procedures in place. If you can’t find them, contact the scholarship committee and inquire.
Sample and Template
We provide a sample and template of an appeal letter for scholarship to help you out in creating your own.
Appeal Letter for Scholarship Template
Here is a template of an appeal letter for scholarship:
[Your name]
[Address]
[City, State ZIP Code]
[Phone number]
[Email address]
[Date]
[Name]
[Financial Office]
[University]
[Address]
[City, ZIP Code]
Dear [Recipient’s name],
First paragraph:
State the specific scholarship for which you’re applying for. You should mention what degree program/school you will be attending and when.
Second Paragraph:
Briefly explain why you really deserve the scholarship – as much as possible, you should highlight activities, awards, community service activities, or work experience that sets you apart from other applicants. Be careful not to repeat information on your resume.
Third Paragraph:
Mention the references to your application. Describe your financial need if applicable and thank them for reviewing your application.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
Appeal Letter for Scholarship Example
Here is an example of appeal letter for scholarship:
Leonardo Stevens
1092 Northwood Shore
San Diego, CA
023-908-2345
leonardostevens@email.com
July 27, 2021
Eric Styles
Office of Financial Aid
University of Michigan
512 Jefferson St.
Ann Arbor, MI 3421
Dear Mr. Styles,
My name is Leonardo Stevens, and I am a junior at the University of Michigan studying electrical engineering. I am extremely grateful for the scholarship I received from your university for the last two years of college. Without it, I would not have been able to attend college.
Unfortunately, my scholarship has been terminated because my GPA has dropped below 3.0. My family has been through a difficult year. My mother was diagnosed with cancer. As a result of her condition, I’ve spent a lot of time traveling back and forth to California, where my family lives. Of course, this has taken valuable time away from the time I can devote to school. This hasn’t allowed me to study as much as I’d like, and certainly not as much as I did during the first two years of my degree.
If you look at my transcripts, which I have attached to this letter, you will see that I maintained a GPA of 3.5 until my junior year. I take my studies seriously and am enthusiastic about my degree. My teachers, thankfully, have been very understanding of my situation. They have agreed to let me do some make-up work and retake some tests. This should help my grade point average.
My transcripts are enclosed with this letter. You will also see an appeal form from your organization. If you require any additional information, please contact me by phone or email, and I will provide it to you.
Sincerely,
Leonardo Stevens
You May Also Be Interested In:
- Appeal Letter for Reconsideration
- Appeal Letter for Suspension from Work
- Appeal Letter for Property Tax
- Appeal Letter for Donation
Key Takeaways
- A letter of appeal is a written response to a decision in which you express your desire for a better outcome in relation to your scholarship.
- It is preferable to impress the commission with your maturity and communication skills in your letter.
- Make a list of all your accomplishments to convince the scholarship review panel that you are the right person for the job.
- It is sufficient to simply state that you are unable to pay your living or educational expenses.