Flickr user Marco Verch
Scholarships play a key role in helping students reduce their overall debt while working towards achieving their academic goals. Students understand the importance of scholarships and work hard looking for and applying to opportunities to win some free money. Unfortunately, many award recipients fail to write a scholarship thank you letter to their benefactor. With so many errands in preparation for the college search, it’s just something that doesn’t cross their mind.
Why should students write a scholarship thank you letter? Does anybody even read them? The fact that benefactors do read thank-you notes and appreciate the thought surprises students.
A Scholarship Thank You Letter Shows Appreciation
A scholarship is a gift. Sure, students worked to earn the award. But, scholarships are still a gift. Benefactors believed a student with your qualities should be funded and made it happen with their own funds and no expectation of repayment. Unlike a loan, students are not required to pay interest or return the money. The money belongs to the student. And as with receiving any other gift, it’s common courtesy to say thank you and it’s easy to see that how it would be appreciated by the donors or organizations sponsoring this form of aid. A thank you letter allows them know their hard work and efforts are appreciated.
A properly written scholarship thank-you letter achieves more than just showing your appreciation for the assistance you are receiving. If a letter highlights your educational and career goals, benefactors receive the satisfaction of knowing how their scholarship is helping their recipient achieve their dreams and goals through education.
A Skill For the Future
Appreciation sends a lasting message, and is applicable in more situation than one. Learning how to write a professional but heartfelt note of appreciation is a important skill to have as you enter the job market and take on more professional activities. People thanking others gives off a sense of humility. People will know you are grateful for the opportunity you are thanking them about. Additionally, a thank-you note displays someone’s interest or passion in the topic being discussed.
Showing appreciation proves to be quite useful in a plethora of situations. From thanking people after an event to thanking your potential boss after an important job interview, many important situations arise where a simple thank you can make a great impact.
The Benefits of a Simple Thank You
Often, students underestimate the power of networking. With a thank you letter, you show your appreciation for their scholarship, and can earn goodwill kudos. In the future, you may be able to use them as references or, if a company, a potential employer. There are no downsides to sending a thank you note—even if it’s just a quick email.
Appreciating the institutions that give you opportunities is important. However, students require an opportunity to get started. Sometimes, students feel challenged when it comes to finding the right scholarships for them. To find the perfect scholarship or college for you, check out the College Raptor.
| Lender | Rates (APR) | Eligibility | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
5.34%-15.96%* Variable
3.99%-15.61%* Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CITIZENS |
 |
4.92% - 15.08% Variable
3.99% - 15.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT SALLIE MAE |
 |
4.50% - 17.99% Variable
3.49% - 17.99% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CREDIBLE |
 |
6.00% - 13.75% Variable
3.99% - 13.75% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT LENDKEY |
 |
5.50% - 14.56% Variable
3.69% - 14.41% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ASCENT |
 |
3.70% - 8.75% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ISL |
 |
5.62% - 16.85% Variable
3.69% - 16.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT EARNEST |
 |
5.00% - 14.22% Variable
3.69% - 14.22% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ELFI |
