A Guide to Writing Motivation Letters for Scholarships [Format, Tips, Templates]

Scholarships are highly sought after for their financial assistance, experiences, connections and accolades, which can give students an edge during their university studies. Although there are scholarships that are awarded purely through simple applications or based on academic merit, high-value awards often require scholarship motivation letters. 

As scholarships are highly competitive and limited in number, expressing your motivations for scholarships clearly and effectively is key to being considered. Along with discussing your desire for the award, application letters for scholarships are an opportunity to present yourself as the ideal ambassador for the university, convincing the scholarships committee you will uphold the commitments of the scholarship. 

In this article, we discuss tips for writing motivational letters for scholarships, as well as a sample motivation letter for scholarships.

Scholarship motivation letters are akin to cover letters in job applications; they are an opportunity for you to express your desires, interest and commitment towards the degree or program to the scholarship committee. Motivations for scholarship beyond financial gain is what committees want to award. As scholarships are often limited in number, and academic merit alone does not equate to motivation and commitment, scholarship motivation letters play an important role in refining and selecting awardees.  

Typically, a scholarship motivation letter covers these two basic principles:

1. Why you are a good candidate: Many scholarships have an ethos or criteria which needs to be satisfied in order to be considered. Aside from simply fulfilling requirements, motivation letters for scholarships need to express how you embody values or would make an ideal ambassador for the university. Motivational essays for scholarships are an opportunity to share your interests and goals, which might not be included in regular applications.
2. What you would do with the education: Universities want to provide scholarships to candidates who are interested in and committed to their desired degree or program. Since scholarships can be highly financially beneficial, universities want to make sure that the applicant genuinely wants to study there rather than being purely interested in receiving a free or discounted education. Scholarship motivation letters should therefore include specifics on how the program will equip you for your professional, educational or career goals. 

University scholarships have required criteria as well as a prompt or question for the motivational essay for scholarships; systematically and clearly answering these is key to the success of your application. Therefore, the structure of your scholarship motivation letter should be well thought out in order to properly answer the prompt. Here are our tips for planning your application letters for scholarships format:

Greeting

As with any formal letter, your scholarship motivational letter should be addressed to the appropriate person. The recipient might be listed on the scholarship or program website, but if there isn’t one, address it to the scholarships committee or relevant department.

Introduction 

The way you introduce yourself in your scholarship motivational letter does not have to be basic or boring. Depending on the program and degree level, you can include more detail about how your background has led you to apply to this scholarship. Here are examples of introductions for scholarship motivation letters:

Body Paragraphs 

The body paragraphs of a scholarship motivation letter should systematically address how you fulfill the objectives and criteria of the scholarship, as well as why you want to study that particular program or degree. You can mention your achievements, experience, interests or goals you want to achieve through studying at the university in your motivational letter for scholarship applications. Depending on the type of degree, here are ideas of what to include in motivation for scholarship letters: 

Sample motivation letter for undergraduate scholarship paragraph ideas:

• How your interests align with your ideal major
• Extra-curricular activities which uphold university values
• What you want to do with your education after graduation

Paragraph ideas for scholarship motivation letter for masters:

• What elements of your undergraduate major you would like to continue studying
• How the professional or practical elements of the program will help you career-wise
• Your interest in a specific/unique course or Professor’s research area 

Motivation letter for PhD scholarship ideas:

• How your education has led you to a unique research niche
• Specific facilities, techniques or technology offered by the institute
• Interesting aspects of your Master’s thesis you wish to elaborate on

Conclusion

Wrap up your scholarship motivation letter by reiterating how you reflect the criteria for the scholarship, as well as how your education and achievements will allow you to contribute to the university. Assert your interest in the program and thank the readers for their time and consideration.

Sign off

Finish a scholarship motivation letter with a formal sign-off such as “Sincerely” or “Regards”, then your full name. Since a scholarship motivation letter is usually attached to an online application, it's not necessary to include contact details.

Now that we have established the format and content of a motivational essay for scholarships, here are extra tips that can help elevate your application:

Research the scholarship and scholarship provider: 

Although scholarships are often listed clearly on the university website, having a thorough read-through of the scholarships you are eligible for will provide you with more detail on the award and its’ provider. Although universities have their own scholarships, many are awarded from an adjunct institution or organization or are even donations from specific people. Knowing these small details can help you adjust the angle of your motivation for scholarship letters and showcase your commitment and interest in the university. 

Tailor your scholarship motivation letter:

Just like resumes, scholarship motivation letters should be tailored to the relevant program or institution. Including how specific university values, research interests, facilities, etc. align with your personal and educational goals will highlight not only your motivation for scholarship but motivation towards being admitted to the program, which universities will want to award. Having a generic scholarship motivation letter might come across as rushed, disinterested or that you’re only motivated by the financial benefits of a scholarship.

Avoid informal language:

As you are applying to a university, having a well-written motivational essay for scholarships is essential. Formal language shows your seriousness and professionalism and can also be an opportunity to showcase your writing skills as well. Common uses of informal language to avoid in your scholarship motivational letter include: 

• Using contractions – use “I am” rather than “I’m,” etc.,
• Using slang 
• Using inappropriate or excessive symbols (&, ! emojis, etc.)
• Acronyms, unless they are specific to the relevant university or program
• Phrasal verbs – use concise and formal words instead of commonly spoken phrases e.g., say “many” instead of “lots of”, “most suitable” instead of “best”

Present logical arguments:

A motivational letter for a scholarship is essentially an opportunity to provide a convincing argument as to why you are the most suitable candidate. Making logical, sensical arguments is also a skill required in academia and research; therefore, showcasing this skill is valuable in scholarship motivational letters. Here are examples of logical and illogical arguments you might make when writing motivational essays for scholarships:

Logical argument: I graduated with honors in a Bachelor of Engineering, and I strive to further advance my Engineering skills through the Jonestown Masters of Engineering program. Likewise, I actively participated in the Engineering Society throughout my undergraduate degree and reflect on the Women in Engineering scholarship value statement of “achieving excellence together.” 

Illogical argument: Previous scholarship winners have made significant contributions to their research field; if I am awarded a scholarship, I will too. 

Show your Gratitude: 

A scholarship is a competitive award that few applicants are eligible for, therefore, thank the relevant department, sponsor, or donor in your motivation letter for scholarships to show gratitude for the opportunity. Financial sponsors might be reviewing applications and could read your motivational letter for scholarships that they award. 

Stick to the word limit: 

Sticking to the guidelines for motivational letters for scholarships is essential. Strict review committees might not read all of your essays or might skim through it if it is too long. Writing a succinct, clear motivational letter for scholarships has more impact and shows your writing ability as well. Typically, motivational letters for scholarships will have an approx. 1000 word limit, or a maximum of 1-2 pages. 

Have a well-rounded answer:

Although it might seem like the best way to write a motivational essay for scholarships is to list off academic achievements, having well-rounded essays will give you an advantage. Undoubtedly, many of the applicants will be high achievers; including extra experiences such as internships, employment, or societies which contributed to your motivation for the program in your motivational essays for scholarships will show the committee that you are interested in more than just financial gain.

See our motivational letter for a scholarship example here. Take note of ways you can succinctly but clearly discuss and convince a scholarship committee to consider your application when writing your own application letter for scholarships.

Overall, a motivation letter for scholarships should include well-rounded information on how you reflect the degree or scholarship's values. Universities want to award those who they believe will benefit their department and provide innovation, publications, and quality. Tailoring an application letter for scholarships allows you to directly answer the prompt, and expressing gratitude will give your motivation letter for scholarship applications a personal touch. Use our advice and reference our sample scholarship application letter to craft your own motivational essay for scholarships that will stand out!

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