What goes in a scholarship thank-you letter
The person who funded your award reads this letter. A good one is short and specific. The generator puts five things in, in this order:
- Thanks by name. The scholarship's full name, and the amount if you want to include it.
- Where you are going and what you plan to study.
- What the money changes. One concrete sentence, like working fewer hours or buying a laptop for class, says more than "this means so much."
- A detail about you or your goal, so the donor knows who they helped.
- A short close and your name.
Formal letter suits a foundation, company or committee. Personal suits a family or memorial scholarship where the donor may want to hear from you again. Short note fits a card or a quick email. Nothing you type is sent or saved.
Before you send it
- Check the name. Spell the donor's name and the scholarship's name exactly as they appear in your award letter.
- Ask how to send it. Some scholarship offices collect letters and forward them, and some want them mailed or emailed directly.
- Send it soon after you accept the award.
- Read it out loud once. If a sentence sounds like something you wouldn't say, change it.
Won an outside scholarship? Report it to your college's financial aid office. Our guide explains how outside scholarships affect financial aid, and whether scholarships are taxable.
Worked example
Maria won a $2,000 family scholarship and will study nursing. Her formal letter thanks Mr. and Mrs. Hartwell for the Hartwell Family Scholarship "in the amount of $2,000," says she will start at the University of Arizona to study nursing, and that their support means she can work fewer hours at her part-time job and spend that time in the lab and study groups.
It ends with her goal of working as a pediatric nurse where she grew up. The whole letter is about 120 words.
Common questions
How long should a scholarship thank-you letter be?
Short. One page at most, and often three short paragraphs. A specific sentence about what the money changes matters more than length.
Should I mention the amount?
It’s optional. Mentioning it is fine and shows you know exactly what you received. Leave the amount blank and the letter skips it.
Should it be handwritten or typed?
Either works unless the scholarship office says otherwise. A handwritten card feels personal for a family or local donor. Typed letters and emails are normal for foundations and companies.
Who do I address it to if I don’t know the donor’s name?
Use the organization or committee, for example "Dear Members of the Scholarship Committee." If you can, ask the scholarship office who funds the award.
Is what I type saved?
No. The letter is built in your browser and nothing is sent or stored. Copy it before you close the tab.