7 Ingredients for Writing a Thoughtful Scholarship “Thank You” Letter

 

by Willette Coleman

CONGRATULATIONS!!!  You won the scholarship!!!  It may be to attend a college or university, or a trade school (yes, sponsors provide scholarships for training in everything from culinary to truck driving).  

So, what next????  Say “Thank You”……in a letter or email. 

Receiving a thoughtful and well written “Thank you” letter from a scholarship recipient lets sponsors know that their gift was appreciated, and who doesn't like being appreciated.  It’s “important to remember that scholarships are made possible by the generous donations of other people, and when students receive a life changing scholarship it is important to thank those individuals with a formal letter of appreciation,” collegescholarship.org stresses.  Also, a “Thank you” holds you in high esteem with scholarship sponsors, and, in the long run, could help you “establish professional connections that lead to future funding or career opportunities” after graduation, offers U.S.news.com. 

Composing a “Thank You” letter isn’t as difficult as you might think.  

 

To start, put on your detective hat and find out to whom you should send your letter(s)/email(s).  There could be more than one person.  If you received your award through your college or university, the financial aid adviser or department head should be able to provide the name(s) and address(es) you need.  Some colleges and universities, like the University of Utah and Fresno State, have procedures to guide you through the process.  Even if the scholarship wasn’t provided through your school, ask for help from the financial aid adviser or department head anyway.  It doesn’t hurt to ask.

After securing the 411, refresh your memory with what you said in your essay (if an essay was the requirement).  A re-imagined sentence or paragraph of a few salient points you made in your award-winning communication can serve as a reminder to the scholarship provider.    

While writing, re-writing and editing your drafts, keep in mind to be

·        thoughtful 

·        clear and concise 

·        enthusiastic 

·        sincere/genuine (try not to be pretentious)

·        brief

  INGREDIENTS

 

Like a recipe for a delicious casserole, a “Thank you” letter/email comes with a list of ingredients.  Here are 7.

1.     Your major

2.     Date you expect to graduate

3.     The scholarship by name.  (Some donors contribute to a number of different programs, so naming the one you won lets them know which scholarship has the greatest impact.)

4.     The college or university you’re attending.

5.     How you’ll use the scholarship

6.   How the scholarship assists you in overcoming a financial obstacle, and the impact it has on you and your family. 
7.  Give brief details of any extracurricular activities you’re involved in, particularly community service projects; of an idea for an invention or program to better serve humanity and/or the planet; of plans to do an internship, or of a job already lined up. 

Read your letter/email over and over - 5 or more times - to double-check for typos, spelling (especially the name of the recipient or recipients), grammatical errors, confusing sentence structures and accurate mailing or email address.  Delete unnecessary words and phrases.  Maybe even let the letter (and you) rest for a day or two.  Then read it with “fresh eyes.”  Ask a trusted family member, friend, classmate and/or mentor to read your letter and give you feedback.  (Try not to bristle at any constructive criticism.  Writing is subjective and some authors don’t respond well to suggestions.  Breathe deeply! Remember: In most cases, the suggestions are meant to help, not hurt.)

 

While typing is preferred by some scholarship sponsors, others welcome the personal feel of a hand-written letter(s), just make sure your handwriting is legible and neat.  (To be on the safe side, you could ask your financial aid advisor or department head whether a preference is indicated by the sponsor.) 

 

Write the letter or email in business format like the following 2 sample letters you can modify to your specific need.  (Note:  While GPA and scholarship amount is mentioned in Sample Letter #1, inclusion is optional.  You decide.)

 

*

Sample Letter 1

Date

 

Mr./Ms. ( First and Last Name) 
Name of Organization  
Address
City, State, Zip

Dear Mr./Ms. (Last name of the person to whom the letter is  addressed):

I am honored that the scholarship committee selected me as a recipient of the (name of scholarship).  Thanks to your generous support, I'm the first in my family to attend college.  This award of (amount) benefits my parents also.  They can now focus on making ends meet without struggling to pay for my tuition, fees, books and other supplies.

Growing up in a low income community presented financial and academic challenges, but also helped me understand and value a good education.  I just began my undergraduate career as a freshman majoring in Political Science, and I can report that I maintain a (GPA) and will graduate in (year).  (Name of college/university) offers one of the finest programs in the country and I consider myself fortunate to be able to attend.

I volunteered in my community throughout high school and enjoyed helping people learn about available community services (include name of church or nonprofit organization where you volunteered).  I plan to serve in a political capacity in the future to help people in less fortunate and under-represented communities. 

My educational and career pursuits would not be possible without generous support from scholarship sponsors like you.  Again, thank you for enabling this opportunity!

Sincerely,

(Leave 4 spaces to sign your name on a hard copy letter)

Your Name (type written)

Address

Phone

Email

*

Sample Letter 2

Date

 

Mr./Ms. (First and Last Name) 
Name of Organization                                                                                                  Address
City, State, Zip

Dear Mr./Ms. (Last name of the person to whom the letter is addressed):

My lifelong dream of attending (name of college or university) is a reality thanks to your philanthropy.  The (name of Scholarship) gives me an opportunity to earn credentials in Pediatric Medicine and takes me a step closer to becoming a doctor.  My passion for medicine is matched only by my love for children, so my decision to specialize in Pediatrics comes from the heart.  Pediatric Medicine requires special training and coursework, in addition to tests that require fees.  This scholarship takes a lot of weight off my grandmother who has sacrificed a lot for my education. 

Once again, thank you and the scholarship committee for the vote of confidence.  Following graduation, in (year), I plan to use the skills I learn to help with childhood wellness.    

Gratefully,

Leave 4 spaces to sign your name on a hard copy letter)

Your Name (type written)

Address

Phone

Email

 

Need more help?  See this Step-by-Step guide.    

Magic, Miracles & Blessings,

Willette

 

How Parents and Grandparents can "Spark Joy" in Reading for Reluctant Readers - Part 3

How Parents and Grandparents Can Help their Reluctant Reader be a 

Joyful Reader 

14 Low Tech, Common Sense, Old School Tips & Career Suggestions

by Willette Coleman ©2019

The author shares techniques she has used and personal anecdotes that reveal much about reluctant readers 

 

Last 3 of 14 “CAN DO” Suggestions

See suggestions 1 through 7 in PART 1.
See suggestions 8 through 11 in PART 2.

12. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) or STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) programs go a loooong way in organically encouraging reluctant readers to read, while stimulating their imagination and creativity.  STEM and STEAM (I prefer STEAM because of the “Arts” component.), essentially, are Project Based Learning (PBL), hands-on initiatives that encompasses a high degree of sensory processing – from reading, visualization, math and coding, to taking notes from information given by an instructor or a teacher, books, videos and the Internet - all of which facilitates meaningful, actively engaging and iterative learning.

 

·        Parents and grandparents can inquire whether the school their reluctant reader attends offer either of these programs – in school or after school  - which can inspire reluctant readers to aspire to be innovative inventors.  For example, students in Maryland’s Prince George County designed and engineered unique sports gear for their classmates with disabilities.  (See types of engineers here.)  Virginia Tech graduate, Ginai Seabron chose a STEM/STEAM-related career in nanoscience.  Two outstanding STEM programs are WiseYoungBuilders.org, in Washington, DC and MetroStemWarriors.org, in Maryland.  Berkeley, California has Girls Garage, a design and building program for girls 9 to 17.

·        Parents, grandparents and their reluctant reader can watch STEM or STEAM programs on Public Broadcasting Stations’ (PBS) Dragonfly-TV and Xploration Station’s natureknowsbest.com.  These shows kindle curiosity and “spark joy” in reading.  In a dragonfly-tv episode, teens constructed a boat from discarded milk cartons, sat in the boat and sat sail.  It didn’t sink.  In another episode, two tween boys investigated how reducing, reusing, recycling helps the environment. 
 

·        Parents, grandparents and reluctant readers can find a broad selection of STEM and STEAM activities and books here.  Also, thousands of college scholarships are available for high school students focusing on STEM/STEAM careers.  

13. Encourage writing.  Parents and grandparents can take helping their reluctant reader be a joyful reader a step further by ~

·        Searching for outlets where their reluctant reader can post or publish a book review after finishing a book.  Numerous platforms include goodreads.com and/or online book retailers; their high school print or online newsletter or newspaper; her or his twitter account.  Writing reviews about books could motivate a reluctant reader to go ahead and read the book on the “required reading list” that they didn’t want to read (discussed in Part 1), and writing a decent (albeit dreaded) book report.  Since juveniles have a habit of criticizing nearly every little thing, their review could discuss “Why I don’t like this book.”  At least they would have read it.
 

·        Reluctant readers can create an online magazine or an online book club where subscribers or members in their age group can post their own book reviews, as well as exchange opinions through comments. 
   

·        Journaling or Poetry.  Parents and grandparents can encourage their reluctant reader to keep a journal of things going on in his or her life or feelings, or write poems, or both.  Journaling could lead to a career in journalism.  For example, if your reluctant reader has an interest in the culinary industry, he or she might consider food journalism (also called “food critic”) and wine journalism.  Here is a list of some, but not all, such as finance journalism (for which there are internships), of the different types of journalism careers.  How to Become a Financial Writer offers insight into this career.  Another option is a career as a copywriter.  Parents and grandparents can inquire about after-school writing and poetry programs in their town or city.  Washington, DC has Split this Rock and Writopia. 
   

·        Parents and grandparents can assign their reluctant reader to document family vacations and events (e.g., family reunions, weddings, etc.) and write captions (descriptions) to accompany photos.  Who knows, maybe a photojournalist career would interest them.

·        Speaking of family, parents and grandparents can introduce their reluctant reader to genealogy.  The process – exposure to the forms and charts needed for family history research – helps reluctant readers understand the terminology/vocabulary, concepts and significance of learning about their Ancestors, thus, increasing their background knowledge.  Familysearch.org and Familytreemagazine.com guide middle and high school students in this endeavor.   

Some tweens and teens might complain, “What’s the point in studying some moldy old dead relatives?  What they got to do with me?”   Parents and grandparents can tell their reluctant reader to consider the blood running through their veins; their DNA (the carrier of genetic information).  Does the reluctant reader do things differently from anyone in their immediate family?  If so, could that trait have been passed down from a “moldy old dead relative”?  Parents and grandparents can tell reluctant readers that “Genealogy is more than just tracing your family tree, it is about

-  discovering your heritage,

-  creating a story about your family, and possibly even

-  creating a medical history and can  

-  take you through time and across continents.”

Reluctant readers will    

- learn how their Ancestors managed some of the same, even worse, difficulties (i.e., safety, getting enough food, disease, etc.) they (the reluctant reader) face today;

- learn something from their Ancestors’ strengths and weaknesses; does the reluctant reader have similar strengths and weaknesses?

- compare their Ancestors’ social and political environment with the current environment.  Parents and grandparents can ask their reluctant reader: “When your Ancestors lived, was air quality better than it is now?”  If yes, “Why?  How is it different?  What happened that made it different?”

This activity might lead a reluctant reader to a career in genetic genealogy and genealogy research for which no formal education is required but a degree, such as in family history, is always helpful.  Genealogists are generally required to get certification at the Board for Certification for Genealogists. The field yields plenty of internships such at the Department of Labor’s application for recent graduates.  Parents, grandparents and reluctant readers can also get helpful information at How to Become a Professional Genealogist.

·        Blogging.  Any of the above activities could lead your reluctant reader to creating a blog, which encourages reading and writing.  Teachmama.com provides a step-by-step guide for adolescents interested in starting a blog, and addresses safety issues. 

14. Reading Space.  A quiet environment is crucial to reading and focus.  But, this can be a challenge for youths (and parents) living in today’s high volume, noisy world.  And, not every home can ensure reluctant readers a quiet, well lit, comfortable and inviting space to read.  (This is especially true where children live in homeless shelters.)  Still, 
  

·        Quiet or silence, as Erling Kagge noted in his book, Silence: in the Age of Noise, triggers and invites “reader reflection and is essential to our sanity and happiness.”

Public libraries are the best public places to read in peace and quiet, but, some libraries in some cities, like Washington, DC, are challenged with overtly disrespectful young and adult patrons – from talking loudly on cell phones, popping fingers and dancing to music they play (without headsets or earbuds) on computers, to profanely and vociferously engaging in conversations with or angrily confronting other patrons or library staff.  Some people eat entire meals in DC libraries (the DC Council relaxed the “No Eating” policy, which has opened up a can of worms.  Literally.  I’ve seen people eating out of cans in the library.  It’s disgusting to sit at a public computer where trifling people leave crumbs and sticky stuff on keyboards and at work stations.  Once upon a time, librarians could walk up to a patron, put an index finger to her or his lips and say “shush or sssshhhh” and monitor individuals who disregarded library rules.  Today, the chances of being cussed out or even physically attacked are scary and real.  Outlandish behavior doesn’t happen often, but is annoying when it does.  That said, patrons and reluctant readers can reserve a conference room for an hour or more in libraries and read in peace, away from the noisy and rude public.

“One more thing,” as the disheveled TV detective, Columbo, would say.  Actually, three more things: 

First: Parents and grandparents can remind their reluctant reader that reading not only means learning, but also “knowing.”  IF YOU DON’T READ, YOU DON’T KNOW (that catchphrase is on my t-shirt).  And, knowing translates to “confidence.”  

·        Parents, grandparents and their reluctant reader can create a large graphic poster with that slogan and display it in their reluctant reader’s room; stick “post-its” with that same slogan on the refrigerator and kitchen cabinet doors, bathroom mirror, household furniture; in underwear and sock drawers; on car seats and doors, bicycle, backpacks, etc., and text the catchphrase to their reluctant reader as often as possible.

 

Second:  Parents and grandparents can tell their reluctant reader that reading enhances other pleasures in life; makes other things they enjoy doing, better.  For example, if they like listening to hip hop, Tiffany D. Jackson’s Let Me Hear a Rhyme, that “tells the story of three Brooklyn teens who plot to turn their murdered friend into a major rap star by pretending he is still alive,” would be a cool,  non-boring read they could talk about to friends.  Parents, grandparents and their reluctant reader can find more compelling hip hop novels here.

Third:  Reading books can be therapeutic.  Medical doctors in Wales write 30,000 book prescriptions a year to treat mild to moderate depression.  Book therapy, in war-torn Syria where adversaries drop U.S. bombs and shoot automatic weapons destroying lives and homes, is helping to heal survivors, mentally and emotionally.  Despite the devastating heartbreak from losing family members and friends, Syria’s Secret Library reported that remaining residents mustered up the fortitude to search through the rubble, like archeologists, and salvage thousands of books.  Then, they set up a library in the basement of a building where the upper floors had been bombed to pieces.  AWESOME!!!  Book Therapy!  Just what every frustrated middle and high school reluctant reader needs.   

PARENTS and GRANDPARENTS CAN ALSO READ:

How to Raise a Reader, by Pamela Paul and Maria Russo, helps parents instill a lifelong love of books - from birth to teens.

Pre-teens and teens might enjoy

The Mystery of the Underground Railroad, by Carole Marsh

Double Dutch, juvenile “secrets,” by Sharon M. Draper

The Girl Who Drank the Moon, ghost story, by Kelly Barnhill’s
Freak Show, teen to the rescue, by Kristopher McClendon

Have more suggestions for busy parents and grandparents to help a reluctant reader be a joyful reader?  Please share.

Magic, Miracles & Blessings,

Willette