A scholarship recommendation letter is a letter from a teacher, mentor or employer that supports a student’s application for a scholarship or grant. It describes the student’s work, strengths and achievements from someone who knows them well. Scholarship committees read it next to the rest of the application. Start with our free recommendation letter form, or follow the steps and two samples below.
Last Updated: October 2026. This guide is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect current law. If you notice an error or outdated information, please contact us.
A scholarship recommendation letter has three parts. Open with a heading that names the writer and the reader. Add a body about the student. Close with the writer’s contact details and signature.
The format is free, so you can build the letter one part at a time with the five steps below.
Most scholarship recommendation letters come from a professor or program counselor who has supervised the student’s work. Put the writer’s name and title at the top. You can also add the name and address of the school.
The author of a recommendation letter must enter the addressee’s details in the heading part of the letter. If you do not know the reader’s name, write “To Whom It May Concern.”
Say how you know the applicant and for how long. Name your role, such as teacher, program counselor, employer or mentor.
This is the most important part of the letter. Describe the student’s strongest qualities, results and key achievements in their field.
Many writers split it into two short paragraphs. The first covers the student’s qualities. The second gives examples, such as research, artwork, awards and active involvement. About ten to fifteen sentences in total is usually enough.
Finish by saying why the student is a strong choice for the scholarship.
End with the writer’s business phone number or email, the date and a signature. The reader can use these details to ask more about the applicant.
Pick someone who has seen your work up close and can describe it with real examples. A professor, program counselor, coach or employer who knows you well will write a stronger letter than a famous name who barely knows you.
A scholarship letter presents a student as a strong candidate, so accuracy and tone matter. A careless statement can hurt the student’s chances. Review the points below before you write.
Below are two sample letters you can use as a guide. Read the first to see how a finished letter flows, then use the second as a starting point for your own.
Recommendation Letter for Scholarship from a Mentor
Melanie Hills,
Ph.D., Head of the Playwright Master Program
New York Institute of Performing Arts
Green Street, 167
2347890, New York
US
mhillsmhills@pa.com
11/12/2020
To whom it may concern,
Recommendation Letter
I would like to provide a reference for Victoria Fouad, my graduate student. Victoria did her masters at the New York Institute of Performing Arts, at the “Project Performance/ Playwriting” Master Program, where I was the Head.
During her studies, Victoria has proven herself as a talented, creative, and extremely responsible person. Her commitment and interest in the selected field made her achieve success and graduate from the Institute with honors.
In the same way, Victoria brightly showed herself during practical training at the New York Theatre of Contemporary Arts. Her final project, an opera titled “The Bliss,” got the highest mark and became a centerpiece of our graduation performances. Moreover, it was Victoria herself who has coordinated the team for creating and performing her act.
Victoria was also found to be a good manager of an international project of our Institute and Amsterdam Drama High School—“Choice of Freedom” (2019). As a playwright, Victoria works successfully both in individual and group projects.
Victoria always sets high criteria for herself and follows her grand targets. She is open to critic and feedback and steadily improves her skills. Victoria is a real pleasure to talk to, and her optimism, compassion, sense of humor, and stress-management skills make her an incredible team member and a loyal friend.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions at mhillsmhills@pa.com.
Melanie Hills,
Ph.D., Head of the Playwright Master Program
New York Institute of Performing Arts
Recommendation Letter for Scholarship from the Employer
_____________, 20__ [enter date]
__________________ [author’s name]
_______________________________ [title]
_______________________________ [name of business]
_______________________________
_______________________________ [address]
__________________ [contact phone]
__________________ [email]
To whom this may concern,
I, _____________________ [the author’s name], am privileged to prepare this letter of recommendation to enounce my support for _____________________ [the applicant’s name] and their request for the _________________________ [grant program or scholarship].
It has been a pleasure to have ___________________ [the applicant’s name] as a valuable member of our business team at _____________________ [name of business] for the past _______ years.
My professional experience with ___________________ [the applicant’s name] was full of loyalty, respect, and understanding. My personal interaction with this reputable person has always prospered with mutual regard, confidence, a positive attitude, and commitment.
Moreover, _____________________ [the applicant’s name] has achieved the state-of-the-art results in their research and has had the honor of winning the below-listed awards:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
I am honored to reference _____________________ [the applicant’s name] as a nominee for this scholarship.
In case you need to learn more details about ____________________ [the applicant’s name] performance, do not hesitate to reach me by phone or email.
Kind Regards,
Signature _________________________
Date _____________
Reference letters come in many forms, and each one shows the applicant from a different angle. If your situation is not a scholarship, a different template may fit it better. Pick the letter that matches who you are writing for and why:
One page is a good aim. Keep each paragraph on one idea and stay within any length limit the scholarship gives you. A short, focused letter is easier for a committee to read, and it leaves room for a few concrete examples.
Ask a teacher, professor, counselor, coach or employer who knows your work well. A writer with real examples of your effort will write a more convincing letter.
Share your resume, the scholarship name, a short list of your main achievements and the way to send the letter. This helps the writer stay accurate and specific.
Some writers ask students for a draft. If yours does, list your real achievements with clear examples and keep the tone honest. The writer can then edit the draft and sign it in their own words.
General information, not legal or tax advice.
