Recommendation Letter for Scholarship

Financial problems and limitations often force students to pursue some part-time jobs and support their studies. Fortunately, the culture of part-time jobs is quite popular in the US and students who are financially weak have good options to support their studies. Another significant option for students, who are in colleges and universities is to avail scholarships for further studies or for some educational programs. One thing that helps students in the process of getting scholarships is a recommendation letter.

Writing a Letter of Recommendation
While writing a recommendation letter, one needs to take care of the following points:

• Get the review of the scholarship providing institution and understand the requirements that is expected from them. Address where the letter has to be send and various other requirements will become clear through the letter.
• Ask the student copies of several of his works that he thinks is best according to his abilities. You may have record of his best works or projects that he had done in the past however, asking him will surely help you to land up with his best and most interesting work.
• Give mention of various situations where the student has performed excellently. This is necessary as credentials and special achievements of the student will improve the prospects of his getting the scholarship.
• Always substantiate your point through good examples. A letter without examples may appear vague. Any examples that validates the personal qualities of the student is always a matter of concern.
• Inform about the student's deep interest and the potential to excel in the chosen field. A brief blueprint about the career plan of the student is always essential.

Example
Here is a sample letter of recommendation for scholarship that will help you to get a better idea about on writing effective

Recommendation Letter from a Faculty for a Student's Scholarship

From: John MacArthur, Department of English, University of Illinois, USA To: The Literature Scholarship Selection Committee, Oxford University, UK 24th April 2010 I proudly wish to recommend (Mr. John Trevor) for being considered for the esteemed Thomas Hardy Scholarship Award under the Oxford university. I have been in association with John since the last four years as he has been a student of our English department. Mr. John has been a brilliant student throughout his four years of graduation. His diligence and hard work has always been appreciated by various faculties. Being among the top 1% student of our department, he has won many prizes in the field of poetry, prose and fiction writing. His studies have never been a deterrent for him to participate in extracurricular activities and he has shown his hidden talents in fields like dancing and sketching. Adversities in the form of financial downturns have always forced John to quit his career however, showing his determination and for supporting his studies, he has worked in the university library as a part-time assistant librarian. He has also been taking English classes in some schools. John represented our university in international conference on 'Effectiveness of Literature' in the US and got a certificate of active participation. His work in various institutional competitions is also commendable. For the future, John wishes to enter in the field of professional fiction and non-fiction writing. John has been a studious student and I feel he will do complete justice to the money he gets from the scholarship. I sincerely recommend Mr. John Trevor for the Thomas Hardy Scholarship Award. Sincerely, Signature John McArthur

Writing recommendation letter for scholarships is like lending a helping hand to the student to make his career and help him succeed. Faculties and professors should ensure that deserving students take maximum advantage of such letters for scholarships.