Tips for Writing Your Thank You Letter

The Importance of Saying Thank You

Scholarship donors are generous individuals who support the educational endeavors of UofLstudents like you. Receiving a well-written thank you letter from a student recipient tells the donorstheir scholarship is greatly appreciated and is making a big difference in your life.

Well-written letters are:

  • Clear and concise
  • Free of typos and grammatical errors
  • Express enthusiasm, sincerity and appreciation

Suggestions for the text of your thank you letter:

  • Thank the donor for his or her generosity in providing this scholarship
  • Tell the donor a little bit about yourself, which can include:
  • Your hometown
  • Brief family background
  • High school you attended
  • Provide information about your time here at UofL, which can include:
  • Why you chose to attend UofL
  • Your major and minor
  • Anticipated year of graduation
  • The activities you participate in both on and off campus (i.e., involvement in student organizations, internships, etc.)
  • Describe how the scholarship support will help you succeed
  • Provide your career goals
  • Indicate your plans after graduation (i.e., graduate school, job placement, etc.)

Thank You Letter Samples

NOTE: Please do not copy and paste these letters—they are only intended to be used as a guideline.

Sample Letter One:
Dear [name of scholarship] donor,
First paragraph:State the purpose of your letter. I write to express my sincere gratitude to you for making the [Name of Scholarship] possible. I am honored to be the recipient of this scholarship and I deeply appreciate your support.
Second paragraph:Share a little about yourself and indicate why the scholarship is important. I am a junior from Hopkinsville, Kentucky and I chose UofL because my parents are both graduates, and we are huge Cardinal fans! I am currently majoring in Early Childhood Education and minoring in history, and I hope to become an elementary school teacher either here in Louisville or back home in Hopkinsville. I enjoy living on campus and participating in the Student Senate and the Phone-a-thon, and I know that the financial assistance you provided will help me concentrate on my education, achieve my career goals and give back to the community.
Third paragraph:Close by once again thanking the donor. Once again, thank you for your generosity and support. I hope to one day give back to others the way you have given to me.
Sincerely,
Ryan Recipient
Sample Letter Two:
Dear [name of scholarship] donor,
First paragraph:State the purpose of your letter.As the recipient of the [name of scholarship], I write to thank you for your generosity. Receiving this scholarship has helped shape my experience here at the University of Louisville.
Second paragraph:Share a little about yourself and indicate why the scholarship is important. I am a senior Biology major from Evansville, Indiana, and I graduated from Evansville Central High School prior to coming to UofL in 2013. As a senior, I plan to attend medical school at the University of Michigan upon graduation and hope to specialize in pediatrics. As a UofL student, I am a Brown Scholar and was able to study abroad in Italy in the fall of 2014. I have enjoyed my time here at UofL and I want to thank you for making it possible.
Third paragraph:Close by once again thanking the donor.Once again, thank you so much. By awarding me the [Name of scholarship], you have lightened my financial burden and allowed me to focus on my studies. Because of your support, I look forward to achieving my career goals in the field of medicine.
Sincerely,
Rachel Recipient

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Eileen Chapoton at the UofL Office of Donor Relations at 502-852-5064 or via email .

Thank you for your help in this important process!