MOTIVATIONAL LETTER FOR BURSARY
Motivational letter for bursary helps to elevate your application and may help you get considered over other students who apply. Companies that offer brsaries receive thousands of applications from students who seek funding. They have to select your application against many others. This basically mean competition is actually tough.
Motivational letter for bursary pimps your application and helps the selection team to understand how much you need their assistance. Because it accompanies a list of other things needed, when sending your application make sure that it is always on top.
MOTIVATIONAL LETTER FOR BURSARY – WHY MUST YOU ADD IT?
Most bursary aplications are done by completing a form and add a list of attachments to support your bursary application. Most companies provide a list of items or documents they need. The motivational letter is not always listed as one of the requirements.
Whether it is listed or not we always advise students applying for a bursary to include it. This is important because what it does is to summarize your request before the selection team goes through your application. By the time they start paging through, they already have a good idea who are they dealing with.
Another reason why you must include this letter is that it sets you apart from other applicants from the onset. You might find that there are other applicants with similar results as yours. An aplicants with a motivational letter will obviously beat the one without it.
HOW TO WRITE A MOTIVATIONAL LETTER FOR BURSARY?
Because you are going to put this letter on top of your application, you must get it right the very first time. It must be written the correct way. They say first impression lasts. It is very important to present a professional image to the company. So the letter must be very formal.
- Your letter must contain the address of the company providing the bursary. Most companies have these applications handled by HR department. Others create a dedicated bursary offie to handle applications. Make sure that you address to correct department as indicated on bursary application instructions.
- You must address your letter to the official designated to handle application. We encourage students to always check if there is no person appearing on the bursary application instructions. Your motivational letter for bursary must address that official. So you greet by saying.’ Dear (than add the name of that official as appearing on guidelines)
- If there is no designated person’s name, you must greet by saying, ‘Dear Sir/Madam’
- Your address must appear on the top of the right hand corner before your write that of the company on the left hand corner below your one.
Because you are trying to stip to the point, you do not have the luxury of writing unneccessary words. Your very first paragraph needs to be very concise and short. Two or three sentences should be fine as they capture your intentions. ‘I hereby apply for the (full name of the bursary) to assist me with my (qualification name) for the (year of study) academic year.
Your second paragraph is where you must sell yourself to the bursary provider. You are done with your instroduction on the first paragraph. So this paragraph captures your personal achievements, current studies and your future educational plans.Again about three sentences should be okey for the paragraph.
Your third paragraph must give you the opportunity to demonstrate how the bursary will help you achieve your goals and dreams. Do not sound too desperate but make sure you sell you here. You must not ommit what makes you to be in a financial position to need funding. Bursary providers always set out home income brackets that they are willing to fund. You do not have to give numbers but do clearly state why you need assistance and where your shortfalls are.
The last paragraph of your motivational letter must be short. This is where you express your gratitude to the bursary provider for availing the opportunity for you to apply. It must carry a bit of emotion and personal expression. This is where you become human and you close your letter.
Make sure that your letter cariies a sign off that goes like. ‘Yours Sincerely, (Your full names and surname)
WHEN TO SEND MOTIVATIONAL LETTER FOR BURSARY?
Many students always ask whether they must send this letter first before submitting the full application. The answer is no! Your letter must be sent together with your complete application. This works better when there is a bursary application form that you must complete.
All bursaries have closing dates stated when it is issued. Your letter must come in with your application and required document. This must happen before the closing date.
LENGTH OF MOTIVATIONAL LETTER FOR BURSARY
Like we have already stated, your letter must be concise and straight to the point. We suggest at least three paragraphs. This excludes addresses and closing signature that you must always include.
SAMPLE MOTIVATIONAL LETTER FOR BURSARY
Example of a Motivational Letter For Bursary (.pdf)
LIST OF BURSARIES FOR 2024