Many students aspire to study abroad. However, there are a number of things that must be planned before arriving, including the price of studying.
Traveling overseas on your own or with a sponsor is not impossible. Scholarships, however, are an additional choice that you shouldn’t overlook.
In addition to the IELTS certificate, motivational and recommendation letters are crucial papers when applying for scholarships. Are you aware of the distinction between these two?
Difference between recommendation letter and motivation letter
There are numerous methods for obtaining free study abroad funding. Nevertheless, they require similar terms and criteria, like motivational letters and reference letters for scholarships. A letter from someone who has worked or mentored you directly—such as a teacher, lecturer, or supervisor—that can evaluate your performance or potential is known as a scholarship recommendation letter. As a result, recommendation letters typically include an unbiased assessment of your background and abilities from a different angle.
A motivation letter, on the other hand, is a document that explains your reasons for applying for a scholarship as well as your qualifications. As a scholarship applicant, you write your own motivation letter, as opposed to a letter of recommendation.
Examples of recommendation letters for scholarships will not be included in this article. Rather, we concentrate on writing motivational letters and providing examples.
Tips for writing a motivation letter
A letter of motivation is a crucial document. Even though not all scholarships call for this letter, if you can, try your hardest to include it with your application. The essay you might need to submit with your application is a little different than the motivation letter you write for a scholarship. In order to convince the scholarship or university provider that you are the best candidate for the award, this letter highlights your personal qualities.
In general, a motivation letter has two main components: the reasons you are the best person to receive a scholarship and the impact you will make using your knowledge. You must comprehend a few things when writing a motivation letter in order for it to have a coherent structure and compelling content. These include:
- Follow the application writing guidelines
Although it can seem easy, you should review the instructions for composing scholarship applications. Verify that your writing complies with the rules in terms of format, length, and topic. You can write it in a regular format, such as text that is half to one page long, in Times New Roman or Arial font with a size of 12 points, if the scholarship giving organization does not have any special instructions.
- Knowing what you want to write
You must comprehend the letter’s format before you can write a motivational letter. Don’t overlook any details.
Mention the reason why you are applying for a scholarship abroad
Since this letter is meant for a scholarship, you must discuss your educational background and experience in order to justify your choice of the scholarship.
Your application for a scholarship can be strengthened if you have experience working, doing an internship, or participating in social activities. Your scholarship application letter can make a big impression on the assessor if it is written and delivered well.
Explain the reasons for choosing the major and the destination campus
You should write down your reasons for selecting a certain major and university in addition to your reasons for selecting a scholarship. For instance, the goal of this scholarship is to enhance and refine your strong public speaking abilities. You should include factors like these when deciding on your major and final campus.
Share your plan or contribution to the scholarship
Your mission, study objectives, and the aims you hope to accomplish or intend to accomplish with your scholarship can all be covered in this area. For instance, you want to develop a clinic in a distant part of Indonesia, thus you want to pursue a master’s degree in health scholarship.
- Focus on your strengths
You should include your strengths when discussing your experiences and educational background. Pay attention to your own advantages rather than your shortcomings or difficulties. That way, you will be perceived as someone who can recognize your own worth and apply it to the goals.
- Connecting between the desired majors and the scholarships applied for
Your motivation letter ought to relate the scholarship you’re applying for to your future goals. The reader should be able to see from this letter that you are sincere about wanting to study a certain subject and that your decision will help not only the scholarship sponsor but also other people. This can bolster your arguments for meriting the scholarship.
- Write with your own personality
Everybody has a unique perspective, speaking style, and set of interests. Thus, write your motivation letter as you would communicate with the assessor in person. Write the letter as organically as you can by including intriguing personal details that will set it apart from others.
Things to avoid in writing a motivation letter
Are you prepared to begin drafting your letter of motivation? There’s one more item you should focus on before you do that. If you want to improve your chances of getting a scholarship to your preferred university or courses, there are a few common blunders you should steer clear of.
- Never replicate the motivational letters of others. It’s acceptable to view examples from the internet. But merely use that inspiration letter sample as a guide and to help you think about what you should write about.
- Writing motivational letters in an overly formal manner will make them sound dull. Use words that accurately express your ideas and write sentences with ease. Simply pick clear language and refrain from using the same words over and over again.
- Not demonstrating your desire to pursue a certain major or to seek for a scholarship. This is evident from the wording you employ in the letter of motivation. You will write it neatly, precisely, and in sequence if you truly want to get the scholarship.
- Utilizing an unsuitable format or font.
- Sending a letter of encouragement without first reading its contents. Verify the content, spelling, and the connections between each paragraph.
You are already familiar with the guidelines for creating letters of motivation. You will see an example of a motivation letter in the following section.
Motivation letter example
You can compose many kinds of motivational letters. Nonetheless, a sample motivation letter for a language and culture scholarship application is provided below.
Dear Sir or Madam,
My name is [your name], and I am writing this letter to express my interest in a scholarship for a cultural studies programme. I’ve always been passionate about learning other cultures and how they influence people. Moreover, I am sure that this opportunity can enrich my future studies and help me reach my career prospects.
During my prior studies, I joined the student and local community which helped me develop social skills and experience a range of activities that support humanities. I have a great passion for meeting new people from different backgrounds, to know and learn about their culture. I believe this programme will provide me with a variety of tools to analyze how social norms are created, exchanged and produced in a cultural context.
As a student, I tend to think critically. Before saying something, I try to analyze and see the problem from various perspectives. In that way, it can be more structured and have a clear direction. My ideas will also be more easily accepted and appreciated by those who hear them.
Thank you for considering my application. Hopefully, I can get this scholarship opportunity and reach my future. I look forward to your positive response.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
Final Thoughts
A scholarship motivation letter is your chance to showcase your goals, values, and potential beyond academics. Be clear, authentic, and focused on how the scholarship will support your education and future impact. Keep it professional, personal, and proofread thoroughly—this is your opportunity to stand out and earn trust as a worthy investment.
