THANKING THE DONOR

Your scholarship was made possible through the generous support of people who care about students and education. With this award comes an important responsibility to the donors of these funds. Nothing is appreciated more than a kind letter of thanks.

Hearing from scholarship recipients is very meaningful to donors or their living relatives. It gives them an opportunity to obtain a glimpse of how their gift has made a difference in the life of a student. Your letter not only represents an opportunity to relate your appreciation and achievements, it may encourage the donor to continue supporting other students like you.

We need your help to communicate the importance of your scholarship to donors. Expressing written thanks to your donor upon receipt of your award is extremely important. Please write at least one thank you letter for each scholarship you received this year. Your letter(s) are due to the University Advancement office by October 1. Failure to comply may result in the loss of future scholarship money. Use this checklist to help write your thank you letter to the donor of your scholarship. See sample letters.

Do not seal your letter in an envelope. A member of the University Advancement staff will review your letter. In cases where there are typos or grammatical errors, the letter will be returned for correction. We understand that you, as a recipient of the scholarship, would want an error-free letter sent to the donor(s).

Content

Thank the donor or designee for their support

Thank donor
State the name of the scholarship award – Found on Bronco Web:

Log into Bronco Web
Click on Financial Aid
Accept/Decline Financial Aid
Aid Year 2008-2009
Click on the name of the Scholarship. The message contains the full correct scholarship name that should be used in your letter.

Tell about yourself

Your hometown
Family background
High school and other experiences that led to your choice of study at Boise State

Tell about your present situation

Class level and major at Boise State
Organizations and/or extra curricular activities in which you participate

Tell about your future plans

What you look forward to at Boise State and after you graduate
What you hope to accomplish while at Boise State
Your career plans

Tell how much the scholarship has/will help you
(Do not mention the amount of your scholarship award)

State again your appreciation

Thank You Letter Format

Use 8 ½ x 11 paper, stationery or an appropriate thank you card.
In your salutation, begin with the appropriate title (Dear Dr.,Mr.,Mrs. or Ms.).
If you do not know the donor's name address the letter to Dear Donor, or Greetings, or Scholarship Committee.
Take care to avoid grammatical and spelling errors. Use spell and grammar check. Always proofread what you write and put your return address, phone number and e-mail address at the top of the letter so the donor can write to you if he/she chooses.
The Office of University Advancement will forward your letter to the donor(s) and notify the Financial Aid Office that you have fulfilled your obligation.

Before You Send…

Be sure to include the full and correct name of the scholarship in your letter.
And finally, write neatly or type your letter, making sure you sign it in your own handwriting
Send your letter to:

Rachel Vanderpool
Director of Donor Relations

University Advancement
1910 University Drive
Boise, Idaho 83725-1030

or via Campus mail MS1030.

Or hand deliver to:

Rachel Vanderpool
Director of Donor Relations
University Advancement
2225 University Drive
Boise, Idaho 83725

Be sure to sign your letter in blue or black ink.

If you have any questions concerning your award please contact the Financial Aid office at (208) 426-1664 or by e-mail to faquest@boisestate.edu

Sample Letters

Sample One

Please type your letter in 12 pt. font and limit to one page.

Your Name
Your Address
Your City, State and Zip
Phone Number
E-mail
Date Letter Written
(4 spaces)
Name of Donor (Mr. John Bronco)
Name of Scholarship
Boise State University Advancement
(2 spaces)
Dear Name of Donor: (Dear Mr. Bronco:)
(Paragraph #1)
Include a statement thanking the donor for the scholarship (use name of scholarship in sentence).

(Paragraph #2)
Include information about your hometown and family background. A statement about high school and other experiences that led to your choice of study at Boise State University.

(Paragraph #3)
Include information about your class level and major at Boise State University and any organizations or extra curricular activities in which you participate.

(Paragraph #4)
State what you look forward to and hope to accomplish while at Boise State University. State your career plans after graduation.

(Paragraph #5)
State how much the scholarship has/will help you (do not mention the amount of your scholarship award). State again how much you appreciate receiving the scholarship.

Sincerely,

(Your handwritten signature)

[STUDENT NAME]

Sample Two

Sample Letter Two