Introduction to Reference Letters for Scholarships
A well-crafted reference letter is essential for scholarship applications, as it provides insight into a candidate’s qualifications, character, and potential. This guide offers 16+ sample reference letter scholarship formats to help you understand the structure and tone required for these important documents. Whether you’re an educator, employer, or mentor, these examples will guide you in writing effective recommendation letters.
1. Academic Reference Letter for Undergraduate Scholarship
Dr. Emily Carter
Professor of Physics
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
October 15, 2023
Dear Scholarship Committee,
I am delighted to recommend Ms. Sarah Johnson for the prestigious Undergraduate Scholarship. As her academic advisor and professor of Physics, I have witnessed her exceptional dedication and intellectual curiosity. Sarah consistently achieves top grades and demonstrates a deep understanding of complex concepts, making her an outstanding candidate for this scholarship.
Sarah’s ability to think critically and approach problems creatively sets her apart from her peers. Her commitment to academic excellence is matched by her passion for research and community service. I am confident she will make significant contributions to your program.
Thank you for considering Sarah’s application. Please feel free to contact me at (734) 764-2234 if you require further information.
Sincerely,
Dr. Emily Carter
2. Employer Reference Letter for MBA Scholarship
Mr. David Thompson
CEO
Tech Innovators Inc.
San Francisco, CA 94105
November 2, 2023
Dear Scholarship Committee,
I am pleased to recommend Mr. Michael Lee for the MBA Scholarship. As Michael’s supervisor at Tech Innovators Inc., I have observed his exceptional leadership skills and innovative approach to problem-solving. His contributions to our team have been invaluable, and I am confident he will excel in your MBA program.
Michael’s ability to lead cross-functional teams and deliver results under pressure is remarkable. His strategic thinking and commitment to professional growth make him an ideal candidate for this scholarship. I have no doubt he will leverage this opportunity to further develop his skills and make a lasting impact in the business world.
Thank you for considering Michael’s application. Please contact me at (415) 123-4567 for any additional information.
Sincerely,
Mr. David Thompson
3. Character Reference Letter for Community Service Scholarship
Rev. James Wilson
Community Church of Springfield
Springfield, IL 62704
September 20, 2023
Dear Scholarship Committee,
I am honored to recommend Ms. Laura Martinez for the Community Service Scholarship. As Laura’s mentor at the Community Church of Springfield, I have witnessed her exceptional commitment to helping others and her dedication to improving our community.
Laura’s selflessness and compassion are evident in her volunteer work at local food banks, shelters, and youth programs. Her ability to inspire others and lead by example makes her a truly deserving candidate for this scholarship. I am confident she will continue to make a positive impact in her future endeavors.
Thank you for considering Laura’s application. Please feel free to contact me at (217) 555-7890 for any further information.
Sincerely,
Rev. James Wilson
4. Athletic Reference Letter for Sports Scholarship
Coach Mark Davis
Head Football Coach
Lincoln High School
Lincoln, NE 68501
August 25, 2023
Dear Scholarship Committee,
I am delighted to recommend Mr. Daniel Brown for the Sports Scholarship. As Daniel’s coach and mentor, I have seen him grow into an exceptional athlete and an outstanding young man. His dedication to both his sport and his academic pursuits is truly impressive.
Daniel’s leadership on the field and his commitment to teamwork have been instrumental in our team’s success. He consistently demonstrates discipline, perseverance, and a strong work ethic, qualities that will serve him well in his future endeavors. I am confident he will excel at the collegiate level and beyond.
Thank you for considering Daniel’s application. Please contact me at (402) 123-4567 for any additional information.
Sincerely,
Coach Mark Davis
5. Academic Reference Letter for Graduate Scholarship
Dr. Sophia Patel
Associate Professor of Biology
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA 02138
October 10, 2023
Dear Scholarship Committee,
I am pleased to recommend Ms. Emily Chen for the Graduate Scholarship. As Emily’s thesis advisor, I have had the privilege of witnessing her exceptional academic abilities and her passion for scientific research. Her dedication to her studies and her commitment to excellence make her an outstanding candidate for this scholarship.
Emily’s ability to conduct rigorous scientific research and present her findings with clarity and precision is remarkable. Her intellectual curiosity and passion for learning are qualities that will serve her well in her graduate studies and beyond. I am confident she will make significant contributions to her field.
Thank you for considering Emily’s application. Please feel free to contact me at (617) 123-4567 for any further information.
Sincerely,
Dr. Sophia Patel
6. Professional Reference Letter for Nursing Scholarship
Ms. Karen Walker
Director of Nursing
St. Michael’s Hospital
Chicago, IL 60611
November 5, 2023
Dear Scholarship Committee,
I am delighted to recommend Ms. Jessica Smith for the Nursing Scholarship. As Jessica’s supervisor at St. Michael’s Hospital, I have seen her grow into a compassionate and skilled nurse, dedicated to providing exceptional patient care.
Jessica’s ability to remain calm under pressure and her commitment to patient-centered care are qualities that make her an outstanding candidate for this scholarship. Her dedication to her profession and her desire to continue her education are truly commendable. I am confident she will make a positive impact in the field of nursing.
Thank you for considering Jessica’s application. Please contact me at (312) 123-4567 for any additional information.
Sincerely,
Ms. Karen Walker
7. Character Reference Letter for Leadership Scholarship
Mr. Robert Green
Principal
Riverside High School
Riverside, CA 92501
September 30, 2023
Dear Scholarship Committee,
I am honored to recommend Ms. Olivia White for the Leadership Scholarship. As Olivia’s principal, I have witnessed her exceptional leadership skills and her ability to inspire others. Her dedication to her school and community is truly impressive.
Olivia’s ability to lead with confidence and her commitment to fostering a positive school culture are qualities that make her an outstanding candidate for this scholarship. Her leadership has had a lasting impact on our school community, and I am confident she will continue to lead with excellence in her future endeavors.
Thank you for considering Olivia’s application. Please feel free to contact me at (951) 123-4567 for any further information.
Sincerely,
Mr. Robert Green
8. Academic Reference Letter for Law School Scholarship
Dr. Michael Brown
Professor of Law
Yale University
New Haven, CT 06520
October 20, 2023
Dear Scholarship Committee,
I am pleased to recommend Mr. David Wilson for the Law School Scholarship. As David’s professor, I have had the privilege of witnessing his exceptional analytical skills and his passion for the study of law. His dedication to his studies and his commitment to excellence make him an outstanding candidate for this scholarship.
David’s ability to analyze complex legal concepts and present his arguments with clarity and precision is remarkable. His intellectual curiosity and passion for justice are qualities that will serve him well in his legal career. I am confident he will make significant contributions to the field of law.
Thank you for considering David’s application. Please contact me at (203) 123-4567 for any additional information.
Sincerely,
Dr. Michael Brown
9. Professional Reference Letter for Engineering Scholarship
Mr. John Smith
Senior Engineer
General Electric
Schenectady, NY 12345
November 10, 2023
Dear Scholarship Committee,
I am delighted to recommend Mr. William Davis for the Engineering Scholarship. As William’s colleague at General Electric, I have seen him grow into a skilled and innovative engineer, dedicated to solving complex technical challenges.
William’s ability to approach problems with creativity and his commitment to finding practical solutions are qualities that make him an outstanding candidate for this scholarship. His dedication to his profession and his desire to continue his education are truly commendable. I am confident he will make significant contributions to the field of engineering.
Thank you for considering William’s application. Please feel free to contact me at (518) 123-4567 for any further information.
Sincerely,
Mr. John Smith
10. Character Reference Letter for Art Scholarship
Ms. Laura Johnson
Art Instructor
Creative Arts Academy
Dallas, TX 75201
September 25, 2023
Dear Scholarship Committee,
I am honored to recommend Ms. Sophia Martinez for the Art Scholarship. As Sophia’s instructor, I have witnessed her exceptional talent and her passion for the arts. Her dedication to her craft and her commitment to creative expression are truly impressive.
Sophia’s ability to express her ideas through her art and her commitment to exploring new creative techniques are qualities that make her an outstanding candidate for this scholarship. Her passion for art and her desire to share her talents with the world are qualities that will serve her well in her future endeavors.
Thank you for considering Sophia’s application. Please contact me at (214) 123-4567 for any additional information.
Sincerely,
Ms. Laura Johnson
11. Academic Reference Letter for Medical School Scholarship
Dr. Lisa Nguyen
Professor of Biology
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305
October 25, 2023
Dear Scholarship Committee,
I am pleased to recommend Ms. Rachel Kim for the Medical School Scholarship. As Rachel’s professor, I have had the privilege of witnessing her exceptional academic abilities and her passion for the medical field. Her dedication to her studies and her commitment to excellence make her an outstanding candidate for this scholarship.
Rachel’s ability to analyze complex scientific concepts and her commitment to understanding the human body are qualities that will serve her well in her medical career. Her intellectual curiosity and passion for helping others are qualities that will make her an exceptional physician.
Thank you for considering Rachel’s application. Please feel free to contact me at (650) 123-4567 for any further information.
Sincerely,
Dr. Lisa Nguyen
12. Professional Reference Letter for Business Scholarship
Ms. Patricia Harris
HR Manager
IBM Corporation
Armonk, NY 10504
November 15, 2023
Dear Scholarship Committee,
I am delighted to recommend Mr. James Wilson for the Business Scholarship. As James’s supervisor at IBM, I have seen him grow into a skilled and innovative professional, dedicated to achieving business excellence.
James’s ability to analyze business challenges and develop effective solutions are qualities that make him an outstanding candidate for this scholarship. His commitment to professional growth and his desire to continue his education are truly commendable. I am confident he will make significant contributions to the business world.
Thank you for considering James’s application. Please contact me at (914) 123-4567 for any additional information.
Sincerely,
Ms. Patricia Harris
13. Character Reference Letter for Music Scholarship
Mr. Daniel Lee
Music Director
Symphony Orchestra of Boston
Boston, MA 02115
September 28, 2023
Dear Scholarship Committee,
I am honored to recommend Ms. Emma Taylor for the Music Scholarship. As Emma’s mentor, I have witnessed her exceptional talent and her passion for music. Her dedication to her craft and her commitment to musical excellence are truly impressive.
Emma’s ability to express her emotions through her music and her commitment to perfecting her craft are qualities that make her an outstanding candidate for this scholarship. Her passion for music and her desire to share her talents with the world are qualities that will serve her well in her future endeavors.
Thank you for considering Emma’s application. Please feel free to contact me at (617) 123-4567 for any further information.
Sincerely,
Mr. Daniel Lee
14. Academic Reference Letter for PhD Scholarship
Dr. Robert Taylor
Professor of Chemistry
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA 02139
October 30, 2023
Dear Scholarship Committee,
I am pleased to recommend Mr. Alexander Brown for the PhD Scholarship. As Alexander’s thesis advisor, I have had the privilege of witnessing his exceptional research skills and his passion for scientific discovery. His dedication to his studies and his commitment to excellence make him an outstanding candidate for this scholarship.
Alexander’s ability to conduct innovative research and present his findings with clarity and precision is remarkable. His intellectual curiosity and passion for scientific inquiry are qualities that will serve him well in his academic and professional career. I am confident he will make significant contributions to his field.
Thank you for considering Alexander’s application. Please contact me at (617) 123-4567 for any additional information.
Sincerely,
Dr. Robert Taylor
15. Professional Reference Letter for Teaching Scholarship
Ms. Margaret White
School Superintendent
Los Angeles Unified School District
Los Angeles, CA 90012
November 20, 2023
Dear Scholarship Committee,
I am delighted to recommend Ms. Jessica Martin for the Teaching Scholarship. As Jessica’s supervisor, I have seen her grow into a dedicated and compassionate educator, committed to providing exceptional education to her students.
Jessica’s ability to inspire her students and her commitment to fostering a love of learning are qualities that make her an outstanding candidate for this scholarship. Her dedication to her profession and her desire to continue her education are truly commendable. I am confident she will make a positive impact in the field of education.
Thank you for considering Jessica’s application. Please feel free to contact me at (213) 123-4567 for any further information.
Sincerely,
Ms. Margaret White
16. Character Reference Letter for Environmental Scholarship
Mr. Paul Green
Director
Green Earth Organization
Portland, OR 97201
September 35, 2023
Dear Scholarship Committee,
I am honored to recommend Ms. Olivia Green for the Environmental Scholarship. As Olivia’s mentor at the Green Earth Organization, I have witnessed her exceptional commitment to environmental conservation and her passion for sustainability.
Olivia’s dedication to environmental causes and her ability to inspire others to take action are qualities that make her an outstanding candidate for this scholarship. Her commitment to protecting the planet and her desire to continue her education in environmental science are qualities that will serve her well in her future endeavors.
Thank you for considering Olivia’s application. Please contact me at (503) 123-4567 for any additional information.
Sincerely,
Mr. Paul Green
Conclusion
These 16 sample reference letter scholarship formats provide a comprehensive guide for writing effective recommendation letters. Whether you’re an academic, professional, or character reference, these examples demonstrate the structure, tone, and content that scholarship committees expect. By tailoring these samples to the specific qualities and achievements of the applicant, you can create a compelling and persuasive reference letter that helps them stand out in the competitive scholarship landscape.