A lot of Bursary announced for Higher learning Students but sometimes Application can be hard task because not everybody know the Procedures,This Guide will let you know the procedures to craft Bursary Application Letter.
What Is a Bursary?
A bursary is an award used to cover some or all of a student’s educational expenses. In most cases, the bursary requires a recipient to work for the issuing institution for a specific length of time. Example: a bursary that provides funds for one year may require one year of work while the degree is being completed or after the student receives a degree.
Bursaries are usually issued by colleges or universities, but they may be offered by independent organizations as well. The structure of the bursary varies by issuer, and they may be tailored to fit unique situations.
What is a Bursary Application Letter?
A bursary application letter is a formal document written by a student requesting financial support for education from an organisation, institution, or funding body. It is often accompanied by a bursary application form and typically includes information about the learner’s financial needs, academic achievements, and reasons for seeking a bursary.
The funding organisation or institution uses bursary application forms and letters to identify suitable candidates for financial aid. These authorities often choose the applicants based on academic merit, monetary need, or both. Therefore, the candidates must write application letters depending on the requirements of the bursary.
Is a Bursary a Scholarship?
Yes and no. A bursary does not have to be repaid with money, making it similar to a scholarship. However, since most bursaries require a student to fulfill a work contract, the labor hours may be considered “repayment.” In that case, the bursary is more like a loan than a scholarship. These are all technicalities though. As long as you know that bursaries are viable financial aid options, you can pursue them to help you pay for college.
How to Write a Bursary Application Letter
Include the address for the bursary issuer in the top left corner of the application letter. You may also include the date of application and your name with contact information.
Begin the letter with “Dear Sir or Madam,” “To whom it may concern,” or “Dear {Name of specific person reading the application, if known}.”
In the first paragraph, concisely explain the purpose of the application. This should only be two to three sentences in length, with a clear thesis stating “I am applying for the XX bursary program to help fund my YYY degree pursuit in {year}” (or something similar).
The next paragraph should explain your educational path, including your current degree, personal achievements and plans you have for future education, like a graduate degree. This section should also be limited to three sentences because the bursary issuers will see a number of similar applications. Cover the point and move on.
The third paragraph should explain your career plans and how they connect with your degree and education. This section can be longer than the last because it reflects your personal goals. Explain how the bursary will help you cover the cost of your degree and what you plan to use the funds for. You may add something about the circumstances that led to your financial need, such as a family hardship, but do not focus on that too much. The main emphasis should be on plans for future success, not tales of past struggles.
Conclude your bursary application letter with a short paragraph expressing your gratitude for the opportunity and appreciation for consideration. Sign the letter with “Sincerely” and your name.
Additional Tips for Writing a Bursary Application Letter
Now that you know how to write a bursary application letter, here are some tips to keep in mind:
Subject Line:
The subject line of the email indicates the purpose of your email. Therefore, make sure to write the subject line concisely and clearly. For example, you can write this as:
- Bursary Application: [Your Name] or
- Application for [Bursary Name: Your Name]
Salutation:
Start your email by addressing the recipient by their name and title. For example, add,
- Dear [Bursary Committee’s Name]
- Dear [Mr./Ms./Dr. Recipient Name]
Body:
The body of the email should be informative and detail-oriented. Therefore, you must follow the structure as given below:
- Paragraph 1: Personal introduction
- Paragraph 2: Purpose of the bursary application
- Paragraph 3: Educational achievements and future aspirations
- Paragraph 4: Conclusion
Closing:
After the email body, you can conclude your email using a polite closing phrase. For example, you can write phrases like ‘Yours Sincerely/ Regards and Thanks/ Best Regards’. You can also include your full name and contact information.
Example of Bursary application letter:
| From,[Your Name]
[Your Address] [Date] To, [Recipient’s Name] [Recipient’s Address] Subject: Application For Bursary Dear [Mr/Ms. Recipient’s Name] I wish to inform you of my interest in receiving bursary funds to support my educational pursuits. I have recently been accepted to study in the [ Programme/Course] at [YourUniversity Name]. I am enthusiastic about advancing my academic aspirations, but I face financial constraints that hinder my progress. I kindly request your consideration of my candidacy for bursary assistance. Throughout my high school and college years, I have [ Mention your experiences, activities in school, community involvement and volunteer work]. I have learnt [ state what you’ve learned from these experiences]. I did [Emphasize your responsibilities, skills and awards]. Unfortunately, [Describe your financial situation and needs]. Hence, being granted acceptance into the bursary program would immensely contribute to my academic journey and professional ambitions. I hope to receive a positive response from you. Yours Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Contact Details] |
Bursary Application Email Sample
To Whom It May Concern,
I am applying for the University of Michigan bursary program to assist me in funding my political science degree in 2016. I have paid the fees for the first year but unfortunately, my family is not in a position to continue to afford the fees for my college tuition.
I am currently enrolled at your college as a sophomore, pursuing my bachelor of arts degree in political science. During high school, I was a member of the debate team from my freshman to senior year. We took home first place in the national Tournament of Champions debate during my senior year while I was serving as the captain of the team. Following the completion of my bachelor’s degree, I plan to attend law school and pursue my JD.
I am a hard working student and my education is very important to me. During my freshman year of college, I was part of the Sooner Freshman Council and currently, I am serving as Director of Student Organizations. I have been a member of the debate team since freshman year. In the future, following the completion of my law degree, I would like to work as a lawyer and one day I hope to work as a federal judge.
Being accepted to the bursary program will greatly assist me in my educational pursuit and career goals. My parents are both working-class citizens and they are not able to help me pay for my college expenses. I have been awarded a merit scholarship but it isn’t enough to fund additional expenses. I don’t want this to be a barrier to my academics and future success. With the help of this bursary, I could afford to finance my studies and living expenses without building up many loans.
If accepted to your bursary program, I will use the skills I have acquired to honor our school and continue to excel in education and leadership. I will also contribute to our school’s student body, providing another voice for our students to be heard.
Thank you very much for considering my request. I appreciate any opportunity which helps me achieve my academic and career goals.
Yours Sincerely,
John Doe
