Sample Thank You Letters

The following are sample letters from current scholarship recipients. Do not copy them word for word; your letter should express your personality.

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Smith,

It is with sincere gratitude that I write in appreciation of your generous gift in support of my education. As a second-year student at a university of this caliber and expense I tell you that your gift is both much needed and much appreciated. It is through your support and others like you, that I, a young man with no means whatsoever, am able to attend the University of Michigan at no cost.

To me your gift represents much more than just a monetary gift, it represents a belief in the promise of equal opportunity. By providing resources to students who need and deserve it most, you are helping to ensure that one's economic situation is not a barrier to their artistic and intellectual growth. Moreover, you've shown through your willingness to award excellence that you believe in the power of education and it's ability to better both the world and the individual.

There are no words to express my gratitude for the interest you've taken in my personal and intellectual well being and I take seriously the mandate given to me by such an award. I intend to work hard to maintain and improve upon my current academic record and to strive to become a contributing and forthright member of society.

Again, thank you for your kind and selfless contribution on my behalf and I hope to see you at the dinner hosted by LSA for donors.

Dear Mr and Mrs. Smith,

I am writing to extend my greatest appreciation and honor to be a recipient of your most generous donation to students in need. Your scholarship endowment gift for out-of-state students, has given me the opportunity to attend one of the greatest schools in the nation, a situation I find myself in because of the goodness of your heart. We met last year at the dinner, but since there are so many recipients of your prestigious award, here's a short history of me.

I am currently a sophomore in the school of LSA. I will most likely major in anthropology, but I am a pre-medical student, with hopes of continuing my studies in medical school after I graduate here at Michigan. I really enjoy children, so my goals are set on one day becoming a pediatrician. I was born in Europe, in Sweden, to be precise and practically grew up there. My parents are of Vietnamese decent but moved to Europe at an early age. I lived in Sweden for over 15 years before I moved over here to the United States. At the age of 15, I began sophomore year in High School in Houston, TX. I lived there for 3 years, finishing up high school, before coming to school here at the University of Michigan. I did, somewhat like living in Houston, but it was so hot that after a while, I longed for a climate similar to Sweden. I would find that up here in Michigan. In high school, I was on the varsity tennis team, and did various other organizations such as Asian awareness clubs, and volunteer organizations in hospitals, etc.

Here at Michigan, I am very involved in student organizations. First of all, myself along with other individuals chartered an Asian American fraternity, Pi Alpha Phi, just one month ago. Also, some friends and I have started a community service organization called "Changing Ann Arbor Around" that focuses on homeless and runaways in Ann Arbor. Our project for the next semester is tutoring homeless and runaway teenagers. We are really excited about that project. I am also involved in various Asian American Awareness organizations and have leadership positions in them. Academically, I am doing well, and hopefully should be in good shape for medical school applications some time in the future.

I feel I have really become part of the Michigan community here, and taken advantage of everything the school has to offer. I am very happy with choosing to go to school up here, and have no regrets whatsoever over the choices. I did first not think I would be able to attend this school because of the intimidating out-of-state tuition, but with your help, I was able to come up here, and accomplish all of what I have done in such a short period of time. I know more is to come, and I will continue to work hard in all aspects of my life. I thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for helping me really enjoy my college years, a period I will most surely never forget. I will never forget the generosity you have shown me. I only hope that I one day can do the same that you have done for so many students.