Foundation Scholarship Thank You Notes

Wake Tech Foundation scholarship donors are community members, businesses and civic organizations that want to make it easier for students to pay for their education at Wake Tech. By writing a thank you note to your scholarship's donor, you are letting them know you appreciate their support. Your note will put a smile on their faces and often helps us encourage them to continue their support for other students in the future.

These are not formal letters. You should be thanking your donor in your own voice using your own words. While you should address your note to your donors and sign it at the end, what you write should be simple, straightforward and come from the heart. Please do not use ChatGPT or other generative AI tools to create your thank you note. We have provided some sample letters below, and if you need additional assistance to write your thank you note, we encourage you to reach out to the ILC Writing Center. It is a wonderful resource for Wake Tech students and can help you polish your letter.

Don't overthink it! We estimate that a thank you note should take you around 20 minutes to write. You can share similar information to what you shared in your scholarship essay, but please do not copy your essay. A short and sweet note is completely acceptable.

You will write your thank you note outside the scholarship system and then upload the note as a PDF or Word document.

Anatomy of a scholarship thank you note

1. Start by addressing the scholarship donor. Your scholarship's donor is listed in the scholarship system in the Offer Letter tab.
   Example: Dear [your donor's name],
    
2. Thank your donor for offering the scholarship and share the impact the scholarship will have on you.
   Example: "Thank you so much for making this scholarship possible! I was so thrilled to learn I will receive the Wake Tech Employee Student Scholarship for next year. Before receiving this scholarship, I considered cutting back my hours at school, but with this extra funding, I will be able to continue as a full-time student and reach my goals faster."
    
3. Tell your donor a little more about you. We suggest sharing what you're studying or your career plans. You can share similar information shared in your essay if you'd like.
   Example: "With your support, I'll be continuing in the Nursing program. I'm hoping to eventually be an ER nurse, where I can put my quick thinking and dedication to helping people to good use."
    
4. Thank your donor again.
   Example: "I am grateful to have your support for the upcoming school year and it means so much to know someone who has never met me wants me to reach my goals."
    
5. Include a sign off such as "Sincerely," or "With Thanks," followed by your full name.
   Example: Sincerely,
   Jill Johnson

Thank you note template

Here is a template with prompts for what you could include in your thank you note. You do not have to answer each of the questions in each section. They are meant to help you brainstorm what you could include. You can choose whichever of the prompts speak to you. The idea is to clearly communicate your thanks while telling your donor a bit about yourself. This template is not the only way to write a thank you note, but if you are struggling to start, it may help.

Dear [donor's name],

First paragraph – Say thank you to your donor for making the scholarship possible. Include the name of the scholarship. Describe how the scholarship will make a difference for you during the academic year. This should be a minimum of two sentences long.

Second paragraph – Tell the donor about yourself. What are you studying, and why did you choose to study it? What makes you unique? What are your career goals? What challenges do you face? Who inspired you? What have you loved about Wake Tech? What are you looking forward to at Wake Tech? This paragraph should be between two and five sentences long.

Third paragraph – Wrap up your letter by restating your appreciation for the scholarship. Use different words than you used in the first paragraph, and reiterate what receiving the award means for you. This paragraph should be a minimum of two sentences.

Sincerely,
Your signature

Sample thank you notes

Please do not copy these samples word for word! They provide examples of notes that are appropriate for thanking your scholarship donor, so use them as a starting point to personalize your own letter.

Sample Note 1

Dear [donor's name],

I am so honored to receive this scholarship! When I submitted my application, I didn't really think there would be a scholarship for me, so I was floored and absolutely delighted when my scholarship offer email arrived this week. Receiving this scholarship will be a huge weight off my shoulders next year. I am a single mother of two who works full time, so every penny counts. Knowing I don't have to worry about some of my tuition costs means I can focus on my classes without worrying as much about bills.

With your help, I'll be continuing my journey toward completing my Business Administration degree and setting a good example for my girls. I am hoping to transfer to a university and complete a bachelor's degree once I graduate from Wake Tech. Your support means I'm one step closer to my goals.

Thank you so much for funding this scholarship. Receiving it was a surprise, and it has renewed my motivation to reach my goals.

Sincerely,

Sample Note 2

Dear [donor's name],

To start off, I want you to know that receiving this scholarship has been a huge boost to my confidence and feels like proof I'm on the right track. It means the world to me that you chose to help support my education.

My name is James, and I'm about to start my first year at Wake Tech. My path to getting here was not a straight line, and I'm returning to school after graduating from high school five years ago. Returning to school means I am finally taking steps toward my goal of being an engineer. I'm pursuing my AE at Wake Tech as the first step in my journey.

Receiving this scholarship means I can worry less about money. I was putting off getting a new glasses prescription, and now that I know my classes are paid for, I can afford to make the appointment. This means I'll have an easier time reading and studying in my classes. Thank you so much for making this possible! Knowing I have scholarship support means I can focus on what comes next while making the most out of what I'm working on now without as much financial stress. Thank you for being a part of my journey. I am forever grateful.

Warmest regards,

If you still need help, the ILC Writing Center can provide assistance with any part of your thank you note writing process. The center has in-person and virtual appointments and takes walk-ins as well.