How to Request More Scholarship Money Effectively

I've recently received an acceptance letter from a college I'm excited about and it came with a scholarship offer. However, I was hoping for more financial support. How should I go about writing a sample letter asking for more scholarship money?

I want to make sure I'm respectful and show my continued interest in the college. Any specific tips on phrasing or key points to include would be really appreciated. Has anyone had success with this kind of request before?

It's excellent that you're looking to communicate your needs in a respectful and detailed manner, and requesting for more scholarship money is definitely a negotiation that several students have found successful in the past. Here's a general guideline for you as you draft your letter.

Start your letter by expressing your genuine excitement about being accepted into the program. This is also where you should mention the scholarship you've been offered, and convey your gratitude for it.

Next, kindly present your financial situation without getting into too many personal details. Explain that despite the generous scholarship offer, affording to attend the institution will still be a challenge for you or your family. If there's been a recent change of financial circumstances due to unforeseen reasons such as job loss or medical expenses, make sure to mention that too.

After expressing your need, you should establish your merit. Reinforcing why you're worthy of more aid, specifically noting your academic achievements, community service, leadership roles, or any other distinctions you have. Remember, the goal here is to remind them of the value you offered during your application process.

Towards the end, consider sharing what you hope to achieve at the college and in your future career. Demonstrate that the school's investment in you will pay off. You want them to be sure that you're planning to make the most of this opportunity.

Finally, close the letter by thanking them for their consideration and for the time they've taken to review your request. Be sure to mention that you're willing to provide any additional information needed and that you're open for a discussion if necessary.

Remember, your tone should reflect both gratefulness for the initial scholarship offer and a respectful request for further assistance.

Here's a very rough example to get you started:

"I am thrilled to have been accepted into [College name]. I am extremely thankful for the opportunity and for the generous scholarship offer.

Regrettably, despite the scholarship, the financial commitment remains significant for me and my family. [Briefly explain your financial need here.]

During my high school career, I have been committed to academic excellence and community involvement as demonstrated by [mention your merit and achievements here]. I believe my past records and future aspirations are indicative of my commitment to making the most of this opportunity.

I have chosen [College name] because of its [explain your reasons for choosing the school and how it could shape your future career path]. I'm confident that this university is the best place for me to achieve my goals.

I understand that additional funding might be restrictive, but any further assistance would greatly mitigate the financial stress on me and my family. I'm more than willing to provide any additional information you might need.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to the possibility of attending [College name] this fall."

All the best with your negotiations!