Once you accept our scholarship offers in ScholarDollars, you will be prompted with donor thank you questions.

Please keep in mind that these questions are meant to guide you, and you can provide answers beyond what is asked.

The importance of thanking your donor

We are fortunate and grateful for our generous donors who value higher education and support our students. It is important that our donors know their support is appreciated by our college community. Although our donors ask for nothing in return, we know that our donors would love to hear from students they support and learn more about them. We encourage all scholarship recipients to express their gratitude to their donors.

Before starting to write a thank you letter, please read the guidelines below, as they could be helpful.

Thank you letter guidelines

As a student, you are an integral part of our college and community at Oregon State University, and how well you write your thank you letter is a reflection on us all.

Thank you letter writing tips

• Most thank you letters are half a page to one page in length.
• Do not include your OSU ID number.
• Make it personal, so the donor learns details about you as a student that you are willing to share.
• Avoid confrontational topics such as politics, religion, etc. Remember that everyone has their own unique point of view, which may not be the same as yours. Do not assume.
• Use paragraphs to help organize your thoughts, and proofread your letter before submitting it. Be clear and concise. The OSU Writing Center is a great resource to receive feedback.
• Include your mailing and email addresses if you are comfortable sharing such details, to be used in those situations where the donor might like to communicate with you.

Thank you letter components

Greeting

• Date and salutation are auto-generated for you, but you will not see them. Do not write these two.
• Do greet your donor by …

Opening

Briefly express your gratitude to the donor for the scholarship.

Your story

Tell the donor about you, and your story.

Guiding questions

Answer those that have the most meaning for you.

• Where are you from?
• How did you decide OSU was the right school for you?
• Why is OSU important to you and how has it influenced you?
• What would you be proud to contribute to society?
• What are your interests and goals (inside and outside the classroom)?
• What are your experiences or life situations that led you to pursue a major in the College of Public Health and Human Sciences?

Impact

Tell the donor about the impact of the scholarship you received.

Guiding questions

Answer those that have the most meaning for you.

• Has the scholarship helped you reach your professional and educational goals?
• How will receiving this scholarship help you pursue your education at OSU?
• Did the scholarship allow you to take advantage of research, join a volunteer organization, study abroad, or practicum?
• Did the scholarship reduce your financial burden?

Future plans

Tell the donor your plans for the future.

Guiding questions

Answer those that have the most meaning for you.

• What are your plans after graduation?
• Are you taking a break before starting your career? Traveling?  
• If you are not graduating, what are your goals you hope to accomplish as a student?
• What do you hope to be doing 10 years from now?

Closing

Show your grace and appreciation by simply saying thank you again.