College scholarships are extremely important to help students stay out of debt for their college education. In some cases, a scholarship is cancelled because the student’s grade point average drops.
However, if this happens, it’s important to write a scholarship reconsideration letter that explains why the grades dropped.
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The reasons may be because of personal illness or injury or a death in the family that interfered with the student’s study time.
The organization that awarded the scholarship may take the circumstances into consideration and continue the scholarship until the student has time to raise his or her grades.
Most Organizations
Most organizations that grant college scholarships provide a reconsideration process and have specific forms that need to be filled out by the student.
These forms must accompany a scholarship reconsideration letter, or the reconsideration will not be considered.
If the student is honest about the reasons for non-compliance and has a good plan for becoming compliant for the scholarship’s conditions, there is a good chance the scholarship committee will grant an appeal.
There are several points a scholarship reconsideration letter must contain. The opening statement should explain the purpose of the letter.
This includes the reasons the scholarship was denied and explains how the student intends to remedy the situation.
Reason The Student Failed To Comply
The reason the student failed to comply with the conditions of the scholarship must be suitable. Simply stating that they didn’t like the professor or the subject will not be a suitable reason for the Scholarship Committee to consider an appeal.
The letter should clearly state the reason for the non-compliance and give supporting evidence or documents. For example, medical records, accident reports or death certificates will be required if they support the applicant’s reasons.
If the applicant was forced to work overtime and this contributed to his or her poor record in college, they should include pay stubs or work schedules that support the claim.
When the reasons for non-compliance are given, students should provide a plan to improve their GPA. The plan may include changing the major, reducing the number of credit hours or getting the help of a tutor.
It’s also helpful to have a letter from an academic adviser that supports the student’s plan.
The student should not mention any other scholarship they may have been awarded because this often leads to the Scholarship Committee denying appeals.
The student should also mention the reasons they want to attend that particular school.
Some factors that may influence whether a reconsideration will be granted by a Scholarship Committee:
- The applicant’s scholastic qualifications including GPA, SAT/ACT scores, extracurricular activities and major
- Financial need
- The number of students applying for financial aid in that particular year
- The admission goals of the college
- The external funding the college receives from federal programs
Below is a sample scholarship reconsideration letter. It should be written in formal, business-letter style and sent by certified mail. The sender should retain a copy.
Sample Scholarship appeal Letter
You Name
You Address
City, State, Zip Code
Student ID Number
DATE
Name of Scholarship Committee Chairman
Name of University
Address of University
City, State, Zip Code
RE: Reconsideration for Scholarship
Dear Name of Scholar Committee Chairman:
This letter is a formal reconsideration for the loss of my scholarship because my grade point average dropped below the required standard. The standard is to maintain a 3.0 and my average dropped to 2.75.
I understand that this is entirely my fault, and intend to raise it to the required standard during the next semester.
I would appreciate if you would consider the reasons that contributed to my GPA dropping. I have enclosed the required reconsideration forms.
My mother is a widow, and I am her only child. During the last semester, she fell and broke her left arm and leg. She had two casts and was in the hospital for three weeks.
When she came home, she needed personal attention for three more weeks to become strong enough in order to dress herself and prepare her meals.
I have enclosed a letter from her doctor stating her condition. I mistakenly thought I could give her the care she needed as well as maintain my GPA.
Now that my mother is able to care for herself again, I can be sure to devote enough time to my studies to bring my GPA back to the required standard.
I am requesting you to make an exception in my case and continue my scholarship for one more semester while I bring my GPA to the required level or higher.
I can be reached at Phone Number or at Email Address if you would like more information.
I am extremely disappointed that I allowed my scholarship to be discontinue and can assure you that I will make every effort to remedy the situation.
Thank you for awarding me the scholarship in the first place and for taking the time to consider my appeal.
Sincerely,
Your Signature
Your Printed Name
Enclosures: Reconsideration Form and Mother’s Medical Records
