Your scholarship was made possible through the generosity of donors. Share your gratitude by crafting a personal letter that expresses how much their contribution affected you - personally and educationally.

Consider following this basic structure for your letter:

Opening/Greeting

Dear XXXXXX, (Using the name of the donor/group that is provided in this letter. See below.)

Please do not include a date in your letter as your letter will be shared with donors later in the year.

First Paragraph

Thank the donor, including the official name of the scholarship.

Second Paragraph

Tell your Penn State York story. Include things such as your major, when you will graduate, future career aspirations and how your major will help you reach your goals, why you chose this campus, and other experiences you’ve enjoyed during your time here.

Third Paragraph

Describe the impact the scholarship will have for you and your family. How the scholarship allows you to work less and participate in other things. This would be a good place to mention any clubs, sports, or organizations that you’re involved in and how those experiences have helped you grow.

Technical Guidelines

  • Type your letter in a Word document – not a PDF
  • Address the person or group noted in your award letter
  • Mention the scholarship by full name in your introduction
  • Write clearly and concisely
  • Be sincere
  • Double check for typos and grammatical errors
  • Use a formal closing (e.g. Warm regards, With appreciation, Sincerely, etc.) and your name below the closing

Once your letter is complete, please upload it to the form below. It will undergo a brief review process and suggested edits will be returned to you via email. You can add more scholarship names and letters if you are receiving multiple scholarships. One letter should be done per scholarship.

Once you receive your revisions, please print, sign, and deliver the letter to Beth Brennan in the Graham Center for Innovation and Collaboration on campus.

Later in the year, we will share these letters with the donors and invite them to meet you at a reception. Your participation means a lot to our donors, so please put in the time to show how much you care.

Personal Information
Thank You Letter(s)
Please provide the name of your scholarship and upload a thank you letter. You can submit up to 3 thank you letters if you are receiving more than one scholarship from Penn State York sponsors.
Scholarship Name
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Second Thank You Letter (Optional)
Scholarship Name
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Third Thank You Letter (Optional)
Scholarship Name
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Photo (Optional)
We would like to include a photo of you in the report to your donor, please upload one here.
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FERPA Authorization
Please complete the release of scholarship information authorization by selecting the box: I authorize The Pennsylvania State University to periodically release personally identifiable information to the scholarship donor for the purpose of updating the donor on my progress at the University. I understand that (1) I have the right not to consent to the release of my education records under FERPA (the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974); (2) I have the right to receive a copy of such records upon request; (3) and that this consent shall remain in effect until revoked by me, in writing, and delivered to Penn State York. The only information the college shares with donors is a scholarship recipient’s name, major, hometown, and semester standing. We do not share GPA or financial need information. I give permission to The Pennsylvania State University to publicly announce my selection as a scholarship recipient. This announcement may include, but is not limited to, public information such as my name, area of study and student activities, and the scholarship(s) I am receiving.
Letter and Photo Permissions
Check all that apply.
Final Acknowledgement