How to Write a Thank You Letter

Your scholarship is made possible each year thanks to the private support of Southeast Missouri State University's friends and alumni. Many of these donors continue to give to scholarship endowments because they know their gifts are important to our students. A personal note of thanks from scholarship recipients reinforces the importance of the donor's investment in Southeast and keeps them connected with the campus community. Thank you for recognizing the generosity of our donors, and the benefit their generosity provides to you as well as future award recipients. The tips provided below will assist you as you prepare your thank you letter.

• Use quality paper or personal stationary.
• Letters may be typed or neatly handwritten (black or blue ink).
• Please include: your return address, the date, a salutation, an introductory paragraph, the body of the letter, closing paragraph, a proper closing, including your handwritten signature, and your email address.
• In the introductory paragraph of the letter, include the name of the scholarship award.
• Express your gratitude for the scholarship and how the scholarship will help you.
• Personalize your letter to include information about your accomplishments, educational or career plans, extracurricular interests and activities, and/or what you enjoy about attending Southeast.
• Renewal scholarship recipients should send a thank you note each year they are awarded the scholarship.
• Be clear and concise – and check and re-check spelling.
• Please upload your thank you note to AcademicWorks and mail a hard copy to
  Southeast Missouri University Foundation
  One University Plaza, MS7300
  Cape Girardeau, MO  63701.

If you have any questions or need help in composing your thank you letter, please contact Jennifer Smith at 573-651-2252 or jnsmith@semo.edu.

Sample Letter 

Your Name
Your Address
Your City, State Zip

Today's Date

Donor's Name
c/o Southeast Missouri University Foundation
One University Plaza, MS7300
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701

Salutation,   [Example: Dear Mr. and Mrs. Smith,]

Introductory paragraph.   [Be sure to include the name of the scholarship you're thanking them for, as some donors have more than one scholarship.]

Body of Letter.  [Express your gratitude for the scholarship and how the scholarship will help you. Include information about your accomplishments, educational or career plans, extracurricular interests and activities, and/or what you enjoy about attending Southeast.]

Closing paragraph.  [Reiterate your gratitude for receiving the scholarship.]

Closing,  [Example: Sincerely,]

[This is where you handwrite your signature after printing.]

Your Email Address [This is provided so donors can contact you directly.]