All students who receive funds from a Foundation (donor-funded) scholarship are asked to write a thank you letter to the donor(s) of the scholarship.
Why Thank You Letters are Requested
Most of the scholarships available at SUNY Cortland are made possible by generous contributions from donors who believe in the importance of a college education and want to invest in the future of SUNY Cortland students. By writing a thank you letter, you demonstrate that you are the kind of student they can be proud to support. Hearing from scholarship recipients is also very meaningful to donors. It allows them to obtain a glimpse of how the gift has made a difference in the life of a student. Your words remind donors of the impact of their scholarship gift. Many of them continue to give additional scholarship funds because they know their gifts are deeply appreciated and that they are helping deserving students realize their potential.
- If you receive multiple donor-funded scholarships, you must submit an individual thank you letter for each award you received.
- If you are receiving a renewable scholarship, you must write a thank you letter to the donor each year that you receive the scholarship.
Thank You Letter Submission
Questions should be addressed to: Manager of Scholarships and Donor Relations: maria.barredo@cortland.edu
- Write a thank you letter (This special link is not located in your myRedDragon account.)
- This link will take you to a special myRedDragon login page. Login as usual.
- It is recommended to write your letter and save it on your own computer, then cut and paste it into the form.
- If you VIEW your thank you letter before submitting it, realize the letter shows up immediately below the SUBMIT button. Try to avoid hitting the back arrow because you may lose your letter and have to start over.
Thank You Letter Content
- Thank the donor for his or her generosity in providing this scholarship and how this scholarship will make a difference in your education.
- You should tell the donor(s) a little bit about yourself, including:
- Your hometown
- Family background
- Experiences and life situations that led you to pursue a degree at SUNY Cortland
- You should also include some information about your current situation, such as:
- What you are studying at SUNY Cortland
- What you are involved in both on- and off-campus
- Research and/or internships in which you have taken part
- Describe how the scholarship support will help you meet, or exceed, your educational goals
- Finally, you may want to talk about your future plans, like:
- What you hope to accomplish while still a SUNY Cortland student
- What your plans are after graduation, graduate school or career aspirations
- If you are receiving a renewable scholarship and have sent a thank you letter to the donor during a previous year, give the donor an update as to what has changed in your life since you sent the last letter.
- Pay careful attention to the grammar, spelling, and organization of your letter.
Sample Letters
Sample Thank You Letter
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Ima Student Somewhere,NY Adolescent Education – Social StudiesClass of 2014 |
Dear SUNY Cortland Donors:
My name is Ima Student and I am a sophomore history education major at SUNY Cortland. I am honored to be a recipient of the Kevin A. Rowell ’83 Study Abroad Scholarship. Being an involved student has always been important to me so winning this scholarship for that reason makes it extra special.
Throughout my school career, I have always been involved in many activities. I am from Somewhere, NY and attended West High School. I was involved in many activities including student council; yearbook where I was editor in my senior year and I played basketball. During my freshman year at Cortland, I was involved in numerous clubs such as the education club and Residents Hall Association. This year I’ve become more involved by becoming an Academic Peer Mentor, APM, in one of the residence halls. This job has allowed me to become more involved in the Cortland community by getting to know residents and facilitating my own programs. In addition to my APM position, I also work in the admissions office as a tour guide. Each week I give a tour to prospective students and inform them of all the wonderful opportunities that Cortland offers. Additionally I also participate in many activities that are run by other student organizations at Cortland.
I believe this trip will benefit me in many ways. While in London, I will be able to fully immerse myself in a culture other than my own and allow me to see the world through a different perspective. Also during spring break I plan on visiting other places in Europe of cultural and historical importance which will enrich the experience. As a history major it is very exciting to learn about events in the place where they occurred. When I return from London, I will be able to share my experience and offer guidance to other Cortland students who are considering studying abroad.
I want to thank you again for your generosity and support. This award has encouraged me to not only continue being an active student but also makes me better understand the impact it adds to the SUNY Cortland experience when students are involved.
Sincerely,
Ima Student
Sample Thank You Letter
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Ima Student,NY Speech and Language DisabilitiesClass of 2014 |
Dear SUNY Cortland Donors:
It is with great appreciation that I write this letter to you. I am a second-year recipient of the Judith Smith Keleman Memorial Scholarship. In order for you to have better insight on what kind of first year college student and person I am, I would like to share with you some of my college experiences.
I embraced my first year at SUNY Cortland. I was one of the few freshman to be selected for “off campus housing.” This not only enhanced my independence as a college student but allowed me to become more organized and dependent upon myself. Coming from such a diverse high school in NYC, I joined the African American club since many students who attend SUNY Cortland are from my high school and are African American. Early in the year, there were some negative comments made to my roommate (African American) and I therefore I felt the need to educate those who hold a prejudice views toward others.
I joined the Speech Language club, of course, and was extremely involved in fund raising events and future curriculum. I participated in the Relay for Life and felt such a sense of satisfaction that I plan on participating every year. Just for the pure fun of it, I joined the broom hockey league and we came in second place; not bad for just starting out. On a more serious note, I was recognized by my peers (off campus) as the freshmen student who maintained the highest average. I was also selected for the Dean's list. My GPA for the first year of college was 3.7.
I realize that I am the minority in my department because the Speech Language Pathology field is predominately women. However, I believe this will just make me more successful. Children often look for a male role model and I hope to become that strong male figure for them while teaching them communication skills. This summer I am taking two classes at a community college, Psychology and Biology, to expedite my academic career. I am also working at a neighborhood restaurant. I plan on shadowing a SLP that works with my mother in a rehabilitation center as well as a grammar school. So, my summer will be busy but fulfilling.
Once again I would like to thank you for this scholarship and will continue to strive to do my best.
Sincerely and with thanks,
Ima Student
If you have any questions about the thank you letter requirement, contact the: Manager of Donor Relations: maria.barredo@cortland.edu