Thanking Your Benefactor

University of Minnesota alumni and friends provide scholarships to help pay for your education at the University of Minnesota because they believe that students like you can make a difference in the world. You owe nothing in return, except your gratitude.

We strongly encourage you to express your gratitude to the donor or donors of your scholarship by writing a thank-you letter. A well-written letter reflects favorably on you and is important to the scholarship donors, who appreciate learning about you, your goals, and future plans. Your letter confirms the value of their contributions, encouraging their continued support.

The following is a suggested outline of how you might write your thank-you letter:

Paragraph 1: Thank the donor for their generosity in providing this scholarship. Tell the donor how this scholarship makes a difference to your education.

Paragraph 2: Tell the donor a little about yourself—where you come from, why you chose the University of Minnesota Duluth, or what field of study you have chosen for a major.

Paragraph 3: Talk about your goals and future plans after completing your education at UMD.

Paragraph 4: Thank the donor again.

Sample "Thank You" Letter