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Letter to Apply for Postgraduate

Funding
By: Kate Simpson BA, MA (29 Nov 19)

Postgraduate education is an expensive business. Many students

are put off studying altogether by the cost, while others are forced
to take a job alongside.

There is funding available for postgraduate study. This can come

from a range of different sources. If you require some financial
help to get you through your course you need to consider who
best to approach, and how best to approach them.

What are Studentships?

In some cases, a place on a postgraduate programme of study will

come with funding. This is known as a studentship.

The terms of studentships vary. Some will cover both your tuition
costs and your living expenses, while others will cover one of the
two. Others still will simply give a lump sum that you can spend at
your discretion.

Studentships are a great way to fund your postgraduate study. But

they can be very difficult to come by. The number of studentships
available has been scaled back, and competition for this funding is
very high. Often, institutions reserve them either for those with
exceptionally high academic performance and those who would
otherwise be unable to complete their study.

Where Should I Look for Funding?

If you cannot get a studentship, or if it will not cover the full cost of
your study, you may need to look elsewhere for funding. There is a
large number of bodies and organisations that could potentially
provide funding – but many of these only give money to individuals
in very specific circumstances.

Many charities and charitable trusts provide money for postgraduate

study. Some of these bodies accept proposals from individuals in any
circumstance, and studying in any discipline. Others, meanwhile,
will only consider applications from those conducting research in
certain areas or studying in a specific field.

You might also choose to investigate sponsorship from private

individuals. Scholarships of this sort are often administrated by your
place of study – but you may also choose to pursue them yourself.

The following is a letter seeking financial support from a private

individual. It should serve, however, as a good springboard for
funding applications to various other bodies.

Example Letter

Your Name
Anytown
Postcode

Dear [Name]

I am a prospective postgraduate student. I have recently graduated

from Anyuniversity, where I was awarded a first-class honours
degree in Anysubject.

Having completed my undergraduate degree, I am now keen to

continue my studies. I would like to further specialise in Anysubject,
with the ultimate intention of carrying out a research-based PhD.

Unfortunately, I cannot currently afford to pay my own way through

a postgraduate course. Despite being the recipient of a scholarship
from Anyuniversity, the combined cost of tuition fees and living
expenses is simply unworkable.

I am therefore writing to ask whether you would consider offering

some form of sponsorship to help me complete my course. I
understand that you have existing links with Anyuniversity, and that
you have previously, and very generously, sponsored students
through postgraduate study.

My academic record is excellent, and I have been lucky enough to

receive excellent references from my undergraduate tutors. My final
marks were amongst the best in my graduating year. I intend to
devote myself entirely to my postgraduate study, and would
eventually like to forge a career in the field.

Please find attached my undergraduate references, along with a

breakdown of my final marks.
Any help that you might be able to offer would be very gratefully
received.

With thanks and best wishes,

[Signature]

What if I am Unsuccessful?

Of course, there is no guarantee that your request will be successful.

If it is not, and you have exhausted all other potential avenues of
funding, you need to consider whether or not you can truly afford to
complete your course.

Many people choose to take on a part-time job to help them finance

their postgraduate study. While this may well be an option, you
should remember that it could detract from your study. Wherever
possible, try to take a job that is flexible enough to allow you to
concentrate on your study – at least during the times at which you
will have the most work.

Further Reading

Letter to Apply for Degree Funding

Writing a Great Postgraduate Application Letter

Ask for Advice or Share Your Story...

[Add a Comment]

I want you to help me to write a letter for a diploma educational

sponsorship .
Mac Fred - 6-Oct-19 @ 1:35 PM

I am a graduate from Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone.

I graduated two years ago and was awarded Division One in
Geography. I now opt to further my education in either
Environmental Management and Quality Control or Geographic
Information Systems (GIS), since job is hard to come by in my
country today, but do not have any form of sponsorship... I've tried
on many occasions to apply for grants from the government without
success. Kindly assist me find scholarship so my dream of becoming
both a GIS Specialist and an Environmentalist will be actualized.
Jacob - 8-Aug-19 @ 2:37 PM

To whom it may concern, Aim a Tanzanian male admitted to study

Master of Integrated Sanitation Management at the University of Dar
es salaam year of 2019/20 commencing from October 2019, aim
writing this massage to seek any help in terms of advice and
financially since i can not afford to pay my self all expenses required
by the college. I hope thorough the completion of this program i will
add value in sector of Sanitation for the improving human
healthalso for promotion of economic development through my
country and worldwide.
Mginga Jr - 2-Aug-19 @ 9:38 PM

Needs help in writing an application for a research phd scholarship

from the government of Australia. I graduated with first class in
statistics field in University of Sri Jayewardenepura , Sri Lanka
kith - 17-Jul-19 @ 8:49 AM

I'm a 2nd year undergraduate student in BAdmin Public

Administration at the University of Pretoria, South Africa. I am
employed but unable to fund my studies and took study loan for 1st
year. I'm battling paying off the loan and at the same time 2nd year
fees are due. I was awarded a "Best overall academic achievement "
for my 1st (2018) year performance. My employer cant sponsor me
because of financial challenges the institution is experiencing. I out
looking for private sponsorship. Anyone out there?
KG - 9-Jul-19 @ 5:40 AM

I have applied to Sharda Univeristy in India to continue study MBA -

Finance and Banking Program. ACCEPTED AND ISSUED OFFER
LETTER FROM SHARDA UNIVERSITY. My documents have been
reviewed against the University's criteria and advised yesterday that
I was one of the successful APPLICANT. ISSUED offer letter with 20%
scholarship off from Tuition Fee. However, I was told to pay the
following: TUITION FEE USD 3500 = 11500 in PNG KINA. HOSTEL FEE
USD 2200 = 6600 in PNG KINA ADMISSION FEE USD 500 = 1500 in
PNG KINA TOTAL AMOUNT TO BE PAID K 19600 I take it as a rare
OPPORTUNITY. Therefore, I am writing to to help me with Sponsor
letter to my GOVERNOR as well as Local Memeber. Other friends and
Relatives, NGO are also on target
PUMEX - 5-Jul-19 @ 3:47 AM
 Needs help in writing an application for a postgraduate scholarship
from the government of Ghana before this Friday. Thanks
kelvin - 29-May-19 @ 5:19 PM

Hello. I am Gifty, can you please help me out on how to writea good
sponsorship letter to fund for my master degree program. Thank
you.
Obaapa - 21-May-19 @ 12:26 PM

Needs help in writing an application for a postgraduate scholarship

from the government of Ghana. Thanks
Crow - 28-Apr-19 @ 10:47 AM

Thank you more it is very interested letter format. i grasp more

knowledge to apply.
Tekle - 31-Mar-19 @ 12:38 PM

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