cover letter to student finance

Cover Letter For Student Finance Sample: Free & Customizable

In this article, I will guide you through a step-by-step process to create an effective cover letter for your student finance application, including a handy template and tips from my personal journey.

Key Takeaways Purpose : Understand the importance of a cover letter in your student finance application. Structure : Learn the standard format of a cover letter and what to include in each section. Personalization : Discover how to tailor your cover letter to your individual circumstances. Evidence : Find out how to back up your claims with concrete examples. Professionalism : Get tips on maintaining a professional tone while showing your personality. Template : Use the provided template as a starting point for your own cover letter. Final Tips : Benefit from personal insights and experiences to enhance your cover letter.

Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Your Cover Letter

Step 1: start with your contact information.

Like any formal letter, begin with your name, address, phone number, and email at the top. Ensure this information is accurate and up-to-date.

Step 2: Address the Recipient Properly

If you know the name of the person handling your application, address them directly. If not, “Dear Sir/Madam” is a suitable alternative.

Step 3: Open with a Strong Introduction

Start by stating the purpose of your letter. Mention the specific student finance package you’re applying for and briefly introduce yourself.

Step 4: Explain Your Educational and Career Goals

Detail your academic achievements, career aspirations, and how the financial aid will help you achieve your goals. Be specific, and connect your goals to the financial support you’re seeking.

Step 5: Outline Your Financial Situation

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Clearly explain why you need financial assistance. Be honest about your circumstances, but maintain a tone of optimism and determination.

Step 6: Conclude with a Call to Action

Politely request the recipient’s consideration of your application and express your willingness to provide further information if needed.

Step 7: Sign Off Professionally

End with a formal closing, such as “Sincerely,” followed by your name and signature.

Personalization Is Key

Remember, your cover letter should reflect your unique situation. Don’t just copy and paste a generic template. Use the structure as a guide, but infuse it with details that are specific to your experiences and needs.

Template for a Student Finance Cover Letter

[Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, Zip] [Phone Number] [Email Address] [Date]

[Recipient’s Name or “Dear Sir/Madam”] [Title] [Company/Organization] [Address] [City, State, Zip]

Dear [Recipient’s Name or “Sir/Madam”],

I am writing to apply for [specific student finance package], as advertised [mention where you found the listing, if applicable]. As a [your year in school] student at [your school], pursuing a degree in [your field of study], I am earnestly seeking financial assistance to continue my education and achieve my career goals in [specific career field].

During my time at [your school], I have maintained [mention any academic achievements or honors]. Despite these achievements, my financial situation is such that without additional support, continuing my education could be challenging.

[Provide a brief overview of your financial situation, being specific about your needs without oversharing personal details.]

The funding I am requesting would not only assist me in covering tuition fees but also enable me to participate in [mention any extracurricular activities or academic opportunities that require funding].

This support is crucial for me to continue excelling academically and to contribute positively to my community through [mention any community service or extracurricular involvement].

I am committed to my education and to the path I have chosen in [your field of study]. Your financial support would greatly assist me in achieving my academic and career objectives, which are [briefly mention your career goals].

Thank you for considering my application. I am eager to provide any further information needed to support my case. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss my application in more detail.

[Your Name] [Your Signature, if sending a hard copy]

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How Do I Explain My Financial Situation in a Student Finance Cover Letter?

Answer: In my experience, being clear and concise is key. I mentioned specific financial challenges, like family income and educational expenses. 

I also provided evidence, such as income statements or bills, to support my claims. It’s important to be honest and straightforward about your financial need.

Q: What Should I Include in the Introduction of My Cover Letter?

Answer: I always start by introducing myself, stating my current educational status, and the purpose of the letter. For example, I might write, “My name is John Door, a second-year student at XYZ University, writing to apply for the ABC Financial Aid Program.” This sets a clear context right from the beginning.

Q: How Long Should My Student Finance Cover Letter Be?

Answer: Based on my experience, brevity is crucial. A one-page cover letter is usually sufficient. It’s important to be concise yet comprehensive, focusing on the most relevant details about your financial situation and educational goals.

Q: Is It Necessary to Mention My Academic Achievements?

Answer: Absolutely! I always highlight my academic achievements, as they demonstrate my commitment to education and potential for success. This can include GPA, awards, or participation in relevant projects or extracurricular activities.

Q: How Can I Make My Cover Letter Stand Out?

Answer: Personalizing the letter makes a big difference. I address it to the specific individual or committee handling the finances, if possible. Also, I share a brief personal story related to my educational journey and financial needs, which adds a unique and memorable element to the letter.

Q: Should I Discuss My Career Goals in the Cover Letter?

Answer: Yes, I find it beneficial to briefly mention my career aspirations. This shows the committee how the financial aid will contribute to my long-term goals and assures them that their support is a valuable investment in my future

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How to Write a Finance Cover Letter

Not all jobs need them, but for those that do, here are some guidelines from morgan stanley’s recruiters on how to write one..

Searching the internet for tips on how to write a cover letter will produce a litany of dos and don’ts: Flex your communication skills, but don’t go over three paragraphs; don’t recite a generic list of skills, but do speak to every requirement in the job description; be professional, but also be personal…the list goes on.

Truth be told, not all jobs need cover letters, but for the times when they’re required, it needn’t be so complicated to get them right.   Our recruiters say that applicants can hit the mark as long as they follow a few basic rules,  and refrain from quoting Shakespeare or likening their job search to Fantine’s demise in Les Miserable. (It happens). 

1. Why You Need One

They provide a missing link between the living-you and the formulaic resume or CV. Your cover letter conveys three important things:

• You understand what the firm is looking for.
• You’ve got the skills.
• You’re articulate.

2. What to Include

Write it like a letter—include your address, Dear Sir/Madam (or better still, the name of the person, if you know who the interviewer is), and make sure to end it with a closing (“Yours faithfully,” etc).

• First Paragraph: An opening statement that sets out why you’re writing the letter. Begin by stating the position you’re applying for and if you became aware of it by going to a recruiting event.
• Middle Paragraphs: Two or three paragraphs to explain what attracted you to the type of work, why you’re interested in working for the company, and why you think you’d be a good fit.
• Last paragraph: Thank the employer and say you’re looking forward to receiving a response.

Don’t Let These Common Interview Questions Trip You Up

3. beware the generic cover letter.

Cover letters  can end up being deal-breakers if  they have mistakes in them, and most mistakes are made when a generic letter is used for every application. You’d be surprised by how many times people forget to switch out the name of one firm for ours. Not only do we know you’re applying elsewhere, but it shows lack of attention to detail.

4. Strike an Authentic Tone

Another reason not to use a generic cover letter: It just doesn’t sound authentic. Writing it from scratch will create  a warmer, more engaging tone—even if it’s just a few paragraphs.

5. No Need to Repeat

Don’t use the cover letter to repeat skills that you’ve already outlined in the resume, which speak specifically to the requirements in the job description. 

6. Make the Most of Your Experiences

Do include  experiences or skills that might not be specifically called for in the job description, but you believe will add to your appeal and help you excel in the role.  Examples could be collaborative, leadership or problem-solving skills from extracurricular activities or previous jobs. Just ensure that they’re truly relevant and compelling, and not a stretch. 

7. Get a Second Opinion

Whatever you end up putting in your cover letter, make sure to check for mistakes. Get someone to proofread your letter for typos, grammatical errors, the wrong firm name, and any Broadway Musical references that might have made their way in.

Good luck! And feel free to reach out to our campus recruiting team members if you have any questions. 

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What is a Student Finance Cover Letter?

In General , University by Think Student Editor January 11, 2023 Leave a Comment

When you start applying to university, you will come across the term “student finance” a lot. Especially if you’re the first in your family to attend university, this term can be confusing. Since you have to apply for student finance before you start university, the process of applying can seem quite complicated. One of the parts of this process is a student finance cover letter. However, if this term is new to you, you’ll definitely be asking: what exactly is a student finance cover letter?

A student finance cover letter can also be referred to as an evidence cover letter. You can be asked to send the letter as part of your application along with the evidence you are submitting. Your evidence cover letter can be brief but will need to have your Customer Reference Number (CRN), your name as well as your current address. This makes it easier to link the evidence enclosed to your student finance account.

The above provides a brief summary of what a student finance cover letter is. To find out more about the evidence you must enclose and how you can send the cover letter, I recommend you read on.

Table of Contents

Where is your evidence cover letter on your student finance account?

After you have submitted your evidence, you can be asked to attach the evidence cover letter from your account. In this case, you should submit the letter online or in through the post to Student Finance England.

Uploading the evidence cover letter should be done the same way that you upload your other documents of evidence. You can download the evidence cover letter when logged into your student finance account .

You should only upload a cover letter or any other types of evidence to your account when asked to. If uploaded otherwise it can cause a delay in your application.

To start uploading evidence, you must first sign into your student finance account. You must then select the type of application. This will most likely be the ‘Undergraduate student finance applications’.

This is a separate application to the Disabled Students’ Allowance application which requires a different form and an additional cover letter. You can find out more about this on this gov.uk page here .

After you have selected this, you can view all the current undergraduate applications in your account. Choose your most recent application unless the evidence is for a specific year.

Under the section heading ‘Manage your student finance’, you will find the option to ‘Upload supporting evidence’. This is where your evidence can be uploaded and submitted.

As well as uploading evidence, you can use your student finance account to change any details in your application. This video here from Student Finance England shows you how.

What evidence must be submitted for student finance applications?

There are two types of evidence that must be submitted when you apply for student finance for the first time. These are proof of identity and household income information.

Proof of identity is the first step to checking if you are eligible for student finance. You will normally submit a copy of your valid passport details when you apply.

If you are an international student, you can send your valid non-UK passport. You may also be asked to submit Home Office documents.

If you do not have a valid UK passport, you will need to send your UK birth or adoption certificate. When sending your certificate by post, you will need to include your name and address as well as your customer reference number.

Once you have your student loan confirmation letter, you can use it to prove your address. Check out this article here on Think Student to find out more ways of proving your address.

How does household income affect your student finance application?

Your household income details are very important when determining how much maintenance loan you are eligible for. You can find out more about maintenance loans here on Think Student.

What is considered as household income changes based on your individual circumstances such as your age and who you are dependent on.

For most undergraduate students, household income includes your parents’ income and any income from your own savings or investments.

To give details of your household income, your parent must create a separate student finance account to you. You can create an account here .

Once your parent has signed in, they will need to provide the correct information about any personal taxable income and any income you may receive from savings/investments. Your parent will most likely have to send photocopies of their P60 or payslips.

This information will then be reviewed by the HMRC and will take about two weeks.

What evidence is needed to apply for CPR support?

CPR stands for Compelling Personal Reasons. CPR refers to when a student has to suspend their studies or change their course due to a personal situation like bereavement or health issues. If you are eligible for CPR support, you can receive additional funding.

To apply for CPR funding, you must submit both a covering letter and a form of evidence from a professional. You will need to reapply each year for compelling personal reasons in order to gain the additional year of funding.

Your CPR application acceptance is highly dependent on your cover letter. This cover letter will be structured very differently to the evidence cover letter and should not be as brief. The purpose of the cover letter is to explain why your CPR should be taken into consideration and why you should receive funding as a result of it.

When writing your cover letter, you should remember to include the following details:

• Your personal details – this includes standard information like your full name, date of birth and your CRN as well as your contact details.
• Key dates – this refers to which year/years you would like to be considered for CPR support and when you suspended your studies and when you plan on resuming your studies.
• Your CPR – this can be due to health issues, family issues or more but it is important to state your reasons clearly so SFE can assess the complete situation.
• Changes to your circumstances – if there is progress in your circumstances, you are more likely to be successful when you return to your studies.

The evidence from a professional as well as the cover letter confirms the difficulties you have experienced and how they have disrupted your studies.