Overview

Students traversing their educational careers overcome many hurdles.  Fortunately, there are “helping hands” available to assist them in the journey.  For Governors Club employees and their families, the Step Forward Scholarship Fund (“SFSF”) is one such helpful resource, providing funding, advice, information, and encouragement along the way.
This document offers guidance toward expressing gratitude when SFSF help is given.  The gratitude is not limited to the SFSF, but our focus here is on thanking the people within the SFSF who facilitate the assistance.
 
Gratitude Prompts Related to the SFSF

This document uses the term “prompt” when referring to an event that may initiate an expression of gratitude.  Such prompting events may be related to the SFSF, the school, and the students themselves.  Even though all three are important, this document focuses on prompts related to the SFSF.  Students should learn from these and extend such lessons into expressing gratitude related to the other two types of prompts.

  • Applying for an SFSF award.
    • Applying for an SFSF award is an important step because it initiates the entire process.  The SFSF Mentor is the likely target of any “thank you” message here.
    • This assumes an SFSF Mentor was helpful in applying.  If the student completed it without SFSF assistance, there is no need to thank the SFSF at this stage.
 
  • Completing interviews with the SFSF Scholarship Committee.
    • Participation in an interview, which is part of evaluating an applicant’s qualification.
    • Includes preparing for the interview, often guided by the SFSF Mentor who coaches the applicant on the process, preparation, and likely interview topics.
    • Students should direct a “thank you” to the Scholarship Committee Chair.
 
  • Notification of an award approval.
    • Confirms the award, shows the amount and timing, and lists any conditions.
    • Students should direct a “thank you” to the Scholarship Committee Chair.
 
  • Reaching significant milestones.
    • Completing the program or school year for which the award was given.
    • At a minimum, send a “thank you” to the Scholarship Committee Chair.
    • Others at the SFSF may also be thanked:
      • The Mentor may have offered information, encouragement, advice, etc.
      • For a larger award (such as the Governors Scholarship) or upon graduation, the student should also thank the SFSF President.
 
“Thank You” Formats and Characteristics – Overview
  1. Letter: Most formal method, printed or handwritten, always signed by hand, usually sent by mail but may be hand delivered, three paragraphs, award amount not stated
  2. Email: Semi-formal but similar to a letter, all electronic, the words “Thank You” in the subject line, headers and footers suppressed, a relevant attachment is optional
  3. Card: Greeting card (may be commercially produced) or handwritten (on card stock), very short, may include relevant image (such as a school landmark or selfie)
  4. Text / Phone Call: Text preferred, do not hang up if calling (have a script ready if no answer), relevant attachment is good if texting (such as a school landmark or selfie)
  5. Verbal: May be planned or spontaneous, extremely short, may lead to a conversation on other topics, just say “thank you” and move on

The use of each depends on a combination of the event’s importance, the amount of help that was provided, the person who provided the help, and the comfort level of the student in using each format.  For details, here are “The Thank You Project – Supplement of Formats and Examples” on the five types and examples of what to say in each.
 
Final Thought
​
A show of gratitude is necessary for recipients who earn an SFSF award.  Not every possible situation is covered.  Students must use judgment when benefitting from this assistance.
One word of caution – be careful in using the examples exactly as shown in this guide.  It may be tempting to simply copy-and-paste the samples into your own “thank you” messages.  Be aware, however, that this document is available to everyone within the SFSF organization, including your intended recipients.  It’s best to write your own content in your own way, guided by the ongoing help of the Mentors!