Sample Letter to Check Applicant Educational Credentials

Frequently, you will be called on to verify the educational record of a prospective employee. The information to be verified might be whether a particular degree has been earned or whether a specialized, non-degree course of instruction has been completed.

This sample letter may be used to request information from an educational institution. The contents of the letter should be modified to include requests only for the information that you need. As noted in the letter, you will want to include a copy of a release form, signed by the prospective employee that authorizes the school to release the requested information.

[Date]

[Name of Reference]

[Educational Institution]

[Street Address]

[City, State and Zip Code]

Re: Reference for [Applicant Name]

[Social Security Number or provide whatever information was supplied by the applicant for identification purposes]

Dear [Reference]:

The above-named individual has applied for employment with our business and has indicated that he/she attended [obtained a degree from] [Reference]. In order to make an informed hiring decision, we need to explore the applicant's educational history and personal qualifications or fitness for employment. A release permitting you to provide the following information has been signed by the applicant, and a copy is attached. Any information that you give will be held in the strictest confidence. Please verify the information supplied by [Applicant] and answer a few questions regarding [Educational Institution]:

The above-named individual has applied for employment with our business and has indicated that he/she attended [obtained a degree from] [Reference]. In order to make an informed hiring decision, we need to explore the applicant's educational history and personal qualifications or fitness for employment. A release permitting you to provide the following information has been signed by the applicant, and a copy is attached. Any information that you give will be held in the strictest confidence. Please verify the information supplied by [Applicant] and answer a few questions regarding [Educational Institution]:

Dates [Applicant] attended [Educational Institution]: (provide dates of attendance)

Degree received by [Applicant] (name the degree provided to you by the applicant)

Is the preceding information correct?

How can we obtain a transcript?

Information furnished by: (Ask reference to provide signature and title)

Thank you for your cooperation and prompt response.