Boston College的cover letter

Boston College 的网页上说申请奖学金的话要上载一份cover letter，我不知道这个指的是什么。以前说cover letter好像是指寄材料时列一份材料的清单，但是这里好像不是啊。

哪位高人能告诉我cover letter究竟指什么，BC的网页上有没有模版可以下载，谢谢啦！

in this settign, cover letter is just an additional personal statement.

In the States, when you look for job, very likely, you are required to submit a cover letter along with you resume.

The "cover letter" in your thread is just a "check list". I guess this is a misunderstanding among Chinese Students. I don't think Americans will use the term "cover letter" for "check list".

同意楼上

Thank you for your suggestion!

But one more thing, what is the difference between the cover letter and the statement of purpose I have already submitted? Should I emphasize more on my teaching and research ability in the cover letter to show that I am competent for a teaching or research assistantship?

Generally speaking, such a cover letter can be more on your merit and/or need side.

Most of the schools, funding consideration is in the admission process, so most likely the applicants are not required to submit extra statement and consequently we combine everything in one personal statement. If you are asked to submit two and if you are interested at writing something different, you can focus on academic interest more in your personal statement and focus on your merit and/or need more in the statement for funding. 

Personally I don't have such an experience in terms of Ph D application. All what I said is based on my experience in job hunting and helping high school seniors to apply for colleges. I guess it is the same.