Sarah Josephine Langstaff Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Daughters of the British Empire in the USA
Overview
The Sarah Josephine Langstaff Memorial Scholarship supports women of Commonwealth heritage pursuing higher education in the United States. The scholarship is administered by DBE and operates through its four geographic districts. District Scholarship Committees evaluate applications and select recipients each year. The program requires submission of specific application materials and academic records for consideration.
Description: A merit- and eligibility-based scholarship for female college students with Commonwealth of Nations ancestry, administered at the district level by DBE.
- For women of Commonwealth heritage studying in the USA
- Administered through DBE's four geographic districts
- Selection is committee-based within each district
Award Details
DBE awards either four $1,000 scholarships or eight $500 scholarships annually. Recipients are selected from each of DBE’s four geographic districts: Eastern, Western, Midwest, and Southern. Awards are paid to the recipient’s college or university through DBE National. The District Organizer chairs each district’s Scholarship Committee and oversees the selection process.
Award Value: Annual awards consist of four $1,000 scholarships or eight $500 scholarships, distributed across DBE districts and disbursed to institutions.
- Either 4 × $1,000 or 8 × $500 awarded annually
- Recipients represent each of the four DBE districts
- Awards are issued to the recipient’s college or university
Eligibility
Applicants must be female, at least 18 years old, and residents of the United States with British or Commonwealth of Nations ancestry. Eligible students are enrolled full time at an accredited two- or four-year college or university (12+ units). Applicants must have completed at least one semester of college and hold a college GPA of 3.0 or higher. Current members of DBE at the State, Chapter, or Member-at-Large levels are not eligible.
Eligibility: Requirements include age, residency, Commonwealth ancestry, accredited full-time enrollment, minimum GPA, and non-membership in DBE.
- Female, 18+ years, U.S. resident with Commonwealth ancestry
- Full-time student at an accredited two- or four-year institution
- Completed one semester and minimum 3.0 college GPA
- DBE State, Chapter, or Member-at-Large members are ineligible
Application Process
Applicants must submit a completed application form along with a one-page typed essay describing career goals and Commonwealth ancestry or heritage. A current college transcript and two letters of recommendation are required—one from a school or business administrator and one from a personal acquaintance. Contact information should be included for notification purposes. All application materials must be received by the Scholarship Committee by the November due date each year.
How To Apply: Submit the completed application, essay, transcript, two recommendation letters, and contact information by the November deadline to the district Scholarship Committee.
- One-page essay on career goals and Commonwealth heritage
- Current college transcript and two recommendation letters
- Include contact information for notifications
- Materials must arrive by the November deadline
Application Timeline & Notification
Applications and supporting materials must be submitted by the November deadline each year. DBE National sends award funds to the recipient’s college or university after selection. All applicants will be notified of the status of their application by email no later than January 5 following the application year. Contact information included with the application is used for these notifications.
Application Timeline: Submit by November; applicants notified by January 5; awards are disbursed to institutions by DBE National.
- Submission deadline: November each year
- Applicant notification by email by January 5
- Award disbursement handled by DBE National to colleges
History of the Award
The scholarship was established in 2018 in honor of Sarah Josephine Langstaff, the organization's founder. It was created to honor her legacy by supporting women of Commonwealth heritage in their educational pursuits. The program emphasizes district-level administration and community-based selection. The award reflects the founder’s commitment to education and cultural heritage.
History of the Award: Founded in 2018 to honor Sarah Josephine Langstaff and to support Commonwealth-heritage women in higher education.
- Established in 2018
- Named for founder Sarah Josephine Langstaff
- Created to support women of Commonwealth heritage