Sarah Josephine Langstaff Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Daughters of the British Empire in the USA
Description
The Sarah Josephine Langstaff Memorial Scholarship supports women of Commonwealth heritage in pursuing higher education. The program is administered by DBE and selects recipients through district-level Scholarship Committees. Awards are intended to reduce financial barriers for eligible students enrolled at accredited two- and four-year institutions.
Description: A DBE scholarship initiative to assist female students of Commonwealth heritage who are pursuing postsecondary education in the United States.
- Supports women with Commonwealth of Nations ancestry
- Administered and selected at the DBE district level
- Applies to accredited two- and four-year colleges and universities
Award Value
DBE awards scholarships annually with fixed amounts distributed across its geographic districts. Each of the four DBE districts selects recipients, and the program offers a mix of larger and smaller awards to broaden impact. Funds are delivered to the recipient’s college or university for credit to the student’s account.
Award Value: DBE awards four $1,000 scholarships or eight $500 scholarships each year, allocated among the Eastern, Western, Midwest, and Southern districts.
- Four $1,000 awards, or eight $500 awards, annually
- Recipients chosen from each of the four DBE districts
- Scholarship payments are sent directly to the recipient’s institution
Eligibility
Applicants must be female students age 18 or older who reside in the United States and have British or Commonwealth of Nations ancestry. Eligible students must be enrolled full time at an accredited two- or four-year college or university and have completed at least one semester of college-level coursework. Applicants must maintain a minimum college GPA of 3.0 and cannot be State, Chapter, or Member-at-Large members of DBE.
Eligibility: Female U.S. residents, 18+, with Commonwealth ancestry; full-time enrollment; at least one semester completed; minimum 3.0 GPA; not DBE members.
- Female, 18 years or older, U.S. resident with Commonwealth heritage
- Full-time student at an accredited two- or four-year institution (12+ units)
- Minimum college GPA of 3.0 and at least one semester of college completed
Application Process & Timeline
Applicants must download and complete the official application and submit required materials by the annual November deadline. Required materials include a one-page typed essay describing career goals and Commonwealth ancestry, a current college transcript, and two letters of recommendation (one from a school or business administrator and one from a personal acquaintance). Contact information should be provided for notification purposes. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
Application Timeline: Applications and all supporting documents must be received by the Scholarship Committee by the November due date each year.
- Submit application, essay, transcript, and two recommendation letters
- Include contact information for notification
- All materials due by the November deadline
Application Status
All applicants will be notified by email of their application status by January 5 following the application year. DBE National submits awarded scholarship funds directly to the recipient’s college or university for disbursement. District Scholarship Committees manage selection and forward award information to the national office for processing. Applicants should monitor their email and provide accurate contact details to ensure timely notification.
Application Status: Notification by January 5; awarded funds sent by DBE National to the recipient’s institution.
- Applicants notified by email by January 5
- Award payments processed through DBE National to schools
- Selection completed by district Scholarship Committees
History of the Award
The scholarship was established in 2018 in honor of the organization’s founder, Sarah Josephine Langstaff. It was created to memorialize her legacy by expanding educational opportunities for women of Commonwealth heritage. Since its inception, the program has operated through DBE’s district structure to identify and support eligible students. The award reflects DBE’s commitment to educational advancement and cultural heritage.
History of the Award: Established in 2018 to honor Sarah Josephine Langstaff and to support women of Commonwealth heritage in higher education.
- Founded in 2018 in memory of Sarah Josephine Langstaff
- Designed to support educational access for women with Commonwealth ancestry
- Administered through DBE’s district Scholarship Committees