Application Guidelines

The Ruby Dee Legacy of Sisterhood Scholarship for the Arts is made possible by a generous donation to the Delta Research and Educational Foundation (DREF) by Dr. Francene Breakfield and L. Denise Wells, longtime members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and the co-authors of An Anthology of Sisterhood. 

The $1,000 merit-based scholarship will be awarded annually to a deserving African American female student who is either a junior or senior collegiate or a graduate student majoring in English, Literature, Drama, Art, Music, African American Studies, Communications, Education, Fine Arts, Performing Arts, or Visual Arts. 

Applicants must meet the following guidelines:

• Currently attend an accredited college or university on a full-time basis.
• Be enrolled as either a junior, senior or a graduate student.
• Must have a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale.
• Must be actively pursuing a degree at the undergraduate or graduate level in one of the disciplines listed above.
• Demonstrated community service and leadership skills – which is clearly reflected in recommendation letters.
• Applicant must have permanent residency (home address) in a state that is part of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s Southern Region or Eastern Region.  Preference will be given to applicants from Georgia and New York.

Scholarships will be awarded to a current college student who best meets the requirements set forth by the benefactors along with the Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis family.  Applications must be received by March 31, 2023. 

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. All questions must be answered. Incomplete applications will be disqualified. Please use N/A to indicate inability to answer. Leave no blanks. 
2. Applications must include the following:

• Complete application form, including uploaded essay 
• Three references with complete contact information for each (on application form) 
• A copy of your most recent college transcript (may be sent separately) 

3. Applications must be received by March 31, 2023. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS. Student must submit all requested documents via email to Personal statement should not exceed two and a half typewritten pages. In addition, you are required to obtain two letters of recommendation and an official transcript These items may be mailed to our office, in one large envelope, or sent by email to CEM@deltafoundation.net no later than March 31, 2023.
4. Successful applicants will be notified on or before July 1, 2023. Interviews may be necessary. 

Note: Scholarships are awarded to successful candidates and are at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee and will be transferred to the recipient’s school account the following Fall Semester.