The International Student House of Washington, DC (I-House DC) offers several need-based Residential Scholarships. The Residential Scholarship Program promotes the House’s core values of intercultural dialogue, global citizenship, and lifelong connections while seeking to alleviate the financial burden of international and U.S. students so they can make the best use of their time and resources during their stay in Washington, DC.
Residential Scholarships are awarded in the amount of $5,000-$6,250 for the academic year (September-May). The total Residential Scholarship award amount is prorated on a monthly basis and is credited toward the recipient’s monthly room and board charges invoice at the beginning of each month. Residential scholarships are not available during the summer months (June through August), except for the Una Chapman Cox Foundation Fellows Program and the Krilla Kaleiwahea (K2) Foundation “Ka Hale” Summer Scholarship Program.
The process is competitive, and not all applicants are awarded Residential Scholarships. Final applications are reviewed and selected by members of the Scholarship Committee of the Board of Directors of the International Student House of Washington, DC.
Both international and U.S. students may apply to the Residential Scholarship programs and funds; however, each program or fund has specific eligibility requirements. You can learn more about the various funds and programs here.
Eligibility requirements for Residential Scholarships may vary for program or fund, but candidates must meet these criteria:
- Demonstrate financial need, academic promise, and the ability to contribute to the diversity of the House’s resident population
- Possess an unconditional offer of admission from or be enrolled in an academic institution in the Washington Metropolitan Area
- Meet the specific program or fund eligibility criteria, which are described on the Residential Scholarship Funds and Programs page
- A completed Resident Application must be on file with the International Student House of Washington, DC.
Applications for Summer 2026 Residential Scholarships are
Now OPEN!
Applications for Residential Scholarships for the 2026-2027 Academic Year are Now OPEN!
Residential Scholarship Timeline for the 2026-2027 academic year
| Application Materials Due | May 15, 2026 | Applications are due and application link will be deactivated. |
| Award Notification Emails | Early July, 2026 | All applicants will be notified whether they have been awarded a Residential Scholarship. |
| Statement of Agreement Due | Late July, 2026 | Upon notification of their awards, recipients must sign a Statement of Agreement acknowledging the House’s requirements for award recipients. |
| 2026-2027 Residential Scholarship Disbursements | September 1, 2026 October 1, 2026 November 1, 2026 December 1, 2026 January 1, 2027 February 1, 2027 March 1, 2027 April 1, 2027 May 1, 2027 | Residential Scholarship disbursements will begin on September 1, 2026. The total Academic Year award will be divided into nine equal monthly amounts. |
Scholarship Programs & Funds
Bahaa and Hassnah Hariri Foundation Fellows Scholarship
The Hariri Fellows Scholarship Program (HFSP) is a unique full room-and-board Residential Scholarship for individuals from Lebanon or of Lebanese descent. The Residential Scholarship covers the full monthly room and board for individuals to live at the International Student House of Washington, DC, for one academic year, semester, or 6-month term. This Residential Scholarship is made possible thanks to the generous funding of the Bahaa and Hassnah Hariri Foundation (BHHF). BHHF promotes the acceleration of sustainable change and the creation of opportunities in Lebanon by supporting relief response, creating opportunities, and promoting culture and heritage to bring about the bright future that Lebanon deserves. Learn more about the Bahaa and Hassnah Hariri Foundation.
Robert J. Abernethy Scholars Program
The Robert J. Abernethy Scholars Program is a partial room-and-board Residential Scholarship for Residents enrolled as graduate students at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). For over a decade, Robert (Bob) Abernethy’s generosity and vision have made a lasting impact on the lives of more than 100 international and U.S. graduate students. Abernethy Scholars have – and continue to – enrich the House’s community and go on to become exceptional leaders around the world. Learn more about Mr. Robert Abernethy.
Una Chapman Cox Foundation Fellows Program
Thanks to a generous grant from the Una Chapman Cox Foundation, the International Student House of Washington, DC is honored to offer the Una Chapman Cox Foundation Scholarship: a partial room-and-board Residential Scholarship available to Summer and Academic Year Residents who are Thomas R. Pickering or Charles B. Rangel U.S. Department of State Fellows. The Una Chapman Cox Foundation is dedicated to serving the U.S. Foreign Service as well as its employees and their families, and is committed to increasing public knowledge and understanding of the Foreign Service and its role in supporting U.S. interests. Learn more about Mrs. Una Chapman Cox.
Dr. Riaz Haider Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Dr. Riaz Haider Memorial Scholarship Fund is a partial room-and-board Residential Scholarship for Residents from Pakistan. This Residential Scholarship is made possible thanks to the generous funding of a grant from Dr. Riaz Haider’s family. Dr. Haider was a long-time member and leader of the Board of Directors of the International Student House of Washington, DC, with many years of distinguished service. He had a lifelong interest in promoting education in the U.S. and internationally. Learn more about Dr. Riaz Haider.
Krilla Kaleiwahea (K2) Foundation “Ka Hale” Summer Scholarship Program
The Krilla Kaleiwahea (K2) Foundation “Ka Hale” Summer Scholarship Program is a partial room-and-board Residential Scholarship for students and young professionals of Native Hawaiian descent. This scholarship is made possible by the generous funding of the K2 Foundation.
Established in 2024 at the House’s Global Leadership Award Gala by Mr. Peter Krilla and Mr. Jeff Krilla—longtime supporters, close friends of the House, and founders of K2—the K2 Foundation “Ka Hale” Summer Scholarship Program reflects the Foundation’s commitment to community-driven projects that honor Native Hawaiian culture, empower youth, and build a stronger future. Through this program, young scholars and professionals gain a meaningful opportunity to thrive in an international, residential environment at I-House DC. Learn more about the K2 Foundation.
Herbert K. Schmitz Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Herbert K. Schmitz Scholarship is a partial room-and-board Residential Scholarship for Residents from all backgrounds who show promise and significant need. It is named in honor of Herb’s 40+ years of leadership on the Board of Directors of the International Student House of Washington, DC. This Residential Scholarship is funded by the generous support of donors, alumni, and Herb’s friends and family.
Herb attributed his long service to the House to his personal principle of giving back. His strong commitment to the International Student House of Washington, DC’s scholarship committee, which he founded, reflected his belief in the power of shared experience in a multinational environment, enabling international students to understand best how they can shape their worlds and give back to others. Learn more about Mr. Herbert Schmitz.
Tain Tompkins Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Tain Tompkins Memorial Scholarship is a partial room-and-board Residential Scholarship for female Residents originally from countries in the Middle East and Northern Africa enrolled at universities in the Washington Metropolitan Area. The fund was established in 2016 by Mrs. Grace Muller Tompkins, former President of the Board of Directors of the International Student House of Washington, DC, and the beloved wife of Mr. Tain Tompkins. Mr. Tompkins, a 30-year veteran of the U.S. Foreign Service, was chief of the economics sections at the U.S. embassies in Beirut, Lebanon, and Harare, Zimbabwe. We are exceedingly grateful to Grace and the Tompkins family for supporting incredible women worldwide as they pursue their studies in Washington, DC, and their goals to be outstanding global citizens. Learn more about Mr. Tain Tompkins.
David Ruiz alumni Fund
In August 2016, David Ruiz, International Student House alumna and Business Manager for nearly 20 years passed away. During his tenure, David touched the lives of countless resident scholars as he was often one of the first people new residents met when they entered through our doors. He formed many personal and ongoing friendships with alumni of the House all over the world. For years, David kept alumni apprised of events and happenings in the House.
To celebrate his extraordinary commitment not only to International Student House, but also to his deep and endearing personal relationships with our residents and alumni, the Ruiz family established the David Ruiz Alumni Fund. Contributions to the Fund support programs, events, and efforts to engage ISH-DC alumni.
Donors to the Residential Scholarship Fund acknowledge that the true impact of their gift extends beyond alleviating the financial burdens of living and studying in Washington, DC.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors and friends, the House is able to provide Residential Scholarships to a diverse group of prospective Residents each year based on need and academic promise. Our Residential Scholarship Program supports graduate students studying at Washington area universities. Residential Scholarships ensure that graduate students who would not otherwise be able to afford to live in the House may take advantage of the unique environment we offer.
Should you be interested to learn more about our Residential Scholarship Program and help make a lasting impact in a young leader’s life, please contact:
International Student House of Washington, DC
Attn: Development Department
1825 R Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
For any questions or comments about our Residential Scholarship Program, please contact us via email at [email protected].
