Residential Scholarship Programs & Funds

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.

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 Learn more about Mrs. Una Chapman Cox.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.