Application Resources

The International Student House is a residence for graduate students, interns, trainees or visiting scholars committed to promoting the mission of tolerance, respect and friendship among individuals from around the world. We strive for a balance of residents from all parts of the world representing many fields of study.

Because there are routinely more applicants than spaces available, the Admissions Committee asks you to thoughtfully write answers to three questions on the application form. Here are the questions that are on the application form:

• Please read our mission and write how you will help us to promote this mission.
• ISH is more than just a place to live. How do you plan to be involved in the life of the house?
• What will you be doing while in DC and what about it do you have a passion for?

In the admissions process, preference is given to a diverse range of full-time students over 21 years of age. Full-time interns are also encouraged to apply. Applications to ISH are competitive. It is wise to apply at least 3 months in advance of your arrival date. We will also accept last minute applications, but there is more of a chance that we will have no more rooms available.

ISH does not offer housing to individuals who are job hunting /apartment hunting.

Room Fees

Room fees include meals, Internet, utilities and laundry facilities. Take this into consideration when comparing prices.

Room fees are monthly and are based on rates per person. We do our best to try and place you in the room type that you have requested, however rooms are assigned upon arrival and based on room availability.

Download Room Fees – 2012

• All rooms are furnished with a desk, chair, lamp, single bed, dresser, and bookcase.
• Most of our rooms are shared.
• Residents cannot choose their roommates as doing so may go against the houses mission.
• Men and women live in separate quarters and have separate bathrooms.
• Rooms do not have private bathrooms unless specified.

Linen Fee

$45.00

Student Services Fee

$40.00 (less than 3 months)
$60.00 (over 3 months)

A one-time bed linen set-up charge of $45 and an activity fee of $60 (over 3 months) or $40 (less than 3 months) will be assessed on the first invoice. The activity fee is annually renewable.

Room Type Preference

Every effort is made to reserve the type of room requested on the application form, but ISH cannot fulfill all requests given the number of rooms and demand for them. We hope that everyone who stays here values the experience of living with others and will consider having a room mate even when their privacy is a concern.

If a single room is requested but is not available upon check-in, the resident’s name will be added to a Single Room Wait List. We will do our best to give an accurate estimate of when the resident can be assigned to a single room.

Smoking Policy

ISH is a smoke free property. This includes indoors and all outdoor areas including the Garden. Applicants who will find it difficult to refrain from smoking are encouraged to look for housing elsewhere.

Meals

Included in the room fees are 13 meals per week.

• Breakfast and Dinner – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
• Breakfast – Saturday and Sunday
• A sit down “Family Dinner” – 1pm on Sunday.

Late meals can be arranged by calling the house extension 205. No rebate is given for missed meals. Cooking is not allowed in the rooms, but we do offer microwaves in each building.

Deposits:

After an acceptance letter has been issued, a room deposit of $800 is required to reserve a room.

Payment

On arrival, residents pay at least one full month rent and payment is due on the first of each month thereafter.

• There is a 5% late fee for payments made after the 5th of the month.
• Residents must give 45 days notice of moving out in writing; otherwise residents will be charged for 45 days from the day they give notice.
• If you leave the House for a holiday or any other temporary leave prior to the end of your stated reservation dates, room and board charges will apply.

Payment of fees may be made with traveler’s checks, personal checks drawn on a U.S. Bank, a bank transfer, and Visa or Master Card. Checks should be made payable to the International Student House.

Bank Transfers should be made to our account at BB and T Bank # 5162711298, routing # 054001547, swift # BRBTUS33. ISH will charge you the cost of the transfer ($15-25) upon your arrival.

We understand that changes to reservations can happen. We have some guidelines for changes and cancellations that we use.

Cancelled Reservations

If 45 days notice is given, the full security deposit will be refunded and the reservation will be canceled. If 45 days notice is not given, ISH will keep the deposit amount.

No arrival

If ISH is not notified and the resident does not arrive on the date listed on the Acceptance Email, the security deposit will be retained and the reservation will be canceled.

Late Arrival

It is okay to arrive after your reservation begins. Residents are required to pay for their room from the beginning of the reservation regardless of which date he/she arrives.

Early Departure

45 days notice is required prior to departure if the checkout date changes from that on the Financial Responsibility Agreement. You must be a resident for 30 days prior to giving a 45 days notice. Notifications MUST be received in writing 45 days before the revised departure date. If departing earlier than the reservation end date listed in the Financial Responsibility Agreement, ISH will hold your deposit and charge you up to 45 days from when notice is given of an early departure.

Extended Reservations

Please inform the Admissions Manager as soon as possible if an extension to the reservation is desired. In most situations, ISH will be able to extend the stay. ISH cannot guarantee that residents can stay in their same room if an extension is given.

Please email all notifications of changes to admissions@ishdc.org

Prospective applicants should review our Information and Fees section before submitting the on-line application. In addition, please download and review the Resident Handbook.  Incomplete applications will not be processed.

If you have understood the information above, have read the and agree with the fees & policies, you’re ready to complete the Student Application.