Above: International House, New York City (photo by wikiWHAT, used under CC BY-SA 3.0 licence)

The International House, or I-House, in New York City is offering need-based scholarships to residents to assist with housing costs. These are available to students while they reside at I-House, in the form of room credit during the academic year.

The I-House, near Columbia University and the Manhattan School of Music, is an independent non-profit organization with an annual budget of $13 million and a 92-year history. It was conceived by a YMCA official named Harry Edmonds, after a chance encounter with a lonely Chinese graduate student in 1909. Philanthropic funding enabled the construction of the house in 1924. Today about 700 resident members from more than 100 countries live there.

Besides disbursing $400,000 each year in need- and merit-based grants each year, I-House offers dormitory-style bedrooms, suites and apartments, and amenities such as lounges, a fitness centre, a pub, music practice rooms, 24-hour security and internet. Alumni include opera star Leontyne Price, Nobel laureate Carlo Rubbia, author Kiran Desai, and Morgan Stanley Chairman James Gorman.

I-House is offering the following grants for the 2016-17 academic year. The Admissions Committee of International House will select recipients. Grant application deadlines are June 15 and July 15, to coincide with admission application deadlines.

Davis Peace and Diplomacy Scholarship: Scholarship awards of up to $10,000 each, to applicants who are from countries affected by conflict or who have a demonstrated interest in peace-building and/or a diplomatic career path.

Davis United World College Scholarship: Grants of $10,000 each will be awarded to three applicants who are former Davis United World Scholars.

Dodge Foundation Middle East Scholarship: For residents from North Africa and the Middle East, or those studying Middle Eastern affairs.

Freunde des International House Scholarship: Need-based awards ranging from $500 to $2,000 for residents from under-represented developing countries or Germany.

Frontiers Management Consulting Scholarship: An award up to $3,000 for one resident from an emerging country who will be studying business or a business-related field. Awards are based on demonstrated financial need.

Mitsui USA Scholarship: Five resident members will be selected as the 2016-17 Mitsui USA Scholars at International House. Each will receive a $5,000 scholarship. The Mitsui USA program has been developed to foster educational efforts that promote international understanding and closer US-Japan relations. US citizens or permanent residents can apply. Qualified applicants should have strong communication skills and a strong interest in international affairs or business with appropriate course selection and/or participation in special projects, organizations or events related to these.

Outreach Scholarships: Awards ranging from $500 to $3,500 will be made to qualified applicants applying to join the I-House community for the first time. Awards are based on demonstrated financial need and the applicants' interest in contributing to the I-House community through participation in its programs. Priority is given to applicants from countries, fields of study or backgrounds that are under-represented in the I-House community. Only newly arriving residents are considered.

The Performing Artists in Residence Scholarship: A scholarship of $1,000-$3,000 for the spring semester for a musician, actor or dancer.

Toyota Motor Corporation Scholarship: Awards ranging from $500 to $2,000 will be made to those from Japan and other Asian countries and/or those from elsewhere but studying a technical field such as engineering.

The Paul A. Volcker Scholarship: Need-based scholarships for residents studying business or economics.

More information and application links are at the I-House website. Please note that you must be a resident member of International House while receiving any of the above grants.

Above: International House auditorium (photo by NewYorkDolls, used under CC BY-SA 3.0 licence)