Old Dominion University Scholarships (2025–2026)

What This Page Covers:

Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way

Thinking about Old Dominion? ODU is one of Virginia’s largest public universities, and it offers a mix of automatic merit, competitive scholarships, and regional tuition breaks. This guide is written for first-gen families—clear, no jargon. For extra savings, don’t forget to also check the Virginia state aid guide along with our main College Scholarships hub.

💰 Cost of Attendance at Old Dominion University

Category	In-State	Out-of-State
Tuition & Fees (30 credits)	$15,602	$34,805
Housing & Meals (average)	$16,122	$16,122
Books & Supplies	$1,312	$1,312
Travel	$1,100	$1,100
Personal	$2,026	$2,026
Total (before aid)	≈ $36,160	≈ $55,363

Average Net Price: According to the U.S. Department of Education (2022–23 data), families at ODU paid an average of $14,170 after scholarships and grants (loans not included). This is the best single-number estimate of “what families actually paid.”

Regional Tuition Savings: ODU participates in the SREB Academic Common Market (ACM). • Qualifying students from participating Southern states can pay in-state tuition if their chosen major is not offered in their home state. • Example: Out-of-state tuition is $32,940 vs. in-state $14,100. With ACM, a qualifying student could save about $18,840 per year on tuition alone. • The ACM is application-based—you must apply through your state coordinator and confirm eligibility with ODU’s Registrar. Learn more in our SREB Academic Common Market guide.

FAQs about Reciprocity

Who qualifies? Students from SREB states whose major is not available in their home state and is approved for ODU.

How much can I save? Savings can approach $18k–$19k per year in tuition, depending on major and state approval.

Do I need to apply? Yes. Apply through your state’s ACM coordinator; eligibility is not automatic.

✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships

ODU automatically considers all admitted freshmen for merit scholarships. These awards are based on GPA, course rigor, and (if submitted) test scores. No separate application is required—your admission file is your scholarship application.

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Monarch Scholarship (In-State)	Not officially published (external reports suggest $5,000–8,000/year)	Virginia residents; automatic with admission; test-optional requires ≥ 3.3 GPA	No	Yes (renewal terms in award letter)	Strong academics: 3.6–4.0 GPA; test-optional students ≥ 3.3*
Leo / Nonresident Incentive (Out-of-State)	Estimate: $5,000–8,000/year (reports of up to $10,000)	Non-residents; automatic with admission; test-optional requires ≥ 3.3 GPA	No	Yes (renewal terms in award letter)	High GPAs (≥ 3.6), strong rigor, and/or solid test scores*
“Presidential” / “Dean’s” Scholarships (unverified)**	Reported $5,000–8,000/year (external)	Likely high-academic profiles (rumored)	No (unverified)	Unknown	Mentioned on forums/student lists, but not confirmed on ODU’s official pages

*ODU does not publish public dollar tiers or exact GPA/test cutoffs for Monarch or Leo scholarships. The amounts shown are based on external reports (e.g., $5k–8k annually, with some mentions up to $10k). Treat these as estimates only—actual awards are communicated in each student’s financial aid package.
**No official ODU documentation supports “Presidential” or “Dean’s” automatic scholarships. These names appear in anecdotal reports; confirm directly with ODU admissions or financial aid.

FAQs about ODU Automatic Merit

Do I need to apply? No. All admitted freshmen are automatically considered for Monarch (in-state) or Leo (out-of-state) scholarships.

Are test scores required? No, but test-optional students must have at least a 3.3 GPA to be considered. Submitting strong scores may increase the award.

Can I stack these with ACM? No. If you receive in-state rates through the Academic Common Market, you won’t also receive the Leo out-of-state award.

Does ODU superscore SAT or ACT? Yes for the SAT — ODU will combine your best section scores from different test dates. For the ACT, ODU does not superscore; they only consider your best single-test composite. (Source: ODU Common Data Set 2021–22)

What about Presidential or Dean’s Scholarships? Some students and external sources reference these names, but ODU does not list them officially. Treat them as anecdotal unless confirmed in your award letter.

🏆 Competitive Scholarships

These university-level scholarships are selective (limited slots and/or extra application steps). Awards below exclude Honors College–specific funds, which appear in the Honors section.

Scholarship	Award	Eligibility	App?	Renewable	Who Actually Wins?
International Merit (ISS)	$5k–$14k/yr up to 4 yrs	New international admits Strong academics	Yes	Yes	International admits with GPA ~3.5–4.0 and solid coursework*
#YouAreWelcomeHere	50% tuition 2 awards/yr	International freshmen Essay or short video	Yes	Yes	International students with ≥3.3 GPA and strong leadership/service*
CHROME Scholarship	Varies	CHROME club alumni STEM majors	Yes	Usually	STEM-bound freshmen with CHROME background and ≥3.0 GPA*
Norfolk School Board	Full in-state tuition (15 cr/term)	Top 10 grads Norfolk high schools	No (school selection)	Yes	Norfolk HS valedictorians or salutatorians & other top-ranked seniors*
Haislip-Rorrer Presidential Scholars	Varies	Entering freshmen Outstanding academics	Yes	Varies	Freshmen with ≥3.8 GPA, AP/IB/dual credit rigor, and leadership/service*
Derbyshire Leadership	Up to $4,000	ODU undergrads Leadership/service record	Yes (essay)	Year-to-year	Undergrads with campus/community leadership roles and ≥3.0 GPA*

*ODU does not publish exact GPA/test cutoffs or set award amounts for many competitive scholarships. Profiles shown here are based on official descriptions plus observed patterns from past recipients. Treat them as evidence-based estimates, not guarantees.

FAQs (Competitive Scholarships)

Are these automatic? No. Most require a separate application or nomination, or are awarded in very limited numbers.

What are the deadlines? • International Merit (ISS): Apply by ODU’s international admissions deadlines (Feb 1 for fall priority).
• #YouAreWelcomeHere: Essay/video typically due by early spring (often Feb 1).
• CHROME & endowed funds: Follow ODU scholarship portal cycles (Jan–March).
• Norfolk School Board: Selection handled by Norfolk schools in late spring.
• Derbyshire Leadership: Essay applications due each spring term.

Can these stack with automatic merit? Often yes — but tuition-covering awards may limit stacking to avoid exceeding tuition/fee caps. Always check the award letter’s rules.

Deadlines? ISS and #YouAreWelcomeHere follow International Admissions cycles. CHROME and endowed funds use ODU’s scholarship portal deadlines. Norfolk School Board awards are selected by local schools.

Who is most competitive? Clear academic excellence plus signalers like leadership, community impact, or CHROME participation. For Norfolk, only the very top seniors are chosen.

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships

These awards don’t always show up on the admissions page, but they can make a real difference. They include ROTC benefits, research stipends, and study abroad funds—programs that first-gen families often overlook.

Scholarship	Award	Eligibility	App?	Renewable	Who Actually Wins?
Army ROTC (Monarch Battalion)	Full tuition & fees OR housing/meal allowance + book stipend + monthly stipend	U.S. citizens meeting Army academic & fitness standards	Yes — ROTC national/campus boards	Yes	GPA ≥2.5–3.0, leadership, strong fitness; STEM majors often prioritized*
Navy ROTC (Hampton Roads Consortium)	Full tuition + stipend + book allowance	U.S. citizens; national NROTC portal	Yes	Yes	Applicants with ≥3.0 GPA, strong math/science prep, physical readiness*
Undergraduate Research Grants (OUR)	$500–$2,000	Undergrads with a faculty-mentored project	Yes	By cycle	Students with clear project plan & faculty mentor*
Study Abroad Scholarships (ODU Global)	$500–$2,000	ODU undergrads accepted into approved abroad programs	Yes	By program	Students in good standing (≥3.0 GPA) with purposeful program fit*
Amerigroup Leadership Endowed	Varies	Junior/senior nursing majors; financial need; priority to students with dependent children	Yes — College of Nursing	Yes	Nontraditional nursing students balancing academics & family*
Paul & Athena Yeonas Memorial Fund	Varies	Students of Greek descent from South Hampton Roads	Yes — via donor/ODU portal	Yes	Local students with Greek heritage and solid academics*
Monarch Marching Band Scholarship	Varies	Band members; audition required	Yes — audition	Yes (continued participation)	Talented musicians who commit to marching band*
School of Music & Theater Scholarships	Varies	Music majors/ensemble participants	Yes — audition/departmental	Yes	Strong auditions, performance commitment*
Departmental Scholarships (Examples)	Varies	History, Engineering, Art, Nursing, and other majors	Yes — via departments	Yes	Students in each department with GPA ≥3.0 and/or financial need*
Presidential Equal Access Scholarship (PEAS)	Varies	Underrepresented backgrounds; financial need; leadership/service	Yes — ODU scholarship portal	Varies	First-gen/low-income students active in service & leadership*

*Profiles are based on official program criteria and observed recipient patterns. Many endowed/departmental awards vary by year and funding level. Treat these as guidance, not guarantees.

FAQs (Hidden Gems)

Are these automatic? No. Each requires an application—through ROTC boards, the Office of Undergraduate Research, or the Education Abroad portal.

Do they stack with other aid? Often yes. ROTC covers tuition but may prevent stacking with other tuition-only awards; stipends and housing allowances usually still apply. Research/study abroad grants are typically stackable.

What are the deadlines? • ROTC: National boards run in fall/winter; campus-based offers can happen year-round.
• Research: OUR grants accept proposals each semester.
• Study Abroad: Deadlines vary by program; many are due the semester before travel.

Who should apply? Students interested in military service, undergraduate research with a faculty mentor, or international experience that ties back to their degree plan.

⭐ College Specialty

Old Dominion University isn’t just another big Virginia school—it has carved out niches that give students unique career pipelines. From cybersecurity to coastal resilience, ODU leverages its Hampton Roads location and research strengths to prepare students for high-demand fields.

Top Spotlight: Cybersecurity
ODU’s School of Cybersecurity is one of the only stand-alone schools of its kind in the U.S. It holds all three NSA designations (CAE-CD, CAE-CO, and CAE-R), a rare honor shared by only a dozen universities nationwide. This distinction makes ODU a national leader in preparing graduates for federal and defense-sector jobs.

Classification: ODU is a public R1 Research University (very high research activity).

Modeling & Simulation (VMASC) — Home to the Virginia Modeling, Analysis & Simulation Center, one of the top applied M&S research hubs in the nation, partnering with defense and industry leaders.
Maritime, Ports & Logistics — ODU’s School of Supply Chain, Logistics, & Maritime Operations ties directly to Norfolk’s global port, making it a statewide leader in maritime workforce development.
Coastal Adaptation & Resilience — Through the Institute for Coastal Adaptation & Resilience (ICAR), ODU is nationally recognized for flood mitigation and climate adaptation research, ranked among the most active centers addressing sea-level rise in the Mid-Atlantic.
Engineering — ODU’s Batten College of Engineering & Technology is a key pipeline for regional aerospace and naval careers, supported by NASA Langley and nearby shipbuilding industries.

🎖️ Honors College (Patricia & Douglas Perry Honors College)

Honors at ODU is designed for curious, community-minded students who want small seminars, research opportunities, and mentors who know them by name. You apply to Honors (it’s not automatic). Priority deadlines are Feb 1 for fall admits and Nov 1 for spring; spots can fill and waitlists form early.

What a Typical ODU Honors Student Looks Like

High school GPA around 3.5+ (top 10% is common)
SAT 1200+ or ACT 27+ (tests optional but welcomed)
Evidence of rigor (AP/IB/dual enrollment) and sustained leadership/service
To remain in good standing at ODU: college GPA 3.25+

Why Honors Matters (Perks You’ll Feel)

Priority registration and access to small Honors seminars
Honors housing communities and dedicated mentoring/advising
Built-in undergraduate research pathways (faculty-mentored)
Capstone/thesis options that double-count toward degree progress
Targeted funding opportunities (see Honors-specific scholarships below)

Honors-Specific Scholarships

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Honors College Scholarships (Entering Freshmen)	Not publicly posted	Admitted to Perry Honors; high academics, impact, and fit	Yes — Honors application (essay)	Yes — up to 3 additional years	First-year Honors admits with ~3.7–4.0 HS GPA, rigorous coursework, leadership/service*
John & Kate Broderick Honors Opportunity Scholarship	$5,000–$20,000 (budget-based)	Current Honors students with special opportunity projects or needs	Yes — Honors portal/committee	By cycle	Honors students proposing significant academic, research, or service initiatives*
Undergraduate Research & Creativity Grants	Up to $5,000 (summer) Up to $3,000 (fall)	Honors students with approved faculty-mentored projects	Yes — OUR/Honors application	By cycle	Students with well-developed research or creative proposals*
Brock Foundation Endowed Honors Scholarship	Varies (endowment-based)	Honors College students (all levels)	Yes — separate application	Varies	Honors students who excel academically and in leadership/service*
Cranmer-Skinner Scholarship	Varies (endowment-based)	Honors College students; letter of interest required	Yes — letter required	Varies	Honors students with strong academics and compelling letter*
Robert T. & Amanda J. Cahill Scholarship	Varies (endowment-based)	Honors College students; selected by Honors committee	Yes — Honors consideration	Varies	Engaged Honors students with leadership/service profiles*

*ODU publishes dollar ranges only for the John & Kate Broderick Honors Opportunity Scholarship ($5,000–$20,000) and the Undergraduate Research & Creativity Grants (up to $5,000 summer, $3,000 fall). Other endowed Honors scholarships — such as Brock, Cranmer-Skinner, and Cahill — are listed only as “Varies,” with no public student-reported ranges.

Honors FAQs

Is admission automatic? No. You submit a separate Honors application (with an essay). Early applicants (by Feb 1 for fall) have the best shot at seats and funding.

Does Honors add time to my degree? No. Honors coursework and the capstone can fulfill general education and/or major requirements when you plan with your advisor.

Deadlines? Priority: Feb 1 (fall entry) and Nov 1 (spring). Applications may remain open, but seats and awards are limited.

Any extra $$ beyond these? Honors students often tap undergraduate research grants, travel funds, and special opportunities announced each semester.

📎 Official Links

✅ Final Thoughts

Old Dominion brings a mix of practical value and unique strengths. Families will find clear pathways to reduce costs—automatic merit, competitive awards, hidden gems, and Honors opportunities—paired with nationally recognized programs like cybersecurity and coastal resilience. If your student thrives in hands-on learning and wants options that connect directly to careers, ODU can be a smart choice. As always, apply early, stay on top of deadlines, and use every scholarship lever available to keep costs manageable.

✅ Last updated: August 31, 2025