Old Dominion is test-blind. ODU does not use SAT or ACT scores for admission or for its standard merit scholarships, even if your student already sent them. The decision rides on the high school transcript and GPA. About 91% of applicants are admitted, and the average admitted GPA is about 3.43.
Every first-year applicant with at least a 3.0 GPA is automatically considered for merit money. Virginia residents are considered for the Monarch award and out-of-state students for the Leo award, and the amount shows up with the admission offer. For timing: Early Action applications are due Dec 1 with decisions around Jan 15, and Regular Decision is Feb 1 with rolling review after that.
🚨 Easy-to-Miss “Gotchas” at Old Dominion (Read This First)
There are two scholarship pipelines, not one. Admissions hands out Monarch and Leo merit on its own. The Office of Financial Aid matches students to endowed scholarships only if your student checks “Yes” on the institutional scholarship question in the application. Sending an activity resume to FinAidScholars@odu.edu helps too.
Test-blind does not mean scores are worthless. Some endowed awards in ODU’s catalog, like the Dominion Scholarships, still list a 1280 SAT. And if your student ever wants to appeal for a bigger merit award, ODU requires official test scores.
The real FAFSA date is January 1, not March 1. ODU says to file before Jan 1 to be considered for its need-based scholarships. March 1 is only the priority date for state and federal grants.
ODU does not publish a merit chart. You won’t know the Monarch or Leo amount until the admission letter arrives. Recent data show freshmen with no financial need who got merit averaged about $8,000.
Honors is a separate application with its own deadline. The Perry Honors College application (and its scholarship consideration) is due Feb 1.
ODU bills by the credit hour with no cap. Taking 18 credits instead of 15 costs more, so heavy course loads add up fast.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — Old Dominion University is test-optional.
What is the middle 50% ACT/SAT? ACT: 22-27; SAT: 1120-1270.
Average net price? About $16,419/year after aid.
Does this school use waivers/reciprocity?
Yes — participates in ACM.
💰 Cost of Attendance at Old Dominion University 2026-2027
📅 2027–2028 Planning Note: The costs below reflect the most recently published figures (2026–2027). Universities typically finalize the next year’s rates in the spring, and we’ll update this page once official 2027–2028 numbers are released.
Planning tip: At large public universities, tuition, fees, and housing usually increase modestly each year (often in the 2–5% range). For early budgeting, families may want to plan for roughly $1,000–$1,500 more in-state or $2,000–$3,000 more out-of-state in total direct costs once new rates are published.
Category (2026–2027)
In-State
Out-of-State
Tuition & Mandatory Fees (2 semesters)
$14,040
$35,370
Housing & Meals (typical)
$15,632
$15,632
Total (Direct Costs)
$29,672
$51,002
Average Federal Net Price: $16,419 — this is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships (no loans), based on the most recent federal data. Your specific cost could be significantly lower or higher depending on your financial aid eligibility and merit scholarships. New to Net Price & SAI? Read our guide.
📌 Regional Tuition & Waiver Options
ODU takes part in the SREB Academic Common Market (ACM) through a number of its undergraduate and graduate programs. If your student's major is approved for your home state and is not offered at a public college there, they can pay Virginia in-state tuition. Check the SREB program inventory first, get certified by your home state's ACM coordinator after admission, then confirm with ODU's Office of the Registrar. Outside of ACM, ODU does not offer a general out-of-state tuition waiver, so the Leo Scholarship (out-of-state merit) is the main discount for non-residents.
How ODU’s Bill Is Built (Fall 2026 Rates)
ODU charges $443 per credit hour for Virginia residents and $1,134 per credit hour for out-of-state students. Both numbers already include the $162 per credit “auxiliary tuition” that shows up as its own line on the bill. On top of that come a few small required fees: an $8 per credit innovation fee, plus health, transportation, general services, and ID card fees each semester. Out-of-state students also pay a $20 per credit Commonwealth Capital Fee. The totals above assume 15 credits a semester.
FAQ: Cost of Attendance at Old Dominion University
Does ODU charge a flat rate for full-time students?
No. ODU says there is no maximum tuition amount, and every credit is billed. If your student takes 18 credits instead of 15, expect roughly $1,350 more per semester in-state and about $3,500 more out-of-state. AP and dual enrollment credit can help your student avoid overloading later.
What do families actually pay after aid?
The most recent federal figure is an average net price of about $16,419 for in-state freshmen who received grants (2023-24). It ranges from about $9,700 for families earning under $30,000 to about $23,600 for families earning over $110,000. For your own estimate, use ODU’s net price calculator.
Can out-of-state students get in-state tuition?
Sometimes. ODU takes part in the Academic Common Market for a number of undergraduate programs, which lets students from other Southern states pay in-state rates for approved majors not offered at home. Otherwise, the Leo Scholarship is the main discount. Only about 6% of ODU freshmen come from outside Virginia, so plan the out-of-state budget carefully.
Is there a discount for military families?
Active-duty service members pay $250 per credit hour. Spouses and children of qualifying Virginia veterans may use VMSDEP, which waives tuition and mandatory fees at Virginia public colleges. ODU is a strong military school: about a quarter of its students are military-affiliated.
Do freshmen who live on campus have to buy a meal plan?
Yes. ODU’s cost estimator says freshmen living on campus must pick one of the All-Access meal plans. That is part of the roughly $15,632 food and housing estimate.
What costs are not on the ODU bill?
ODU budgets about $1,830 for books and supplies, $1,380 for transportation, and $2,430 for personal expenses each year. The bookstore estimates textbooks average about $656 per semester for a full-time student.
Why doesn’t this table exactly match ODU’s cost page?
ODU’s cost page shows $13,656 for in-state tuition and fees. We built our number directly from ODU’s published Fall 2026 per-credit rates and required fees at 30 credits, which comes to $14,040. The out-of-state totals match almost exactly.
Where does most grant money for Virginia families come from?
Often the state. Among full-time ODU freshmen in 2023-24, 56% got a state or local grant averaging about $8,847, compared with an average institutional award of about $4,993. That is one more reason to file the FAFSA early.
Dec 1: Complete applications get priority consideration for Monarch and Leo merit.
Before Jan 1: File the FAFSA to be considered for ODU’s need-based scholarships.
Feb 1: Perry Honors College application due (includes Honors scholarship consideration).
Mar 1: FAFSA priority date for state and federal grants, and the cutoff for endowed scholarship matching through the admissions application.
Early April through summer: Endowed and institutional scholarship notices go out to ODU email.
Parent rule of thumb: have the application in by Dec 1 and the FAFSA done in December. That covers almost every ODU dollar at once.
Automatic Merit Scholarships at Old Dominion University
Every first-year applicant with at least a 3.0 GPA is automatically reviewed for merit money. Virginia students are considered for the Monarch Scholarship and out-of-state students for the Leo Scholarship. There is no separate application. ODU is test-blind, so the GPA and transcript do the work, and the award amount arrives with the admission offer.
Find your student's tier
Enter the numbers you have. We'll highlight the automatic award your student would actually get and tuck the rest out of the way. Leave it blank to browse everything.
Residency
Based on published cutoffs for entering freshmen. Always verify with the college before finalizing plans.
One award, not a pile. Colleges apply your student's single best automatic award. Automatic scholarships almost never stack with each other, though some stack with housing, departmental, or outside money. The stacking notes on each card tell you which.
Automatic
Monarch Scholarship (In-State Merit)
📅 Deadline: Dec 1 · 📢 Results: With the offer of admission ✓ Renews
Varies
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.0+ GPAVirginia residents applying as first-year students with at least a 3.0 GPA. ODU is test-blind: SAT and ACT scores are not used for admission or standard merit.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Awarded by the Office of Admissions. Endowed and institutional scholarships are a separate process run by the Office of Financial Aid, and need-based grants are layered on after the FAFSA. Total aid cannot exceed cost of attendance.
💡
Strategic Detail
ODU does not publish a merit award grid. Awards are based on academic performance, managed by the Office of Admissions, and can be revised if residency status changes. Renewable when ODU's stated renewal criteria (minimum GPA and credit hours completed) are met. Any appeal for a higher merit award must include official test scores.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Virginia first-year students admitted with a 3.0+ GPA and a solid transcript. ODU's most recent Common Data Set shows freshmen with no financial need who received institutional merit averaged about $8,011.
Automatic
Leo Scholarship (Out-of-State Merit)
📅 Deadline: Dec 1 · 📢 Results: With the offer of admission ✓ Renews
Varies
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.0+ GPAOut-of-state first-year applicants with at least a 3.0 GPA. ODU is test-blind: SAT and ACT scores are not used for admission or standard merit.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Awarded by the Office of Admissions. Endowed and institutional scholarships are a separate process run by the Office of Financial Aid. Students in an approved Academic Common Market program pay in-state tuition, so confirm how the Leo award is adjusted in that case.
💡
Strategic Detail
ODU's out-of-state merit award. No published grid. Managed by the Office of Admissions and subject to revision if residency changes. Renewable when ODU's stated renewal criteria (minimum GPA and credit hours completed) are met. Any appeal for a higher award must include official test scores.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: out-of-state first-year students admitted with a 3.0+ GPA. Only about 6% of ODU freshmen come from outside Virginia, so this award is ODU's main tool for making the non-resident price workable.
Data last verified Sep 16, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
Note: ODU does not publish award tiers, so amounts vary by student. According to ODU’s most recent Common Data Set, freshmen with no financial need who received institutional merit averaged about $8,011.
Automatic Merit FAQs (Old Dominion University)
Does ODU publish a merit scholarship chart?
No. ODU says merit awards are based on academic performance and managed by the Office of Admissions, but it does not list award levels. You’ll see the Monarch or Leo amount in the admission letter.
What GPA does my student need for the Monarch or Leo Scholarship?
At least a 3.0 to be considered. ODU tells counselors to report the weighted GPA if the high school calculates both, on a 4.0 weighted scale. Higher GPAs and stronger coursework generally mean bigger awards.
Will SAT or ACT scores raise the award?
Not for standard merit, since ODU is test-blind. There is one catch: if your student appeals for a larger merit award after admission, ODU requires official test scores with the appeal.
Can the Monarch or Leo award change after we get it?
Yes. ODU says awards can be revised if residency status changes, for example if an out-of-state student is later classified as a Virginia resident.
Are these scholarships renewable?
Yes, as long as your student meets ODU’s renewal criteria, which are a minimum GPA and a minimum number of credit hours completed. Ask admissions for the exact numbers attached to your student’s award.
Can my student get merit plus other ODU scholarships?
Yes, but through a different door. Endowed scholarships come from the Office of Financial Aid, and your student is only matched to them after checking “Yes” on the institutional scholarship question. Need-based grants come after the FAFSA.
Old Dominion does not run a big essay-and-interview scholarship competition for U.S. freshmen. ODU says no scholarship application is needed beyond the admissions application and the FAFSA. The competitive awards listed below are for international students only. For most families, the money comes from Monarch or Leo merit, endowed scholarship matching, and state and federal grants.
✅ Can You Stack Scholarships at ODU?
Aid Type
How You Get It
ODU Parent Translation
Monarch or Leo Merit
Automatic with admission
One award based on residency. Nothing to apply for, but a strong transcript matters.
Endowed and Departmental Scholarships
“Yes” box + activity resume
Run by Financial Aid, separate from merit. This is where major, hometown, and activities pay off.
Virginia State Grants
FAFSA (Virginia residents)
Often the biggest grant for in-state families. First come, first served, so file early.
Band, Music, ROTC
Audition or national application
Separate from academic merit. Read the award letter to see how everything fits together.
Outside Scholarships
Send notice to Financial Aid
ODU must be told about outside awards, and your package can be adjusted if total aid goes over cost of attendance.
ODU does not publish a formal stacking policy, so treat the award letter as the final word. The big competitive award at ODU comes later: the Broderick Honors Opportunity Scholarship pays $5,000 to $20,000 for Perry Honors College students after their first year (see the Honors section).
⚠ Only for international students on a non-immigrant visa.
🏫 3.3+ GPANewly admitted international students on a valid non-immigrant visa, not eligible for Virginia in-state tuition, pursuing a first campus-based bachelor's degree (ODUGlobal online programs are not eligible). Cumulative U.S.-equivalent GPA of 3.25.
✚
Stacking & Combining
ODU does not publish whether ISS combines with the #YouAreWelcomeHere scholarship. Ask International Admissions before counting on both.
📄
How to Apply
Apply for undergraduate admission as an international student and submit a one-page essay on academic intent and personal goals by Apr 15 for fall or Oct 1 for spring.
Selection criteria: Academic record and essay.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
ODU's ISS page (updated Sept 2026) lists awards up to $16,000 per year; the financial aid page still shows an older $5,000 to $14,000 range. Renewable up to eight semesters with full-time enrollment and a 3.25 GPA. TOEFL and SAT are optional but recommended.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: international first-year applicants with a 3.25+ GPA and a clear one-page essay on academic goals.
App Requiredinternational
#YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Mar 15 · 📢 Results: By Apr 15; claim with tuition deposit by May 1 ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ Only for first-year international students; openings depend on renewals.
👥 ~Up to 2 per year, only when a slot is open winners/yrFirst-year international applicants of any major who intend to study on an F-1 visa and apply for admission by Apr 15.
✚
Stacking & Combining
ODU does not publish whether this combines with the ISS Merit Scholarship. Ask before counting on both.
📄
How to Apply
Apply for admission by Apr 15. Email oic@odu.edu to confirm a scholarship is open that year. Submit the application form plus a 500 to 1,000 word essay or a 2 to 5 minute video by Mar 15.
Selection criteria: Ideas for advancing intercultural learning at ODU and how the applicant will act on them.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
ODU offers two of these renewable awards, and because recipients renew for up to four years, some years have no new openings. Email the Office of International Collaborations before applying.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: international first-year students with a specific, practical plan for building intercultural understanding on campus, shown in a strong essay or short video.
Data last verified Sep 16, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
❓ Flagship / Competitive Scholarship FAQs
Does ODU have a full-ride or presidential scholarship competition for freshmen?
Not one that ODU publicly runs for U.S. freshmen. Its catalog lists endowed funds for students with outstanding credentials, but those are matched through the admissions application rather than a separate competition.
Is there a separate scholarship application for incoming freshmen?
No. ODU says the admissions application and the FAFSA are all that is needed. The steps that matter are checking “Yes” on the institutional scholarship question, choosing the categories that fit, and submitting an activity resume.
What scholarships does ODU offer international students?
The International Student Merit Scholarship pays up to $16,000 a year, renewable for four years with a 3.25 GPA. Families apply by April 15 for fall. The #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship covers 50% of tuition for up to two students, but only in years when a slot opens up.
What if my student is already enrolled at ODU?
Continuing students whose situation has changed (new major, new activities, new need) should submit the Scholarship Form for Continuing and Graduate Students by March 1 each year.
How can my student stand out for endowed scholarships?
Give ODU details to match. A clear activity resume listing leadership, service, jobs, and clubs helps Financial Aid connect your student to donors’ preferences. Families can use our Brag Sheet Builder to organize it.
At ODU, being admitted gets your student merit money, but it does not automatically put them in line for the endowed scholarships. Those are matched by the Office of Financial Aid using what your student tells ODU.
On the admissions application, select “Yes” on the institutional scholarship question.
Pick every category that fits: intended major, hometown, activities, service, leadership, clubs.
Email an activity resume to FinAidScholars@odu.edu.
File the FAFSA before January 1 so need-based funds are in play.
Parent translation: the application needs to be in by March 1 to be matched. The resume is how a Norfolk kid with a STEM club, a part-time job, and a church youth group turns into three donor matches instead of zero.
💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships
These awards don’t get much attention, but they can fill real gaps. Several are tied to where your student went to high school in Hampton Roads, while others reward music, military service, or leadership. Most need an audition, a FAFSA, or a checked “Yes” box.
Automaticgeographic
Norfolk School Board Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Selected through Norfolk Public Schools guidance during senior year ✓ Renews (2.5 GPA, 2 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ Only for graduates of Norfolk public or private high schools.
👥 ~10 per year winners/yrEntering freshmen who graduated from Norfolk public or private schools, selected on high school academic achievement.
✚
Stacking & Combining
ODU does not publish stacking rules. Because this covers in-state tuition, other aid usually shifts toward housing, meals, and fees. Confirm on the award letter.
💡
Strategic Detail
University-funded. Ten awards per year equal to full in-state tuition (up to 15 credit hours per semester). Recipients are chosen by the Norfolk Public Schools Director of Guidance with high school counselors. One-year renewal with a 2.50 GPA and 24 academic credits completed in the first year.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: top academic graduates of Norfolk high schools whose counselors put their names forward.
Automatic
Dominion Scholarships (Endowed)
📅 Deadline: Mar 1 · 📢 Results: Awards begin in early April Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.8+ GPA✎ ~1280 SATIncoming freshmen with a 3.8 GPA, top 10% class rank, and a 1280+ SAT. A few individual funds add Virginia residency, U.S. citizenship, or engineering-major preferences.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Matched by the Office of Financial Aid, separate from Monarch or Leo merit.
💡
Strategic Detail
A group of named endowed funds (Constant, Cooper, Cutchins, Fodrey, Mansbach, Marchello, Sebren, Spong, and others) listed in the 2026-27 catalog. This is one of the few places at test-blind ODU where an SAT score still matters, so strong testers should send official scores. Amounts and renewal terms are not published.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: top-10% students with a 3.8+ GPA who submitted official SAT scores even though ODU admission does not require them.
Automaticgeographicneed based
Regional Scholarship (Hampton Roads and Eastern Shore)
📅 Deadline: Jan 1 ✓ Renews (2.5 GPA, 2 yrs)
$1,200/yr
✔ Stackable
⚠ Only for graduates of specific Hampton Roads and Eastern Shore public high schools with financial need.
Entering freshmen from public high schools in Accomack County, Chesapeake, Franklin, Hampton, Isle of Wight, Newport News, Northampton County, Portsmouth, Southampton County, Suffolk, Surry, or Virginia Beach who show financial need.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Added to the need-based aid package after the FAFSA is processed.
💡
Strategic Detail
University-funded award of $1,200. One-year renewal with a 2.50 GPA, 24 academic credits completed, and continued financial need.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: students from the listed local public high schools who filed the FAFSA early and qualify for need-based aid.
Automaticprogram participation
CHROME Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Mar 1 · 📢 Results: Awards begin in early April Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
⚠ Only for students who took part in a certified high school CHROME club.
Entering freshmen who participated in a certified high school CHROME club and plan to major in engineering, mathematics, science, technology, or a related field.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Matched by the Office of Financial Aid alongside other endowed awards. Confirm totals on the award letter.
💡
Strategic Detail
Funded by the university. Award amounts and renewal terms are not published.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: students with documented participation in a certified high school CHROME club who are heading into a STEM major.
App Requiredtalent based
Monarch Marching Band Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Audition required; contact mmb@odu.edu for current dates ✓ Renews
Varies
✔ Stackable
Incoming freshmen of any major who pass a band audition and attend Summer Training Camp.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Performance awards are separate from academic merit. Confirm totals on the award letter.
📄
How to Apply
Contact the Monarch Marching Band (mmb@odu.edu), prepare the posted audition music, submit the audition, and plan to attend Summer Training Camp.
Selection criteria: Audition quality and band instrumentation needs.
💡
Strategic Detail
The scholarship fund totals about $150,000. Individual awards go to selected incoming freshmen based on audition and instrumentation needs, and renew for students who stay in the program based on performance, leadership, and service.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: strong players on instruments the band needs that year who commit to the full season, including summer camp.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Onlytalent based
F. Ludwig Diehn School of Music Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Audition-based; offers to new students typically made by end of March · 📢 Results: Typically by end of March ✓ Renews
Varies
✔ Stackable
🎓 All UndergradStudents who audition, including ensemble performers. Music degree programs require a separate Diehn School of Music application.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Music awards are separate from academic merit. Confirm totals on the award letter.
📄
How to Apply
Submit the Diehn School of Music application through the audition portal and schedule a live audition (video is allowed only for students more than two hours away).
Selection criteria: Audition and ensemble needs.
💡
Strategic Detail
Includes the F. Ludwig Diehn Scholarships (about $105,000 annually for ensemble instrumentalists and vocalists), ensemble scholarships totaling more than $50,000, and named awards such as the Vogan, Stamos, Breneiser, and Cucchiari-Loring scholarships and the Russell Stanger String Quartet competition. Students within two hours of campus must audition live, and on-campus auditions get scholarship priority.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: students who audition in person, meet ensemble needs, and apply early in the spring.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
David Allan Derbyshire Leadership Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Posted each year by the Center for Career and Leadership Development ✓ Renews (3 GPA, 4 yrs)
$4,000/yr
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.0+ GPA🎓 All UndergradFull-time ODU undergraduates with an established history of leadership and non-paid service and a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Recommended recipients are sent to the Office of Financial Aid to process with the rest of the aid package.
📄
How to Apply
Watch for the annual call from ODU's Center for Career and Leadership Development and submit an essay about growth and development as a leader.
Selection criteria: Leadership and service record, essay, GPA.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Up to $4,000. Renewable for up to four years, but recipients must re-apply each year.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: students who can show real, unpaid leadership and service and write honestly about how they grew as leaders.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
College and Departmental Endowed Scholarships
📅 Deadline: Mar 1 · 📢 Results: Most awarded April through August Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
🎓 All UndergradCriteria set by each donor: major, GPA, hometown or high school, activities, or financial need. ODU says recipients generally have at least a 3.4 GPA.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Matched by the Office of Financial Aid and added to the aid package. Some are need-based and require the FAFSA.
📄
How to Apply
New students: select Yes on the institutional scholarship question and send an activity resume to FinAidScholars@odu.edu. Continuing students whose information has changed: submit the Scholarship Form for Continuing and Graduate Students by Mar 1.
Selection criteria: Donor criteria matched against admissions, transcript, and FAFSA information.
💡
Strategic Detail
The ODU catalog lists dozens of college-specific funds across Arts and Letters, Strome College of Business, Darden College of Education, Batten College of Engineering, health sciences, nursing, and sciences. Awards marked as need-based require a FAFSA.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: students whose admissions application, activity resume, and FAFSA give ODU enough detail to match them to a donor's preferences.
Full TuitionApp Required⚠ All Undergrad Onlyservice commitment
Army ROTC Scholarship (Monarch Battalion)
📅 Deadline: National scholarship board cycles; apply early in senior year ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Tuition
Full tuition and mandatory fees, or up to $10,000 per year toward room and board
✔ Stackable
🏫 2.5+ GPA🎓 All UndergradHigh school seniors apply for the four-year national scholarship; three- and two-year options exist for current college students.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Recipients choose tuition coverage or the room and board option. Confirm how ODU applies other aid on the award letter.
📄
How to Apply
Apply for the Four-Year National Scholarship through GoArmy with transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, and the Army ROTC fitness assessment, and interview with the Professor of Military Science.
Covers full tuition and mandatory fees or up to $10,000 per year toward room and board. Requires a service commitment after graduation. ODU's Monarch Battalion has commissioned 10 general officers.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: students with solid grades, strong fitness scores, and clear leadership experience who interview well with the Professor of Military Science.
Full TuitionApp Required⚠ All Undergrad Onlyservice commitment
Navy ROTC Scholarship (Hampton Roads Consortium)
📅 Deadline: Dec 31 ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Full Tuition
Full tuition plus stipends
✔ Stackable
🎓 All UndergradNavy and Marine Corps scholarship options. The Hampton Roads consortium does not offer the Navy nursing option.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Confirm how ODU applies other aid alongside NROTC benefits on the award letter.
📄
How to Apply
Apply through the national NROTC scholarship portal by Dec 31, or contact navyrotc@odu.edu about the College Program.
One of the largest NROTC units in the country, close to the world's largest naval base. Students who do not win a scholarship out of high school can join the College Program and compete for one later. Scholarship graduates serve at least five years on active duty.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: students with strong math and science preparation, fitness, and leadership who are ready for a five-year active-duty commitment.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Study Abroad Scholarships (Dean's Education Abroad Awards)
📅 Deadline: Mid-semester before the term abroad Non-Renewable
$250–$2,500
✔ Stackable
🎓 All UndergradODU students accepted to an approved study abroad program.
✚
Stacking & Combining
ODU scholarships, grants, and loans can also be used for approved study abroad programs.
📄
How to Apply
Attend a study abroad info session, apply to an approved program, then complete the scholarship application with a 300 to 500 word essay and a faculty recommendation.
ODU's study abroad office gives more than $100,000 a year. Short-term awards start around $250; semester awards run up to $2,500. Eligible faculty-led program participants are considered automatically. Pell-eligible students should also look at the federal Gilman Scholarship (up to $8,000).
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: students who plan a year ahead, attend an info session, and write a specific essay tying the program to their goals.
Data last verified Sep 16, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
❓ Hidden Gems FAQ
We live in Hampton Roads. Is there anything just for local students?
Yes. Norfolk graduates can be picked for the Norfolk School Board Scholarship, which covers full in-state tuition for 10 students a year. Students from public high schools in areas like Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Hampton, Newport News, and Suffolk can get a $1,200 Regional Scholarship if they show financial need. There are also neighborhood awards for Lambert’s Point, Highland Park, and Park Place residents.
My student has great SAT scores. Do they still matter at a test-blind school?
For a few endowed awards, yes. The Dominion Scholarships list a 3.8 GPA, top 10% class rank, and a 1280 SAT. ODU says students can submit scores to be considered for funding like endowed scholarships, so strong testers should send official scores.
Does my student have to be a music major to get band money?
No. The Monarch Marching Band is open to ODU students who pass an audition and attend Summer Training Camp, and its scholarship fund totals about $150,000. Ensemble scholarships are also open to performers, while music degrees need a separate Diehn School of Music application and audition.
Is ROTC a realistic way to cover tuition at ODU?
For the right student, absolutely. Army ROTC scholarships cover full tuition and fees or up to $10,000 a year toward room and board, and ODU hosts one of the largest Navy ROTC units in the country. Both come with a service commitment after graduation.
Is there help for students who were in foster care?
Yes. Virginia provides a grant through ODU for eligible students who were in foster care that can cover tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board. Your student files the FAFSA and sends Department of Social Services documentation to Financial Aid.
How will we find out about these awards?
Through your student’s ODU email. Endowed awards start going out in early April and continue through the summer, so check that inbox regularly.
The Patricia and Douglas Perry Honors College gives high-achieving students smaller classes, more time with faculty, and a community built around research, civic engagement, and leadership. Admission is not automatic. Students apply separately, and ODU reviews the whole application rather than cutting off at a single number.
Typical Admit: Competitive applicants usually have at least a 3.0 high school GPA, weighted or unweighted. ODU says no single GPA, rank, or test score guarantees admission.
What to Submit: The Honors essay and a resume. Research papers, performance videos, or creative work can be shared by link.
Deadline: February 1. Decisions go out by email starting February 15 and wrap up by the end of March.
Timing: Applications for the 2027-2028 cycle open in September 2026.
Honors College Scholarships and Grants
App Required
Perry Honors College Scholarship (Entering Students)
📅 Deadline: Feb 1 · 📢 Results: Honors decisions from Feb 15 through end of March ✓ Renews (4 yrs)
Varies
✔ Stackable
Entering freshmen and transfers admitted to the Perry Honors College. Competitive applicants typically have at least a 3.0 high school GPA, and review is holistic.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Separate from Monarch or Leo merit. Confirm how it combines on the award letter.
📄
How to Apply
Submit the Perry Honors College application with the Honors essay and a resume by Feb 1. Supplementary work such as research papers or performance videos can be shared by URL.
Selection criteria: Holistic review of academic record, essay, resume, and breadth of experience.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Awarded to a select group of students chosen for Honors College admission. Renewable for up to three more years (six semesters) for students who keep meeting Honors College requirements. Award amounts are not published.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: students whose Honors essay and resume show depth and impact outside the classroom, not just a high GPA.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
John and Kate Broderick Honors Opportunity Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Mar 1 · 📢 Results: Funds disbursed half in fall, half in spring Non-Renewable
$5,000–$20,000
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.5+ GPA👥 ~2 to 6 per year winners/yr🎓 All UndergradPerry Honors College students who are rising sophomores or juniors (seniors and transfers with at least two semesters left may apply) with a 3.5 ODU GPA. Admitted high school seniors cannot apply until their first spring at ODU.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Up to $6,000 of the budget may cover living expenses when no other funding source exists.
📄
How to Apply
Submit an Intent to Apply as soon as possible, then a PDF application by Mar 1 with a cover sheet, personal statement (2 pages), opportunity proposal (5 pages), resume, budget, unofficial transcript, and two recommendation letters (one from the project mentor). Finalists interview.
✎ Essays🎤 Interview💌 Letters of Rec🌟 Finalist Event
💡
Strategic Detail
Funded by Patricia and Douglas Perry. Two to six students a year receive $5,000 to $20,000 based on a detailed budget for study abroad, research, internships, civic engagement, or creative projects built with a faculty mentor.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Honors students with a carefully researched, mentor-backed project they genuinely could not do without the funding, and a realistic budget.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Perry Honors College Research and Creativity Grants
🏫 3.3+ GPA🎓 All UndergradPerry Honors College sophomores, juniors, and seniors in good standing with a 3.25 GPA. Fall and spring awards require 12 enrolled credits.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Project funding, not a tuition scholarship. Awards are subject to tax withholding.
📄
How to Apply
Build the project with a full-time faculty mentor, email a proposal of up to five single-spaced pages to perryhonorscollege@odu.edu using the required subject line, and have the mentor send a separate support letter.
Up to $3,000 for fall or spring projects and up to $5,000 for summer. Projects should take about 150 hours and end in a presentation, publication, exhibit, or performance. A final report is due one month after the term ends.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: students leading their own research or creative project with an engaged faculty mentor, not students doing routine lab assistant work.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Cranmer-Skinner Scholars
📅 Deadline: Apr 15 Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.3+ GPA🎓 All UndergradPerry Honors College undergraduates who have completed one Honors semester, hold a 3.25 ODU GPA, and participate in extracurricular activities.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Added to the existing aid package. Confirm totals on the award letter.
📄
How to Apply
Write a 1 to 2 page essay listing current GPA and major, focused on how extracurricular activities and community service have benefited you, the university, and the community. Submit between Mar 15 and Apr 15.
Selection criteria: Essay on extracurricular and service impact; GPA.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Award amounts and renewal terms are not published.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Honors students who can show specifically how their activities and community service helped them, ODU, and the wider community.
App Required⚠ All Undergrad Only
Robert T. and Amanda J. Cahill Scholarship
📅 Deadline: Apr 15 Non-Renewable
Varies
✔ Stackable
🏫 3.3+ GPA🎓 All UndergradPerry Honors College undergraduates who have completed one Honors semester and hold a 3.25 ODU GPA.
✚
Stacking & Combining
Added to the existing aid package. Confirm totals on the award letter.
📄
How to Apply
Write a 1 to 2 page essay listing current GPA and major, describing an experience where grit and resilience helped you overcome a challenge. Submit between Mar 15 and Apr 15.
Selection criteria: Resilience essay; GPA.
✎ Essays
💡
Strategic Detail
Award amounts and renewal terms are not published.
🕵
Who Actually Wins
Most winners: Honors students who tell one specific, honest story about pushing through a real challenge.
Data last verified Sep 16, 2026.* GPA/test bands are estimates based on official selectivity and prior cohort profiles. "Who Actually Wins" insights are pulled from external peer-sourced data where students and parents have reported real-world award results. Because colleges can change funding thresholds and deadlines at any time, always verify these details with the institution before finalizing your application strategy.
*ODU does not publish amounts for the entering Honors scholarship or the Cranmer-Skinner and Cahill awards. Broderick and research grant ranges come from the Perry Honors College’s own pages.
Deadline Note: Honors scholarship consideration for incoming students is part of the February 1 Honors application. The bigger opportunity money comes after the first year: the Broderick Scholarship is due March 1, and the Cranmer-Skinner and Cahill essays are due April 15.
Beyond Scholarships: What Honors Students Get
Honors Housing: Admitted students get priority for the Perry Honors College community in Virginia House.
Research Funding: Up to $3,000 for a fall or spring project and up to $5,000 for summer, working with a faculty mentor.
Big-Name Scholarship Coaching: The Honors College runs ODU’s internal review for the Rhodes, Truman, and Marshall scholarships. Students should reach out in the second semester of sophomore year.
No Extra Credits Required: For most students, Honors courses count toward credits they already need to graduate.
Perry Honors College FAQs (Old Dominion University)
Is Honors admission automatic for students with high grades?
No. Every student has to submit the Perry Honors College application with an essay and resume. ODU looks at academic record plus the breadth and impact of a student’s experiences.
Can my student apply after February 1?
ODU says late applications may be reviewed on a rolling basis, but review isn’t guaranteed. Treat February 1 as the real deadline.
What is the Broderick Honors Opportunity Scholarship?
It’s funding for Honors students with a 3.5 ODU GPA to carry out a project they design with a faculty mentor, like study abroad, research, an internship, or a creative project. Two to six students a year get $5,000 to $20,000, and finalists interview. Admitted high school seniors have to wait until spring of their first year to apply.
Are Honors classes harder?
ODU says Honors courses move faster and ask more of students intellectually, but shouldn’t take much more study time. Smaller classes mean more support from faculty.
Can out-of-state students join the Honors College?
Yes. The Honors College application is open to incoming first-year and transfer students regardless of residency.
Old Dominion is a big public research university in Norfolk, and it plays to its location. It sits in one of the country’s most military-heavy regions, next to a busy port, and in 2024 it added a medical school. The programs families should know about are the ones built around those strengths: cybersecurity, health care, engineering, business, and anything connected to ships, supply chains, and the ocean.
Nationally Known Program: School of Cybersecurity: ODU is one of only about 10 universities in the country, and the only one in Virginia, to hold all three NSA Center of Academic Excellence designations: cyber defense, cyber operations, and cyber research. It was also the first school to earn the NSA’s new validation for cybersecurity and artificial intelligence programs. Cybersecurity is one of ODU’s biggest undergraduate majors, with nearly 300 bachelor’s degrees awarded in a single year.
Health Sciences and Medicine: Eastern Virginia Medical School joined ODU in July 2024, creating Macon and Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences, Virginia’s largest academic health sciences center. Undergraduates can study nursing, dental hygiene, exercise science, public health, and medical lab sciences. Nursing and several health majors require a second application after admission to ODU.
Engineering: The Batten College of Engineering and Technology graduates large classes in mechanical engineering and engineering technology, with strong ties to the region’s shipbuilding and defense employers.
Business: The Strome College of Business awards more bachelor’s degrees than any other area at ODU, including accounting, finance, marketing, and information systems.
Supply Chain, Logistics, and Maritime Operations: ODU has a dedicated school for this field, which is rare at the undergraduate level and a natural fit for a port city.
Ocean and Earth Sciences: A strong option for students interested in marine and coastal science on the Chesapeake Bay.
Military Connection: About a quarter of ODU students are military-affiliated. The Army ROTC Monarch Battalion has commissioned 10 general officers, and ODU hosts one of the largest Navy ROTC units in the nation.
🔗 Official Old Dominion University Links
Use ODU’s official pages below to double-check admissions rules, scholarship details, costs, and data. Deadlines and award terms can change, so always treat these pages as the final word.
Old Dominion is a school where the transcript and the paperwork matter more than test scores. ODU ignores the SAT for admission and standard merit, so a solid GPA gets your student in the door and in line for a Monarch or Leo award. The families who get the most out of ODU also check the “Yes” box, send in an activity resume, and file the FAFSA before January 1. For Virginia families especially, state grants plus endowed scholarships are often what bring the price down to something workable.
ODU is also a school that fits certain students really well. If your student is drawn to cybersecurity, nursing and health care, engineering, business, or military service, the programs here are built for the Hampton Roads economy and connect directly to jobs nearby. One honest note: only about 43% of students finish in six years, so help your student pick a major early, take full course loads, and use campus support from day one. A scholarship only helps if your student stays and graduates.
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Leo is the founder of CollegeReadyParent.org. He built the site after working through college costs with his own daughter, and he checks every page against official college sources so families get straight answers without a paywall.
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