Office of Student Financial AidScholarships
Find and apply for as many scholarships as you can—it’s free money for college!
Start researching early, and meet deadlines, and you may be on your way to scholarship success.
Scholarships are gifts. They don't need to be repaid. There are thousands of them, offered by ODU, employers, individuals, private companies, nonprofits, communities, religious groups, and professional and social organizations.
New Freshmen | Transfer Students
Scholarships at Old Dominion University have been established through the generosity of individuals, organizations, and corporations to recognize outstanding academic performance and to assist students in pursuing their educational goals.
Scholarship awards are based on a variety of criteria. For some awards, eligibility is entirely determined by academic merit or potential. Generally, recipients have earned at least a 3.4 grade point average and are full time, degree-seeking students. To determine your eligibility for need-based scholarships offered through the university, you must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) prior to January 1st of each academic year.
Selection procedures vary for these awards. For all scholarships, you must be admitted to the University. For some scholarships, a portfolio, an audition, or participation in a specific program may be required. You will receive written notification of any scholarship you are to receive. All scholarships must be formally accepted in writing.
- All incoming freshmen and transfer students will automatically be considered for Academic and Endowed scholarships based on their admissions applications. The major scholarships offered to Old Dominion University students are based on information already known to the university.
- New incoming freshman and transfer students have the opportunity to identify institutional scholarship interest by selecting "YES" to the institutional scholarship indicator when completing an admissions application. New students will be able to select from various scholarship options listed with in the admissions application.
- Incoming freshmen merit-based scholarships are distributed by the Office of Admissions and are awarded based on academic performance. Financial need is not required.
- Incoming transfer merit-based scholarships are awarded by the Office of Admissions and are also available for students completing an associate degree and transferring in the fall semester. Applicants should meet the early action deadline to have the best consideration for merit-based scholarships.
Honors College Students
The Honors College scholarships are awarded to a select group of entering freshmen and transfer students who, on the basis of their academic achievement, are selected for admission into the Honors College. Students who continue to meet the Honors College requirements after the first year may have the scholarship renewed up to three years (six semesters).
Current Students
Scholarships at Old Dominion University have been established through the generosity of individuals, organizations, and corporations to recognize outstanding academic performance and to assist students in pursuing their educational goals.
Scholarship awards are based on a variety of criteria such as: grade point average, full-time enrollment status, and being a degree-seeking student. For some awards, eligibility is entirely determined by academic merit or potential. To determine your eligibility for need-based scholarships offered through the university, you must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) prior to January 1st of each academic year.
Selection procedures vary for these awards. For all scholarships, you must be admitted to the University. For some scholarships, a portfolio, an audition, or participation in a specific program may be required. You will receive written notification of any scholarship you are to receive. All scholarships must be formally accepted in writing.
Continuing students that are not incoming freshman or new transfer students, are also able to update any new scholarship attributes for scholarship consideration by completing the Continuing and Graduate Scholarship form.
The Scholarship Form for Continuing and Graduate Students is available for students who have a change in scholarship eligibility according to the Criteria Checklist (included on the Scholarship Form). Continuing students who meet the above circumstances must complete and submit the form to the Office of Student Financial Aid, 2002 Rollins Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529-0052. The form must be received by January 1, each year to be considered for scholarships for the following academic year.
Graduate Fellowships
A fellowship provides financial support to graduate students to pursue graduate studies without associated teaching or research responsibilities (as they are in a teaching or research assistantship). Fellowships are generally merit-based internal or external awards to support a student in a full-time course of study.
International
We have a mission to provide high-quality educational opportunities for students no matter their location. To support that mission, we offer scholarships for international students taking classes on campus or through ODUonline while residing in other countries.
Dragas Family Scholarship funds a first-year or sophomore, undergraduate, international applicant from Greece planning to study at Old Dominion University. International applicants are individuals intending to apply for an F-1 visa who hold citizenship in a country outside the U.S. and who don't also possess U.S. citizenship or permanent residency.
Unique among public research institutions, Old Dominion University offers a renewable (up to four years) international undergraduate merit scholarship. Awards range between $5,000 and $14,000 annually to qualified applicants.
The #YouAreWelcomeHere scholarship program recognizes international students who have a vision for embracing intercultural understanding. Beginning in Fall 2020, ODU will offer two annual, renewable scholarships for up to four years of study that cover 50% tuition at time of initial matriculation. The scholarships are open to first-year international students admitted for undergraduate degree-seeking study in all academic majors and fields of study and applied to tuition costs at ODU. Successful applicants will be dedicated to furthering the #YouAreWelcomeHere message by bridging intercultural divides. Applicants will submit a 500-1000 word written essay or a 2-5 minute video about their ideas for advancing intercultural learning and understanding at ODU.
Foster Care
A foster care student is defined for this program as one who was in foster care at the time they received their high school diploma or general education diploma (GED); in the custody of a social service agency or a special needs adoption at the time they received their high school diploma or GED; or was formerly in foster care when turning 18 years old and subsequently received a high school diploma or GED.
Step 1: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which will help determine your financial need for tuition assistance.
Step 2: Submit Support documentation
- Documentation from the Department Social Services, and
- The Social Services document must include the dates in foster care, or
- Assistance received for a special need adoption
Step 3: Upon receipt of documentation, Financial Aid Counselors will review your FAFSA results and documentation to verify your qualification for the tuition assistance recommended by the State Council of Higher Education. Tuition assistance will consist of Federal, State and institution awards. Assistance is not guaranteed, as funds are limited and available on a first come basis. Please allow 4 to 6 weeks from the date you submit your documentation. Should you have questions please contact our office via email or virtual counseling.
- Be enrolled in an undergraduate degree seeking program with no prior bachelor's degree
- Must enroll and complete at least half-time enrollment (6 credits or more) each semester
- Must be a resident of Virginia at the time the award is made and continue to remain a resident of Virginia for the duration of the award period
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress as defined by the Office of Financial Aid
- Do not exceed five years of full-time study or 150 credit hours
- Demonstrate financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in the year the award is made
The actual award will vary based upon the types of financial aid a student may receive. The tuition assistance will consist of State, Federal and institution grants, not to exceed the tuition only cost. The tuition assistance provided may not cover the following:
- Laboratory fees and
- On campus room and board fees
- A student who withdraws from the University may owe a refund for the unearned portion of the award received (contact your Financial Aid Counselor before withdrawing)
- Students who do not complete at least six credit hours each semester may lose eligibility for state grant assistance
- Funds for summer semester enrollment may not be available
Outside Agency
Organizations should forward scholarship notifications to:
Outside Agency Coordinator
Office of Student Financial Aid
Old Dominion University
Alfred Rollins Hall
If you receive a scholarship from a high school, service agency, private business or any other outside agency, it is advised that the outside agency send official notice stating the student's name, Student University Identification Number (UIN), and amount of the scholarship.
If you have recently received additional scholarships, advise the financial aid office immediately so that the scholarship, may be considered when calculating the automatic deferment. Scholarship notices must be submitted on the official letterhead of the donating organization and should stipulate any special conditions the student must meet in order to receive the award.
Students are strongly urged to contact the organization and arrange that scholarship checks be forwarded to the address above prior to tuition deadline. Some organizations require proof of registration and/or academic transcripts before sending a check to the University. It is the student's responsibility to comply with any requirements stipulated by the awarding agency.
Check with civic groups in your community, such as:
- Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts
- Rotary Clubs
- Masons
- Lodges
- Women's Clubs
- Religious Organizations
- Your parents' employers or other companies
- Be cautious about scholarship scams!
- Pay close attention to scholarship deadlines.
- Prepare your resume in order to gather your thoughts and show your achievements.
- Have a few people write letters of recommendation on your behalf so you will have them ready for scholarship applications.
- Let your essays reflect your personality. Academic merit and scholastic achievements are important, but they are not the only criteria considered.
- When you receive notification that you have been awarded a scholarship, send a thank you note to the donor.
- Always keep the donor informed of your progress. It may allow you to receive a scholarship in the future.
ODU CYBER Scholarship
ODU Center for Cybersecurity Education and Research is pleased to announce a new scholarship program for students who are majoring in Cybersecurity. These are four-year scholarships ($8,888 per year, total: $35,552) available to talented students with demonstrated financial need.
ROTC
The four-year ROTC Scholarship is available to students who have graduated from high school or possess an equivalent certificate prior to starting college. In keeping with high standards, candidates are selected for scholastic as well as extracurricular accomplishment, and not on the basis of financial need.
Scholarships are offered in different monetary levels up to $16,000 annually, and cover the cost of college tuition and fees. Army winners also receive a tax-free subsistence allowance of $150 per month for up to 10 months each year the scholarship is in effect.
G.I. Bill
Find forms and instructions to apply for G.I. Bill benefits, for first-time users or students who have used G.I. Bill benefits at another institution, and students who wish to continue using their G.I. Bill benefits.
Active duty military members should seek approval from their Education Services Officer (ESO), military counselor, or service branch prior to enrollment.
VA benefits for summer classes may differ from Fall and Spring due to the length of the sessions.
The Virginia Line of Duty Act
The Virginia Line of Duty Act, (LODA), established in Title 9.1 of the Code of Virginia and enacted in 1972, provides benefits to eligible family members of eligible employees and volunteers killed in the line of duty and to those eligible employees and volunteers disabled in the line of duty and their eligible family members.
Institutions that grant such waivers shall waive the amounts payable for tuition, institutional charges and mandatory educational and auxiliary fees, and *books and supplies but shall not waive user fees such as room and board charges.
*If the books/materials are attached to the course, both the tuition and the books/material will be waived, however, books and supplies not billed by the institution will not be waived.
Coast Guard
The College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative (CSPI) Scholarship Program is designed for motivated individuals who demonstrate a high caliber of academic and leadership excellence and who desire to serve their country in the United States Coast Guard.
Students currently enrolled, accepted for enrollment or pending enrollment in a full-time bachelor's degree program at designated college or institution with the desire to complete college and receive a guaranteed commission as an officer in the United States Coast Guard can apply for CSPI. This means that a student currently pursuing an AA/AS degree at a junior college or community college who plans to continue with their BS/BA degree may be eligible for CSPI if they are accepted for enrollment at a qualifying college.
College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative Scholarship ProgramMonarchs Maximizing Access to Research Careers (M-MARC)
Monarchs Maximizing Access to Research Careers (M-MARC) Undergraduate Student Training for Academic Research (U*STAR) supports students' academic and research activities while they train to enter Ph.D. programs.
M-MARC Trainees begin the program when they are Juniors majoring in Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Computer Science, or Psychology. They receive excellent financial benefits, exceptional professional training through research experiences, and participate in professional development thru conferences and workshops tailored to their professional needs.
M-MARC Trainees make exceptional candidates for doctoral program admission and are very strong candidates for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship, and other discipline specific fellowships.
Monarchs Maximizing Access to Research Careers (M-MARC)Virginia Teaching Scholarship Loan Program
The primary purpose of the VTSLP is to provide financial support to students who are preparing to teach in one of Virginia's critical shortage fields. The critical shortage fields are determined annually through the Supply and Demand Survey of Administrative and Instructional Personnel, and distributed to every school division in Virginia by the Department of Education. Shortages in specific subject areas are derived from the top 10 academic disciplines identified by the survey as shortage fields.
Virginia Teaching Scholarship Loan Program (VTSLP)Undocumented & DACA Students
To be considered for ODU Scholarships, undocumented and DACA entering freshmen (EFR) should complete the Admissions Application and profile. Once a student is admitted and desires to update their attributes, they should complete the Scholarship Form for Continuing and Graduate Students which will update student's profile information.
Although undocumented and DACA students are currently ineligible for federal student aid nor state aid, students may qualify for other types of financial aid, including private loans, endowed scholarships, or departmental scholarships, depending on the student's major and meeting criteria for each scholarship. Additionally, undocumented and DACA students are encouraged to complete the residency/domicile form for consideration to receive in-state tuition rates. Learn more about the process on the Registrar's website.
Also, view our Financial Aid FAQ page for frequently asked questions.
NOTE:
- Some types of scholarships will reduce VA tuition payments.
- Financial aid awards do not automatically transfer from one institution to another, even in the middle of an academic year.