Active Duty Student Checklist

Prospective students must inform their chain of command of their interest to start or continue their education and receive approval from an Education Services Officer (ESO) or counselor within their service’s branch prior to applying for admission at ODU.

Decide if you are applying as a Traditional in-person student or an online ODUGlobal student:

• Traditional (in-person) Programs
• ODUGlobal (online) Programs

Transfer Application Requirements 

• Military applicants who are seeking their first degree are considered transfer students.
• "Test Optional" allows students seeking first-time entry to ODU the option to be considered for admission without regard to SAT/ACT results.

Traditional (in-person) Application: 

• ODU Application
• ODUGlobal (online)
  (Fill out the interest form for the online program you're interested in. An enrollment coach will contact you for personalized, one-on-one assistance to complete the application process.)

Check eligibility for needs-based $50 Application Fee Waiver BEFORE submitting your application. Email us at admissions@odu.edu.
 Make sure to include your Social Security Number when completing the ODU Application. It is essential for utilizing VA Education Benefits at ODU!
 

Submit credentials to the Office of Admissions

• Undergraduate
• Graduate

You must apply for in-state tuition before classes start for the term (at least three weeks before). If you fail to apply for in-state privileges, you will be billed at the out-of-state rate.

Questions? Contact the Domicile Team in the Registrar’s Office at instate@odu.edu.

• Application for Active Duty/Veteran Tuition Rates

Questions? Contact FAFSA’s Contact Center.

• FAFSA Application 

Utilizing additional funding sources for tuition and mandatory fees such as The Virginia Commonwealth Award, VGAP, or VMSDEP can impact payments of the Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefit. Learn more at Military Financing

Questions? Contact VA Education Hotline: 1-888-442-4551 OR use Ask VA.
 

• Once you complete the application, the VA will take 30-45 business days to process your request. If you are found eligible, the VA will send you a Certificate of Eligibility (COE).
• Keep the Certificate of Eligibility sent by the VA for your records and for submission to ODU for enrollment certification.
   

Learn more about the different GI Bill® Benefits and apply.

(Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits must be transferred to dependents while the sponsoring servicemember is still on Active Duty.)

**Dependent students who have received VA Education Benefits previously at another college need to file a “Request for Change of Program or Place of Training” VA Form 22-1995.

ODU’s Admissions Office usually takes about 2-3 weeks to get back to you with a decision.

Check eligibility for needs-based $200 Tuition Deposit Waiver:

• Email admissions@odu.edu (Graduate programs and ODU Global programs do not pay a tuition deposit fee)

Confirm Your Admission ►

**Active duty service members must apply for Tuition Assistance no later than seven (7) days prior to the start of courses and up to 120 days prior to the start of courses.

Each branch of service sets its own criteria to determine eligibility for the program and has its own application process. Refer to the links below to view the eligibility requirements for each branch of service or refer to our Tuition Assistance page:

• Air Force
• Army
• Coast Guard
• Marines
• Navy

Each branch of service expects students to receive academic advising and create an education plan. ODU students can meet with their Academic Advisor to create a Degree Plan from Degree Works and register for courses.

• Step 1: Explore your Kingdom: Pre-Orientation Modules
• Step 2: Sign up for Discover your Pride: Monarch Orientation
• Step 3: Schedule to be advised and register for courses
• Step 4: Attend Discover your Pride: Monarch Orientation
• Step 5: Rule your Dominion: Post-Orientation Modules

Questions? Contact New Student Experience at orientation@odu.edu or at 757-683-3428.

New to Blue: New Student Experience information will be sent to confirmed admission students via email but can also be accessed on their website. Discover your Pride: Monarch Orientation is mandatory for all incoming students.

Below are a selection of important tasks and opportunities for students to complete before the start of the semester:

• Complete Placement Exams
• Begin a housing application for on-campus housing
• Review your Student Financial Account
• Purchase Parking Permit
• Email your photo to cardcenter@odu.edu, then pick up your student ID at Discover Your Pride: Monarch Orientation.

Submit your TA Vouchers to thirdpartybilling@odu.edu.

• TA does not cover books and other materials or academic institution fees. It will not fund retakes of the same course. If you leave the service before class ends, withdraw, or fail a course, you will have to provide reimbursement for any Tuition Assistance funds already paid.

• School Certifying Officials (SCOs) begin initial certification for all VA benefit recipients registered credit hours approximately 30 days before classes begin for a semester. Second stage certification begins after the session’s Add/Drop date. Increases and reductions to your credit load will be reported to the VA and tuition and fees are certified by amending the term.
• Please allow at least 30-45 business days for initial certification processing. Make sure to check your ODU email for communications from our SCOs.

Students using VA Education Benefits (Chapter 33 or 35) will need to submit a Veterans Clearance Form (VCF) with an uploaded copy of your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) after registering for courses to initiate their enrollment certification at ODU.

WHEN SUBMITTING THE VCF, MAKE SURE THAT YOUR UNIVERSITY IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (UIN) AND SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER ARE CORRECT!

If you have questions about the ODU VA Education Benefits Certification process, please contact the Military Benefits and Certification Services Office

• Website:Military Benefits
• Phone: 757-683-7153
• Email: military@odu.edu 

The VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC) helps students eligible for VA Education Benefits to successfully navigate their benefits and college life through Personalized Career Planning and Guidance (Chapter 36).*

To apply for Chapter 36, please download and complete the interest form. Email your form directly to our VSOC at Brittina.Gaskins@va.gov or bring it in-person to the MCC. 

*There is no monetary disbursement attached to Chapter 36.

Stop by the Military Connection Center (MCC) for a tour of our spaces, including:

• MCC Main Office
• Computer Lab
• Community Lounge
• Break Room
• Reservable Study Spaces

The MCC hosts a Welcome Lunch at the beginning of every fall and spring semester. To get connected and register for our events, join us on Monarch Groups!