Military Scholarships

Old Dominion University's Division of Digital Learning offers two scholarships designed to aid our online military students and their family members.

Duty to Degree Scholarship

This scholarship honors the dedication of first responders and their spouses and dependents, and the spouses and dependents of active duty military members. Recipients are awarded a one-time $2,000 award for any degree program. 

To apply for this scholarship, you must be:

  • admitted to ODU as an online degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate student, and
  • a paid or volunteer firefighter, law enforcement officer, paramedic, or EMT; or
  • a spouse or dependent of a paid or volunteer firefighter, law enforcement officer, paramedic, or EMT; or
  • a spouse or dependent of an active duty service member (any branch).

This is a competitive scholarship that requires a separate application. 

To apply for this scholarship, you will need to provide:

  1. A PDF copy of a document showing your or your family member's status as a first responder or active duty military member. Acceptable documentation:
    • a current professional license;
    • a current pay stub showing the name of your/your family member's employer or agency (financial and other personal information may be redacted);
    • a letter from your/your family member's employer (on company letterhead) confirming first responder employment or volunteer status or confirming your family member's active duty military role;
    • a current employer or military ID card.
  2. A statement (up to 300 words) describing your reasons for applying to Old Dominion University as an online student and what you hope to achieve through completing your degree.

Application Deadlines

  • July 1 for Fall admission
  • November 1 for Spring admission

If you have any questions about applying for this scholarship, please email globaladmissions@odu.edu with the subject "Duty to Degree scholarship question" and we will respond as quickly as possible.

Access the Duty to Degree Online Application Form

Disabled Military Scholarship

In partnership with the Military Connection Center, we offer this annual $1,000 scholarship opportunity to current or former service members​ disabled in the line of duty, and their spouses and dependents.

To qualify, you must be:

  • Current or former service members (all branches, including the Coast Guard, National & Air Guard or Reserves) with a documented disability sustained in the line of duty.
  • Spouses or dependents of a servicemember with a documented disability sustained in the line of duty.
  • Surviving spouses or dependents of personnel killed in the line of duty.

How to apply:

  • Write a short essay describing your personal and career goals and any financial need.
  • Complete the application form (PDF).
  • Include copy of member (sponsor) VA disability documentation.
  • Send the completed essay, application, and documentation to militaryonline@odu.edu by May 15.

Recipients will be notified in writing at the beginning of June.

If you have any questions about this scholarship, please contact us at militaryonline@odu.edu or 1-800-482-3957.

Download the Disabled Military Scholarship Application Form (PDF)