by our College Data Analytics TeamWill you go to ODU for free thanks to the G.I. Bill®? The answer depends on the school — benefits are capped and the details vary, so it pays to do your research.
Below is the gap between the Post-9/11 tuition benefit and the cost at ODU. See the living-expense and book sections below for those benefits.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Veteran tuition & fees | $34,370 |
| Guaranteed Post-9/11 tuition benefit | $20,235 |
| Tuition out of pocket | $14,135 |
The Post-9/11 GI Bill® limits the annual tuition benefit to roughly $20,235, so tuition beyond that is out of pocket (or covered by Yellow Ribbon) at ODU.
Through the Yellow Ribbon Program, Ohio Dominican University and the VA share the cost of tuition above the Post-9/11 cap.
Available Yellow Ribbon seats and maximum contributions differ by program and degree level — check with the veteran services office for current limits.
For active-duty students, Tuition Assistance covers up to $250 per credit hour — the indicators below show whether ODU is below that cap.
| Residency | Per-credit charge | Below $250 cap? |
|---|---|---|
| In-state | $610 |  |
| Out-of-state | $610 | |
The Post-9/11 GI Bill® also covers housing through a Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA). Here is how that benefit compares to the estimated cost of living at ODU.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Estimated living expenses (room & board, academic year) | $10,602 |
| Post-9/11 monthly housing allowance (MHA) | $1,908/mo |
| Housing benefit (academic year, ~8 months) | $15,264 |
| Estimated surplus in your pocket | $4,662 |
For most full-time students the housing allowance covers the cost of living off campus, with money left over. Your actual MHA depends on your rate of pursuit and the school’s location.
The Post-9/11 GI Bill® pays a books-and-supplies stipend of up to $1,000 per year. Estimated book and supply costs at ODU run about $1,080, leaving about $80 out of pocket.
Beyond the coverage math above, this is how much veteran education-benefit money actually flows to ODU.
In the latest reporting year, about 29 veterans received Post-9/11 GI Bill® tuition payments of $253,354.
| Benefit | Recipients | Total disbursed | Average / recipient |
|---|---|---|---|
| GI Bill® (all students) | 30 | $408,061 | $13,602 |
| GI Bill® — undergraduate | 28 | $388,229 | — |
| GI Bill® — graduate | 2 | $19,832 | — |
| DoD Tuition Assistance (all) | 6 | $26,750 | $4,458 |
| DoD TA — undergraduate | 6 | $26,750 | — |
| DoD TA — graduate | 0 | $0 | — |
GI Bill® benefits follow the veteran; DoD Tuition Assistance is an active-duty benefit paid while serving.
References
More about our data sources and methodologies.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at benefits.va.gov/gibill.