In-state Tuition Benefit for Active Duty Military

Effective October 1, 2016, the Code of Virginia section 23.1-500--510 provides the following benefit:

Active duty military, activated guard or reservist members, or guard or reservist members mobilized or on temporary active orders for six months or more, who are residing in Virginia, can be eligible for the in-state tuition rate.

To be eligible, the active duty military member must apply for the in-state tuition rate using the Application for Active Duty/Veteran Tuition Rate. Verification of eligibility is through orders and proof of Virginia residence, which should be submitted with the application.

• The benefit is not based on designation of Virginia in-state residency, but rather it places a limit on the amount of tuition the student may be charged.
• Tuition Assistance authorization forms will not qualify students for the in-state tuition rate. The documentation specified below must be submitted in order to qualify for in-state rates.
• The provision does not provide access to financial aid reserved for Virginia in-state residents and eligible students continue to be categorized as out-of-state (if appropriate) for reporting purposes.

Documentation required:

• A copy of the military orders which verify active duty military status or activation of reservist/guard member
• Documentation verifying Virginia residence (such as utility bill, valid lease, etc.)
• You must submit this documentation EACH SEMESTER in which you plan to use this benefit

In-State Tuition Benefit for Military Spouses/Dependents

As defined by 37 U.S.C. 401, all dependents of:

• active duty military personnel, or activated or temporarily mobilized (activated for service for six months or more) reservists or guard members,
• assigned to a permanent duty station or workplace geographically located in Virginia, or in a state contiguous to Virginia or the District of Columbia,
• who reside in Virginia

shall be deemed to be domiciled in Virginia for purposes of eligibility for in-state tuition and shall be eligible to receive tuition in Virginia in accordance with this section.

All such dependents shall be afforded the same educational benefits as any other individual receiving in-state tuition pursuant to this section so long as they are continuously enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program of an institution of higher education in Virginia or are transferring between Virginia institutions of higher education or from an undergraduate degree program to a graduate degree program.

"Dependent" is defined to include:

• Spouse
• Child under the age of 21, provisions up to age 23
• Dependent parent
• Legal custody, adoption and step-child

Date of Eligibility: The date of eligibility is either the date of admission or acceptance for dependents currently residing in Virginia or the final add/drop date for dependents of members newly transferred to Virginia.

For dependents of active duty members, the workplace can be either within Virginia, a state contiguous to Virginia, or the District of Columbia. Place of residence MUST be in Virginia.

Documentation required:

• A copy of the military orders which verify:
  • Active duty military status or activation of reservist/guard member, and
  • Work location/duty station within Virginia, a contiguous state or Washington, DC
• Documentation verifying Virginia residence (such as utility bill, valid lease, etc.)
• Copy of military dependent identification card issued by the U.S. military.

To be eligible for the benefit, submit the Application for Military Spouse/Dependent Tuition Rate to the Office of the University Registrar.

In-state Tuition for Certain G.I. Bill® Recipients

38 U.S.C. §3679 requires institutions of higher education to charge covered individuals in-state tuition if they are pursuing a course using educational assistance under G.I. Bill® Chapters 30, 31, 33 or 35 while residing in the State in which the educational institution is located.

Covered individuals include:

• A Veteran using education assistance under Chapter 30 (Montgomery G.I. Bill®), Chapter 31 (Veteran Readiness and Employment), or Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 G.I. Bill®), and who enrolls at ODU following a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
• A spouse or dependent using transferred Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 G.I. Bill®) benefits who lives in Virginia while attending ODU (regardless of his/her formal State of residence) and enrolls in the school following the transferor's discharge or release from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more, or if the transferor is a member of the uniformed service and is serving on active duty.
• Anyone using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship who lives in Virginia while attending ODU (regardless of his/her formal State of residence).
• Anyone using Chapter 35 (Dependents Educational Assistance) benefits and lives in Virginia while attending ODU.
• Anyone described above while he or she remains continuously enrolled at ODU (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms) at the same school.

To be eligible for the benefit, submit the Application for Military Spouse/Dependent Tuition Rate to the Office of the University Registrar.