Third Party Payments

What is a "Third Party"?

A "Third Party" is an employer, a military unit, a service organization, or a state agency agreeing to pay tuition and fees on the student's behalf, and requests that ODU bill them for these debts.

Examples include:

Military Tuition Assistance (TA), Commonwealth Vocational Rehabilitation, public school systems, Navy College, AMIDEAST, Embassy of Botswana, Ford UAW, Greater Peninsula Private Industry Council, etc.

NOT eligible for third party billing:

  • Scholarships
  • Employee reimbursement programs
  • Student accounts with outstanding debts
  • Employers who reimburse employees based on course outcome or grade received

 


Third Party Billing & Payments

The University accepts company checks or purchase orders as payment, or we can bill your employer for your total charges with the appropriate authorization (third party payment agreement).

University Fees

Students are responsible for fees if they are not specifically covered by the third party in the authorization (third party payment agreement).

Partial Payments

In cases where the third party pays a portion, but not all of the term's debt, the student is responsible for the remainder by the tuition deadline.

Release of Grades

Students are responsible for submitting academic transcripts if required by the sponsor.

Refunds

Refunds are not released to the student unless specifically authorized by the third party.

Due Dates

Third-Party contract submission deadline for Spring 2025 is January 13. ODU Third-Party billing will issue an invoice after the tuition deadline has expired. Payment in full is due within 30 days of the invoice date.

A third party payment agreement is a written authorization from an employer, a military unit, a service organization, or a state agency that gives Old Dominion University permission to shift the payment liability from the student to the employer for a specific term.

It should clearly state the total amount to be paid, including fees, the term, and specific courses (if applicable).

This is also sometimes referred to as the third party "authorization" or "contract".

Unless otherwise specified in a "Special Arrangements Contract," rates are determined by the student's domicile classification (in-state vs out-of-state) and the location of the course.

View Current Tuition Rates for exact rates and cost estimates. Also see Military Tuition for important information regarding military-affiliated student tuition & programs.

If third party does not pay for any reason, the total amount will be transferred back to the student. The student is ultimately responsible for the debt and will be billed.
 

The University does not allow a student to register, add classes, receive a degree, a transcript of grades/grade report, or other student services until all outstanding University debts are paid in full. (Learn more about tuition penalties.)

It is the student's responsibility to assure that appropriate letters, authorizations, or other payment documents have been sent to the Office of Finance.

We require the submission of a document once a term, even in cases of dual semester contracts. Students who receive billing statements for courses paid by a third party should notify our office immediately.

Contracts should be submitted by the tuition deadline. We encourage early submission of documents. Contracts will not be honored after these dates:

  • Fall - December 1
  • Spring - May 1
  • Summer - August 15

Contracts may be modified or amended during the term. However, students who add classes and increase their charges must submit a new authorization form. It is the student's responsibility to contact the sponsor to obtain additional authorization.

Employer to Employee Reimbursement

Employer to employee reimbursement programs are not recognized for third party billing. Participants in employer reimbursement programs are advised to make payment to ODU by the tuition deadline and then follow employer guidelines to be personally reimbursed at the end of the course.

Please DO NOT try to finish a course without paying, in hopes that you could be reimbursed before ODU withholds your records. Delinquent accounts are referred for formal collection efforts prior to the posting of grades. Past due accounts are placed on hold and students will be unable to access grade reports.

Contact

Contact ODU's Third Party Billing Representative in Student Accounts if you have discovered an error or have a question regarding your Tuition Assistance.