Michigan Veteran’s Benefits

Michigan, the Great Lake State, offers benefits to over 600,000 veterans.

Michigan Veteran Education Benefits

Children of Veterans Tuition Grant

Michigan offers tuition assistance for children of some deceased or disabled veterans. Grant applicants must be Michigan residents between 16-26. The amount of the grants is based on the student’s enrollment status. Full-time students receive up to $2,800 per academic year.

Michigan National Guard Tuition Assistance

Active duty Michigan National Guard, including those serving one weekend per month and two weeks per year, qualify for tuition assistance for attendance at public or private colleges, universities, vocational, trade, or technical schools in Michigan. The grant covers up to $600 per credit and up to $6,000 per year for tuition and fees.

Michigan Employment Benefits

Licensing Fees

MVAA helps veterans establish themselves in professions by waiving licensing fees for specified occupations and levels of experience.

Michigan Veteran Housing Benefits

Veterans Homes

Michigan hosts two Veterans Homes

Marquette, Michigan

Grand Rapids, Michigan

The homes provide:

● domiciliary care

● in-house pharmacy

medical and nursing care

● rehabilitation therapy

● recreational activities

Veterans eligible for VA health care or financial assistance for long-term care are eligible for admittance. Eligible veterans must have served a minimum of 90 days on active duty and have been honorably discharged. Veterans who either enlisted after Sept. 7, 1980, or started active duty after Oct. 16, 1981, must have served on active duty for 24 continuous months ( or the full period for which they were called) to be eligible. Space permitting, spouses, surviving spouses, and parents of eligible veterans may also qualify for admission.

Michigan Veteran Financial Benefits

Income Tax

Neither active duty nor retired pay is subject to state income tax.

Property Tax Waiver

Veterans who are determined to be 100 percent permanently and totally disabled or entitled to veterans benefits at the 100 percent disability rate by the VA may request a property tax waiver from the Michigan Department of Treasury. To apply, the veteran must be a resident of the state and have been honorably discharged. Surviving spouses of eligible veterans may also be eligible apply if they have not remarried.

Income Tax Credit

Disabled veterans or surviving spouses may receive a property tax credit. The benefit varies depending on the veteran’s disability rating and the family’s income.

Michigan Veterans Trust Fund

The MVTF provides emergency assistance to Michigan veterans and their dependents who are experiencing a short-term financial crisis. To be eligible, the veteran must be an honorably discharged Michigan resident with a minimum of 180 days of service during a war, or 180 days of active duty and the award of an Armed Forces Expeditionary medal or Marine Corps and Navy expeditionary medal. Veterans with a service-incurred disability do not have to have served for 180 days to be eligible.

Additional Michigan Veteran Benefits

Disabled Veteran Vehicle Registration

Veterans with a VA service-connected total or permanent disability rating can register one vehicle with a disabled veteran license plate with only a $5 administrative charge. Ex-POWs with or without disabilities also qualify.

Veteran License Plates

Michigan offers veteran and military designation license plates starting at $5. Present proof of military service with the application.

Veteran Driver’s License Designation

Veterans with an honorable or under honorable conditions (general) discharge can have a veteran designation state driver’s license or ID card. There is no additional charge for the designation when applying for an original or renewal Michigan license or ID.

Hunting and Fishing License

Michigan's active-duty military members and veterans with a 100 percent disability receive hunting and fishing licenses at no charge.

Free State Park Access

Ex-Prisoners of War, Medal of Honor recipients, and 100 percent disabled veterans enjoy free entry to Michigan state-owned parks, trails, and recreation areas. Eligible veterans must display specialty license plates.

Veteran Treatment Courts

Veterans who are involved with the legal system have access to Veteran Treatment Courts. The 25 courts combine drug and mental health specialty courts to help veterans resolve personal issues that may have contributed to their arrest.

Michigan Veterans Cemeteries

The two national cemeteries in Michigan are:

Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan

Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan

Michigan veterans eligible to be buried in a national cemetery are also eligible for burial at these two cemeteries free of charge. Benefits include the gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, a headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate. Spouses are also eligible for buried in Michigan’s national cemeteries.