State veteran benefits

Veteran Benefits in Arkansas

Arkansas offers disabled-veteran property tax relief, military retirement tax exemptions, and education assistance. State and county service officers help veterans connect with benefits.

Checked against official state sources on October 2, 2026.

Free help in Arkansas

Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs

Helps veterans and eligible dependents access state and federal benefits through advocacy and education.

Agency website (opens in a new tab) · Phone: (501) 683-2382

Free help with VA claims

The state district service officers support county veteran service officers. Use the official service officer map. VA-accredited VSO representatives provide free help with VA benefit claims.

Find a local office (opens in a new tab)

Not sure what applies to you?

Answer seven questions and the Benefits Finder builds a checklist of federal and state benefits, deadlines and free help.

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Property tax relief

Disabled veteran homestead and personal property tax exemption

Who qualifies
Disabled veterans awarded VA special monthly compensation for loss or loss of use of one or more limbs, total blindness in one or both eyes, or a service-connected 100% total and permanent disability.
What you get
Exempts the qualifying homestead and personal property from state property taxes.
How to apply
Apply at the county collector's office. Submit the VA eligibility letter once; annual letter submission is not required. Notify the collector if eligibility or the property's ownership, use, or occupancy changes.

Official page (opens in a new tab) Ark. Code § 26-3-306; Act 876 of 2025

Sources (2)

State income tax

Military retirement pay: Exempt

Military retirement income exemption

Who qualifies
Retired uniformed service members receiving military retirement benefits.
What you get
Qualifying military retirement benefits are exempt from Arkansas income tax.
How to apply
Report gross military pension compensation in the applicable primary-taxpayer or spouse boxes on the state return, following the current instructions.

Official page (opens in a new tab) Ark. Code § 26-51-307(e)

Sources (2)

Education and tuition

Arkansas Heroes Scholarship: disabled-veteran spouse branch

Who qualifies
This entry covers spouses of veterans awarded U.S. Armed Forces disability retirement benefits or VA special monthly compensation for a service-connected 100% total and permanent disability. The applicant must have lived legally in Arkansas for at least one year, be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and be accepted to an eligible Arkansas institution for a first bachelor's degree. Remarriage ends spouse eligibility.
What you get
Tuition, fees, and other covered costs for a first bachelor's degree, reduced by eligible federal Dependents' Educational Assistance. Private-school assistance is capped at the public-school maximum. Awards can continue for up to eight semesters, subject to continuing eligibility.
How to apply
Apply to the Division of Higher Education. The annual state application deadline is July 1. Apply for federal Dependents' Educational Assistance and give the division proof of acceptance or ineligibility.

Official page (opens in a new tab) Ark. Code §§ 6-82-2501 through 6-82-2508; Act 341 of 2025

Sources (2)

Arkansas National Guard Tuition Waiver

Who qualifies
Current Arkansas National Guard soldiers and airmen who are Arkansas residents or eligible for in-state tuition, completed initial active duty training, and do not hold a bachelor's or higher degree. This entry covers enrollment in an undergraduate degree or credential program at an Arkansas state-supported public institution. Members must remain in good standing with the Guard and institution and meet institutional satisfactory academic progress.
What you get
Tuition waiver for up to 120 semester credit hours. Federal, state, and institutional grants and scholarships apply before the waiver.
How to apply
Complete FAFSA, the Arkansas Scholarship Application Management System application, and applications for institutional grants and scholarships. Obtain and sign the waiver application and statement of understanding through the Guard Education and Incentives Branch.

Official page (opens in a new tab) 6 CAR §§ 530-103, 530-201, 530-301, 530-309

Sources (4)

State jobs and hiring preference

State employment veterans preference

Who qualifies
This entry covers Arkansas citizens and residents honorably discharged from active duty other than training only, with substantially equal qualifications to other applicants.
What you get
Preference in hiring, promotion, and retention.
How to apply
Submit official proof of veteran status to receive the preference.

Official page (opens in a new tab) Ark. Code § 21-3-302

Sources (3)

Licenses, plates and parks

State park disability camping discount

Who qualifies
U.S. citizens with 100% permanent and total disability, including qualifying veterans.
What you get
Qualifies the camper for discounted state park campground rates.
How to apply
Provide proof of eligibility at registration. One accepted veteran document is a VA regional office award letter dated within the last two years.

Official page (opens in a new tab) 22 CAR §§ 50-103 and 50-108

Sources (2)

Emergency financial help

We could not confirm this from an official source yet. Ask Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs or a free veterans service officer what applies to you.

State veterans homes

State veterans cemeteries

Before you apply

This page summarizes state law and agency guidance as checked on October 2, 2026. It is general information, not legal or tax advice. Eligibility depends on your records, and laws change, so confirm the details on the official page linked with each benefit, or ask a free accredited representative. This page covers the main state programs. Your county veterans service officer can tell you about smaller or local benefits.

Federal VA benefits apply in every state. See the Veteran Resource Directory and the Benefits Finder.