Veteran Benefits in Montana

Montana Disabled Veteran Assistance Program

Who qualifies

Honorably discharged veterans rated 100% disabled or paid at the 100% disability rate for a service-connected disability. Qualifying unmarried surviving spouses can also receive relief. The applicant must own or be purchasing a primary residence and generally occupy it for at least seven months. For 2026, qualifying-income ceilings are $62,598 single, $72,229 married or head of household, and $54,573 for an unmarried surviving spouse.

What you get

Reduces the normal property tax rate according to qualifying income. The statutory tax-rate multipliers are 0%, 20%, 30% or 50%.

How to apply

Submit the Department of Revenue application by April 15 of the first year claimed.

Official page (opens in a new tab) MCA 15-6-301, 15-6-302 and 15-6-311

Working Military Retirement Exemption

Who qualifies

Military retirees who became Montana residents on or after June 30, 2023, or were residents before receiving military retirement income and remained residents. A claimant who becomes a nonresident after using the exemption loses eligibility.

What you get

Subtracts the smaller of qualifying Montana wages, business or farm income and 50% of military retirement income. The subtraction is available for five consecutive years after eligibility begins.

How to apply

Attach Form WMRE to Montana Form 2.

Official page (opens in a new tab) MCA 15-30-2120(3)(n), (8) and (9)

Honorably Discharged Veteran Waiver

Who qualifies

Honorably discharged Montana residents eligible for in-state tuition whose elected federal veterans education benefits have expired or been exhausted. Academic-progress rules apply.

What you get

Waives remaining resident tuition after other aid. Fees and self-supporting courses are not covered.

How to apply

Apply by the third week of the first semester for which the waiver is requested.

Official page (opens in a new tab) Montana Board of Regents Policy 940.13

War Orphans Waiver

Who qualifies

Montana resident children age 25 or younger whose parent served in World War II or the Korean, Vietnam, Iraq or Afghanistan conflicts. The parent must have been a Montana resident on entering service and killed in action or died from a combat-related injury, disease or disability while serving. Academic-progress rules apply.

What you get

Waives undergraduate tuition with the Commissioner's approval. Fees are not waived.

How to apply

Apply by the third week of the first semester requested.

Official page (opens in a new tab) Montana Board of Regents Policy 940.13

Montana National Guard Tuition Waiver

Who qualifies

Montana National Guard members at the start of the semester who are certified in good standing by the Adjutant General and meet institutional admission requirements. Nonresident members can qualify. Academic-progress rules apply.

What you get

Waives remaining resident tuition after other aid. Fees and self-supporting courses are not covered.

How to apply

Apply by the third week of the first semester requested.

Official page (opens in a new tab) Montana Board of Regents Policy 940.13

Veterans' employment preference

Who qualifies

Qualifying veterans, disabled veterans and eligible relatives who are U.S. citizens and meet the job's minimum qualifications.

What you get

For scored initial hiring, adds five percentage points for veterans or ten for disabled veterans and eligible relatives. Other selection procedures give statutory preference among substantially equally qualified applicants.

How to apply

Claim the preference in writing before the job-application deadline.

Official page (opens in a new tab) MCA 39-29-101 to 39-29-103

Veteran designation on driver license or ID

Who qualifies

Montana veterans.

What you get

Adds a veteran designation to a driver license or state ID.

How to apply

Apply in person at a Driver Exam Station.

Official page (opens in a new tab)

State veterans homes

Official page (opens in a new tab)