State veteran benefits

Veteran Benefits in North Dakota

North Dakota offers a property tax credit for qualifying disabled veterans and surviving spouses, and excludes military retirement benefits from state taxable income. Education benefits include dependent tuition waivers and National Guard tuition assistance. County and state service officers can help veterans get benefits.

Checked against official state sources on October 2, 2026.

Free help in North Dakota

North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs

Helps veterans and their dependents obtain benefits.

Agency website (opens in a new tab) · Phone: 701-239-7165

Free help with VA claims

Use the official directory to find county and state service officers for help with benefits and VA claims. Services are free to veterans and their dependents.

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.

Open the Benefits Finder

Property tax relief

Disabled Veterans Property Tax Credit

Who qualifies
Veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 50%, or an extra-schedular rating including individual unemployability paid at 100%, who were discharged under honorable conditions or retired from the armed forces. The veteran or surviving spouse must own and occupy the homestead.
What you get
The credit applies the certified disability percentage to the first $9,000 of taxable homestead value. A qualifying surviving spouse receiving VA dependency and indemnity compensation receives the full credit.
How to apply
File the application with the county auditor by April 1 of the first year claimed.

Official page (opens in a new tab) NDCC 57-02-08.8

Sources (2)

State income tax

Military retirement pay: Exempt

Military retirement benefit exclusion

Who qualifies
Retired armed forces, Reserve and National Guard members, and surviving spouses receiving qualifying military retirement benefits.
What you get
Subtract military retirement benefits to the extent included in federal taxable income.
How to apply
Claim the exclusion on the state income tax return and attach Form 1099-R.

Official page (opens in a new tab) NDCC 57-38-30.3(2)(r)

Sources (2)

Education and tuition

Veteran resident tuition classification

Who qualifies
Veterans who served 180 days of continuous federalized active uniformed services duty, or the full period called or ordered to active duty for reasons other than training, and were discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.
What you get
Resident-student classification for tuition at North Dakota state higher education institutions.
How to apply
At the University of North Dakota, complete the Resident Student Status Form within the semester you attend.

Official page (opens in a new tab) NDCC 15-10-19.1(2)(d)(4)

Sources (3)

ND Dependent Tuition Waiver

Who qualifies
Children, stepchildren, spouses and surviving spouses. Main residency routes include a veteran resident in North Dakota for five years before the waiver request, or a spouse/surviving spouse or the child's other parent resident in North Dakota when the veteran died or was found totally disabled. Qualifying veteran circumstances include service-connected death, 100% service-connected disability, individual unemployability paid at 100%, POW status or MIA status. Surviving spouses receiving VA dependency and indemnity compensation may also qualify.
What you get
Tuition and fee waiver toward a bachelor's degree or certificate at a state higher education institution while eligible. Aviation flight charges and expenses are excluded.
How to apply
Obtain admission, then contact the chosen campus's financial aid office or veterans services department.

Official page (opens in a new tab) NDCC 15-10-18.2 and 15-10-18.3

Sources (2)

National Guard tuition assistance at state-controlled schools

Who qualifies
Qualifying North Dakota National Guard members enrolled in state-controlled schools who meet Guard qualification, performance and school-study requirements.
What you get
A 35% tuition waiver, conditioned on sufficient appropriations, plus state tuition reimbursement within legislative appropriations.
How to apply
Request the adjutant general's application and complete it when enrolling for each requested semester or academic term, or upon initial Guard appointment.

Official page (opens in a new tab) NDCC 37-07.1-03, 37-07.1-05 and 37-07.1-06.2

Sources (1)

State jobs and hiring preference

Veterans' public employment preference

Who qualifies
Qualifying U.S.-citizen veteran applicants, including eligible Guard and Reserve members. Unremarried spouses of veterans who died in service or from service-connected causes qualify. Spouses of veterans with 100% service-connected disability or individual unemployability paid at 100% qualify if the disability prevents the veteran from using the preference.
What you get
Government hiring preference. Competitive examinations add 5 points for veterans or 10 for disabled veterans on a 100-point scale. Noncompetitive hiring gives qualified veterans preference, with disabled veterans preferred ahead of other veterans.
How to apply
Submit a DD214 with the preference claim. Disabled-veteran claims also require a VA disability letter less than one year old. Spouse claims require the additional documents listed in the law.

Official page (opens in a new tab) NDCC 37-19.1-01 through 37-19.1-03

Sources (1)

Licenses, plates and parks

Reduced hunting and fishing license fees

Who qualifies
Resident veterans with a VA-determined service-connected disability of at least 50%. Fishing also qualifies veterans with an extra-schedular rating, including individual unemployability, that brings the veteran's total disability ratio to at least 50%.
What you get
A $10 fishing license and a separate $10 combined general game, habitat stamp, small game and fur-bearer license. The required resident certificate costs another $2, purchased once per year.
How to apply
Use Game and Fish's online application page, sign in and complete the appropriate Specialty License application.

Official page (opens in a new tab) NDCC 20.1-03-12(6), (39) and (46)

Sources (3)

Free lifetime state park entrance permit

Who qualifies
North Dakota veterans with a service-related disability of at least 50%, and former prisoners of war.
What you get
A free lifetime state park entrance permit.
How to apply
Complete the application and submit it with proof of eligibility and North Dakota residency.

Official page (opens in a new tab)

Sources (2)

Veteran indicator on driver license

Who qualifies
Veterans who provide adequate documentation.
What you get
A veteran indicator on the face of a North Dakota driver license.
How to apply
Bring a copy of your DD214 to a Veteran Service Officer, then take the verification form to a North Dakota Driver License Site.

Official page (opens in a new tab) NDCC 39-06-14(6)

Sources (2)

Emergency financial help

Hardship Assistance Grant Program

Who qualifies
Applicants meeting North Dakota residency, veteran-status, income, asset and documented-need requirements.
What you get
Assistance when unforeseen circumstances cause financial or personal hardship.
How to apply
Contact your local County Veterans Service Officer to apply.

Official page (opens in a new tab) NDCC 37-14-14

Sources (3)

State veterans homes

State veterans homes

Location
Lisbon
Who qualifies
Veterans and eligible spouses or surviving spouses. Applicants must be North Dakota residents before applying; residency may be waived for service in a North Dakota regiment or accreditation to the state.
What you get
The North Dakota Veterans Home in Lisbon provides basic and long-term care.
How to apply
Submit the home's formal admission application and required proof for approval by its admissions board.

Official page (opens in a new tab) NDCC 37-15-01, 37-15-02 and 37-15-10

Sources (1)

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.