Missouri Veterans’ Benefits Programs
The following are Missouri state veterans’ benefits programs for education, employment, housing and healthcare.
Education Benefits for Missouri Veterans
In addition to federal programs such as the GI Bill, there are veterans’ education benefits provided by the state of Missouri.
Missouri State Tuition Assistance Program
The Missouri State Tuition Assistance Program is offered to qualifying members of the Missouri National Guard. This benefit includes tuition paid at a “maximum rate” which is set using current tuition rates at the University of Missouri-Columbia.
This program allows up to 39 semester hours per fiscal year with the caveat that the applicant must use any federal student aid before using Tuition Assistance Program funds.
Missouri Wartime Veterans Survivors Grant Program
These grants are offered to children and spouses of Missouri combat veterans who, since September 11, 2001:
- Were injured or killed in combat
- Who contracted an illness in combat
- Who became 80% disabled as a result of combat
This program has limited availability; in 2022 only 25 applicants were approved for the grant. The maximum amount offered per semester will be the total of:
- The lesser of the actual tuition charged or “the amount of tuition charged a Missouri resident enrolled in the same number of hours at the University of Missouri Columbia”.
- An allowance of up to $2,000 per semester for room and board; and
- The actual cost for your books OR $500, whichever is less.
You must be enrolled at least half-time to apply for this grant.
Missouri Returning Heroes Act
The Missouri Returning Heroes Act offers “reduced tuition” for qualifying combat veterans who:
- Served in armed combat in the military after September 11, 2001.
- The combat zone must be “designated by the U.S. Department of Defense and as documented on field 13 of your DD214” according to the State of Missouri.
- Reserve or National Guard members qualify if they have served in armed combat under a call to active service authorized by the President of the United States or the Secretary of Defense for 30 days or more.
The Returning Heroes Act limits tuition to $50 per credit hour, “as long as the veteran achieves and maintains a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of at least two and one-half on a four-point scale (2.5/4.0), or its equivalent.”
Speak to an admissions representative about this option to learn how to apply.
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Tax Benefits for Missouri Veterans
The State of Missouri does not tax active duty pay, combat zone pay, military retirement pay, or military disability retirement pay. There are other tax breaks for qualifying veterans and spouses.
Missouri Disabled Prisoners of War Property Tax Exemption
Missouri residents who are former prisoners of war and are VA-rated at 100% total service-connected disability may be eligible for “a complete property tax exemption” on primary residences.
Missouri Personal Property Tax Credit for Disabled Veterans
The Missouri Property Tax Credit is offered to qualifying senior citizens who are VA-rated as 100% disabled.
This tax credit is for “a portion of the real estate taxes or rent paid for the year” up to a maximum benefit of $750 for those who rent property, and up to $1,100 for homeowners. Income limits and other restrictions may apply, and those renting “from a tax free facility” are not eligible for this program.
Nursing Home Benefits for Missouri Veterans
Missouri operates seven state veterans Homes with locations in:
- Cameron
- Cape Girardeau
- Mexico
- Mount Vernon
- St. James
- St. Louis
- Warrenburg
To qualify for admission, the veteran must have lived in Missouri for 180 days and meet the requirements set by the Department of Veterans Affairs for admission to its programs. The applicant must require institutional health care services. You will need to following documentation to apply:
- Copy of DD214
- Durable Power of Attorney Paperwork
- Proof of Residency
Services include physician care, physical, speech, occupational and recreational therapy, plus medications and social services. These facilities feature a “secured dementia unit” at each location.
Burial Benefits for Missouri Veterans
The State of Missouri operates five state Veterans Cemeteries:
- Springfield Veterans Cemetery
- Higginsville Veterans Cemetery
- Bloomfield Veterans Cemetery
- Jacksonville Veterans Cemetery
- Fort Leonard Wood Veterans Cemetery
Eligibility requirements for the burial at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery are identical to the requirements for Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemeteries. In general:
- Discharged from active duty with no Dishonorable discharge or;
- Died while serving on active duty or;
- Served at least 20 years in the National Guard or U.S. Armed Forces Reserves and is eligible for military retirement pay or;
- Reserve component members activated for federal service or;
- Spouses and children of eligible veterans.
There is no state residency requirement for these facilities. Each cemetery provides no-cost services including:
- Opening and closing of the grave
- Concrete grave liner
- Upright granite headstone or niche cover
- Perpetual care
To make burial arrangements you will need to work with a funeral director as the VA and the state cemeteries do not offer these services.
Employment Benefits for Missouri Veterans
Missouri State Veteran Hiring Preference
Qualifying veterans receive a five-point preference for competitive exams for state jobs. Qualifying disabled veterans are offered a 10-point hiring preference. To qualify you must serve on active duty for six consecutive months and you must have an honorable discharge. Other requirements include, but are not limited to:
- Being called to active duty for a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge or service medal has been authorized;
- You served for at least six years as a Reservist;
- You are the spouse of a disabled veteran unqualified for state employment due to a service-connected disability;
- You are an unremarried surviving spouse of an honorably discharged disabled veteran;
- You are the unremarried surviving spouse of a service member killed on active duty
- You are the unremarried surviving spouse of a Missouri National Guard member killed while serving on state active duty.
Unemployment Compensation for Military Spouses
Military spouses who must quit their jobs to relocate due to a military permanent change of station move may qualify for Missouri unemployment benefits.
Qualifying circumstances include but may not be limited to situations where a spouse relocates, but it is impractical to commute to the workplace from the new location. Applicants must meet other state unemployment eligibility criteria to qualify for this benefit. More information on this option is available from the Missouri Department of Labor official site.
Waivers for Dissolved Corporations Due to Military Service
Fees for reinstatement and procedures may be waived when a corporation is administratively dissolved for failure to file an annual registration report–IF that failure was due to a business owner’s active military service. Fees may still be due for previous years when the report was not filed.
Professional License Extensions Due to Military Service
If a job requires licensing or certification by the State of Missouri, and you are called to active duty in the National Guard or the Reserve, you are not required to attend continuing education or training otherwise required to maintain a license or certification. Upon returning from active duty, you are not required to make up any missed training or education.
For more information regarding Missouri veterans’ benefits, please visit the Missouri Veterans Commission
Related state military and veteran information: