North Carolina Veterans & Disabled Veterans Benefits
In addition to federal programs such as the GI Bill, veteran benefits programs are provided by the states. The following are North Carolina state veteran benefits programs.
North Carolina State Veteran Education Benefits
North Carolina Scholarship for Children of Wartime Veterans
North Carolina’s Scholarship Program is for the children of wartime veterans who want to attend in-state schools. The scholarship pays for 8 semesters and allows students 8 years to complete those semesters.
To qualify:
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- Applicants must be the child of a “certain class category of wartime deceased, disabled, combat, or POW/MIA veterans,” according to the State of North Carolina.
- The applicant must be under 25 and a North Carolina state resident at the time of application.
- The qualifying veteran must have been “a legal resident of North Carolina at time of said veteran’s entrance into that period of service in the Armed Forces during which eligibility is established,” or the veteran’s child must have been born in N.C. and remained a continuous resident.
See the North Carolina Department of Military and Veteran Affairs website for more information.
Related: Military-Friendly Colleges
North Carolina National Guard Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) Program
This program offers tuition assistance for active North Carolina Army or Air National Guard members. Tuition may be reimbursed for an approved associate, bachelor, or graduate degree. This program relies upon specific funding amounts each year, and those funds may not be available for all applicants each year. To qualify, applicants must be:
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- Active, with no disciplinary actions.
- Attending an “approved certificate or degree program at an approved institution.”
- Must have two years remaining on their current National Guard contract.
- Satisfactory academic progress is required.
Learn more or apply at the North Carolina National Guard Student Portal.
North Carolina Vietnam Veterans, Inc. Scholarship Program (NCVVI)
NCVVI offers grant scholarships for Vietnam Veterans from $250 to $1,500 at press time (amounts subject to change.) These grants pay expenses for undergraduate study at any approved college, junior college, community college, or trade school. To qualify applicants must meet the following requirements:
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- Must be a resident of Wake, Durham, Harnett, Johnston, Franklin, Nash, Chatham, or Granville counties in North Carolina
- Must have served in the Vietnam Theater of Operations
- Spouses and surviving spouses of Vietnam veterans may also qualify.
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North Carolina Veteran Nursing Home Benefits
North Carolina’s veteran nursing home facilities feature skilled care from registered nurses and licensed physicians. Locations in the state include
- Fayetteville
- Salisbury
- Kinston
- Black Mountain
- Kernersville
In addition to the usual care offered by dieticians, social workers, physical, and speech therapists, these facilities also use veteran service officers to help vets and families apply for relevant VA benefits. To qualify for placement in one of these homes:
- The applicant must have active duty military service.
- The applicant must have a discharge under honorable conditions.
- Must have state residency 24 months before the date of admission.
- Must be referred by a licensed physician.
- Must require skilled nursing care.
- A physical exam may be required for entry.
Hospital care is provided by the VA or by local facilities when required.
North Carolina Veteran Burial Benefits
The State of North Carolina operates four state veteran cemeteries:
- Goldsboro
- Black Mountain
- Jacksonville
- Spring Lake
Each North Carolina state cemetery provides a burial plot, opening and closing of the grave, a grave marker and installation, and perpetual care at no cost. A burial fee may be required for qualifying veteran spouses and dependents.
According to the State of North Carolina, eligibility requirements for the burial are identical to the VA’s requirements, except there is a state residency requirement added.
Veterans must have any discharge other than Dishonorable, died while on active duty, or served enough time to qualify for military retirement pay.
Spouses and dependents may qualify, but restrictions apply. Pre-need arrangements are possible but physical reservation of a grave or niche site may not be allowed.
North Carolina Veteran Employment Benefits
North Carolina State Employment Preference For Veterans
North Carolina offers qualifying veterans up to 10 points on competitive exams for state jobs. This preference isn’t limited to the initial hire; there may also be preference offered for promotions and reassignments. To qualify:
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- Applicants must have served on active duty during a period of war and received an other than dishonorable discharge or;
- The veteran served during “any campaign, expedition, or engagement that a campaign badge or medal was authorized.”
- The veteran has a service-connected disability they received during peacetime.
Spouses and dependents of a disabled Veteran may also qualify under certain conditions:
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- The applicant is a surviving spouse or dependent of a Veteran who died on active duty during a period of war either directly or indirectly as a result of that service, or;
- The applicant is the spouse of a veteran who has a service-connected disability they received during peacetime, or;
- The applicant is a surviving spouse or dependent of a veteran who died in the line of duty during peacetime.
You may need to claim hiring preference at application time, be sure to ask before taking any exam for a competitive position.
Occupational Licenses For Qualifying Veterans
The State of North Carolina offers military members credit toward occupational licensing. Veterans may qualify if they have a military career specialty “substantially equivalent to or exceeds the requirements for licensure, certification, or registration of the occupational licensing board.”
The veteran must have experience “for at least two of the five years preceding the date of the application” and has not had a prior license suspended or revoked. This benefit is not a “fee-free” option; veterans must still pay any associated fees to get their state license.
State Pension For National Guard Members
Those who retire from the North Carolina National Guard may qualify for a state pension ($105 per month at press time, but this amount is always subject to change). To draw this pension, you must serve in the N.C. Guard for 20 creditable years. To qualify:
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- Served at least 20 creditable years (active or reserve ) and is military retirement-eligible.
- At least 15 years of that military service must have been with the North Carolina National Guard.
- The veteran must have an honorable discharge from the North Carolina National Guard
NCWorks Program For Veterans
The North Carolina Division of Workforce Solutions offers job assistance to qualifying veterans and military members transitioning into civilian life. Military spouses may also qualify for these employment services, including:
- Career assessments
- job market information
- Training
- Job fairs
- Interview prep
- Resume and cover letter guidance
- Help using NCWorks Online
- Access to the Internet and computers
- Assistance with federal employment
>> Find colleges in North Carolina with our School Finder. Use the filters to sort schools by state.
North Carolina State Tax Benefits For Veterans
The State of North Carolina does not tax military retirement pay or military disability retirement pay. Furthermore, thanks to North Carolina Real Property Tax laws, the first $45,000 of the appraised value of the permanent residence of an eligible disabled Veteran may be exempt from North Carolina property taxes.
This applies to veterans with an Honorable discharge who have a 100% disabled rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Contact your local County Tax Office to apply. North Carolina County Tax Assessor Directory
Please visit the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs for more information regarding North Carolina veterans’ benefits.
Homeless Prevention For Veterans
North Carolina offers assistance with housing for veterans at risk of experiencing homelessness. The state government official site urges vets, “If you are currently homeless and need assistance, please contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans today at 1-877-4AID-VET.”
This service is free, there is no sign-up process, and you do not have to be enrolled in VA healthcare programs to qualify. “Immediate help” is available for North Carolina veterans via resources published on the official site.
RELATED:
- State Veterans’ Benefits – By State
- North Carolina BAH Rates
- Yellow Ribbon Schools in North Carolina
- North Carolina Military Base Guide
About the author
Lori Waddell serves as Co-director of an emergency response COAD in Montana, a freelance writer, and an Air Force Key Spouse. She is passionate about empowering communities and individuals through knowledge and resources. She currently lives in Montana with her husband and two children.