Utah Veterans Benefits & Disabled Veterans Benefits

Julie Provost

6 years ago

Veteran Benefits for Utah Residents

In addition to federal programs such as the GI Bill, there are veterans benefits programs provided by the states. The following are the Utah veterans’ benefits programs.

Utah Veteran Education Benefits

Tuition Waiver for Purple Heart Recipients

Purple Heart recipients may qualify for tuition waivers at all state-supported schools in Utah. To receive this benefit, you must submit proof of the awarded Purple Heart to the school you want to attend. Speak to your college’s admissions office for more information on how to apply.

Scott B Lundell Tuition Waiver for Military Members’ Surviving Dependents

Surviving dependents of service members killed in action on or after September 11, 2001, may qualify for a tuition waiver at state schools. This covers tuition expenses only, and the veteran must have died under qualifying circumstances:

- The veteran died on or after September 11, 2001;
- At the time of death service member served on state or federal active duty, and their death was in the line of duty;
- Was killed or died of wounds or injuries received while serving on federal or state active duty.

Surviving Spouse and dependent eligibility requirements include but may not be limited to the following:

- Surviving Spouse or dependent has been accepted as a student at a Utah public college or university
- The applicant is a Utah resident for tuition purposes
- The applicant must not have a bachelor’s degree
- Only degree-related courses qualify for tuition waivers

Utah Veterans Tuition Gap Program

The Veterans Tuition Gap Program helps qualifying veterans receive tuition assistance for their final school year at state-supported schools. This “gap funding” program is meant to help those who have used their GI Bill benefits and are in their last year of school.

You may qualify for this option if you have used all federal tuition assistance benefits before applying. This program is for tuition only and does not cover fees or expenses.

Utah National Guard State Education Benefits

Utah National Guard State Tuition Assistance offers additional tuition assistance after a Utah National Guard member hits their federal tuition assistance limit.

This benefit may cover as much as $250 per semester hour and up to $6,000 per fiscal year. This tuition assistance can be used for full or part-time learning, in-state or out-of-state colleges, and for both online and traditional learning.

To qualify, you must be a current member of the Utah National Guard and not eligible for federal tuition assistance. According to Army.mil, “Service members must continue to serve for the duration of the time they are using STA funds.”

>> Find VA-approved colleges and universities in Utah with our School Finder.

Utah Veteran Tax Benefits

Disabled Veteran Property Tax Abatement

Qualifying disabled veterans and their unremarried surviving spouses may qualify for a property tax break based on the level of the veteran’s VA-rated disability.

The maximum property tax abatement allowable (subject to change from year to year) is under $300 thousand but above $250 thousand for those VA-rated at 100% service-connected disability.

This Utah property tax break is for primary residences only. Contact your nearest tax assessor’s office to learn how to apply in the current tax year.

Utah Armed Forces Property Tax Exemption

Utah offers a total property tax exemption for primary residences of active duty and members of the Guard and Reserve. This tax exemption applies when the servicemember has official duty that takes them out of state.

To qualify, you must serve on active duty outside Utah “for 200 days in a calendar year, or 200 consecutive days beginning in the prior year” according to Army.mil.

Supporting documentation such as TDY or PCS military orders must accompany the application and you must reapply whenever you qualify for the tax benefit. Submit applications to the County Auditor or Treasurer in the county where the property is located.

Utah State Veteran Cemetery

The state of Utah operates the Veterans Cemetery and Memorial Park in Bluffdale.

The facility provides in-ground casket, urn burials, and a “columbarium niche” for cremated remains. This cemetery features No-cost veterans burials and nominal fees for spouse and dependent burials. Services provided include furnishing the burial plot, opening and closing of the grave, a government-issued marker, and perpetual care of the gravesite.

To qualify for burial, you must meet the same criteria as for burial in a VA National Cemetery. Learn more about those requirements at the VA National Cemetery Administration Eligibility official site. General eligibility requirements include:

Must be discharged from under conditions other than dishonorable, or
Died while on active duty, or
Served at least 20 years in the National Guard or U.S. Armed Force Reserves and qualified for military retirement pay
Reserve component Service members qualify if they were activated for federal service
Spouses and dependents

State of Utah Housing Benefits For Veterans

Utah Veteran First-Time Homebuyer Grant Program

This grant offers qualifying vets and currently serving military members a $2,500 towards the purchase of a primary residence which is also a first home in the state of Utah. Veterans eligible for a VA Certificate of Eligibility and who have served within the last five years may apply for this grant which can be used from “any lender licensed to do business in Utah.:”

These are not VA loan specific, the loans can be any conforming loan such as FHA, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac.

Utah State Veterans’ Homes

The State of Utah operates four Veterans’ Homes in the following locations:

- Salt Lake City
- Ogden
- Payson
- Ivins

Wartime service is not required for the Utah Veterans’ Homes; however, wartime veterans with one day or more of wartime service will have priority.

A veteran’s spouse or surviving spouse may also qualify for admittance to the nursing homes, providing that the marriage to the veteran did occur at least one year before the application is submitted.

The Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs oversees these veteran homes, but operations are provided by a contracted private healthcare provider. Care offered may vary depending on the facility but may include memory care, skilled nursing care, and long-term care.

Utah Veteran Employment Benefits

Utah Civil Service Veterans Preference

Veterans, spouses, and qualifying surviving spouses may qualify for veteran hiring preference in the form of up to 10 additional points for competitive exams. This preference can be used for any qualifying Utah state government job exam.

Utah Veterans Hiring Preference

State agencies and state contractors performing work for the Utah State Government are required by law to give hiring preference to eligible veterans.

UTAH CDL Skills Test Waiver For Veterans

Utah waives the Commercial Drivers License Skills test for military veterans who otherwise meet licensing requirements. To qualify, the veteran must be honorably discharged, apply within 90 days of discharge, and have commercial driving experience within two years of military discharge.

For more information regarding Utah veterans’ benefits, please go here.