MONTANA STATE VETERAN BENEFITS
We endeavor to keep this information current, but it is subject to change without notice.
MONTANA EDUCATION BENEFITS
Montana Honorably Discharged Veteran Tuition Waiver
Montana provides a tuition waiver that works (in essence) to extend federal GI Bill benefits. It’s only for residents who were honorably discharged from active service, and who were awarded a campaign or expeditionary medal during a time of conflict. This tuition waiver covers all costs associated with in-state tuition at a state-funded school if the qualifying veteran has exhausted his or her federal education benefits.
Montana War Orphan Tuition Waiver
Montana pays 100 percent of the cost of educating a deceased resident veteran’s child under certain circumstances. The child dependent must be under age 25. His or her qualifying Veteran parent would have passed while on active duty due to job requirements or died as a result of combat-related disability or disease.
MONTANA EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
Veterans Preference
Qualified veterans receive hiring preference when applying for state jobs. Disabled veterans receive 10 points; non-disabled, qualifying veterans receive 5 extra points added to their application scores. Some spouses and surviving spouses who remain unmarried may be eligible as well to receive the same points as their qualifying veteran.
Military Waiver for CDL
Montana will not waive the requirement to pass a written test to obtain a CDL, but they will set aside required the skills component of the test under certain circumstances. They will waive the skills test for licensed active duty members and veterans who operated a military motor vehicle equivalent to a commercial vehicle.
MONTANA VETERAN FINANCIAL BENEFITS
Income Tax
The Treasure State taxes military retirement pay but they don’t tax the pay of active duty and reserve/guard members.
Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption
Honorably-discharged veterans who are 100% disabled with a service-connected disability may be exempt from paying property taxes on their home. Income limits affect eligibility for this benefit. Surviving spouses who remain unmarried may also eligible.
MONTANA VETERAN RECREATION BENEFITS
Hunting and Fishing Licenses
Military on active duty in Montana, along with their families, can buy hunting and fishing licenses at the resident rate, regardless of actual residency.
Some disabled Montana veterans could be eligible for discounted hunting and fishing licenses from the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Department. They have specific guidelines covering any discounts available.
MONTANA VETERAN HOUSING BENEFITS
Montana operates veterans’ homes based on their residents’ ability to pay for care. To be eligible to reside in one of two state veteran facilities (in Columbia Falls and Glendive) veterans must have been honorably discharged and they must now need specialized, skilled nursing care. Spouses may be admitted when and if space is available.
MONTANA STATE VETERANS’ CEMETERIES
Montana, land of the Big Sky, operates three Veterans Cemeteries for internment of resident and non-resident veterans. The cemeteries can be found in Missoula, Miles City and the state capital, Helena. Certain fees for the resident veteran are split between the county and the veteran’s family. The family bears nominal costs for burying a spouse or non-resident veteran.
You can find more information regarding these benefits and other programs at the Montana Veterans Affairs website.
