Minnesota Veteran Benefits
Minnesota offers an extensive suite of benefits designed to support military veterans, their families, and survivors. These include tuition waivers, tax relief, career development, recreation access, and more—all coordinated through the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA).
________________________________________🎓 Education & Tuition Support• Minnesota GI Bill: Offers up to $3,000/year for full-time students (and $1,000 part-time) to eligible veterans, spouses, and dependents attending approved institutions in MN.🔗 https://mn.gov/mdva/resources/education/minnesotagibill.jsp | ☎ (888) 546-5838• Surviving Spouse & Dependent Education Benefit: Tuition and fee waivers for surviving spouses and dependents of MN veterans who died on active duty or from a service-connected condition.🔗 https://mn.gov/mdva/resources/education/survivingspouse.jsp• In-State Tuition for All Veterans: All honorably discharged veterans are eligible for in-state tuition at any MN state-supported college/university regardless of residence status.🔗 https://www.ohe.state.mn.us | ☎ (651) 642-0567________________________________________💰 Property Tax & Financial Relief• Property Tax Exclusion: Veterans with a 70%+ service-connected disability may qualify for a $150,000 to $300,000 market value exclusion on their primary residence.🔗 https://mn.gov/mdva/resources/housing/hometax.jsp | ☎ (651) 296-3781• Special Needs Grant Program: Up to $5,000 in assistance for unexpected emergencies—available to low-income veterans and their families.🔗 https://mn.gov/mdva/resources/familyassistance/grants.jsp• Bonus Program (for Persian Gulf, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan Veterans): One-time bonuses for wartime service depending on dates and locations.🔗 https://mn.gov/mdva/resources/benefits/statebonus.jsp________________________________________
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🧰 Employment & Business Services
• Veteran Employment Preference Act (VEPA): Honorably discharged veterans and certain spouses receive priority consideration in MN public sector hiring.
🔗 https://mn.gov/mmb/careers | ☎ (651) 259-3637
• Apprenticeship Programs: Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED) offers apprenticeships and on-the-job training to veterans using VA education benefits.
🔗 https://www.apprenticeshipmn.com | ☎ (651) 259-7522
• Veterans Business Resources: Assistance is available for veteran-owned startups through MN’s Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) and SCORE mentorship programs.
🔗 https://mn.gov/deed/business/help/sbdc
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🌲 Outdoor & License Benefits
• Free State Park Admission: 100% SC disabled veterans receive a permanent, free vehicle permit for Minnesota’s 75 state parks.
🔗 https://www.dnr.state.mn.us | ☎ (888) 646-6367
• Reduced/Free Hunting & Fishing Licenses: Available to 100% SC veterans, POWs, and those with Purple Hearts.
🔗 https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses | ☎ (888) 646-6367
• Minnesota Veteran License Plates: Options include U.S. Armed Forces, Conflict-specific, and Medals (Bronze Star, Purple Heart).
🔗 https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs | ☎ (651) 297-2126
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🏠 Veterans Homes, Burial & Local Services
• Minnesota Veterans Homes: Five locations (Minneapolis, Fergus Falls, Hastings, Luverne, Silver Bay) offering long-term care to eligible veterans and spouses.
🔗 https://mn.gov/mdva/homes | ☎ (651) 296-2562
• Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery: Operates in Little Falls, Preston, Duluth, and Redwood Falls with full burial honors and perpetual care.
🔗 https://mn.gov/mdva/memorials | ☎ (888) 546-5838
• County Veteran Service Officers (CVSOs): Provide one-on-one support across all counties to help navigate state and federal benefits.
🔗 https://www.macvso.org
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🧠 Factoid: Minnesota was one of the first states to launch a dedicated Office of Military Transition Assistance, linking National Guard members directly to higher education, employment pipelines, and housing stability.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This is NOT an official handout from DoD, VA, DOL, or FFSC. It was created by Dr. Tony Astro as part of his capstone counseling and veteran education outreach. For corrections and updates, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tonyastro