Maryland Veteran Benefits

Maryland colleges and universities that are partners in education with the Maryland National Guard offer a tuition waiver for undergraduate or graduate courses to Maryland National Guard Service members.

STAR reimburses Maryland National Guard Service members up to 50% tuition and related fees at Maryland colleges and universities that are partners in education with the Maryland National Guard .

VAIC provides educational financial assistance to U.S. Armed Forces service members and Veterans who served in the wars in Afghanistan or Iraq and their eligible family members.

Maryland County Boards of Education will award high school diplomas to World War II and Korean War Veterans who left high school before graduation to enter the U. S. Armed Forces. For more information applicants should contact their local board of education. Maryland Board of Education Directory

The Maryland Department of Labor, Division of UI provides temporary financial assistance for workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own. UI is a partial, short-term replacement of lost wages while workers are seeking other work and is not intended to be a permanent source of income.

Maryland National Guard Service members are eligible for compensation through Maryland Workers' Compensation Laws for injury, illness, disability or death that occurs while conducting authorized training or serving on state active duty.

The Maryland Veterans Trust Fund offers a one-time grant to Veterans surviving spouses of Veterans who are experiencing a temporary financial issue. Trust fund grants are commonly used for assistance with rent, mortgage, utilities and vehicle financing or insurance.

Maryland offers a death benefit of up to $125,000 to the beneficiaries of any resident service member who is killed in action or as a direct result of a wound suffered in action in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Service members serving in the Maryland National Guard are exempt from state jury service that would unreasonably interfere with the performance of their military duties.

Maryland exempts from property tax the dwelling (principal residence) of a Veteran the VA has determined is 100% service-connected permanently and totally disabled; it may also be granted where the VA finds the Veteran permanently unemployable at less than 100%. The exemption passes to a surviving spouse and may extend to the surviving spouse of an active-duty member who died in the line of duty, or a spouse receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation.

Maryland lets Veterans subtract military retirement income before determining Maryland tax: up to $12,500 for those under age 55, and up to $20,000 for those at least age 55 on the last day of the tax year. Claimed on Maryland Form 502.

Maryland residents who are Purple Heart recipients are eligible to purchase Maryland hunting and fishing licenses for half price.

Nonresident active duty service members serving in the U.S. Armed Forces who are stationed in Maryland are charged resident prices when purchasing hunting licenses.

Maryland resident service members and nonresident service members who are stationed in Maryland and on leave are not required to purchase a Maryland fishing or hunting license (includes hunting license, deer stamps and Managed Hunt Permit).

Service members serving in the Maryland National Guard and all active duty service members receive a waiver of day-use charges at Maryland State Parks. Service members must show their military ID when entering the park to be eligible. This waiver is only offered to the service member.

The Conroy and the Cryor Memorial Scholarship Programs will award tuition and other educational expenses to eligible Veterans and their Family members who are attending a public institution of higher education within the University System of Maryland (cannot be used at University of Maryland Global

Maryland state employees who are serving in a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces are authorized 15 days of paid military leave for military training or active duty service.

Maryland full time state employees who are serving in a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces will receive the difference between their military base pay and their state salary when they are ordered to active duty service.

Maryland offers Veteran's credit (preference) when hiring for state employment.

Certain disabled Veterans may be eligible to be hired for state employment without a competitive selection process. Veterans must be qualified for the position and able to perform the duties of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of spouses, surviving spouses, or mothers of Veterans. Both a mother and a spouse (including surviving spouse) may be entitled to preference based on the same Veteran's service if they both meet the requirements.

Health and pension plan coverage for service members is provided for by USERRA. Individuals performing military duty of more than 30 days may elect to continue employer sponsored health care for up to 24 months; however, they may be required to pay up to 102% of the full premium.

The Maryland VCC offers jobs for Veterans focused on conservation service work on public lands. VCC utilizes a Veterans' unique background, diverse job skills and service ethic to address pressing conservation needs on public lands.

Service members serving in a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces receive four months of military credit for each full year of National Guard or U.S. Armed Forces Reserve service (at least 50 inactive duty points), up to a maximum of 36 months of military credit.

The Maryland Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing helps Veterans and service members, their spouses and surviving spouses receive special benefits when applying for professional licenses.

Maryland's American Job Centers help service members who are leaving the U.S. Armed Forces, Veterans and their spouses transition to a rewarding career by offering employment, training and placement services.

The Maryland Hilton Honors Military Program helps make the career transition from service in the U.S. Armed Forces to civilian employment easier for current and former service members. The Hilton Honors Military Program provides hotel accommodation for required employment related travel.

The VA provides valuable life insurance benefits to Veterans, active and reserve component service members and their families to provide financial security given the extraordinary risks involved in military Service. The VA provides the following life insurance benefit programs:

The Charlotte Hall Veterans Home in St. Mary's County offers an assisted living program, a skilled nursing program and memory care in secure units to provide a continuum of care for Veterans and their eligible spouses.

The Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families has five state cemeteries located throughout the state that offer Veterans and their eligible dependents a dignified final resting place.

The VA National Cemetery Administration maintains four national cemeteries in Maryland. Please see the local location listing for the nearest cemetery.

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) offers a 'Veteran' designation on a driver's license or ID cards for qualifying Veterans. The designation indicates they are eligible for state Veterans benefits.

Maryland resident service members who are stationed outside of Maryland receive a waiver of state inspection requirements when registering a used vehicle.

Army Achievement Medal recipients are eligible for the Maryland Army Achievement Medal license plate. Applicants must submit official documentation as proof they were awarded the Army Achievement Medal, a completed application and $25 fee.

The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) offers a waiver of the CDL skills test requirements for eligible Veterans and service members based on their military training and experience.

The Maryland VSS Program was established to improve coordination of services for the military connected community in Maryland who are state government employees.

No fee will be charged for copies of documents needed by service members, Veterans or their survivors when applying for federal benefits.

Maryland National Guard Service members are allowed free passage through toll gates on roads, bridges, and ferries while traveling to or returning from their place of duty.

The Maryland National Guard Honor Guard provides Military Funeral Honors to Veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and received a discharge other than dishonorable.

Metrobus, Metrorail and participating transit agencies offer discounted fares for disabled Veterans. Eligible Veterans receive the following discounts:

Maryland's Commitment to Veterans program is committed to helping service members, Veterans and their families living in Maryland by providing access to mental health and substance use services.

The VA has numerous resources and locations throughout the state available to assist Veterans and family members. To find a VA location in Maryland enter Maryland in the location field and choose the facility type you are searching for from the drop down menu at the "Learn more…" link below.