Oklahoma Veteran Benefits

Oklahoma colleges, universities and technology centers will award academic credit to Veterans who received an honorable discharge within three years prior to enrollment for any applicable education, training and experience received through the military that pertains to their area of study.

Oklahoma's Heroes Promise college scholarship will help pay tuition at an Oklahoma public college or university for the children of resident service members who were killed in the line of duty while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Oklahoma offers high school diplomas to resident Veterans who left high school before graduation to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II, Korea, or Vietnam.

VEP offers training in entrepreneurship and small business management to service members who were disabled while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces or demonstrated exemplary military service.

Oklahoma resident Veterans, or the child of a resident service member who is declared missing in action or a prisoner of war can receive a tuition waiver at any state-supported technology center school (not available at Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology-Okmulgee).

Oklahoma CareerTech, career and technology schoolshave provided a website with information that may be useful to service members who are separating from the U.S. Armed Forces.

Oklahoma's Employment Security Commission administers the UI program, that provides temporary financial assistance for workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own.

Veterans with a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability rating (or receiving compensation at the 100% rate) from the VA are exempt from Oklahoma motor vehicle excise tax; the exemption may be claimed on one vehicle in a consecutive three-year period.

Oklahoma National Guard Service members who are injured or become ill in the line of duty during training or active service, will receive hospitalization, medical treatment and pay and allowances for their pay grade while they are unable to return to their civilian occupation.

Oklahoma exempts the full fair cash value of the homestead of a Veteran who has a 100% permanent service-connected disability rating (or is rated 100% due to individual unemployability) from the VA; the exemption extends to the surviving spouse. Veterans apply with OTC Form 998 at their county assessor and register in the Oklahoma Veterans Registry.

Veterans with a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability rating, and their surviving spouses, are exempt from Oklahoma sales tax up to an annual limit. Applicants must first register in the Oklahoma Veterans Registry and may apply through OkTAP.

Oklahoma offers free hunting and fishing permits for resident Veterans who have a 60% or more service-connected disability rating from the VA. In addition, Veterans with a 60% or more disability are exempt from Wildlife Land Stamp requirements.

Oklahoma resident disabled Veterans may purchase a lifetime combination hunting/fishing license. The cost of the lifetime combination licenses depends on their VA disability percentage.

Veterans who receive disability compensation from the VA at the 100% rate are exempt from fees for the following licenses:

Nonresident active duty service members serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, their spouse and dependents assigned to a military installation in Oklahoma can purchase hunting and fishing licenses for resident prices.

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's Stars and Stripes License Project is a donor-funded project that offers free hunting and fishing licenses to Veterans and survivors of Veterans who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

State employees who are service members serving in a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible for 30 days of paid military leave per federal fiscal year when they are ordered to active or inactive duty. Employees are authorized military leave without loss of status or seniority.

The spouses of active duty service members who are assigned to a military installation in Oklahoma and hold a valid professional license or certification from another state can receive expedited processing for an Oklahoma professional license or certification.

The Oklahoma Office of Veterans Assistance provides interviews for eligible Veterans for matched state executive branch positions that utilize the Office of Veterans Placement.

Private-sector employers in Oklahoma are authorized to have a Veterans employment preference policy for honorably discharged Veterans. The preference policy must meet the following requirements:

The OSEC has dedicated staff who help Veterans and eligible spouses seeking employment. Veterans and spouses can receive reemployment services from trained Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program Specialists (DVOP) and Local Veteran Employment Representatives (LVER).

OKStep combines several programs to help Veterans to shift from service in the U.S. Armed Forces to civilian life.

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.

ECP builds relationships with Oklahoma employers to develop employment opportunities for Oklahoma National Guard Service members, Veterans and family members.

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:

TRICARE Reserve Select is a premium-based plan, available worldwide for Selected Reserve, (U.S. Armed Forces Reserve and National Guard service members) and their families who meet the following qualifications:

The Seaman First Class Billy Turner Veterans Cemetery is Oklahoma's first Veterans cemetery located in Ardmore Oklahoma and provides a dignified final resting place for Veterans, their spouse and dependent children.

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

Oklahoma offers a "Veteran" identifier for driver licenses and ID cards for eligible Veterans. Who is eligible for the "Veteran" Identifier on Oklahoma Driver Licenses and ID Cards? To be eligible for the Veteran Identifier Veterans must have received an Honorable or General (Under Honorable Conditi

The Oklahoma driver license of a resident service member serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and their dependents who are stationed outside of Oklahoma remains valid until 60 days after their return to Oklahoma. Service Oklahoma Military and Veterans Information

Oklahoma offers Gold Star license plates to immediate family members of a service member who was killed while serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces or an honorably discharged Veteran who died due to service-connected injury, illness or disease.

Oklahoma will award the Oklahoma Cross of Valor to any Veteran who was declared a prisoner of war during any officially recognized war or conflict. Who is eligible for the Oklahoma Cross of Valor? The Oklahoma Cross of Valor may be awarded to Veterans who meet the following requirements:

The Oklahoma WVP's mission is to ensure that women Veterans in Oklahoma have equitable access to federal and state Veterans' benefits and services. For more information, please call 405-523-4020, or email [email protected] .

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