Michigan Veteran Benefits

If you're a current servicemember or a veteran of the US Armed Forces living in the Great Lakes State, you could be eligible for a number of benefits, including VA loans in Michigan.

Some of the other benefits you could receive including helps with housing, education, employment, and and more! for our brave military personnel.

Veteran Home Loans

If you're stationed in the great state of Michigan with the US Army or Air Force, it might be worth it to think about buying your own house here. You could even start your home search by looking in neighborhoods near your duty station.



Veterans and servicemembers can both be eligible to use Michigan veterans loans when buying a primary residence. In addition, VA loans can make homeownership a reality sooner than you might expect. That's because they have some great advantages, including:

  • No required down payment
  • Comparatively low interest rates
  • A simple qualification process
  • No need for a great credit score
  • No private mortgage insurance (PMI) requirement

If you'd love to own a home here, VA loans in Michigan are a great benefit you should consider. >Private lenders are actually the ones who issue VA loans, so you should contact a few, like Low VA Rates, who are experienced. That way you can get different quotes and compare the rates and terms of each offer.

Michigan Residents Save

$119/mth

Savings based on 2015 active loan data

14Lunches

*Based on an average lunch price of $8.08

Pre-Qualify Now

If you want to get the best veteran loan rates in Michigan, you will need to get quotes from a few different lenders. Each lender sets their own terms and rates, so getting multiple options will allow you to compare and make sure you're getting the right deal for your situation. It can end up saving you tens of thousands of dollars over the life of your loan.

One lender you should definitely get a quote from is our team at Low VA Rates. We've worked with veterans and military personnel for many years, and our loan officers have the experience to help you with Michigan veteran loans.

Veteran Housing Benefits

Michigan Veterans Homes

Michigan offers two veterans homes: the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans and the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. The homes offer services, such as:

  • Skilled nursing care
  • Domiciliary care
  • Memory care
  • Physical therapy
  • Respiratory therapy
  • Speech therapy
  • Recreational, educational, social, and spiritual activities

Residents have a team of health care professionals, social workers, recreational aides, and others to help when they need. They can also take walks outdoors and go on trips to events and shopping destinations.

To be eligible to live at one of these homes, you must:

  • Be a veteran of the US Armed Forces
  • Have an honorable discharge
  • Be eligible for VA financial assistance for long-term or health care
  • Have served active duty for EITHER
    • 90 or more days OR
    • 24 months (or the whole period he or she was called to), if the enlistment was after September 7, 1980, or the active duty period started after October 16, 1981

Parents, spouses, and surviving spouses of veterans may also be admitted as residents if there's enough space and if other requirements are met.

To apply, you must fill out the application for the home you wish to live in: Grand Rapids Home for Veterans or the D.J. Jacobetti Home for Veterans. Once the application is filled out, you will need to turn it in, along with the following documents:

  • Discharge document, such as a DD-214
  • Health insurance or Medicare card
  • A physical exam report and chest x-ray from the last three months
  • Medical history records
  • Copies of the last three years of federal income taxes, if married and if taxes were filed
  • Documentation of assets and any income
  • Documentation of Irrevocable Trust, if applicable
  • Forms that show either power of attorney, guardianship, conservatorship, or patient advocate

Michigan Property Tax Exemption

You may be eligible to get a waiver of your property taxes. Besides being a Michigan resident and having an honorable discharge, you must be ONE of the following in order to qualify:

  • A veteran with a disability rating of 100% for a condition that is complete and permanent OR a veteran eligible for 100% disabled benefits
  • A veteran who has received (or is receiving) financial assistance from the VA for specially adapted housing because of his or her disability
  • Rated as unemployable by the VA
  • A surviving spouse who has not remarried and is a Michigan resident, if your veteran spouse died before receiving this tax benefit

To apply, every year you'll need to file Form 5107 and your supporting documentation with the local government office that issues your property tax. It's best if you apply in January or February of each year.

Michigan Property Tax Credit

If you're required to pay property taxes, you may be able to get a Michigan tax credit on your income taxes to help offset the property taxes.

If you're a disabled veteran or the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran, you can use form MI-1040CR-2 to apply for this tax credit. You can even apply for the credit if you don't owe any income taxes and if you qualify, you'll be sent the tax credit as a refund.

Veteran Education & Employment Benefits

Education Benefits

Many of Michigan's institutions of higher learning have departments dedicated to assisting veterans. In addition, the state also offers grants and programs to help veterans and their families afford an education. Keep reading to learn more about these specific programs.

High School Diplomas for WWII, Korean War, & Vietnam War Veterans

You may be able to get a high school diploma now if your high school education was interrupted by war. If you joined the military or were drafted to serve in World War II, Korea, or Vietnam and weren't able to finish high school because of it, you can apply to receive your high school diploma.

Or, if you're a veteran's next of kin, you can apply for this benefit for them posthumously.

To apply, you will need to fill out an application and turn it in to the school district the veteran attended. A copy of the veterans discharge papers will also need to be submitted.

Michigan's Veteran-Friendly Schools

Michigan encourages its institutions of higher learning to help veterans through the Veteran-Friendly School program. You can visit the Program's website to see a listing of participating schools.

If you scroll down, you can find the school you're interested in and click on the blue link that says "Learn more about" and the school's name. You'll then be taken to the Veteran Services area of that school's website.

Fast Track Programs

If you want to get a higher education quickly, you can look at Michigan's Fast Track Programs. These programs can help you prepare for high-demand industries and positions, including computer science, health care, and public safety. Some of the programs are designed solely for those who have military training.

You can look through the list of programs and find a field of study in which you already have experience if you want to continue in that field. For example, if you were a medic in the military, you can click on the Health Care menu and see the courses that use your medical background.

Michigan National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program

The Michigan National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program gives yearly financial assistance for Guard members' tuition and fees. You may be eligible if you're in the Michigan National Guard and enrolled at one of the following types of institutions in Michigan:

  • Private or public college or university
  • Technical or trade school
  • Vocational school

You must be working on earning your first associate's, bachelor's, or master's degree or getting technical or vocational training. You must also be active and in good standing with the Guard.

To learn more, you can call 517-481-7640 or email mingstap@michigan.gov. Or you can also sign up for an account online.

Children of Veterans Tuition Grant

The Children of Veterans Tuition Grant (CVTG) gives tuition assistance to the children of certain disabled or deceased veterans. A grant may help a student with a portion of his or her tuition for as many as four years, with six or more credit hours per semester.

There are two sets of criteria that must be met: one by the student and one by the veteran parent. For students, they must:

  • Be between the ages of 16 and 26
  • Have been a resident of Michigan for at least a year before applying for benefits
  • Be either the biological or adopted child of a Michigan veteran
  • File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  • Not be in jail or have a felony conviction that involved assault, injury, or death
  • Have a high school diploma or an equivalent
  • Maintain a satisfactory GPA and the school's other academic standards

In order to qualify, the student's veteran parent must also meet one of the following conditions:

They died in military action or for some other reason while serving during wartime

  • The VA has determined that they died or became completely and permanently disabled because of a service-related injury or sickness
  • They are completely and permanently disabled for service-related reasons and later died
  • Is MIA outside the US

If all necessary eligibility requirements have been met, eligible students can apply using the CVTG Application. They must also submit all of the necessary documentation requested at the bottom of the application.

Employment Benefits

Michigan Works! Service Centers

Michigan Works! runs local service centers where you can get help with your job search. Veteran Employment Specialists can help you:

  • Write or update your resume
  • Improve your interview skills
  • Complete evaluations of your skills and strengths

To start the process, simply visit the service center closest to you.

Certified Veteran-Friendly Employers

You can look through a list of certified veteran-friendly employers. These employers have proven their commitment to recruiting and retaining veterans. You can click on the links to their websites to see their current job openings.

Pure Michigan Talent Connect

On the Pure Michigan Talent Connect website, you can look through job opportunities, post your resume, and find hiring events. If you identify yourself as a veteran in your online profile, you'll get several veterans benefits, including being able to see job postings before non-veterans see them.

State of Michigan Job Openings

Another great way to find employment after your military service is to apply with the State of Michigan. Governmental agencies in the Great Lakes State post their job openings on the State of Michigan Job Openings website. You can browse those jobs and click on any job title in order to learn more about it and apply for it.

In addition, the Michigan Department of Transportation offers paid internships through the Wounded Veteran Internship Program and posts them on the State of Michigan Job Openings website. Internships are available for honorably discharged veterans.

Licensing & Credentialing

The State of Michigan can help you quickly earn a civilian professional license. This benefit is for veterans who have already proven their competence in certain professional fields while in the military. One way this program helps is by waiving certain licensing fees. This program can help if you're going into:

  • Healthcare, including jobs such as nursing, EMT, and dental assisting
  • Carpentry
  • Commercial driving
  • Plumbing
  • Engineering
  • Working as a mechanic

You can search through the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs website for the type of profession or field you're interested in. Click on the appropriate link to see how to apply for benefits.

Other Veteran Benefits

Michigan helps veterans through state park access, emergency financial assistance, veterans treatment courts, specialty license plates, and more.

Michigan Veterans Trust Fund

The Michigan Veterans Trust Fund (MVTF) can give you financial assistance for short-term emergencies. In addition to being a Michigan resident and having an honorable discharge from the military, you must also meet ONE of the following service-length requirements:

  • 180 days of active duty experience from wartime (or 90 days from World War II)
  • 180 days of active duty from an action that earned an Expeditionary Medal
  • Less than 180 days because of a service-related disability

You can apply by clicking on your county in this map of Michigan and contacting a Veterans Service Officer (VSO). You can also complete and submit an Emergency Assistance Form to get started.

If you're a dependent of a veteran, you may be able to apply on that veteran's behalf.

Veteran Driver's License Designation

Would you like a simple way to show businesses that you're a veteran? You can choose to get a veteran designation on your Michigan driver's license or identification card. You may be eligible if you're a US veteran and have a discharge of honorable or under honorable conditions.

You may also qualify if you're still a member of the Guard or Reserves and have a DD-214 with a discharge of honorable or under honorable conditions.

Getting the veteran designation will be free for you if you request it when your license or ID is up for renewal or when you first apply for one.

Vehicle Registration Fee Exemption

You may be able to have your passenger motor vehicle registered in Michigan for free (with a small administrative fee). This registration fee exemption is available when you first receive a license plate that designates you as either a:

  • Disabled Veteran
  • Ex-POW

You can contact the office for Michigan's Secretary of State to get more details.

Veteran License Plates

If you want a Michigan veteran or military service license plate for your passenger motor vehicle, you can purchase one for a small fee.

A full list of the different military license plate options are available online. To learn more about each plate, simply click on the image of the plate you're interested in.

When you're ready to apply for a special license plate, simply mail or drop off the completed application to the Michigan Department of State. Just make sure you include the other requested documents, including a copy of your DD-214 or a Certificate of Release.

Free Michigan State Park Access

You may be able to get free access to over 100 Michigan state parks and recreation areas, outdoor events, staffed public boat launches, and more.

These areas and events normally require a Michigan Recreation Passport to enter with a vehicle. However, a Recreation Passport is not required if you have one of these types of license plates:

  • Ex-POW
  • Disabled Veteran
  • Medal of Honor
  • Congressional Medal of Honor

Combination Hunting & Fishing Licenses

If you're a disabled Michigan veteran, you can get a combination hunting and fishing license for free. To be eligible, you have to be rated by the VA as either:

  • Completely and permanently disabled
  • Unemployable

When you apply for the license through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, you'll need to show documentation of your disability rating. You should also carry that documentation with your license when you hunt or fish.

Legal Assistance for Veterans

If you need legal help, certain two law schools in Michigan provide free or low-cost legal services for veterans at legal clinics. Both Wayne State University and the University of Michigan offer programs. To learn more, simply click the provided link for each program.

Veteran Treatment Courts

A Veteran Treatment Court (VTC) is a combination of a regular court and a mental health and drug court. Michigan's district and circuit courts can use VTCs to help veterans get treatment for addiction and mental health problems. Treatment may replace their incarceration, especially for non-violent offenders.

Benefits for Incarcerated Veterans

If you're a veteran and you get incarcerated, you can request to meet with a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) a year before you expect to be paroled. Your VSO can prepare your claims for benefits before you're released and get them through the system quickly as soon as you get out.

Veteran Benefits Assistance

The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) supports and advocates for veterans, military personnel, and their families. The MVAA coordinates benefits and services from many other agencies and programs to help veterans get the benefits they need.

MVAA employs Veterans Services Officers (VSOs) to help you apply for your benefits, along with other services. To contact a VSO in your county, simply click your country on this map of Michigan. Contact information for a VSO near you should then display.

About Low VA Rates

If you need help with VA loans in Michigan, please consider contacting Low VA Rates. Ever since we were founded, we've focused on helping veterans and military personnel just like you. We can put our experience with Michigan veteran loans to work on your behalf.

We'll pair you with a professional and understanding loan officer who can help you get the a competitive veteran loan rate in Michigan. To get started, you can call us toll-free at 866-569-8272 or complete a simple online application.