Arkansas Veteran Benefits

If you live in Arkansas, you can access a variety of state veteran benefits that can improve your life. From state veterans homes and VA loans to employment assistance and tuition benefits, there are programs for your situation and needs.

Veteran Home Loans

Owning a home in the Natural State could be your perfect housing solution. Even if you're only temporarily stationed at one of the state's three Army bases or the lone Air Force base, buying a house could give you greater freedom with your living situation. It's even possible to find a home near your duty station so you still have convenient access to where you work.


If you're thinking about buying a home in Arkansas, you should consider using a VA loan. The VA's loan program is actually backed by the VA through a guarantee. Basically, if you were to default on the loan, the VA has guaranteed that they'd back your lender a portion of the loan.

Thanks to this guarantee, VA loans come with a variety of features that make them one of the best loan options out there. These features include:

  • Lower average interest rates compared to other home loans
  • Ability to get a loan, even with a low credit score
  • No need to make or save for a downpayment
  • Lower monthly payments thanks to no private mortgage insurance (PMI)

Each lender has their own set of guidelines they use to determine your rate, total loan amount, and closing costs. In order to make sure you get the best deal, you should get multiple quotes from different lenders, including Low VA Rates. That way you can compare the offers and choose the best one.

Arkansas Residents Save

$143/mth

Savings based on 2015 active loan data

17Lunches

*Based on an average lunch price of $8.08

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Veteran Housing Benefits

Arkansas State Veterans Homes

There are two state veterans homes in Arkansas: one in Fayetteville and one in Little Rock. Veterans looking to live in one of these homes will need to have an honorable discharge as well as a medical issue that qualifies for nursing home care. While residents of Arkansas get first priority, non-residents can still qualify as space allows.

Both homes also accept spouses and Gold Star parents, as long as they meet all eligibility requirements and there is space available.

While living at a state veterans home, residents receive a variety of services, which include:

  • Around-the-clock medical staff
  • Hospice
  • Organized activities
  • Transportation

And much more! If you or a veteran you know could use these services, you can inquire for admission by filling out the online form for the Fayetteville home or the Little Rock home.

Once your home of choice sends you their Application for Admission, you will need to fill that out before your interview with one of the home's registered nurses. Then, after your interview, everything will be reviewed by the Board of Admissions before a decision is made.

Homestead & Personal Property Tax Exemption

If you are a disabled veteran, you could qualify for an exemption of state taxes on your homestead and personal property. In order to qualify, you must receive monthly payments from the VA for one of the following conditions:

  • You cannot use (or do not have) one or more of your limbs
  • Total blindness is one or both of your eyes
  • 100% permanent disability caused by your service

This benefit can even be extended to your surviving spouse and dependent children after your death. In addition, the law also allows surviving spouses and dependents to qualify for the exemption in a few other situations.

Resources for Homeless Veterans

While Arkansas doesn't have any state-run programs for homeless veterans, they have made great strides in reducing the number of homeless veterans. In fact, just recently the VA declared that Little Rock has effectively ended veteran homelessness in the community.

Despite this stride forward, Arkansas recognizes the need to keep improving. Though there are not currently any state-run programs for homeless veterans, there are a variety of resources you can use if you are currently homeless or are in danger of becominging homeless, including:

Veteran Education & Employment Benefits

Education Benefits

Making sure veterans have the education they need is an important part of Arkansas's services. If you want to pursue an education here, you and your family have a couple of options you can use.

State Approving Agency

All of the education benefits and programs for veterans in Arkansas are managed by the state approving agency (SAA). These programs include job training opportunities as well as more formal education services and are available at at a variety of locations, including:

  • On-the-job training programs
  • Apprenticeships
  • Public & private universities
  • Technical & vocational schools

As part of the approval process, Arkansas's SAA reviews a variety of factors for each program or institution to make sure it is up to standard. This ensures that you are using your veteran benefits for a quality education.

To find out what programs and schools are currently approved, you can visit the VA's Web Enabled Approval Management System (WEAMS). Click on Arkansas on the map or using the postal code link below it. Then select the institution(s) you're most interested in to find more about their programs.

High School Diplomas for Veterans

Veterans of World War II, as well as those who served in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, can apply to receive their high school diploma if they left high school to go into active duty service. In order to receive your diploma, you must meet the following conditions:

  • Have an honorable discharge
  • Be a resident of Arkansas
  • Served at least 18 consecutive months during WWII (9/16/40–12/31/46), the Korean War (6/1/50–1/1/54), or the Vietnam War (7/3/65–5/15-75)

If you were discharged before 18 months of service due to a service-connected disability, you do not need to meet the 18 month service requirement.

In order to start the process of getting your diploma, you should contact the Arkansas Department of Education or the current superintendent of the school district you attended.

In-State Tuition Benefits

Veterans, servicemembers, and their families can receive in-state tuition benefits in Arkansas, even if they are not actually residents. However, these benefits only apply at state-supported schools, and they must be used for higher education.

This benefit is available to both current servicemembers in the Armed Forces as well as veterans who have left service. However, if you are no longer serving, you must enroll with a program within 3 years of your discharge or release.

All military applicants, whether separated or still actively serving, must have at least 90 days of active duty service in order to qualify. If a military parent meets these conditions, then their dependents can also qualify for in-state tuition.

Others who may also qualify for this in-state tuition benefit include the spouse of a Armed Forces member and cadets in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps who has a executed contract with the US Armed Forces.

Free Tuition for Dependents

The Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) offers a scholarship program for the dependents of servicemembers and veterans. This scholarship, called the Military Dependents Scholarship Program (MDS), can help the recipient afford higher education.

The scholarship must be used towards a certificate of completion or bachelor's degree at one of Arkansas's public universities, technical schools, or colleges.

In order to qualify, the dependent's veteran spouse or parent must be a resident of Arkansas and either be a prisoner of war (POW), missing in action (MIA), 100% permanently disabled from their military service, or killed in action or on ordnance delivery.

In addition, the applicant must also meet the following eligibility conditions:

  • Be a resident of Arkansas
  • Have US citizenship or permanent resident alien status
  • Be the spouse or biological or adopted child of a qualified veteran
  • Have been accepted to, or is currently enrolled in, an approved school

The applicant must also provide documentation of their eligibility to the ADHE.

Military Scholarships to Arkansas Schools

Some of the universities and colleges in Arkansas also offer their own internal military scholarships. These include:

This is not a comprehensive list as other schools in Arkansas may also have their own veteran scholarship programs. To learn more, you can usually contact your school's Financial Aid or Scholarship office, or their veterans center, if they have one.

Employment Benefits

Arkansas offers a variety of benefits to veterans transitioning into civilian employment. These include additional services, specialized assistance, employment preferences, and more.

Local Veterans Employment Representatives

The Arkansas Department of Workforce Services (ADWS) offers local veterans employment representatives (LVERs) to help veterans and advocate for their employment with businesses and potential employers.

Some of their other services include:

  • Seminars for employers about hiring veterans
  • Job search workshops for veterans
  • Training and placement services for veterans
  • Priority job services for veterans

To connect with an LVER in your area, you'll want to contact or visit the Arkansas Workforce Center closest to you.

Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP)

In addition to LVERs, ADWS also offers additional specialized assistance to disabled veterans through their Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP). This program focuses disabled veterans who face the greatest disadvantages, including those who are homeless, lacking education, or who have other employment barriers.

DVOP specialists actively reach out to to qualified veterans to help them get involved in the program by visiting various sites where they are known to be found.

Once in the program, veterans are given vocational guidance, as well as other services that are relevant to their situation and employment needs. DVOP specialists use a case management strategy when offering these services.

Veteran Hiring Preference

Veterans applying for government jobs in Arkansas, as well as some positions at state-funded schools, can be granted hiring preference. This preferences works by adding points to your score if a the position requires a test or evaluation of some kind.

In order to qualify for the preference points, you must:

  • Receive a passing score
  • Be a veteran, disabled veteran, or spouse of a qualified veteran
  • Resident of Arkansas
  • Are otherwise qualified for the position

Members of the Arkansas National Guard or Reserves can also qualify, though they must have served honorably for a minimum of 6 years.

How many points you will receive depends on your disability status. Non-disabled veterans receive a 5-point preference while disabled veterans and the spouses of disabled veterans receive 10.

Additionally, in situations where a veteran's adjusted score is equal to a non-veteran's score, priority is given first to disabled veterans, then non-disabled veterans, and finally non-veteran applicants.

Reduction in Force Benefits

When you leave for military service, Arkansas state law protects your employment when you return to your government or qualified education job. The director of your agency or department is allowed to let other employees go so you can return to your position. In addition, your time serving counted towards your seniority, as if you had never left the position.

A similar set of benefits is also granted to members of reserve components.

Other Veteran Benefits

Arkansas State Veterans' Cemeteries

Members and veterans of the Armed Forces, National Guard and Reserve members, and the spouses and dependents of qualified servicemembers can all be buried at one of Arkansas's state veterans cemeteries. Burial for servicemembers is free, while qualified spouses and dependents cost $300.

Each of these groups has their own set of eligibility requirements, which are covered in depth on the link provided. If you meet the eligibility requirements for your group, you can which of the two state cemeteries you'd like to be buried in:

  1. The State Veterans Cemetery at Birdeye
  2. The State Veterans Cemetery at North Little Rock

Lifetime Hunting & Fishing Licenses for Disabled Veterans

Disabled veterans have three options to purchase lifetime hunting or fishing licenses in Arkansas for a discounted rate:

  1. $1.50 for the Resident Disabled Military Veteran Lifetime Hunting License
  2. $1.50 for the Resident Disabled Military Veteran Lifetime Fishing License
  3. $3.00 for the Resident Disabled Military Veteran Lifetime Combination License

In order to qualify for these licenses, a veteran must have proof that they've been a resident of Arkansas for at least 60 days, and they must also provide certification from the VA that they have a permanent, 100% VA-rated disability.

To apply for any of these licenses, you can print the application form and mail it, along with your disability certification letter and proof of residency, to the Arkansas Fish & Game Commission. This address is available at the bottom of the form.

You may also use this form to purchase discounted lifetime privileges to hunt waterfowl or fish for trout, if you'd like, as these are not covered by the above licenses.

Discounted Lifetime Hunting & Fishing Licenses for Military Retirees

Retired members of the military can also receive lifetime hunting and fishing licenses at a discount, though it is a little more expensive than the cost for disabled military members. The license options include:

  1. $25.00 for the Resident Military Retiree Lifetime Hunting License
  2. $10.50 for the Resident Military Retiree Lifetime Fishing License
  3. $35.50 for the Resident Military Retiree Lifetime Combination License

In order to qualify for one of these licenses, you must be able to provide proof that you've been an Arkansas resident for at least 60 days, and that you are at least 60 years old or older. You must also be retired from the military and able to submit a copy of your Uniformed Services ID card as proof.

To apply for any of these licenses, you should fill out and mail in the online application form. When you mail it in, make sure to include the necessary documents that prove your eligibility. If needed, you can also use this form to purchase discounted lifetime waterfowl and trout privileges.

Active Duty Hunting & Fishing Licenses

Active duty members of the military who were Arkansas residents when they entered joined, and who are still Arkansas residents, can get free hunting and fishing licenses, regardless of where they are stationed.

Additionally, this benefit may also apply to members of the Arkansas National Guard, but only if they have been mobilized.

Finally, active duty servicemembers who are currently stationed in Arkansas, but are not technically Arkansas residents, can qualify for the resident rate for hunting and fishing licensing purposes.

Discounted Camping in Arkansas State Parks

Veterans with a 100% disability can camp in Arkansas's state parks for half price. In order to qualify for the discount, you must also be an Arkansas resident. It's also required that you provide proof of your disability in one of the following ways:

  • A copy of your disability awards letter from the VA from within the last 2 years
  • An Arkansas license plate that begins with the letters "DAV" or "DV"
  • An America the Beautiful Access Pass

Because they do not state "permanent and total disability" or "100% disabled, please be aware that social security documents and other types of disability license plates or placards cannot be accepted.

Income Tax Exemptions

Veterans in Arkansas may be able to get an exemption on some of their income taxes. For starters, as of January 1, 2018, military retirement pay is exempt from state income taxes.

Another type of income tax exemption that can benefit veterans is Arkansas's income tax exemption for service pay and allowances.

Tax Exemption on Vehicle Purchases

Veterans who have been blinded because of their military service are exempt from paying Arkansas's gross receipts tax on any new passenger vehicle they buy.

However, there are some limitations to this exemption:

  • It cannot be used for trucks with a gross load that is greater than 1500 pounds
  • It can only be used a new vehicle sale once every two years

If you meet the service disability conditions of this exemption, you must also provide appropriate documentation. This documentation requires a letter from the VA that certifies the following:

  • You are a veteran of US Armed Forces
  • You are blind
  • Your blindness was caused by a service connected injury

This letter will need to be submitted to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration.

License Plates

The state of Arkansas over over 20 different types of specialty license plates for veterans. Some of these plates come with special privileges and benefits, if you can submit the requested proof of your qualifications.

The cost for each type of license plate varies. However, if you click on the name of the license plate type you're interested in, all details should be provided, including where to go to purchase the plate and what documentation is required.

Veteran Benefits Assistance

The Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) considers themselves "ADVAcates" for veterans in the state. They do this by employing Veteran Service Officers (VSOs) that help veterans obtain their state and federal benefits.

To get assistance, you can contact your nearest district office to schedule a meeting with a VSO, or you can use the "Find your ADVAcate" search function at the top of the ADVA website.

Women Veterans

Female veterans living in Arkansas have additional resources they can use to help with the unique issues they face. These include the:

In addition, Arkansas's Assistant Director of Veterans Services, Gina Chandler, is an active member of, and leader in, the National Association of State Women Veterans Coordinators. If you have specific concerns, you may be able to reach out to her for assistance.

About Low VA Rates

Low VA Rates has been a leader in the VA loan businesses since we were founded. By offering veterans competitive VA loans in Arkansas, we can help you afford homeownership. When other lenders turn you down, we're usually able and willing to work with you and help you improve your situation.

To learn more about how we can help, or to start the process of finding out what veteran loan rates we can give you in Arkansas, please feel free to give us a call at 866-569-8272. Or, if you'd prefer, you can submit some basic information online. Contacting us does not obligate you to get a loan, but it could help you on the journey towards homeownership.