North Carolina Veteran Benefits
State-level benefits North Carolina gives its veterans, retirees, and military families. Federal benefits aren't listed here — see Browse by Category for the federal side.
15 benefits
Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License for Disabled
NC veterans with a 50% or higher service-connected disability rating can purchase a lifetime hunting and fishing license at a significantly reduced rate, as low as $14 for a basic…Veteran
State source
NC Scholarship for Children of Wartime
Children of NC veterans who were killed in action, died from a service-connected condition, were 100% disabled, were prisoners of war, or were MIA may receive a full scholarship…Dependent
State source
NCWorks Apprenticeships
Veterans participating in registered apprenticeships through the NCWorks system can continue collecting GI Bill education benefits at the same time as they are earning a paycheck from their employer.Veteran
State source
NC National Guard Tuition Assistance Program
Active drilling members of the NC Army or Air National Guard can get tuition reimbursed at NC-based schools, up to 100% of tuition and fees at community colleges and NC Promise…up to 100%
Active DutyVeteran
State source
NC State Veterans Homes
North Carolina operates five full-service state veterans homes (Black Mountain, Fayetteville, Kinston, Kernersville, and Salisbury) offering skilled nursing care, physical…Veteran
State source
NC Home Advantage Mortgage
Military veterans who qualify for the NC Home Advantage Mortgage can receive down payment assistance of up to 3% of the loan amount, structured as a 0% deferred second mortgage forgiven over 15 years.up to 3%
Veteran
Editorial
NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment
Military veterans who qualify for the NC Home Advantage Mortgage can receive $15,000 in down payment assistance through this program, more than the standard 3% option.Veteran
Editorial
Disabled Veteran Homestead Property Tax Exemption
Honorably discharged North Carolina veterans rated 100% permanently and totally disabled by the VA, or those receiving specially adapted housing benefits, can exclude the first…Veteran
State source
Free Legal Services
Legal Aid of North Carolina's Veterans Law Project provides free civil legal services to homeless veterans and veterans at risk of homelessness across the state.free
Veteran
State source
NC State Retirement Credit for Military Service
State employees and teachers participating in the NC Local Government Employees Retirement System (LGERS) who left to serve in the Armed Forces and returned to NC government…free
Veteran
Federal .gov
Hunting and Fishing Licenses
Most U.S.free for severely disabled vets
VeteranActive DutyRetiree
State source
NC State Veterans Cemeteries
North Carolina provides free burial for eligible veterans at four state veterans cemeteries located in Black Mountain, Jacksonville, Goldsboro, and Spring Lake (Fort Bragg area).free
VeteranDependent
State source
Veteran Designation on NC Driver License
NC veterans can voluntarily add a "VETERAN" designation to their North Carolina driver license or state ID card at no charge when ordering or renewing.free
Veteran
Federal .gov
Military/Veteran Specialty License Plates
NC veterans can choose from over 30 military and veteran specialty license plates, including Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Silver Star, Disabled Veteran, Ex-POW, and era-specific plates (Vietnam, Korea, WWII, etc.free
Veteran
Federal .gov
North Carolina
North Carolina Session Law 2025-72 (Senate Bill 118), signed July 9, 2025 and effective July 1, 2025, sets a reduced concealed handgun permit fee for anyone honorably discharged…Veteran
Federal .gov