Montana veteran benefits
Veteran Compass lists 27 Montana programs for veterans and their families. Each one links to the official government page, because rules, amounts and deadlines change. This is a guide to what is worth looking into, not a decision about whether you qualify. Federal VA benefits, such as health care, disability compensation and the GI Bill, also apply in Montana; see the full directory or use the Benefit Finder.
Burial
Montana State Veterans Cemeteries
State veterans cemeteries at Fort Harrison, Miles City and Missoula, described as low-cost for burial with free options for cremated remains.
Who it may help: Eligible veterans and their spouses and dependents; the page does not list criteria, so confirm eligibility and costs with the Montana Veterans Affairs Division. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Education
Honorably Discharged Veteran Tuition Waiver (Montana University System)
A last-dollar tuition waiver at Montana University System campuses for eligible honorably discharged veterans. Fees are not waived.
Who it may help: Honorably discharged veterans who are Montana residents for fee and tuition purposes. It does not apply to those currently receiving education stipends or federal veterans' education benefits, but may apply once those are exhausted. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Montana Purple Heart Scholarship
A scholarship from the Montana Veteran Affairs Division for Purple Heart recipients studying at Montana state schools.
Who it may help: Purple Heart recipient verified by DD-214, Montana resident, completed a full academic year at a Montana state university or state vocational-technical school, minimum GPA stated on the page, and re-enrolled. The page lists no deadline. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Montana National Guard Tuition Waiver
Last-dollar help with in-state tuition at Montana University System campuses for members of the Montana Army or Air National Guard. It covers the tuition balance left after other grants and scholarships.
Who it may help: Undergraduate or graduate student who is a Montana Guard member in good standing, with a remaining tuition balance after other aid. Apply and show Guard membership by the third week of the first semester, and keep satisfactory academic progress. The page says flat-fee courses are not covered. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Montana State Approving Agency for GI Bill Programs
The state agency that reviews and approves education and training programs so eligible veterans and beneficiaries can use their VA education benefits there. It also oversees approved programs through technical assistance, compliance surveys and re-approvals.
Who it may help: Veterans and beneficiaries using VA education benefits must use a program the agency has approved and the VA has accepted. Schools and employers apply to the agency for approval. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Employment
Montana Veteran Employment Services (Job Service)
Job Service Montana offers job search help, veteran outreach specialists, apprenticeship information and licensing help, with priority of service for veterans.
Who it may help: Transitioning service members, veterans and eligible spouses; priority of service rules are listed on the page. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Veterans' Employment Preference in Montana Public Hiring
Montana state government gives hiring preference to qualifying veterans, disabled veterans and certain relatives such as some spouses, surviving spouses and mothers of veterans.
Who it may help: U.S. citizen who separated under honorable conditions and falls into one of the veteran or relative categories on the page. Preference is requested voluntarily and documentation, such as a DD-214 or VA service-connected disability letter, must be submitted by the position's closing date unless the agency sets another date. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Military CDL Skills Test Waiver
A qualified service member can apply for a Montana commercial driver license without skills testing under the Military CDL Even Exchange described by the Motor Vehicle Division.
Who it may help: The service member's commanding officer decides whether the person qualifies, typically certifying this before discharge. Additional requirements may apply; confirm with the Motor Vehicle Division. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Family
War Orphans Tuition Waiver (Montana University System)
Undergraduate tuition waiver for children of certain service members who died from combat-related causes.
Who it may help: Child age 25 or under of a service member who served in a listed conflict, was a Montana resident at entry, and was killed in action or died of a combat-related injury or disease. Apply by the date on the page; it cannot be combined with other tuition waivers. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Montana Military Family Relief Fund
Grants to families of Montana National Guard and Reserve members on federal contingency operation duty, to help with costs such as housing and food.
Who it may help: Family of a Montana resident in the Guard or Reserve who met the active-duty length and pay grade rules on the page. Casualty grants are for service members injured in combat. Grants are first-come, first-served. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Financial
Montana Disabled Veteran Property Tax Assistance
Lowers the property tax rate on the primary home of a qualifying disabled veteran or unmarried surviving spouse, with the reduction based on income and marital status.
Who it may help: Own and live in the home for the required part of the year, VA letter showing the required rating, and income under the program limits. Surviving spouses have separate documentation rules. The page states an April 15 application deadline. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Working Military Retirement and Survivor Benefit Exemption
Lets eligible Montana residents exclude part of military retirement or survivor benefit income from state taxable income for a limited number of years.
Who it may help: Montana resident receiving military retirement pay or Survivor Benefit Plan income, meeting the residency timing rules on the page. The exemption has a five-year window and is claimed with Form WMRE. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Montana Income Tax Treatment of Military Pay
Montana lets eligible service members subtract certain military pay from income on the state return, and the page explains rules for out-of-state stationing, nonresident spouses and Guard or reserve members.
Who it may help: Conditions depend on the type of military pay and residency status. Proof of military status such as orders must be filed with the return, and Montana residents must file even if all income is exempt. Not all military income can be exempted. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Healthcare
Montana Veterans Home (Columbia Falls)
State veterans home offering skilled or intermediate nursing care or domiciliary living, with spouses admitted on a space-available basis.
Who it may help: Honorably discharged veteran who qualifies for nursing care or domiciliary living. Start by contacting the Admission Coordinator listed on the page. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Southwest Montana Veterans Home (Butte)
A skilled nursing home in Butte listed on the state health department's facilities site, made up of small cottages and a community center with a therapy gym offering physical, occupational and speech therapy, including outpatient services.
Who it may help: The page does not state who may be admitted or how to apply. Contact the home at (406) 792-3100 and see the linked FAQ and daily rates information on the page. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Eastern Montana Veterans Home (Glendive)
A state-run veterans home in Glendive offering skilled and intermediate levels of care. The admissions page explains who may be admitted and how Medicare, Medicaid and the VA may help pay.
Who it may help: The admissions page says residents must be an honorably discharged veteran, and also refers to a veteran's spouse or surviving spouse. Admission considers factors such as health status, length of Montana residence and whether the home can meet the person's needs. Skilled care requires a qualifying hospital stay and physician certification of daily skilled needs. The page lists no application steps or phone number; use the contact options on the DPHHS site. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Montana Warriors Forward
A Montana health department suicide prevention page titled as a resource map for servicemembers, veterans and their families, linking to an interactive map of veteran resources statewide.
Who it may help: The page does not set eligibility rules. It links to a statewide veteran resource map, describes the national Governor's and Mayor's Challenges to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families, and lists past stakeholder meeting slide decks. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Housing
Montana Veterans' Home Loan Program
A fixed-rate 30-year first mortgage offered through the Montana Board of Housing at a rate one percentage point below its regular bond loan rate, for Montana residents who served in the Guard or armed forces.
Who it may help: Honorable service or discharge, Montana residency, true first-time homebuyer status, a completed homebuyer class, and a minimum out-of-pocket investment. No income, purchase price or asset limits are listed and condos are not allowed. Funds are limited and the page does not say whether the program is currently open, so check with a participating lender. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Legal
Montana Veteran Services Program (Claims Help)
Free help from accredited Veteran Service Officers with VA claims, appeals, survivor claims and records requests, through nine regional offices.
Who it may help: Montana veterans and their spouses and dependents; the page lists no further requirements. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Cascade County Veterans' Treatment Court
A voluntary court-supervised program in Great Falls for veterans facing criminal charges who have substance use or mental health needs. It lasts at least 16 months and includes treatment and drug testing.
Who it may help: Applicant must be 18 or older, be or have been a member of the U.S. military verified by DD-214, live in Cascade County or agree to move there, and have a substance abuse, chemical dependency or mental health diagnosis. The page also requires a guilty plea to the charged offense (except for pretrial diversion), ability to meet program requirements and being treatable in the community. Entry may be through a deferred or suspended sentence, probation, parole or sometimes pretrial diversion. Contact the VTC Coordinator at (406) 604-7602. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Missoula Veterans Treatment Court
A court-supervised treatment program for veterans with a mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorder, with weekly compliance checks and a volunteer veteran mentor. Joining is optional, but program terms become a court order once admitted.
Who it may help: Applicant needs U.S. military service, a diagnosed mental illness with a co-occurring substance use disorder that contributed to the legal situation, and a misdemeanor or nonregistrable felony charge or conviction. Anyone can refer, but the defense attorney must agree before staff discuss the program with the person. The brochure is undated, so confirm the program is current with the Court Coordinator. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Other
Veteran Designation on Montana Driver License or ID
Lets a Montana veteran have a Veteran designation added to a driver license or ID card. It recognizes service and may help show eligibility for benefits or discounts from businesses and organizations.
Who it may help: Provide one of: a certified DD-214 showing honorable discharge, a VA Healthcare Card, or a Retired Military ID. Apply at a Driver Exam Station or by mailing form 21-3000. Adding the designation is free, though normal renewal or replacement fees apply. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Recreation
Combat Disabled Veteran Discounted Hunting Licenses
Half-priced deer and antelope licenses for veterans with certain combat-connected injuries, issued in limited annual numbers.
Who it may help: Veteran with certain combat-connected injuries; the page does not define which injuries qualify. Use the Combat Disabled Application linked on the page and contact FWP Licensing with questions. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Resident Hunting and Fishing Licenses for Military Members and Families
Active-duty members stationed in Montana, and their household spouses and dependents, may be treated as residents when buying hunting, fishing and trapping licenses.
Who it may help: Regular armed forces members, plus a spouse or dependent in the member's household, can count as residents either through prior Montana residency under state law or by being assigned to active duty in Montana for at least 30 days (waived in time of war) with official orders and proof of a hunter safety course. Reassignment out of state ends resident status unless the spouse and dependents still live in Montana and the member meets the criteria. The page does not mention veterans. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Purple Heart and Legion of Valor Conservation License
A Conservation License allows fishing for Purple Heart recipients and Legion of Valor members, residents or nonresidents. The state benefits page also says it covers upland game bird hunting for Purple Heart recipients.
Who it may help: Purple Heart recipients need proof of the award and a DD-214; Legion of Valor members need a membership card. Residents get it at FWP offices; nonresident Purple Heart recipients must go to FWP headquarters in Helena. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Transportation
Veteran and Disabled Veteran License Plates and Fee Reductions
Montana offers veteran plates for each branch, DV plates with disabled parking privileges, reduced registration fees for qualifying disabled veterans, and plates for Gold Star family members.
Who it may help: Service in the branch shown on the plate (or unmarried surviving spouse), plus documents such as a DD-214 or VA letter. Fees still apply except as stated. For disabled veteran plates see the rating note. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-22
Active Military Driver License Provisions
Active-duty service members can request an exemption from license expiration and can add a motorcycle endorsement without the road test.
Who it may help: Open to active-duty service members. The page does not list further details, so confirm specifics with the Motor Vehicle Division. Check the official page for current rules.
Official source ↗ (opens in a new tab)Reviewed 2026-10-24
Spot something wrong or out of date? Tell us and we will check it against the official source.