North Dakota Veteran Benefits

North Dakota offers 18 state-level veteran benefits in 2026, spanning 4 tax programs, 3 education programs, 0 housing programs, 3 healthcare programs, 4 recreation programs, and 1 employment program. 11 are available to any honorably discharged veteran regardless of rating; 3 are reserved for veterans rated 100% disabled by the VA. These stack with federal VA benefits.

North Dakota offers 3 state benefits specifically for veterans rated 100% disabled by the VA, including: Dependent Tuition Waiver, Disabled American Veteran (DAV) License Plates, Paraplegic / Specially Adapted Housing Property Tax Exemption. These typically include enhanced property tax exemptions, free hunting/fishing licenses, free state park access, and registration fee waivers. 100% disabled North Dakota veterans also qualify for the 15 broader benefits available at lower rating thresholds — 18 total.

Veterans rated 50% or higher qualify for 15 North Dakota state benefits — every benefit available to any veteran (11) plus benefits gated at 10-49% (0) plus 4 additional benefits gated at the 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% threshold. These typically include partial property tax credits, hunting/fishing license discounts, and tuition assistance. A 100% rating unlocks 3 additional benefits on top.

Yes. North Dakota offers 4 tax-related benefits for veterans. The headline program is Military Retirement Pay State Income Tax Exemption: Military retirement pay equal to the federally-taxable amount may be deducted from North Dakota taxable income (effective for tax years 2019+). Estimated value: Full exemption of military retirement income. Whether North Dakota also exempts military retirement pay and VA disability compensation from state income tax varies by program — see the Tax Benefits section above for the full list.

North Dakota offers 3 state education benefits: National Guard Tuition Waiver; In-State Tuition for Veterans and Military; Dependent Tuition Waiver. Some are tuition waivers at state public universities; others are scholarships for surviving spouses and children of veterans who died in service or were rated permanently and totally disabled. These supplement (and in many cases stack with) the federal Post-9/11 GI Bill.

North Dakota's veteran license plate / registration benefit: Veteran License Plates. Distinctive license plates for veterans, Purple Heart recipients, POWs, and Gold Star families. Apply through your local DMV / county tax assessor with your VA disability rating letter and DD-214.

Yes — North Dakota offers 4 recreation-related veteran benefits, including: Disabled Veteran Discounted Annual State Parks Permit; Free Lifetime State Parks Permit (50%+ Disabled or POW), and 2 more. Most state park, hunting, and fishing license discounts are tied to a minimum VA disability rating (typically 50% or 100%) and require North Dakota residency.

Each North Dakota state benefit has its own application — there is no single application that covers them all. Most require: (1) DD-214 or equivalent discharge document, (2) proof of North Dakota residency, and (3) VA disability rating letter if the benefit is rating-gated. Use the application URL listed on each benefit's detail page on this site. For complex cases (claims appeals, dependent benefits), contact your county Veterans Service Officer (VSO) for free assistance.

Yes. North Dakota state benefits are administered separately from federal VA benefits and the two are designed to stack. A North Dakota veteran can simultaneously receive federal VA disability compensation, VA healthcare, GI Bill education benefits, AND any North Dakota state programs they qualify for. Some specific overlaps (e.g., state tuition assistance) may require exhausting federal GI Bill benefits first; check each benefit's eligibility notes.

North Dakota benefits unlock at every VA rating tier. 11 benefits require no disability rating (available to any honorably discharged veteran). 0 are gated at 10-40%. 4 are gated at 50-90%. 3 require a 100% rating. Veterans rated 100% qualify for ALL 18 North Dakota state benefits.