Currently, there are 51 Department of Veterans Affairs federal grants, government grants, and loans that are available to all military Veterans (and sometimes, their spouses too). But, with any benefit available to Veterans from the government, a little leg-work and research is needed to know what is out there and what you qualify for. In this article, I have taken some of the legwork out of it for you with my Top 5 Veteran Grants.
#5. Montgomery GI Bill Selected Reserve; Reserve Educational Assistance Program: Program #64.032 of the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act developed this grant to encourage membership in units of the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve and to provide educational assistance to members of the reserve components called or ordered to active service in response to a war or national emergency declared by the President or Congress. This grant pays directly to the beneficiary money for educational expenses while pursuing your secondary education.
#4. Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights: Program #17.803 from the Department of Labor: Office of Veteran’s Employment and Training Services created this grant to protect and facilitate the smooth and prompt reemployment of members of the uniformed services (to include National Guard and Reserves) following performance of qualifying service. Also, to prohibit discrimination in employment and acts of reprisal against persons because of their obligation in the uniformed services, filing a claim, seeking assistance concerning an alleged violation, testifying in a proceeding, or otherwise participating in an
investigation.
#3. Veterans Housing-Guaranteed and Insured Loans: The Department of Veterans Affairs: Veterans Benefits Administration developed this guarantee to assist veterans, certain service personnel, and certain unmarried surviving spouses of veterans, in obtaining credit for the purchase, construction or improvement of homes on more liberal terms than are generally available to non-veterans. With the current housing market and dismal economy, this particular grant/guarantee is one truly great benefit to be utilized by Veterans.
#2. Veterans Prescription Service. The VA Health Administration Center provides eligible veterans and certain dependents and survivors of veterans with prescription drugs and expendable medical supplies from VA pharmacies upon presentation of prescription(s) from a VA provider or VA authorized provider. With healthcare costs ever increasing, it is a comfort to know that your prescriptions may be covered or much cheaper through the VA.
#1. Veterans State Hospital Care. The VA Health Administration Center provides financial assistance to States furnishing hospital care to eligible veterans in State veterans’ homes which meet the standards prescribed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Again, one of the most precious things we hold in life is our health. With VA assistance, there is a good chance that, as Veterans, we can protect our health and save our money at the same time.
Dan Lipinski once said, “On this Veterans Day, let us remember the service of our veterans, and let us renew our national promise to fulfill our sacred obligations to our veterans and their families who have sacrificed so much so that we can live free.” Government Grants that offer our nation’s finest educational assistance, healthcare and other services upon returning home or hanging up their uniform are a start to our nation fulfilling their obligation to them.
Final Thoughts
Do you agree with these being the top 5? If you have any comments or questions, please post them below. Thank you.
Chuck Holmes
Former Army Major (resigned)
Publisher, Part-Time-Commander.com
Email: mrchuckholmes@gmail.com
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You are so right! There are resources out there, but you will have to get up and go find them, because they don’t find you. Justin listed a number of good ones, and another grant program I really like is the Veteran Entrepreneur Program. This program lays out the support for veterans to start their own businesses, right down to helping them choose a business. There is funding information, including grants and loans, franchising opportunities and corporate sponsorships. You can learn more at the Department of Veteran Affairs website. I cruised through a number of websites earlier, and the ones I visited were easy to find, easy to navigate and full of helpful information and resources. You simply have to make the time to look.
Thanks for sharing this information. I had never heard of the Veteran Entrepreneur Program before.
Thanks for sharing these veteran’s grants. At the end of the day, there are lots of resources available for veterans if they are proactive and willing to put in some work to find some grants and scholarships.
If you’re eligible for a grant, you’d damn well better know about it. Grant, scholarships, and good jobs all have one thing in common: You have to find them. Unfortunately, they just don’t show up on your doorstep. Thanks for posting Justin. This is very valuable information.
Good article, Justin.
Most of these grants for Soldiers I’d never heard of before.
Thanks for sharing your expertise.
Chuck