Indiana offers a range of benefits for veterans and their families, covering education, housing, employment, and more. Here’s a summary of some key benefits:
Education Benefits
- College Tuition for Children of Disabled Veterans: Free or discounted tuition at state schools for children of disabled veterans, Purple Heart Recipients, and former POW/MIA families, with varying discounts based on the veteran’s disability rating​​.
- Indiana National Guard Supplemental Grant: Provides free tuition at state schools for active drilling members of the Indiana National Guard​​.
- High School Diploma for Veterans: No cost high school diploma for war veterans who left school to join the military, applicable to WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam War veterans​​.
- Tuition and Fee Exemption: For children and spouses of deceased or disabled veterans, including 100% tuition and fees for children of Purple Heart recipients, with specific eligibility criteria​​.
Housing and Financial Assistance
- Property Tax Deductions: Deductions range from $12,480 to $24,960 for veterans depending on disability status, wartime service, and other criteria​​​​.
- Indiana Veterans Home: Offers nursing care, short-term rehabilitation services, and domiciliary care for honorably discharged veterans and their spouses​​.
- Indiana Military Family Relief Fund: Grants for service members and their families for needs such as education​​.
Employment and Business Opportunities
- Veterans’ Employment Services: Assistance in finding employment, including job postings, career counseling, resume writing, interview coaching, and job placement services​​.
- Peddlers, Vendors, or Hawkers License: Free for honorably discharged wartime veterans​​.
- Indiana Veteran Owned Small Business Program: Aims to procure three percent of state contracts with Hoosier veteran-owned businesses​​.
Health and Recreational Benefits
- VA Healthcare Facilities: Multiple facilities across the state providing a wide range of medical services​​.
- Hunting and Fishing Licenses: Reduced fee licenses for service-connected disabled veterans​​.
- State Park Access: The Hoosier Golden Passport provides unlimited admission to state-owned parks and recreational areas for those eligible for a Disabled American Veteran license plate​​.
Special Programs and Licenses
- Disabled Hoosier Veteran License Plates: For veterans with a service-connected disability rating of at least 50%, addressing mobility issues​​.
- Veterans Memorial and State Soldiers Home Cemeteries: Free burial for veterans and their spouses with perpetual care in Madison and Lafayette, Indiana​​.