Michigan State Veterans Benefits

Here is some information about the veterans' educational, vocational and financial assistance that the State of Michigan provides to supplement the benefits the VA provides.

Educational Benefits for Michigan Veterans' Children

The children of certain veterans can get a tuition waiver for up to $2,800 annually through Michigan's Tuition Grant Program. The veteran:

• must be totally disabled from service-incurred causes, or
• must have been killed in the line of duty, or
• must have died from a service-related disability, or
• must be missing in action (MIA) in a foreign country.

This program is administered by the Michigan Higher Education Assistance Authority. Visit Michigan.gov for a Tuition Grant Fact Sheet for more information.

Emergency Grants for Veterans

The Michigan Veterans Trust Fund (MVTF) grants temporary financial assistance for emergencies or financial hardships to veterans and their families. The grants do not need to be paid back.

To be eligible for an emergency grant, a veteran must have served at least 180 days in active wartime service, during the Persian Gulf conflicts, Vietnam, Korea, or World War II. There are two exceptions to this rule; the following veterans are also eligible for an emergency grant:

• Veterans discharged before 180 days due to a service-connected mental or physical disability.
• Veterans who served 180 days in a non-war period but received an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

All veterans must have been discharged under honorable conditions to qualify.

For more information, visit the Michigan Veterans Trust Fund page.

Financial Fund for National Guard Families

Air and Army National Guard families can obtain emergency financial assistance from the Michigan National Guard Family Fund. The fund provides grants of $500 to those with financial hardships. Reasons for financial hardship include:

• injury or disability
• medical expenses
• job loss
• loss of income due to military duty
• unforeseen circumstances.

For more information, visit the Michigan National Guard.

Employment Help

Michigan Works!

Michigan Works! agencies (MWAs) operate adult programs that provide job training services to adults. Veterans employment representatives are located at most Michigan Works! offices. These specialists can help veterans and their spouses find employment.

Veterans Employment Opportunities

The Veterans Services Division of the Michigan Department of Career Development helps match veterans coming to Michigan with employment opportunities that match their skills. Veteran Service Specialists are available at the Division to help training, licensing, and credentialing. For more information, visit Veterans Employment Services at Michigan Talent Connect.

Shifting Heroes

Shifting Heroes is a branch of Michigan's Shifting Gears program and provides career support for veterans, including one-to-one mentoring by a Michigan veteran and employment opportunities with those interested in hiring veterans.

Michigan Rehabilitation Services

Michigan's Rehabilitation Services program provides vocational rehabilitation and employment services to veterans with non-service-connected disabilities. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/mrs.

Housing Help for Michigan Vets

Michigan Veterans Homes

Michigan has two veterans home, in Grand Rapids and Marquette. These homes provide skilled nursing care and Alzheimer's care for qualified disabled veterans.

You can also call the Michigan Disability Network for advice on independent living issues at 517-339-0539, or go to www.dnmichigan.org.

Veterans Housing Program

The Veterans Housing Program (VHP) provides housing, counseling, addiction treatment, and medical for a small number of homeless veterans. For more information about the Veterans Housing Program, visit http://www.mihomeless.org.