Military
& Veterans

Step confidently into your next chapter with the welcoming support of a state that truly values service. Nebraska veterans benefits are real and tangible, making settling for The Good Life a smart choice too.

Military retirement pay is fully exempt from state income tax in Nebraska, making your money go further. The state of Nebraska also:

• Provides VA-backed home loan support to buy, build or renovate
• Offers the Homestead Exemption, a full or partial property tax exemption for eligible Veterans and surviving spouses on their homestead and one acre of land
• Gives education benefits to eligible veteran dependents
• Offers faster pathways to teaching permits and licenses for spouses and service members
• Simplifies occupational licensing for fields like healthcare, law, and real estate
• Gives tax free monetary benefits to qualifying survivors of U.S armed forces or survivors of veterans whose death resulted from a service-connected disability or disease
• Offers veterans preference in government hiring processes

If you’re seeking employment, the Nebraska Department of Veteran Affairs helps veterans and military personnel find meaningful employment via its Job Converter Tool. Meanwhile, Major Talent, a veteran-owned business in Nebraska, can also help you navigate civilian life and find a role with a local veteran-friendly employer who values your skills.

And when it’s time to relax, enjoy a free lifetime entrance to Nebraska’s stunning parks and trails, which have made Nebraska the No. 11 state for natural environment.

Nebraska is a fantastic place for veterans and military-connected individuals to build a strong future through enrollment in higher education. If you’ve recently transitioned out of service, are planning ahead or supporting a military family member, Nebraska’s colleges and universities are here to help you succeed.

At the University of Nebraska campuses in Lincoln, Omaha and Kearney — as well as state colleges like Wayne State and Peru State and community colleges like Metropolitan and Northeast — you’ll find programs tailored to your unique needs. Most schools offer dedicated veteran support centers that can help you understand and access your GI Bill benefits, offer tutoring and counseling, and provide career planning services tailored to your goals. UNO’s Military & Veteran Services and UNL’s Veteran Success Center are just a couple of examples.

Members of Nebraska’s Active Selected Reserve may qualify for 75% off undergraduate tuition, or 50% off graduate and professional programs at public institutions statewide.

For those transitioning from military bases in Nebraska or anywhere else in the nation, DoD SkillBridge can help you find civilian work experience and career pathways before you even leave the military. UNO even offers its own campus-based SkillBridge program which can connect you to a variety of occupations available throughout the University of Nebraska System.

No matter your background or where you’re headed next, Nebraska’s higher education network makes it easier to learn, grow, and thrive.