West Virginia Veteran Benefits

As a veteran or servicemember living in West Virginia, you are entitled to benefits that can help you afford a home, get an education, find employment, enjoy the natural beauty this state has to offer, and more. To make sure you don't miss any of the benefits you've earned, including VA home loans in West Virginia, we've compiled them all below.

Veteran Home Loans

Whether you've left military service or you're temporarily stationed at one of the Coast Guard bases in West Virginia, you can use a VA loan to buy a home anywhere in the beautiful Mountain State.

Even if you'll only be here for a few years, buying a home gives you greater flexibility. And you'll always have a place to stay when you come back to visit. Just make sure to look for a home near whichever base you're stationed at so getting to work is as convenient as possible.



Using a VA home loan in West Virginia is one of the best ways to purchase a home. Because the loan program is run by the VA, you're able to get a lot of benefits that civilian loan programs don't offer, including:

  • Ability to qualify with a low credit score
  • Lower interest rates
  • No downpayment or mortgage insurance

These benefits are available because the VA guarantees a portion of each loan. This guarantee gives lenders confidence because it reduces the risk of lending. Even if you default, they know the VA will pay them back at least part of the loan.

Even if you're eligible for a VA loan under the VA's rules, you will still need to qualify under a lender's guidelines and policies. When determining qualifications, lenders look at things like your credit score, debt-to-income ratio, and other aspects of your personal finances.

Each lender has their own policies and procedures. If you want to make sure you're getting the best deal for the total loan amount, interest rate, and terms, you'll want to get multiple quotes from different lenders (including Low VA Rates) so you can compare them. Don't just go with the first lender that approves you.

West Virginia Residents Save

$101/mth

Savings based on 2015 active loan data

12Lunches

*Based on an average lunch price of $8.08

Pre-Qualify Now

Veteran Housing Benefits

West Virginia State Veterans Homes

West Virginia has both a state veterans home and a nursing facility. Each serves a different purpose with a variety of services tailored to meet those needs.

The West Virginia veterans home serves as a place to stay while veterans are getting back on their feet. Though nurses are available 24/7, it is not meant for veterans with serious medical conditions who need assistance accomplishing daily activities.

Instead, veterans who stay at the home are able to experience a home-like environment where they enjoy three meals a day, participate in social interaction and recreational services, and focus on self-improvement, as well as numerous other services.

Eligibility requirements for admission to the home include (but are not limited to):

  • Must have either an honorable or general under honorable conditions discharge
  • Must be independent and self-mobile
  • Must meet the active duty service requirements
  • Have an income below federal VA guidelines

The West Virginia veterans nursing facility, on the other hand, is available for veterans who need a greater amount of medical care or assistance. In addition to 24/7 nursing and physician staff members, it is also connected to the Johnson VA Medical Center.

Homestead Tax Exemption

In West Virginia, disabled veterans are one of the few groups who may qualify for a property tax exemption. In order to qualify, you will need to have a disability rating from the VA that meets these conditions:

  • Was caused by your service
  • Is rated at 100%
  • Has been deemed "permanent and total"

If you meet these conditions, you will need to contact the VA for a written certification of your disability. Once you have that letter, you can then contact your County Tax Assessor about the application process.

Veteran Education & Employment Benefits

Education Benefits

Improving your life through education is easy with the education benefits available in West Virginia. These include tuition waivers and other financial assistance for you and your dependents.

State Approving Agency

In West Virginia, their state approving agency is operated through the Office of Veterans Education and Training (OVET). It is the responsibility of OVET to make sure that the educational programs veterans can use their GI Bill on are high quality.

Under their discretion, you can use your GI Bill benefits to help you pay for different types of education. These include:

  • Formal classes at a college or university
  • Vocational & technical schools
  • Apprenticeships & on-the-job training
  • Flight schools
  • Certification & licensing programs

To find out what programs have been approved by OVET, you can visit the VA's Web Enabled Approval Management System (WEAMS). When you see the map of the United States, simply click on West Virginia. This should bring you to a list of all institutions with an approved program.

War Orphan Education Program

West Virginia's War Orphan Education Program provides free tuition for students whose spouse or parent died during service or from service-related injuries. The program also covers the fees for housing, books, and other living expenses.

In order to qualify, the deceased veteran must have listed West Virginia as their home of record when they entered military service. Their service must also qualify under Title 10 of the US state code.

If the child of a veteran is applying, they must be between the ages of 16–25. There is no age requirement for the spouse of a veteran who is applying. However, regardless of the student's relationship to the veteran, they must be enrolled at a college or university in West Virginia.

When you apply, you will need to:

  1. Complete the War Orphan Education Application form
  2. Submit proof of enrollment
  3. Provide a copy of the veteran's DD-214

Finally, if the veteran died after their discharge from service, the applicant will also need to submit proof of death, as well as some sort of evidence that demonstrates the connection between their military service and their cause of death.

Veterans Reeducation Assistance

If you have served in the military and received an honorable discharge, and you've already used up all of your GI Bill benefits, you could qualify for West Virginia's Veterans Reeducation Assistance program.

Under this program, you could be awarded money that can be applied towards finishing your post-secondary education. You may also be able to use the funds to pursue non-traditional education programs, such as vocational schooling, on a case-by-case basis.

When you apply, you will need to submit the completed application, a copy of your DD-214, and proof of enrollment. You will need to put all of these documents into a single envelope and mail it to the address provided on the application.

In-State Tuition Rates for Nonresident Veterans

Are you stationed at one of West Virginia's Coast Guard bases? If you want to attend one of the state-funded colleges or universities, you will only be charged the in-state tuition rate, even though you aren't technically a resident (see Procedural Rule §133-25-6.2 & 6.3 of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission).

This benefit also applies to the spouse and children of a veteran stationed in West Virginia. However, enrollment must begin within 3 years after your discharge from service. To keep the benefit, you must remain continuously enrolled.

Medal of Honor & Purple Heart Tuition Waivers

Public colleges and universities that receive funding from the state of West Virginia will waive tuition and fees for honorably-discharged veterans who received the Medal of Honor or a Purple Heart.

The Medal of Honor and Andrew J. Trail Purple Heart Recipient Tuition Waiver can be granted for up to 8 semesters.

Veterans Upward Bound

The West Virginia Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) program was designed to help veteran students overcome their unique difficulties and succeed while pursuing further education.

In order to be eligible for the program, you must have finished your military service in good standing. Additionally, you must also have either a modest income or parents who didn't receive their bachelor's degrees.

If you meet all of these conditions, and you have a desire to get a higher education, you can receive a variety of free services from VUB, which include help:

  • Securing financial aid
  • Completing the admissions process
  • Refreshing your knowledge of math, English, science, computer skills, and more

Though this is only a partial overview of the services available, a full list has been added to West Virginia's legal code.

Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program

Even though it's a federal program, West Virginia has instituted the Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program into part of its state code so state-funded universities and colleges are legally required to participate.

The law also encourages private institutions in West Virginia to participate as well, though they are not under the same legal requirement.

However, the institutions that are required must grant a waiver for resident tuition and fees for qualified servicemembers, as well as additional assistance to help pay for what is not covered under the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act.

High School Diplomas for Veterans

If you served in the military during WWII, Vietnam, or Korea, and were unable to finish your high school education, you can still receive your high school diploma, as long as you were discharged under honorable conditions.

In order to apply, you will need to fill out the application and submit it with a copy of your DD-214 form to the West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance via mail to the address on the application form.

Once your application is received, the county board in either your current county or the one where you attended high school will award you the diploma.

Employment Benefits

Finding work after you leave the military can sometimes seem daunting. You may not be sure how your skills apply in the civilian workforce, or you may feel overwhelmed by the application and job hiring process.

However, the state of West Virginia values the skills of its veterans, which is why they have programs available that can help you gain employment as a civilian.

Veterans' Preference

If you're interested in working for West Virginia's state government, you could have preference points added to your application as long as you were honorably discharged from the military.

Preference points are applied to the exam you must take as part of the hiring process. As long as your initial score is a passing score, you can have 5 points added simply for being a veteran.

If you were awarded a Purple Heart or receive compensation for a service-connected disability, you can receive an additional 5 points on your examination score, for a total of 10 points.

Military Incentive Program

The Military Incentive Program encourages businesses to hire veterans who have an economic disadvantage or who are disabled, as well as those who serve as members of the West Virginia National Guard or Reserves.

Other Veteran Benefits

Veteran Hunting & Fishing Licenses

100% disabled veterans living as residents in West Virginia can get free hunting and fishing licenses.

In addition, West Virginia residents who are serving in another state can hunt and fish without a license when they visit while on leave. However, you must be able to submit you leave papers as proof at any time.

West Virginia State Parks "Veterans' Salute"

You can receive a 10% discount on lodging inside West Virginia's state parks if you are a veteran or active duty servicemember. This discount is available year round and can be used on:

  • Standard lodge rooms
  • Cabins
  • Campsites

Veteran License Plates

You do not have to pay a fee to receive special vehicle license plates or disabled veterans tags if you have a 100% disability rating from the VA, are a former POW, Pearl Harbor survivor, or a Purple Heart recipient.

However, even if you do not meet these conditions, you still receive a discount. Honorably discharged veterans only have to pay an additional $10 beyond the normal license fee to purchase a veteran plate.

Veteran Benefits Assistance

If you need help understanding any of these benefits, or you have questions about how to apply for them, you can contact West Virginia's Department of Veterans Assistance. They have 16 claims offices located all over the state with staff members dedicated to helping you.

About Low VA Rates

If you're looking to use your VA benefits to purchase a home in West Virginia, you can count on Low VA Rates. We're one of the leaders for VA loans, and our expertise means we can help you get a loan with competitive rates and terms.

We're also able and willing to work with you, even if you don't have an ideal credit score or financial history. To learn more about how we can help you, give us a call at 866-569-8272. Or, if you would like a no-obligation quote, you can start the process online.