Veteran Financial Assistance and Grants

We owe our safety, freedom, and way of life to the unsung heroes who served our country in the armed forces, whether in peace or war. That's why as a way for America to show gratitude to these veterans and their families for their sacrifices to protect our nation, the government offers them veteran grants.

Essentially, the government assists the veterans in obtaining home loans, finding well-paying jobs as civilians, starting small businesses, and securing quality health care services. That said, if you're a veteran and need assistance transitioning to civilian life, this article is in your best interest.

We will cover the wide range of resources available to help you. While grants are an excellent financial tool for promoting the growth and development of veterans, there's often a lot of competition. Luckily, since there's a smaller pool of applicants, you may have a better chance of qualifying for veterans grants than other government funding. With that in mind, let's explore the different available grants for veterans.

Who Qualifies for Veteran Grants?

Veteran grants are designed to support those who have served our country, but eligibility can vary significantly based on the type of grant. For home modifications and mobility needs, veterans must generally meet specific disability criteria. These often include having a service-connected disability that necessitates modifications to the home for improved accessibility or mobility. Additionally, qualifications might involve the length of service, discharge status (typically requiring an honorable discharge), and sometimes financial need.

Specific focus on qualifications related to home modifications often requires:

A service-connected disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Proof of necessity for modifications to improve quality of life or mobility within the home.

Ownership of the home or having the consent of the homeowner for modifications if the veteran does not own the home.

1. Small Business Grants for Veterans

All Americans, including veterans, can apply for SBA loans and grants. It's crucial to note that the Veteran Administration doesn't provide veterans with small business grants. And although the Small Business Administration (SBA) doesn't provide grants for starting or expanding small businesses either, they offer loans, and surety bonds, among other venture capital programs.

The SBA is essentially just a loan guarantor. That means that the FED doesn't offer small business money directly. Instead, the SBA guarantees loans availed by lending institutions to qualified veterans and small businesses that qualify. By stepping in as a guarantor, SBA makes it easier for veterans to be eligible for small business loans that they probably wouldn't have qualified for.

Small business grants with an open application as of Tuesday 9th August 2022 include;

• NIOSH Centers of Excellence for Total Worker Health® (U19) Deadline: 31st October 2023
• UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY Broad Agency Announcement Deadline: 31st March 2025
• Army Applications Lab Broad Agency Announcement For Disruptive Applications Deadline: 1st May 2024
• Cooperative Agriculture Deadline: 30th September 2023

2. Housing Grants for Veterans

The United States federal government has two grants available to assist disabled veterans in purchasing a home or modifying an existing one to meet their health needs. The SAH Grant- Specially Adapted Housing Grant pays for veterans with specific disabilities to build a new home or remodel an existing one so they can live independently.

The Special Housing Adaptation (SHA) Grant is for veterans who want to buy a home that has already been modified to accommodate their disability or who want to modify a current home owned by the veteran or a veteran's family member. The online application links for these veteran housing grants are as follows; SAH Grant Application, SHA Grant Application

Furthermore, the government offers veterans home mortgage loans with better financing terms than private bank mortgages. The Veterans Benefits Administration offers four programs to help with this:

• VA Home Purchase Loans
• VA Cash-Out Refinance Loans
• Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans
• Native American Direct Loan Program

3. College Grants for Veterans

The US Federal Government offers six significant grants to help veterans afford college education and career training. That includes;

• The Post-9/11 GI Bill
• The VOW to Hire Heroes Veterans Retraining Assistance Program
• The Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserve (MGIB-SR)
• The Montgomery GI Bill-Active Duty (MGIB-AD)
• The Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)
• The Post-Vietnam Era Educational Assistance Program (VEAP)

Veterans can apply for these college grants in person at the Veterans Affairs Office, online at the Veteran Affairs Website, through a Veteran Affairs Certifying Official, or over the phone at 1-888-GIBILL-1.

4. Health Grants for Veterans

The United States government provides health care benefits to all veterans (except those with dishonorable discharges). The Department of Veterans Affairs provides these healthcare benefits. Among the services offered include; hospital care, outpatient services, medical specialty services, dental, vision, and preventive care.  

Healthcare services are provided for free in situations where a medical condition is related to their service, and income limits are met. If the condition was not service-related, there might be a copay. To apply for health care grants, veterans can either by phone, mail, in person, or online through the Veteran Affairs Website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can veterans receive financial assistance more than once?

Yes, veterans can receive financial assistance more than once, especially for different needs such as ongoing education, health care, or successive home modifications due to changing mobility needs.

What support is available for veterans who don't qualify for traditional grants?

Veterans not qualifying for traditional grants may find support through other VA programs, nonprofit organizations dedicated to veterans, or state and local government resources. The VA also offers various loan programs that may serve as alternatives.

Can veterans receive financial assistance for modifications in rented properties?

Yes, veterans can receive financial assistance for modifications in rented properties with the landlord’s permission. The SHA and HISA grants are examples where such modifications are covered, provided they meet the criteria for medical necessity.

Where can veterans find financial help for emergencies?

For emergency financial situations, veterans can turn to the VA for immediate support, explore emergency grants from veteran-focused nonprofits, or seek assistance through the Veterans Crisis Line. Additionally, some grants are designed specifically for emergencies, including those for urgent home modifications or healthcare needs.

In Summary

As established in the last decade, there's often a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding about veteran grants online. Many unreliable sources offer fake charities that may only end up defrauding veterans. That's why you must understand what is covered in veteran grants and stay vigilant as you look for veteran grant sources.