The state of Iowa provides several veteran benefits. This section offers a brief description of each of the following benefits.

  • Housing Benefits
  • Financial Assistance Benefits
  • Education Benefits
  • Other State Veteran Benefits

Iowa State Benefits Update!

The State of Iowa has new benefits for Veterans:

The Iowa Veteran's Housing Grant Program gives a $5,000 matching grant to any
veteran for the purchase of a home, tax free. To qualify, the service member
must have served on active duty under title 10, 90 days or more after
9-11-2001. Active duty for training does not count. For more information,
log onto www.ifahome.com Veterans also receive an annual property tax
exemption on their homes.

The State of Iowa also provides a program called the Injured Veteran Grant
Program. The State of Iowa provides grants to any Iowa veteran injured in a
combat zone while in the line of duty. The injury does not have to be combat
action related. To qualify, the injured veteran must be medically evacuated
from a combat zone. Within one week of evacuation, the veteran or his/her
designated family member receives a check in the amount of $2,500. The
veteran will continue to receive $2,500 every 30 days while he or she is
receiving medical treatment, up to a maximum of $10,000. This grant is
provided by the state to help off set the additional financial burdens
veterans and their families incur during convalescence.

If you join the Iowa National Guard, the State of Iowa will pay 100% of your
college tuition for four years, up to a maximum of what the state
universities cost. At the current rate, that's about $6,000 a year. This
amount can be applied to attend any private or independent college as well.
Guardsmen can then use their GI bill to pay for other expenses.

Iowa Veteran Housing Programs

Iowa Veterans Home
Presently, the home provides personalized medical, nursing, rehabilitative care, mental health, pharmacy and dietary services, along with many other services. All the services help make the lives of residents engaged and fulfilling.

Learn more about the Iowa Veterans Home

Iowa Financial Assistance Benefits

Injured Veterans Grant Program
Senate File 2312 enacting the injured veterans grant program, which is retroactively applicable to veterans injured after September 11, 2001. A total of $1 million has been appropriated to the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) to fund this program. The purpose and legislative intent of this program is to provide immediate financial assistance to the veteran so that family members may be with the veteran during recovery and rehabilitation from an injury or illness received in the line of duty in a combat zone or in a designated hostile fire zone. Since the program is retroactive, it is also intended to reimburse veterans injured after September 11, 2001.
 
Learn more about the Injured Veterans Grant Program

Iowa Education Benefits

War Orphans Educational Aid
War Orphans Educational Aid may be used to defray the expenses of tuition, matriculation, laboratory and similar fees, books and supplies, board, lodging, and any other reasonably necessary expense for the War Orphan to attend the educational institution of higher learning. Aid is limited to $600.

Learn more about War Orphans Educational Aid

Operation Recognition High School Diploma
This program will furnish a honorary high school diploma to honorably discharged veterans who did not complete high school due to armed service enlistment.

Learn more about the Operation Recognition High School Diploma

Other Iowa State Veteran Benefits

Cold War Recognition Letter
Use this letter as a guide to request a Cold War Recognition Certificate, a keepsake that acknowledges your service to our country during the Cold War period.

Learn more about the Cold War Recognition Letter

Korean War Service Medal
This medal is a Foreign Service award issued to members of the armed services who participated in the country of Korea, its territorial waters or airspace during the Korean War period. This medal will only be issued once.

Learn more about the Korean War Service Medal

Veteran Lifetime Hunting/Fishing License
Lifetime Hunting/Fishing license to an Iowa veteran who was disabled or was a prisoner of war during that veteran's military service. To qualify, the veteran must be entitled to compensation under U.S. Code, Title 38, Chapter 11.

Learn more about the Veteran Lifetime Hunting/Fishing Licenses

Presidential Memorial Certificate
An engraved paper certificate, signed by the current President, to honor the memory of honorably discharged veterans.

Learn more about the Presidential Memorial Certificate

The State of Iowa Veterans Cemetery
Iowa is one of 10 states without a state veterans cemetery. The Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs has long recognized the need for a state veterans cemetery, and a 2001 study by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration identified Iowa as needing additional veterans burial spaces. There are 280,000 veterans living in Iowa; about 92,000 live within 75 miles radius of Des Moines.

A $7 million federal grant will support initial development of 23.3 acres (This is the developed area. The area disturbed for construction is approximately 40 acres) to include a main entrance feature, 12,100 total gravesites, including 9850 4’x8’ standard gravesites, 500 double depth gravesites, 770 columbarium niches for cremation remains, and 990 in-ground cremains. Federal funds will also provide for development of administration and maintenance buildings, an assembly area, a committal service shelter, a memorial walk, and supporting infrastructure.

Learn more about the State of Iowa Veterans Cemetery