North Carolina is home to over 750,000 veterans and some of the nation's most important military installations — including Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg), Camp Lejeune, and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. The state backs its deep military heritage with robust benefits: a property tax exemption for 100% P&T disabled veterans, tuition assistance to bridge the GI Bill gap, free college for eligible dependents, and special considerations for Camp Lejeune veterans under the PACT Act. Here's your complete 2025 guide.
With over 750,000 veterans, North Carolina ranks among the top five states nationally for veteran population. The state's military footprint is immense: Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg) in Fayetteville is the largest military installation in the world by population; Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville is one of the most storied Marine installations in the country; and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro houses the 4th Fighter Wing. Add in dozens of Guard facilities, National Guard units, and Reserve component installations, and North Carolina's veteran and active-duty community is central to the state's identity.
The North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs, the state legislature, and local county offices have built a meaningful benefits package to support this population. While North Carolina's property tax benefit is more modest than some states (a fixed assessed-value exemption rather than a full exemption), its education programs, claims assistance network, and Camp Lejeune-specific PACT Act resources are genuinely strong.
North Carolina offers a $45,000 reduction in assessed property value for qualifying disabled veterans under NC Gen. Stat. § 105-277.1C — the Disabled Veteran Homestead Exclusion. While this is not a full property tax exemption, it provides meaningful annual savings across the state, particularly in higher-assessed counties near Fort Liberty and the Research Triangle.
The $45,000 exclusion reduces the assessed value used to calculate property taxes by $45,000. For example, if your home is assessed at $250,000 and the local property tax rate is 1%, you would be taxed on $205,000 instead — saving you approximately $450 per year. In counties with higher tax rates or more valuable properties, the annual savings can be higher.
Under NC Gen. Stat. § 105-277.1C, surviving spouses of qualifying veterans may continue to receive the $45,000 exemption as long as they occupy the residence as their permanent home and do not remarry. The surviving spouse must apply to renew the benefit and demonstrate continued eligibility each year.
If you're not yet at 100% P&T, this benefit represents a powerful incentive to maximize your VA rating. Use the claim.vet disability calculator to assess your current combined rating and explore whether an increase to 100% or a TDIU claim could qualify you for this and other state benefits.
The North Carolina Tuition Assistance Program (NCTAP) is one of the most practically useful state education benefits available to veterans using the Post-9/11 GI Bill. While the federal Post-9/11 GI Bill covers tuition up to the maximum in-state rate at public universities, many North Carolina institutions charge additional fees and mandatory charges that fall outside GI Bill coverage. NCTAP is designed to supplement the Post-9/11 GI Bill to cover the full in-state tuition cost at North Carolina public colleges and universities, closing the gap for eligible veterans.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who qualifies | Veterans using the Post-9/11 GI Bill at an NC public college or university |
| What it covers | Supplements GI Bill to cover full in-state tuition and mandatory fees |
| Eligible institutions | NC public 4-year universities and community colleges |
| Apply through | The financial aid office at your institution; coordinate with NC Division of Veterans Affairs |
| Private schools | Not eligible for NCTAP; the Yellow Ribbon Program is a separate federal option for private schools |
NCTAP is especially valuable at universities where mandatory fees, technology fees, and lab fees push the total cost beyond GI Bill chapter 33 maximums. Veterans attending NC State, UNC-Chapel Hill, East Carolina University, or any of the UNC System schools should inquire with the veterans services office about NCTAP eligibility at enrollment.
North Carolina provides free tuition at NC public colleges for children of qualifying veterans through the Scholarship for Children of Wartime Veterans (colloquially known as the Hayrack scholarship). This program covers tuition and required fees at any North Carolina public college or university for dependents whose parents meet specific service criteria.
Eligibility for the dependent scholarship is tied to one of the following:
Additional requirements include NC residency and the dependent being within age eligibility guidelines. Applications are administered through the North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs. Because this is a state scholarship funded by appropriations, availability may vary year to year — contact NCDVA early in the academic planning process.
Members of the North Carolina National Guard are eligible for supplemental state tuition assistance through the North Carolina National Guard Tuition Assistance Program. This benefit helps Guard members cover tuition at NC public colleges when combined with federal Tuition Assistance (TA) and other aid. Guard members should contact their unit education officer for current program details and application procedures.
North Carolina provides veterans preference points for state government employment:
These points are added to examination scores for competitive state positions. Surviving spouses of veterans who died in service may also be eligible for preference under certain conditions. The preference applies at the initial hiring stage and can make a decisive difference in competitive state job pools, particularly for positions at the NC Department of Public Safety, NC DOT, and other large state agencies.
The NCWorks Career Centers — North Carolina's network of American Job Centers — provide priority employment services to veterans under the federal Jobs for Veterans State Grants (JVSG) program. Services available at no cost include:
Veterans transitioning from Fort Liberty, Camp Lejeune, or any of the state's Guard units are particularly encouraged to connect with NCWorks immediately upon separation.
The North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs (NCDVA) serves as the state's central hub for veteran support, operating through county-level offices and several state residential facilities.
NCDVA operates county veterans service offices in all 100 North Carolina counties. These offices provide free claims assistance, benefit counseling, and referrals to state and federal programs. VA-accredited representatives can help with initial claims, rating increases, appeals, and pension applications — at no cost to the veteran.
North Carolina operates 5 State Veterans Homes providing skilled nursing care, assisted living, and domiciliary care for eligible veterans. Facilities are located in Fayetteville, Black Mountain, Kinston, Salisbury, and Hickory. Priority admission is given to veterans with service-connected conditions and those who meet financial eligibility criteria.
The North Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Goldsboro provides free burial for eligible veterans and certain dependents. The cemetery is operated by NCDVA and accepts veterans who were honorably discharged and have North Carolina domicile. Contact NCDVA for eligibility and pre-need registration.
NCDVA's accredited claims representatives can assist veterans with VA disability claims from initial filing through the Board of Veterans' Appeals. They can also help coordinate NCTAP, the dependent scholarship, state employment preference, and referrals to state veterans homes — providing a one-stop resource for the full range of state and federal benefits.
North Carolina holds a unique and important place in the landscape of veteran toxic exposure claims because of Camp Lejeune. From 1953 to 1987, the drinking water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune was contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) — including trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE), benzene, and vinyl chloride — at levels far exceeding safe drinking water standards. Estimates suggest that up to one million veterans, service members, and their families were exposed during this period.
The 2022 PACT Act created two separate remedies for Camp Lejeune veterans: (1) VA disability compensation for service-connected conditions presumptively linked to the contamination, and (2) a direct civil claims process against the federal government for Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) claims. These are separate processes requiring separate filings. Many veterans qualify for both.
The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022 dramatically expanded VA benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances, including Camp Lejeune water contamination. Under the PACT Act, veterans who served at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987 are eligible for VA disability compensation for a wide range of presumptive conditions — meaning the VA presumes service connection without requiring the veteran to prove direct causation.
Presumptive conditions for Camp Lejeune veterans include:
Family members who lived on base during the contamination period are also eligible for healthcare through the VA's Camp Lejeune Family Member Program.
Separately, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) — part of the PACT Act — allows eligible veterans and family members to file civil claims against the federal government for illnesses and injuries caused by the contaminated water. These claims are filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina and can result in monetary compensation for damages, including medical expenses, pain and suffering, and wrongful death.
CLJA claims have a statute of limitations of two years from the date the claim is first filed or two years from the date of enactment of the CLJA, whichever is later. If you or a family member may have been exposed at Camp Lejeune, consult with a VA-accredited claims agent or an attorney familiar with CLJA litigation. Use the claim.vet PACT Act tool to check your eligibility for presumptive Camp Lejeune benefits.
North Carolina National Guard members receive state-specific benefits in addition to federal Guard entitlements:
North Carolina offers reduced or free hunting and fishing licenses for disabled veterans:
Editorial Standards: This article was written by Marcus J. Webb, a veterans benefits researcher who has studied 38 CFR Part 4, the VA M21-1 Adjudication Manual, and thousands of BVA decisions. Content is verified against current 38 CFR regulations and VA.gov guidance. Last reviewed: April 2026. Not legal advice — for representation on your specific claim, talk to a VA-accredited attorney.
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