State Benefits

WI GI New Rules

Important message regarding the Wisconsin GI Bill and the new 5-year residency requirement for eligibility purposes – Coming for the 2013 Fall educational semester.

Expanded Eligibility for Veterans Under the Five Year Residency Requirement

Beginning in the Fall Semester of 2013, veterans who have established and maintained status as a Wisconsin resident for at least 5 consecutive years immediately preceding the beginning of any semester or session for which the student registers at an institution may qualify, even if they were not residents of Wisconsin at the time of entry into a qualified period of “Active Duty” under Title 10 orders.

NOTE: This benefit does not extend to the spouse or children. In order to extend the benefit to the spouse or children the veteran must have entered a qualifying period of Active Duty Service under Title 10 Orders as a Wisconsin Resident. Please see Requirements for Children and Spouses below for more information.

Education

The Wisconsin G.I. Bill provides a full waiver (“remission”) of tuition and fees for eligible veterans and their dependents for up to 8 full-time semesters or 128 credits at any University of Wisconsin System (UWS) or Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) institution for continuing education, or for study at the undergraduate or graduate level. More information here.

Loans
THE WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (WDVA) NO LONGER OFFERS NEW LOANS AS A RESULT OF A SUPPORTING FUNDS RELATED MORATORIUM IMPLEMENTED ON DECEMBER 1, 2011.

Aid to Low Income Veterans

The Aid to Needy Veterans grant programs provides limited financial assistance to those in need and who have exhausted all other sources of aid. The Health Care Aid Grant and the Subsistence Aid Grant may be used for specified health care and subsistence needs up to a maximum lifetime cumulative grant limit of $7,500 per veteran. More information here.

Veterans' Home

Whether you are simply looking for a safe, clean facility with all the benefits that are offered, or you need some assistance in your daily living, the Wisconsin Veterans Homes can meet your expectations. The Wisconsin Veterans Homes are located at King, near Waupaca, and at Union Grove. These are pleasant retirement communities where aging or disabled Wisconsin veterans and their spouses can spend their declining years in comfort and dignity. More information here.