FINANCIAL ADVANTAGE
Additional Benefits For Georgia Veterans
Georgia Veterans and their families may qualify for valuable state and federal benefits that can lower property taxes, reduce higher-education costs, and make homeownership more affordable. Understanding the Georgia disabled Veteran benefits available to you—from homestead tax exemptions to education scholarships and Veteran-focused home financing—can help you make the most of the benefits you’ve earned through military service.
Tax Relief
Property Tax Exemptions for Veterans in Georgia
- Qualifying disabled Veterans can receive a major homestead property tax exemption. Georgia Veterans who are citizens and residents of the state and meet the disability requirements may receive an exemption from the assessed value of the home they own and occupy as their primary residence. Qualifying Veterans include those rated 100% totally disabled by the VA, those rated below 100% but paid at the 100% rate because of individual unemployability, and Veterans receiving certain VA statutory awards for qualifying loss or loss of use of the feet, hands, or vision.
- The benefit can continue for eligible surviving family members. Georgia extends the disabled Veteran homestead exemption to an unremarried surviving spouse or surviving minor children of a qualifying deceased Veteran as long as they continue to occupy the home as a residence and meet the applicable requirements.
Family Tuition Assistance
Education Benefits for Georgia Veterans & Families
- Georgia's HERO Scholarship can provide up to $2,000 per academic year. The Georgia HERO (Helping Educate Reservists and their Offspring) Scholarship provides education assistance to eligible Georgia National Guard members and U.S. Military Reservists who served in qualifying combat zones, as well as certain eligible children and spouses. Qualifying recipients can receive up to $2,000 per academic year, subject to available appropriations.
- Eligible students can receive as much as $8,000 overall. Depending on the eligibility category, recipients may receive HERO benefits for the equivalent of four academic years, with a maximum of $8,000. Eligibility includes certain children and spouses of Guard or Reserve members who were killed in a qualifying combat zone or died or became 100% disabled as a result of injuries received in the combat zone.
Home Financing
Home Loan Benefits for Georgia Veterans
- Georgia offers a mortgage program specifically for VA borrowers. The Georgia Department of Community Affairs' Peach Select VA Loan Program provides a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage for eligible VA borrowers and is available to both first-time and repeat homebuyers. The program is specifically designed around VA financing and offers a reduced interest rate compared with standard market-based Georgia Dream products.
- Veterans can combine state and federal homeownership advantages. Peach Select VA uses VA financing, while the federal VA-backed purchase loan can offer no down payment when the purchase price doesn't exceed the appraised value, no monthly PMI or MIP, competitive rates and terms, fewer closing costs, and no early-payment penalty. Eligibility and lender requirements still apply.
Sources
- Georgia Department of Veterans Service — Disabled Veteran Homestead Tax Exemption
- Georgia Department of Revenue — Property Tax Homestead Exemptions
- Georgia Student Finance Commission — Georgia HERO Scholarship Program
- Georgia Student Finance Commission — HERO Scholarship Eligibility
- Georgia Department of Community Affairs — Georgia Dream Mortgage Products & Peach Select VA
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs — VA-Backed Purchase Loans