North Carolina statewide Veteran discounts

Mike Certo · Cornerstone First Mortgage · NMLS #260555 · Updated May 30, 2026 (Q2 2026 edition)

This is the NC statewide Veteran discount + benefit reference. Discounts change — call the business or check current policy before relying on any specific discount listed here. Refresh cadence: quarterly (next update August 2026).

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NC state programs worth knowing

1. Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exclusion (G.S. 105-277.1C)

Value: $300-$500/year at typical NC rates North Carolina excludes the first $45,000 of your homestead's appraised value from property tax if you have a 100% permanent-and-total service-connected rating or receive specially adapted housing benefits (G.S. 105-277.1C). Unremarried surviving spouses keep it. File Form AV-9 plus the NCDVA-9 certification with your county assessor — the listing period is January, and applications are timely through June 1. Full guide.

2. NC Vehicle Registration — Disabled Veteran License Plate

Value: free plate + no registration fee 100% service-connected disabled Veterans qualify for the DV license plate at no plate fee and no annual registration fee (one vehicle). Apply through NCDMV with VA disability documentation.

3. NC State Parks — Disabled Veteran Annual Pass

Value: free Annual Pass Honorably discharged Veterans with a service-connected disability get a free NC State Parks Annual Pass (State Law 2024-45). Request it with your VA Summary of Benefits letter at ncparks.gov.

4. NC Hunting + Fishing License Discount

Value: lifetime license for $110 Resident Veterans rated 50%+ qualify for the Lifetime Unified Sportsman/Coastal Recreational Fishing License at $110 through the NC Wildlife Resources Commission (ncwildlife.gov).

5. Free vehicle license plates for combat Veterans

Combat Veterans (any era) qualify for special Veteran license plates with reduced fees. Various designs available — Purple Heart, Combat Wounded, specific service branch plates.

6. NC Veterans' Services + Education

• NC Tuition Waiver — Some NC public universities offer tuition reduction for NC-resident Veterans (verify current eligibility with each institution)
• NC Veterans' Education Assistance — Supplemental to federal GI Bill at certain NC schools
• Dependent education benefits — Surviving spouses + children of deceased service members may qualify

7. NC Voter Registration + Polling Access

NC allows mail-in absentee ballots for deployed military + family members. Active-duty also have expedited polling place access.

8. NC-Specific Veteran Court Programs

Several NC counties have Veterans Treatment Courts for Veterans involved in non-violent legal issues. Combines accountability + treatment instead of standard prosecution.

National retail discounts (typically available at NC locations)

These are well-established Veteran discounts at national chains. Mike has personally verified many at NC locations, but always confirm at the store before assuming the discount applies.

Home improvement

• Home Depot — 10% off year-round for Veterans, active-duty, military spouses (with verification via SheerID)
• Lowe's — 10% off year-round for Veterans, active-duty (with verification)
• Ace Hardware — Varies by NC location; many offer 5-10% discount with ID
• Sherwin-Williams — 10% off for active-duty + Veterans

Food + dining (varies by location)

• Chick-fil-A — Free meal on Veterans Day at participating NC locations
• Applebee's — Free meal on Veterans Day
• Texas Roadhouse — Free meal on Veterans Day; free appetizer year-round at some NC locations
• Outback Steakhouse — 10% off year-round at participating NC locations
• Starbucks — Free tall coffee on Veterans Day for Veterans, active-duty, spouses
• Krispy Kreme — Free original glazed dozen on Veterans Day

Retail + apparel

• Lululemon — 25% off year-round for active-duty + Veterans (with ID verification)
• Under Armour — 10% off year-round
• Nike — 10% off year-round via official.gov verification
• Adidas — 30% off year-round through MILITARY VERIFY
• Old Navy + Gap + Banana Republic — 10% off year-round with verification

Auto + travel

• GEICO — Auto insurance discount for active-duty + Veterans (verify current rate)
• USAA — Banking + insurance designed specifically for military members + families
• Choice Hotels — Military discount on most properties (verify at booking)
• Avis + Budget car rental — Discount with military verification
• National Car Rental — Emerald Club benefits sometimes waived for active-duty
• Anytime Fitness — Many NC locations waive enrollment fee for Veterans

Communications + technology

• AT&T Wireless — 25% off most plans for Veterans + active-duty (verify)
• Verizon Wireless — Military discount on most plans (verify)
• T-Mobile — Magenta MAX Military 50% off select plans (verify)
• Spectrum Internet — Military discount on some plans (verify)
• Apple Education + Military — Apple ID with.mil email gets discounts on Mac + iPad

Federal benefits worth knowing

VA disability compensation

2026 monthly rates (single Veteran, no dependents): - 10% = $175 - 30% = $545 - 50% = $1,114 - 70% = $1,759 - 100% = $3,800+ (single; more with dependents)

Tax-free federally and in NC. Use for mortgage qualification (grossed-up 25% for DTI).

VA healthcare priority groups

• Priority 1 — 50%+ disabled Veterans; no copays
• Priority 2 — 30-40% disabled
• Priority 3 — Former POWs, Purple Heart recipients
• Priority 4 — Catastrophically disabled, low income
• Priority 5 — Veterans under 50% disability who can't afford care
• Priority 6-8 — Other Veterans including 0% rated; some copays apply

Apply at any VA Medical Center; benefits include primary care, mental health, prescription drugs.

VA education + GI Bill

• Post-9/11 GI Bill — Tuition + housing + book stipend for 36 months of education
• Yellow Ribbon Program — Covers tuition above state-school cap at participating private schools
• Transfer of GI Bill — Active-duty can transfer benefit to spouse or dependents

VA pension (for low-income Veterans)

Federal income supplement for low-income wartime Veterans aged 65+ or permanently disabled. Tax-free.

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

Tax-free monthly payments to surviving spouses + children of service members who died in service or from service-connected causes.

VA-backed home loans

The benefit you already know — used to buy + refinance with $0 down + no PMI. Funding fee waived for 10%+ disability rating. Full NC guide.

How to verify any of these discounts

Most national chains use SheerID, ID.me, or GovX for verification. One-time signup gives you reusable verification across multiple retailers.

• ID.me — VA's official verification service (also works for retailer + government discounts)
• SheerID — Used by Home Depot, Lowe's, Under Armour, many others
• GovX — Federal employee + military marketplace; aggregates many discounts
• VetRewards by VetFriends — Quarterly membership ($4/mo) aggregates 100,000+ discounts

Download the full NC Veteran Money-Saving Guide PDF

Get the PDF → — 20-page printable guide consolidating everything on this page plus additional resources. Updated quarterly. Free.

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Discounts change. Mike refreshes this page quarterly. Get notified when new discounts are added or programs change:

Disclaimer

This page is for informational purposes. Discounts and benefits are subject to change without notice. Always verify current discount availability with the business or program administrator. Mike Certo and Cornerstone First Mortgage are not affiliated with the businesses, products, or government programs listed unless specifically noted. No endorsement is implied.