Puerto Rico Veterans Benefits

Find Puerto Rico state and local veterans’ benefits including education, employment, healthcare, tax breaks/exemptions, recreation and much more below. The Island of Enchantment is home to more than 85,000 Veterans, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Veteran Education Benefits

Tuition Assistance

Puerto Rico National Guard (FIGNA) Tuition Assistance Program

Active FIGNA service members may be eligible for tuition assistance. This benefit includes the following:

• Undergraduate or vocational programs:
  • Up to 18 credits per academic year
  • Up to $50.00 per credit
  • Maximum of $900.00 per year
  • Medical specialties are allowed up to $1,000.00 annually for two years

• Graduate programs:
  • Up to 18 credits per academic year
  • Maximum of $75.00 per credit
  • Maximum of $1,350.00 per year

Recipients are required to pay a $5.00 monthly fee while using this benefit. Spouses or dependents under 23 years of age may also use this benefit, but certain conditions apply:

• Dependents may use the benefit for undergraduate programs
• Spouses may use the benefit for graduate programs

Tuition Waivers

Free Tuition at University of Puerto Rico and Regional Colleges for Puerto Rican Veterans

Veterans may be eligible to receive free tuition through this program. In order to be eligible for this benefit, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Veteran did not have the GI Bill, or
• GI Bill benefits ran out.

Reduced Tuition at University of Puerto Rico and Regional Colleges for Dependents of Puerto Rican Veterans.

Dependents of veterans may be eligible for a 50% reduction in tuition at the University of Puerto Rico and its regional colleges. Check with the University of Puerto Rico for more information regarding this benefit.

Veteran Financial Benefits

Income Tax Exemptions For Veterans

Veterans may be eligible for additional income tax exemptions. Veterans may take an additional $500.00 deduction from gross income. This benefit is available to veterans for life.

Property Tax Exemption For Veterans

Veterans may be eligible for property tax exemptions available in Puerto Rico. These benefits vary both in eligibility criteria and level of exemption, and include the following programs:

Territory of Puerto Rico Standard Veteran Ten Year Property Tax Exemption

• Veteran or veteran family residence is exempted from property taxes for ten years and up to $5,000 appraised taxable value.
• If there are multiple residences in the building where veteran residence is located, the Secretary of the Treasury will determine the appraised taxable value allowed for the exemption.

Territory of Puerto Rico Injured Veterans Property Tax Exemption

• Injured veterans or immediate family residence are exempt from property tax if:
  • Lot does not exceed 500 square meters in urban zone; or
  • Lot does not exceed one cuerda, (3,930 square meters) in rural zone.

Territory of Puerto Rico Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption

• Veterans who receive disability compensation of 50% or more from the VA are exempt from property tax on the first $50,000 of appraised taxable value.
  • Must provide proof of disability through written certification from the VA as of Jan. 1st each year.
  • Veteran or veteran family has resided at dwelling from Jan. 1st of year immediately preceding year of requested exemption.
  • Lot does not exceed 500 square meters in urban zone; or
  • Lot does not exceed one cuerda, (3,930 square meters), in rural zone.
• Surviving spouses, younger children, and older children with disabilities are also eligible for this benefit.

Puerto Rico National Guard Retiree Annuity

Puerto Rico National Guard retirees may be eligible to receive an annuity of $175 per month.

In order to be eligible for this benefit, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Retired National Guard members
• 20 or more years of honorable and meritorious service upon retirement
• Between 55 and 59 years of age

Additional Veteran Benefits

Discounted Auto Registration Fees

Puerto Rico National Guard members may qualify for a $35 discounted auto registration fee. At the time of this writing, no further information was available, but check with your National Guard Orderly Room for more information.

Funeral Insurance For National Guard Service Members and Retirees

National Guard service members and retirees may be eligible for $3,000 of funeral insurance to defray costs of burial.

In order to be eligible for this benefit, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Under 60 years of age
• Provide proof of incurred funeral costs for a National Guard Service member or retiree