Veterans and Military Personnel
Kentucky Financial Empowerment Commission believes providing military members and veterans with specialized financial education is vital because they face unique financial challenges related to their service and transition to civilian life. This tailored education equips them with essential knowledge about VA benefits, managing military-specific financial complexities, and successfully transitioning into civilian financial systems. By addressing these specific needs, we support their financial stability and well-being, ensuring that their service is honored with the financial security they deserve.
Community Resources
The Financial Field Manual
Made available by the Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions, the Investor Protection Trust, and the Investor Protection Institute, the Financial Field Manual can help military families make the most of the special financial benefits open to them, including tax breaks, low-cost investments, legal protections, education opportunities, and insurance programs.
Financial Resource Center
The Credit Union National Association's (CUNA) Financial Resource Center provides resources including articles, videos, recordings, interactive quizzes, and more that will engage and encourage all walks of life to improve their financial wellness.
Institute for Veterans and Military Families Entrepreneurship and Vocational Programs
Syracuse University's Institute for Veterans and Military Families delivers class-leading programs in career, vocational, and entrepreneurship education and training, providing servicemembers, veterans, and their families with the skills needed to be successful in education, work, and life.
Institute for Veterans and Military Families Research Briefs on Financial Readiness
Syracuse University's Institute for Veterans and Military Families delivers class-leading programs in career, vocational, and entrepreneurship education and training, providing servicemembers, veterans, and their families with the skills needed to be successful in education, work, and life.
Navigating the Military Financial Lifecycle
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau provides resources for servicemembers to assist them in handling financial challenges at every step of their military careers.
MilTax
A suite of free tax services provided by the Department of Defense, Military OneSource MilTax offers secure and free tax preparation and e-filing software, easy access to tax consultants with military expertise, free, in-person tax preparation and assistance through MilTax designated Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Offices and more!
Mission Veterans Protected
A joint effort between AARP and the Kentucky Attorney General's Office to educate veterans, servicemembers, and their families of the scams specifically targeted at them.
My Financial Coach for Veterans
Provided through an initiative of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, My Financial Coach has financial coaches who specialize in helping veterans of all ages. They help veterans plan and take steps to reduce or eliminate debt, build credit, pay bills on time, save money for life events, or transition from military to civilian life.
New Horizons Un-Limited, Inc.
New Horizons Un-Limited, Inc. provides an online list of financial resources and websites to help veterans with disabilities.
Personal Finance
Military OneSource provides tools for personal finance including information about paying down debt, managing a checking account, choosing good investments, and creating a family budget. Military OneSource offers free services and resources to help servicemembers prepare for a secure future.
Save and Invest
Save and Invest provides financial tools from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Foundation to help military families and all investors make informed financial decisions.
Veteran Care Guide
This guide is designed to help veterans and/or their surviving spouses determine their eligibility for certain benefits through the U.S. Office of Veterans Affairs. It also explains the various veteran care options.
GI Bill Guide
The GI Bill® refers to a series of education benefit programs offered through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for members of the United States armed forces. The GI Bill® helps qualifying veterans and their families pay for college, graduate school, and vocational training programs. The GI Bill® covers some or all of the costs for school or training.
But figuring out how the GI Bill® works and how to use it can be complicated. Benefits can vary depending on several factors, including duty status, service dates, and service length.
Transition Guide: From Military to College
The skills that you've honed during your service — discipline, organization, time management, attentiveness — give you an edge as a student. However, the academic, social, and cultural realities of college life will likely require some adjustment on your part. Best Schools has tips on how to find the support you need to successfully transition from the military into the classroom.
Military Scholarship Guide
Military scholarships are offered to veterans, enlisted soldiers, and high school and college students aspiring to careers in the military. Military scholarships also support students who plan to enter the armed forces or want to advance their careers while serving. Financial aid opportunities include scholarships, grants, and low-interest loans.
Veteran Scholarship Guide
Veterans looking to continue their education and further their careers have many options for scholarships and financial aid. Spouses and dependents of active-duty or retired military personnel can often access scholarship and grant options, as well. Many of these programs support wives, husbands, children, and grandchildren of living or deceased military members.
The Complete Homebuying Guide for Veterans
The process of buying a home is unique for veterans, especially those looking to take out a VA loan. Not all homes qualitfy for VA loans. This guide will take you through the homebuying process with details about VA loans, state-specific veteran benefits, and home insurance for veterans.
Veteran Housing Assistance with Apartments
In this blog post, you can find information on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development - VA Supportive Housing Program (HUD-VASH), the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSFV) that can aid in finding more affordable housing for veterans, and more.