South Carolina statewide Veteran discounts

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

This is the SC 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).

Want a quarterly email update with new discounts as they're added? Subscribe at the bottom of this page.

SC state programs worth knowing

1. SC Code §12-37-220 — Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption

Value: the full property-tax bill on your home — no cap South Carolina gives a 100% permanently and totally service-connected disabled Veteran a complete property-tax exemption on their primary residence plus up to five acres. Surviving spouses can keep it. Apply through the SC Department of Revenue on MyDORWAY with your VA award letter. Full guide.

2. SC Vehicle Property Tax Exemption + Disabled Veteran Plate

Value: hundreds per year A 100% service-connected disabled Veteran is exempt from property tax on up to two personal vehicles and can get a disabled-Veteran license plate. Apply through the SC Department of Revenue and the SC DMV with your VA disability documentation.

3. SC State Parks — Disabled Veteran Discount

Value: reduced or waived admission South Carolina's Park Service offers discounted and gratis admission for disabled Veterans. Check current terms with the SC Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism (DiscoverSouthCarolina.com).

4. SC Hunting + Fishing License Discount

Value: $50-$100/year Disabled Veterans get free or heavily discounted hunting and fishing licenses through the SC Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). Apply with VA disability documentation.

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. SC Veterans' Services + Education

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

7. SC Voter Registration + Polling Access

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

8. SC-Specific Veteran Court Programs

Several SC 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 SC locations)

These are well-established Veteran discounts at national chains. Mike has personally verified many at SC 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 SC 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 SC locations
• Applebee's — Free meal on Veterans Day
• Texas Roadhouse — Free meal on Veterans Day; free appetizer year-round at some SC locations
• Outback Steakhouse — 10% off year-round at participating SC 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 pricing with us directly)
• 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 SC 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 SC. 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 SC 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

Subscribe to quarterly updates

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.