Northern Mariana Islands US Territory Benefits for 100% Disabled Veterans

100% US Territory Benefits – Northern Mariana Islands

Information for this document was gathered from various sources including: https://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Benefit-Library/State/Territory-Benefits/Commonwealth-of-Northern-Marianas

State Veterans’ Cemeteries

For more detailed information visit: https://www.cem.va.gov/find-cemetery/state.asp?STATE=GU

National Veterans’ Cemeteries:  There are no National Veterans’ Cemeteries located in the Northern Mariana Islands.

Local Veterans’ Cemeteries: 

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Veterans Cemetery Banzai Cliff Rd Saipan, MP 96950 VA Grant Funded: Yes

Phone: 670-664-2650

Many states, territories, and tribes have established state veterans’ cemeteries. Eligibility is like Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemeteries but may include residency requirements. Even though they may have been established or improved with Government funds through VA’s Veterans Cemetery Grants Program, state veterans’ cemeteries are run solely by the states.

Financial Benefits

Income Taxes

Military Pay: 

Military pay is taxable in the CNMI.

CNMI Taxes on Military Disability Retirement Pay: 

Military disability retirement pay received as a pension, annuity or similar allowance for personal injury or sickness resulting from active service in the U.S. Armed Forces should not be included in taxable income. Some of the payments which are considered disability benefits include:

• Disability compensation and pension payments for disabilities paid to Veterans or their families
• Grants for homes designed for wheelchair living
• Grants for motor vehicles for Veterans who lost their sight or the use of limbs, or
• Benefits under a dependent-care assistance program

CNMI Taxes on U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Disability Dependency, and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): 

DIC is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of a service member who died in the line of duty or eligible survivors of a Veteran whose death resulted from a service-connected injury or disease.

CNMI Taxes on Military Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP), and Retired Serviceman’s Family Protection Plan (RSFPP) Annuities: 

SBP, RCSBP and RSFPP annuity payments are taxable in CNMI.

CNMI Housing Corporation Native American Direct Loan (NADL)

Visit the following website for more information: https://www.nmhcgov.net/default.asp?secID=14

The CNMI Housing Corporation assists veterans and their families of native CNMI descent in applying for the VA NADL Program. This program offers fixed-rate 30-year mortgages with low closing costs, no private mortgage insurance costs, and no down payment required.

Eligibility:

To be eligible for NADL assistance, you must:

• Be a veteran with an honorable discharge.
• Be a veteran or spouse of native CNMI descent.
• Have an acceptable credit rating.
• Be able to repay the loan.

Application Process:

1. Gather your DD214 and VA Certificate of Eligibility.
2. Contact the CNMI Housing Corporation for assistance.
3. Link to Application: https://www.nmhcgov.net/default.asp?secID=26

Contact Information:

• Phone: 670-234-6866, 670-234-9447, or 670-234-7670

CNMI Veteran License Plate

The CNMI Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) offers special license plates for U.S. Armed Forces veterans. These plates signify your veteran status and branch of service.

Eligibility

You must:

• Be the registered owner of your vehicle.
• Provide a copy of your DD214 and identification.

Application Process

1. Gather your DD214 and identification.
2. Apply at the CNMI BMV.
3. Pay the fees: $50 for vehicle registration plus $18.75 for the special license plate.
4. For renewals, Veterans will be offered a discounted fee of $37.50.

Additional Benefits for Veterans with Disabilities

• You can apply for a free disability parking placard.
• Your application must be signed by a healthcare provider.

Contact Information:

• Phone: 670-664-9066

Commonwealth Office of Transit Authority, Call-A-Ride Program

Visit the following links for more information and to access the application:

CNMI COTA, Application for Eligibility of ADA Paratransit Services
CNMI COTA Veterans Webpage
CNMI COTA Webpage

Veterans, service members, and their families who need transportation assistance on Saipan may contact the COTA’s Call-A-Ride Program. The Call-A-Ride Program offers discounted shared rides. 

Those interested must apply to COTA to determine eligibility. 

The Call-A-Ride program operates Monday through Friday, from 6:30 a.m. through 7:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 6:30 a.m. through 4:00 p.m.

Contact COTA by email at cnmicota@gmail.com, or call 670-664-COTA (2682).

Education Benefits

The North Mariana Islands offer a variety of Educational Benefits to resident veterans and their dependents.

State Educational Benefits can be used in conjunction with the National Educational Benefits (DEA)

Resident Tuition Rates at Northern Marianas College (NMC)

Visit the following website for more information: https://www.marianas.edu/veteran-services

NMC offers resident tuition rates to eligible veterans and their dependents, no matter where they live.

Eligibility:

You may be eligible for resident tuition rates if you are:

• A veteran living in the CNMI who enrolls at NMC within three years of discharge from at least 90 days of active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces.
• A spouse or child using transferred VA educational benefits who lives in the CNMI and enrolls at NMC within three years of the benefits transfer or the veteran’s discharge.
• A spouse or child using benefits under the Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship who lives in the CNMI and enrolls at NMC within three years of the service member’s death in the line of duty after at least 90 days of active-duty service.

Application Process:

To apply for resident tuition rates, contact NMC and provide proof of your eligibility based on the criteria above.

For more information, please call 670-234-5498.

CNMI Public School System’s Leadership Corps

The CNMI Public School System’s (PSS) Leadership Corps is a federally funded program for veterans who want to pursue a career in education.

Eligibility

To be eligible, you must:

• Be a veteran with at least a high school diploma.
• Have served at least two years in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Application Process

1. Apply for a position as a teacher aide or instructor in the PSS.
2. If accepted, you can take training and education leave to attend classes at Northern Marianas College and complete your college degree.
3. Upon completing your degree, your position will be reclassified as an instructor or classroom teacher.

For more information, please call 670-237-3037 or email psshr@cnmipss.org.

Northern Marianas College Support for Veterans

Student support staff at NMC assist veterans and their family members in navigating the academic and administrative pathways to enroll and achieve their college degrees.

Contact Information:

• Address: Fina Sisu, PO BOX 501250, Saipan, MP 96950
• Phone: 670-234-5498
• Website: www.marianas.edu

Financial Aid Office:

• Guides veterans through the GI Bill application and other financial aid applications.
• Contact: 670-237-6791/2/3/4 or fao@marianas.edu

Disability Support Services:

• Veterans with disabilities are encouraged to self-identify.
• Provides accommodations such as:
  • Tape recorders, magnifiers, and other aids
  • Extended test time and separate testing sites
  • Note takers, readers, scribes, and tutors
  • American Sign Language interpretation
  • Classroom relocation and instructional materials in alternate formats
  • Priority registration
• Contact: Counseling Department at 670-237-6782

For more information, please reach out to the appropriate contact based on your needs.

Employment Benefits

CNMI Department of Labor (DOL) Employment Assistance

The CNMI DOL provides employment information on its website where veterans can register and apply for jobs. The DOL also offers priority service for veterans and their spouses in training programs funded by the U.S. Department of Labor. This priority is also extended to certain reserve component service members.

Eligibility for Priority of Service:

You are eligible for priority of service if you are:

• A veteran who served at least one day on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and were discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable.
• A spouse of an eligible veteran.
• A reserve component service member who was activated for federal service.

Application Process:

1. Visit the CNMI DOL website to register and apply for jobs.
2. Contact the CNMI DOL for more information or assistance.

Contact Information:

• Phone: 670-664-3196 or 670-664-1704
• Website: https://www.marianaslabor.net/