Central SC is an ideal environment where veterans can plant roots and find success in their civilian career path. South Carolina veterans benefit from state assistance, including income tax exemption on retirement pay, state employment preferences, education and tuition assistance, and more. The University of South Carolina’s century-long history with the military has created a growing community for veterans and ROTC students to connect, and has specialized coursework and resources for veterans and their families to utilize. In addition, Columbia is home to the William Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center. Find more resources and helpful links in the right-hand column.
Central SC is home to a variety of resources for veterans looking to transition into civilian employment. Many of our largest industries – including technology and manufacturing – are well suited for those with skills developed in the military. Visit our jobs board to see our available positions. Looking to shift your career path entirely? Visit our upskilling section to learn about programs that can get you job-ready in as little as six months to a year.
The U.S Department of Veterans Affairs also provides a variety of helpful resources, including career and employment assistance for veterans and their family members. Click over to the next tab to find a veterans affairs office that can help you understand the benefits and assistance you and your family could qualify for.
The South Carolina Association of Veterans Affairs Officers provides a comprehensive listing of officers in each county within the state who can assist you with accessing benefits and resources as a veteran.
In Central SC, you can find an officer in one of the following counties: Calhoun, Clarendon, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg and Richland.
Honorably discharged veterans are given preference for state and public jobs. Financially, active duty pay is taxable and Reserve & National Guard drill pay is tax-free. Permanently and totally disabled veterans are also eligible for ahomestead tax deduction and a total exemption of property tax on their homes.
Children of SC veterans who died in service or who are permanently or totally disabled as a result of their service can access free tuition at state schools.
One of three South Carolina veterans homes is located in Columbia. Honorably discharged South Carolina resident veterans who are in need of skilled or intermediate nursing home care are eligible for admission.
Browse our latest news and read about our ambassadors to see what life is really like in Central SC.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (Oct. 5, 2023 | South Carolina Department of Commerce) – West Fraser, one of the largest timber producers in North America, today announced it is growing its Newberry County sawmill operations with its third expansion in 10 years. The $17.7 million investment will create 30 new jobs. Founded by three brothers in 1955, West […]
ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. — Three of South Carolina’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) will be involved in a nationwide project that has been awarded $10 million from the US Department of Energy. The Second life sMARt sysTems (SMART) project will work to solve the problem of the growing stockpile of electric vehicle lithium-ion batteries by […]