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The Mercedes-Benz Rising Star Program

The Rising Star Program Overview

Step into luxury with the Mercedes-Benz Rising Star Program, an inviting opportunity for aspiring owners with limited credit history to drive a Mercedes-Benz. This unique program makes financing a breeze with attractive lease and finance options, featuring low requirements and often no down payment or security deposit (except in New York, where a 25% down payment may apply). Enjoy competitive finance rates and flexible terms designed to fit your needs, paving the way for an exciting journey toward owning your dream car.

Eligibility Paths

The Mercedes-Benz Rising Star Program is here to support you on your journey to luxury vehicle ownership, no matter where you are in life. It’s thoughtfully designed for four unique groups:

First-Time Buyer: Perfect for those new to car ownership with limited credit, this path makes it easy to finance or lease new or pre-owned Mercedes-Benz vehicles (leasing limited to new cars), keeping your budget in mind.

Student: Whether you’re a local or international college student, we’ve got you covered. Leasing terms are flexibly aligned with your student visa duration (if applicable), and we’ll guide you through providing documents like an F1 Visa and I-20 form.

College Graduate: Just earned your degree? This option is tailored for recent graduates with no car credit, helping you kickstart your career with a stylish, reliable vehicle.

Military: We proudly support active U.S. Military, Reserve, or National Guard members with no car credit, offering a seamless path to drive a Mercedes-Benz as a thank-you for your service.

Rising Star Programs

Elements First-Time Buyer
New/Certified PreOwned
Student  College Graduate Military
Vehicles Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz
Product Lease*/Retail Lease/Retail Lease/Retail Lease*/Retail
Term Limit No Yes** No No
Amount Financed/Max cap $50K $55K $55K $55K
Down Payment Required No 20% No No
Security Deposit No 10%*** No No
Proof of Income  Yes  Yes  Yes  Yes
Student/Graduate Status  No  Yes  Yes  No
Reference Required  Yes  Yes  No  No
Proof of Residency  Yes  Yes  No  No
24 mo. Clean credit history required****  Yes  No  Yes  Yes
Payment to income not to exceed 20% of Gross Monthly Income   No  No  No  Yes

*Lease applies to the First Time Buyer program for new cars only
**Term cannot exceed Student Visa (if applicable), or appropriate F1 Visa and I-20 documentation
***Security deposit not applicable in NY. Down payment requirement in NY 25%
****No collection accounts, credit lines must not exceed credit limits
*****For members of the National Guard or Military Reserve, the retailer will need to verify active status vie Military ID Card and notify Mercedes-Benz Financial Services at the time of application submission

Checklist For Each Path

Easily organize your documents with tailored checklists for each of the four paths, streamlining the process before submitting to Mercedes-Benz Financial Services for quick review and approval. 

First Time Buyer (New/Certified Pre-Owned) Approval Checklist

  1. Proof of Income
    o Last three months personal bank statements showing sufficient cash flow to support payment/debt
  2. Advanced Requirements
    o Amount financed or capitalized cost not to exceed $50,000
    o Advance within standard guidelines for approved tier
  3. Proof of Residency
    o Utility bill with service address
    o Signed and dated Lease Agreement
  4. Three verifiable personal references
  5. Credit Requirements
    o 24 months of established trade line credit history on file*
    o No derogatory credit history, including public record or collections

Student Approval Checklist

  1. Name of College/University
    o Must be an accredited four-year college or university -or- Accredited graduate program -or- Accredited registered nursing program
  2. Proof of Enrollment
    o Official transcript -or- Letter from Registrar’s Office
  3. Program Requirements
    o Term cannot exceed F1 Student Visa expiration
    o Expired F1 Student Visa okay with I-20 documentation demonstrating length of stay greater than term
  4. Proof of Income
    o Last three months personal bank statements showing sufficient cash flow to support payment/debt
  5. Advance Requirements
    o Amount financed or capitalized cost not to exceed $55,000
    o Advance within standard guidelines for approved tier
  6. Credit Requirements
    o No derogatory credit history, including public records or collections
  7. Cap Reduction/Security Deposit
    o 20% Cap Reduction
    o 10% Security Deposit
    o In NY, no security deposit; 25% Cap Reduction

College Graduate Approval Checklist

  1. Name of College/University
    o Must be an accredited four-year college or university -or- Accredited graduate program -or- Accredited registered nursing program
  2. Proof of Enrollment or Graduate Status
    o Proof of graduate status (copy of graduate’s diploma or official transcript) -or- Letter from Registrar’s Office stating intent to graduate within the next 6 months
  3. Proof of Income
    o Last three months personal bank statements showing sufficient cash flow to support payment/debt
  4. Advance Requirements
    o Amount financed or capitalized cost not to exceed $55,000
    o Advance within standard guidelines for approved tier
  5. Credit Requirements
    o 24 months of established trade line credit history on file*
    o No derogatory credit history, including public records or collections

Military Approval Checklist

  1. Proof of U.S. Military, Reserve, or National Guard Enrollment:
    o Military ID Card (for retailer’s records only, will not forward to Mercedes-Benz Financial Services)
  2. Proof of Income
    o Last three months personal bank statements showing sufficient cash flow to support payment/debt
  3. Advance Requirements
    o Amount financed or capitalized cost not to exceed $55,000
    o Advance within standard guidelines for approved tier
  4. Credit Requirements
    o 24 months of established trade line credit history on file*
    o No derogatory credit history, including public records or collections
    o Payment to income not to exceed 20% of Gross Monthly Income 

Why You’ll Love the Rising Star Program

Choose Your Dream Ride: Get behind the wheel of any new or certified pre-owned Mercedes-Benz or smart vehicle eligible through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. (Note: Some paths have a financing cap of $50,000, keeping things budget-friendly.)

Hassle-Free Qualification: We’ve made it simple to qualify, even if your credit history is just getting started. No need for extensive credit checks—just a clean credit report with no collection accounts and manageable credit limits.

Payments That Work for You: Enjoy low finance rates and flexible term options tailored to fit your lifestyle. Plus, in most cases, you can start driving without a down payment or security deposit (though in New York, a 25% down payment may apply).

Rising Star Program FAQ

What vehicles can I choose from?

You can pick any new or certified pre-owned Mercedes-Benz through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. From sleek sedans like the C-Class to stylish SUVs like the GLA or electric EQ models, there’s something for everyone.

 

Just note that some paths have a financing cap of $50,000 to keep things affordable. Our certified pre-owned vehicles pass a rigorous inspection to ensure top quality and reliability.

What are the requirements to qualify?

We’ve simplified the process to make it as stress-free as possible:  

  • You’ll need a clean credit report with no collection accounts and credit lines within reasonable limits.  
  • Proof of stable income is required to show you can manage payments (students may use a co-signer or stipend).  
  • Specific groups need additional documents, like an F1 Visa for international students or proof of military status.
  • Our credit review is less strict than standard financing, designed to help those with limited credit history succeed.

How do the financing and leasing terms work?

We offer low finance rates and flexible term lengths (typically 24 to 72 months) to fit your budget. Shorter terms can save on interest, while longer terms lower monthly payments. In most areas, you can start without a down payment or security deposit (except in New York, where a 25% down payment may be needed). Our goal is to make your payments manageable and keep upfront costs low.

How do I apply for the program?

Applying is easy! You can start online at the MBFS website or visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz retailer. You’ll provide some basic info (like income and employment details), choose an eligible vehicle, and go through a quick credit review. If needed, a co-signer can help strengthen your application. We’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Are there any limitations I should know about?

We want to set you up for success, so here are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Some paths have a $50,000 financing cap, which may limit higher-end models like S-Class or AMG vehicles.  
  • International students’ lease terms are tied to their visa duration for compliance.  
  • Timely payments can help build your credit, but missed payments may impact your credit score, as MBFS reports to credit bureaus.  
  • Terms may vary by state (e.g., New York’s down payment rule) and are offered only through participating dealers.

How does Mercedes-Benz Financial Services protect my information?

Your privacy matters to us. Mercedes-Benz Financial Sercvices securely handles your personal data, like income details and Social Security Numbers, in compliance with U.S. financial regulations to keep your information safe.

Can the program terms change?

Program details depend on Mercedes-Benz Financial Services’s policies, market conditions, and dealer participation, so we recommend checking with your local authorized dealer or visiting https://www.mbusa.com/en/financial-services to confirm the latest terms.

Have more questions or ready to start? Contact Mercedes-Benz of Marion—we’re here to help you drive away in style!

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