Rising Star College Graduate Program
Can I get approved for a Mercedes-Benz with limited credit history?
The Mercedes-Benz Rising Star Program gives first-time buyers, students, recent graduates and active military a path to approval.
Yes. Mercedes-Benz Financial Services offers four Rising Star approval paths for customers with limited or emerging credit: First-Time Buyer, Student, College Graduate and Military. Each path has its own documentation and amount limits. Approved customers lease or finance through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services and can combine Rising Star with current special lease and finance rates where program rules allow.
Why is it hard to get approved without an auto credit history?
Most lenders look for a track record of car payments before they say yes. If you have never financed a vehicle, you are a student here on a visa, you just graduated and started your career, or you have spent the last few years in uniform, your credit file can look thin even when you pay everything on time. That often means a denial or a rate that does not reflect how responsible you are. Rising Star was built for exactly this situation.
How does the Rising Star Program work?
Instead of relying only on an automotive credit score, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services reviews your application under one of four customer profiles. You provide proof of income and the documents for your profile, our finance team submits the file to a Retail Credit Analyst for review, and if approved you lease or finance a new Mercedes-Benz through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. The next step is simple: contact Mercedes-Benz of Baton Rouge and tell us which profile fits you.
Which Rising Star profile fits me?
All four profiles apply to Mercedes-Benz vehicles only and require proof of income. Here is how they compare.
| Requirement | First-Time Buyer | Student | College Graduate | Military |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles | New or Certified Pre-Owned | Mercedes-Benz | Mercedes-Benz | Mercedes-Benz |
| Lease or finance | Both (lease on new only) | Both | Both | Both |
| Maximum amount financed or capitalized cost | $50,000 | $55,000 | $55,000 | $55,000 |
| Down payment required | No | 20% | No | No |
| Security deposit | No | 10% | No | No |
| Term limit | No | Cannot exceed student visa | No | No |
| Proof of income | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Student or graduate status | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| References required | Yes (three) | Yes | No | No |
| Proof of residency | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| 24 months clean credit history | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Payment-to-income limit | No | No | No | Not to exceed 20% of gross monthly income |
Clean credit history means no collection accounts and no credit lines over their limits. Credit history must be on accounts in your own name or held jointly; an account where you are only an authorized user does not satisfy the requirement on its own, though Mercedes-Benz Financial Services will consider joint accounts with a spouse and, at your request, authorized-user accounts you can show you paid.
What documents do I need to bring?
First-Time Buyer
- Last three months of personal bank statements showing cash flow to support the payment
- Proof of residency: a utility bill with your service address or a signed, dated lease agreement
- Three verifiable personal references
- 24 months of established trade-line credit history with no derogatory items, public records or collections
Student
- Name of your accredited four-year college or university, graduate program, or registered nursing program
- Proof of enrollment: an official transcript or a letter from the Registrar’s Office
- Last three months of personal bank statements
- For international students, the term cannot exceed your F1 visa; an expired F1 is acceptable with I-20 documentation showing a length of stay longer than the term
- 20% capitalized cost reduction and 10% security deposit (in New York, 25% cap reduction and no security deposit)
College Graduate
- Name of your accredited four-year college or university, graduate program, or registered nursing program
- Proof of graduate status: a copy of your diploma or official transcript, or a Registrar’s letter stating intent to graduate within the next six months
- Last three months of personal bank statements
- 24 months of established trade-line credit history with no derogatory items
Military
- Military ID card, shown in person for view-only verification of active U.S. Military, Reserve or National Guard status (we do not copy, scan or retain it)
- Last three months of personal bank statements
- 24 months of established trade-line credit history with no derogatory items
- Monthly payment not to exceed 20% of gross monthly income
Completing a checklist does not guarantee credit approval. All information must be provided before approval, and most Rising Star applications are reviewed by a Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Credit Analyst.
Frequently asked questions
Can I lease a Certified Pre-Owned Mercedes-Benz through Rising Star?
The First-Time Buyer profile covers both new and Certified Pre-Owned vehicles, but leasing under that profile is available on new vehicles only.
I have a credit card where I am only an authorized user. Does that count?
Not by itself. The 24-month history must be on accounts in your name or held jointly. Mercedes-Benz Financial Services will consider accounts you share with a spouse and, at your request, any authorized-user account you can show you actually paid.
I am an international student. Can I still apply?
Yes, under the Student profile. Your contract term cannot run past your F1 visa expiration, and the Student profile requires a 20% down payment and a 10% security deposit.
Does my military ID get copied or uploaded?
No. Your ID is checked in person, view-only. We do not copy, scan, photograph, upload or keep it.
Is approval guaranteed if I bring every document?
No. Every Rising Star application is subject to Mercedes-Benz Financial Services credit approval and the applicable program guidelines.
How do I get started?
Start your application online or contact Mercedes-Benz of Baton Rouge, tell us which profile fits you, and our finance team will walk you through the documents and submit your application.