Veterans Day 2026 | Rising Star Program

Can I get approved for a Mercedes-Benz as a first-time buyer or while serving in the military?

The Mercedes-Benz Rising Star Program gives first-time buyers, active military, students and recent graduates a path to approval, now with a $1,000 Customer Bonus for qualifying contracts.

Yes. Mercedes-Benz Financial Services offers four Rising Star approval paths for customers with limited or emerging credit: First-Time Buyer, Military, Student and College Graduate. As of November 3, 2026, eligible customers who lease or finance an eligible new Mercedes-Benz or eligible prior courtesy vehicle through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services under one of these programs may also receive a $1,000 Customer Bonus.*

What if I am a veteran or military family member with a USAA, Navy Federal or PenFed membership?

Rising Star is one path. If you are a current or former service member, or an eligible family member, your USAA or credit union membership may open another. Mercedes-Benz of The Woodlands is a participating dealership for the USAA Car Buying Service, and we work with Navy Federal Credit Union and PenFed Credit Union members every day.

USAA Car Buying Service

Eligible USAA members in good standing may qualify for a Mercedes-Benz member vehicle incentive on select new models. Bring your printed USAA Member Vehicle Incentive Program form with the incentive amount and control number, or ask us to help you request it when you visit. One incentive per member per calendar year, applied at the time of purchase or lease.**

Navy Federal Credit Union

Navy Federal members can use their credit union’s car buying service and auto financing on new and pre-owned Mercedes-Benz models with us. Bring your pre-approval or member certificate and our finance team will coordinate the paperwork with your credit union.

PenFed Credit Union

PenFed members can bring a PenFed pre-approval or car buying service certificate to Mercedes-Benz of The Woodlands for new and pre-owned Mercedes-Benz models. We will walk you through how your membership benefits apply to the vehicle you choose.

USAA, Navy Federal Credit Union and PenFed Credit Union programs are offered by those organizations and are separate from the Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Rising Star Program. Whether a membership incentive can be combined with Rising Star or other Mercedes-Benz offers depends on current program compatibility rules. Ask our finance team before you sign so you know exactly which benefits apply.

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 have spent the last few years in uniform, you are a student here on a visa, or you just graduated and started your career, 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 programs. You provide proof of income and the documents for your program, our finance team submits the file to a Retail Credit Analyst for review, and if approved you lease or finance through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. The next step is simple: contact Mercedes-Benz of The Woodlands and tell us which program fits you.

What is the $1,000 Rising Star Customer Bonus?

Beginning November 3, 2026, customers approved under any of the four Rising Star programs who enter a qualifying Mercedes-Benz Financial Services lease or retail finance contract on an eligible new Mercedes-Benz, or an eligible prior courtesy vehicle using new car programs, may receive a $1,000 Customer Bonus. The bonus is not available to all customers or on all vehicles, and it is separate from any advertised vehicle price or featured lease payment. Our finance team will confirm eligibility before your contract is finalized.*

Which Rising Star program fits me?

All four programs apply to Mercedes-Benz vehicles only and require proof of income. Here is how they compare.

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

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, photograph, upload 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

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

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

Do I have to be a first-time buyer to get the $1,000 Customer Bonus?

No. The bonus is available to eligible customers approved under any of the four Rising Star programs who enter a qualifying Mercedes-Benz Financial Services lease or retail finance contract dated on or after November 3, 2026, on an eligible new Mercedes-Benz or eligible prior courtesy vehicle. It is not available to all customers or on all vehicles.

I am a veteran, not active duty. Do I qualify for the Military program?

The Military program is for customers actively serving in the U.S. military, Reserve or National Guard. If you have separated from service, you may still qualify under the First-Time Buyer or College Graduate program, depending on your credit history and documentation. Our finance team can help you choose the right path.

Can I use my USAA, Navy Federal or PenFed benefits with Rising Star?

Possibly. Rising Star is a Mercedes-Benz Financial Services approval program, while USAA, Navy Federal and PenFed benefits come from those organizations. Some can be used together and some cannot, depending on current compatibility rules and how you finance. Bring your membership documents and our finance team will show you which combination works for your vehicle.

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.

Can I lease a Certified Pre-Owned Mercedes-Benz through Rising Star?

The First-Time Buyer program covers both new and Certified Pre-Owned vehicles, but leasing under that program is available on new vehicles only. The $1,000 Customer Bonus applies to eligible new vehicles and eligible prior courtesy vehicles using new car programs.

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.

Can the Customer Bonus be combined with other offers?

The Rising Star Customer Bonus may be combined with other incentives only where the current Mercedes-Benz Financial Services program compatibility rules allow. It cannot be used to reduce an advertised vehicle price or featured lease payment. Ask our finance team how it applies to the vehicle you choose.

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 The Woodlands, tell us which program fits you, and our finance team will walk you through the documents and submit your application.