Your Student ID Is Worth $750 Here.
Ford’s College Student Recognition program gives college, graduate, and trade school students, apprentices, and recent grads a $750 Exclusive Cash Reward* toward an eligible new Ford. Verifying takes a few minutes online, and we are happy to walk you through it at the store.
Between classes, rent, and everything else on your plate, a dependable vehicle should not feel out of reach. Ford agrees. That is the whole idea behind the College Student Recognition program: a $750 reward for being a student, an apprentice, or a recent grad. A degree program, a trade or technical certificate, an apprenticeship, and a medical residency all count the same here.
At Chalmers Ford, we make the rest of it simple too. Plain language, honest numbers, and no pressure at any point. Bring your questions. We have time.
Real Value. Real People. Real Simple. That is how we do business, and it is exactly how your first deal out of school should feel.
What You Get
Incoming freshmen, current college, graduate, and trade school students, apprentices and interns, and alumni within 2 years of graduation.†
Confirm through ID.me. No transcripts, no paperwork to dig up.
Including Maverick, F-150, Bronco Sport, and Mustang.
Here Is Who Qualifies
This one is simple, and it is not just four-year degrees. You qualify if any of these is you:
- ✓You are an incoming college freshman.
- ✓You are currently enrolled in a college, university, graduate program, or trade or technical school.
- ✓You graduated from college or trade school within the last 2 years.†
That is the whole list. No minimum credit, no enrollment hours to prove, no letters from the registrar. You confirm your status online through ID.me, and Ford sends you a certificate.
What Counts as School
Technical and trade programs count here, not just degree programs. Ford looks at where you are enrolled and how many hours you are carrying. You need to be enrolled full time or half time based on your school’s own definition, at an accredited institution.
Programs that count
- •Four-year colleges and universities
- •Junior and community colleges
- •Trade and technical schools
- •Graduate school programs
- •Trade school apprenticeships, internships, and medical residencies, if you are attending now or starting next term
- •High school seniors and recent graduates with a letter of intent to attend a qualifying school
Programs that do not count
- •Enrollment below half time, based on your school’s own definition
- •One-course completion certificates
- •On-the-job training, including sales training, teaching certificates, professional designations, and adult education courses
- •English as a second language courses
Working toward a certification and not sure which side of that line it falls on? Ask us before you shop. We will confirm it with Ford, and if Ford needs anything else to verify your status, we will tell you exactly what before you come in.
Not sure where you fit? Ask us. We will help you figure it out in one conversation, with no obligation.
Pick Your Ford
The $750 Exclusive Cash Reward* is available on the purchase or lease of these eligible new Ford models, in 2025, 2026, or 2027 model years:
One heads-up so there are no surprises: high-performance versions are not eligible, including Bronco Stroppe, Mustang GTD, Mustang Dark Horse, Ranger Raptor, Bronco Raptor, F-150 Raptor, and F-150 Raptor R.
How It Works
Go to fordrecognizesu.com, enter your ZIP code, and confirm through ID.me. It takes a few minutes. If you would rather do it together, bring your phone and we will help at the store.
Ford issues it once you are verified.
Choose from the eligible models above. Take your time. Test drive a couple.
We apply your $750 reward* to the deal, and you leave knowing exactly what you are paying and when.
Buying Your First Car? There Is a Program for That Too.
The Ford Credit First-Time Buyer Program is a separate program built for buyers with no car loan or lease on their credit report, with its own $750 Bonus Cash and financing benefits through Ford Credit. Only one program can be used on a deal, and plenty of students qualify for either. We will run your deal both ways and set you up with whichever one saves you the most.
Questions Students Ask
What is the Ford College Student Recognition program?
It is Ford’s way of saying congratulations. Eligible students and recent grads get a $750 Exclusive Cash Reward* toward the purchase or lease of an eligible new Ford. You verify your status online, Ford issues a certificate, and we apply the reward to your deal here at Chalmers Ford.
I graduated already. Do I still qualify?
Yes, if you graduated from college or trade school within the last 2 years.† Past that window, ask us anyway. Depending on your situation, the First-Time Buyer Program or another current offer may fit instead.
How do I prove I am a student?
Online, through ID.me. It is a quick identity verification, and there are no transcripts or enrollment letters to track down. If you get stuck, bring your phone to the store and we will sort it out together.
Does trade school or a certification program count?
Trade and technical schools count, and so do trade school apprenticeships, internships, and medical residencies, as long as you are attending now or starting next term. What does not count is a one-course completion certificate, on-the-job training such as sales training or a teaching certificate, a professional designation, an adult education course, or an English as a second language course. Enrollment also has to be at least half time based on your school’s definition. If your program sits somewhere in between, ask us and we will confirm it with Ford.
Can I combine this with the First-Time Buyer $750?
No. They are separate programs, and only one can be used on a deal. Here is the good news: if you qualify for both, you get whichever is better for you. We will run your deal both ways, show you the math, and apply the one that saves you the most.
Can I lease instead of buy?
Yes. The reward applies to the purchase or lease of an eligible new Ford.
How many times can I use it?
Up to five purchases or leases per person during the program period. So if a sibling, spouse, or your own second vehicle is in the picture before January 2027, the reward can work more than once.
How long do I have?
Place a new retail order or take delivery from dealer stock by January 4, 2027.
What about financing?
The reward itself is not a financing program, so it applies either way. That said, Ford Credit has options worth asking about when you are here, and we will walk you through them in plain language.
The Dealership Version of a Good Professor
You want someone who explains things clearly, does not talk down to you, and actually wants you to succeed. That is the experience we aim for at Chalmers Ford.
We serve our neighbors in Rio Rancho, Albuquerque, and the surrounding communities, including a lot of Lobos, CNM students working through trade and technical programs, apprentices, and recent grads starting their careers here. We plan on being your dealership long after this first deal, so we do it right: honest numbers, clear next steps, and a deal that is exactly what we promised.
Class Dismissed. Let Us Go Find Your Ford.
Verify your status in minutes, then come see us. Or come see us first and we will help with the whole thing, verification included.
Offer Details
* See full offer details in the disclaimer below.
† Must be within 2 years of graduation date.
$750 Exclusive Cash Reward available on a purchase or lease of an eligible new 2025/2026/2027 model year Ford Bronco®, Bronco Sport®, Escape®, Explorer®, Mustang®, Mustang Mach-E®, Ranger®, Maverick®, F-150® or F-150 Lightning®. Not available on Bronco Stroppe®, Mustang GTD, Mustang Dark Horse®, Ranger Raptor®, Bronco Raptor, F-150 Raptor or F-150 Raptor R™. Vehicle eligibility may change at any time. Available to U.S. residents only. Place a new retail order or take new retail delivery from an authorized Ford Dealer’s stock by 1/4/27. Limit of five purchases/leases during the program offer (PGM# 32896) per person. Offer subject to dealer participation. May not be used/combined with any other Ford private offers. See an authorized Ford Dealer or go to http://www.fordrecognizesu.com, for complete details and eligibility (PGM# 32896). Check with your local dealer for current information. Offer subject to confirmation of eligibility.
Due to high demand and global supply chain constraints, some models, trims, and features may not be available or may be subject to change. Check with your local dealer for current information.