Graduating from FSU or FAMU in December? How Hyundai’s College Grad Program Works

If you are finishing a master’s, bachelor’s, or associate’s degree this December, the Hyundai College Grad Program offers a $500 bonus from Hyundai Motor Finance (HMF) toward the purchase or lease of a new Hyundai. You qualify if you graduated within the past two years or will graduate within the next six months from a U.S. accredited college or registered nursing school. You also need a copy of your diploma or a registrar letter, plus proof of employment or a job offer with a start date no more than 90 days from your finance contract. The bonus requires financing or leasing through HMF, subject to credit approval through HMF. The current terms are valid through January 2, 2027. The offer is limited to well-qualified customers, only one offer applies per vehicle, and dealers set actual prices. Terms and eligibility apply.

The sections below explain how the program works, what to gather, and how to time your visit to Werner Hyundai so your paperwork lines up with the calendar.

The program looks at your degree, your graduation date, and your job, and the bonus also requires financing or leasing through Hyundai Motor Finance.

Your degree. You need a master’s, bachelor’s, or associate’s degree from a U.S. accredited college or a registered nursing school.

Your graduation window. You graduated within the past two years, or you will graduate within the next six months.

Your job. You need proof of employment, or a job offer with a start date no more than 90 days from the date of your finance contract.

Your financing. You finance or lease through HMF, subject to HMF credit approval. The program requires no adverse credit history, and HMF standard credit criteria apply.

For a December graduate from Florida State University or Florida A&M University, the graduation window is usually the easy part. The program covers graduates who will finish within the next six months, so you do not have to wait for commencement to get started. If you finished your degree within the past two years, you are inside the window as well.

The $500 bonus goes toward a new Hyundai. Where it lands depends on how you structure the deal:

Two conditions shape everything else. First, the program covers new vehicles only. It is not valid on Hyundai Certified Pre-Owned or used vehicles. Second, you must finance or lease through Hyundai Motor Finance. If you plan to pay cash or use an outside lender, the bonus does not apply. Only one offer applies per vehicle. The full program terms are on our College Grad Program page.

Having your documents ready is the most useful thing you can do to keep the process smooth. Here is the checklist.

Proof of your degree. Bring a copy of your diploma. If your diploma is not in hand yet, a letter from your school’s registrar stating that you will graduate is the accepted alternative. Request one from the registrar’s office ahead of your visit.

Proof of employment or a job offer. If you are already working, bring documentation such as a pay stub. If you have an offer, bring the offer letter and make sure your start date is clearly shown. The 90 day window is measured against that date.

The basics for a credit application. The program runs through HMF financing, so expect to provide the personal and income information any credit application asks for.

Two dates matter for this program: your job start date and the program’s valid through date.

Your job start date. The start date on your offer must fall no more than 90 days after your finance contract. Count forward from the day you expect to sign. If your new job begins soon after the new year, a December contract can fit inside that window. If your job does not start until late spring, a December signing may fall outside it.

The program dates. The current terms are valid through January 2, 2027, and the HMF finance contract must be dated on or before that day. If your start date pushes your ideal contract date past that point, eligibility would depend on whatever terms are in place at the time. So check both dates before you set your plan.

A simple order of operations works well for most December graduates:

The College Grad Program provides a bonus. It does not provide a credit exception. Every application is reviewed against HMF credit criteria, and approval is never guaranteed. The best preparation is knowing your own credit picture before you visit, which is one reason prequalifying online is a smart first step. When you come in, our finance team can explain how the program requirements apply to your application.

Start with how you will actually use the car. Think about your daily commute to a first job, where you will park, and what monthly commitment fits a new paycheck. Then decide whether a lease or a purchase suits you better. That choice also determines where your graduate bonus is applied: the amount due at signing on a lease, or the down payment on a purchase.

The full lineup is on our new vehicles page. If the Hyundai Elantra is on your shortlist, our Hyundai Elantra page is a good place to compare options. You can also read our guide to the best cars for college students and recent grads. Because the program covers new vehicles only, keep your search to new inventory if you plan to use the bonus.

Yes, as long as you will graduate within the next six months. If you do not have your diploma yet, a letter from your registrar can serve as proof. You will still need proof of employment or a job offer with a start date no more than 90 days from your finance contract.

No. The program applies to new Hyundai vehicles only. It is not valid on Hyundai Certified Pre-Owned or used vehicles.

Yes. To receive the bonus, you must finance or lease through Hyundai Motor Finance, and every application is reviewed against HMF credit criteria. Approval is not guaranteed, so prequalifying online first can help you plan.

Your job start date must be no more than 90 days after your finance contract date. If your start date is several months away, a December signing may fall outside that window. Count forward from your planned contract date, and keep in mind that the current terms are valid through January 2, 2027.

The hardest part is already done. Gather your diploma or registrar letter and your offer letter, check that your dates line up, and then review the College Grad Program details and start your deal with Werner Hyundai.

Werner Hyundai, 252 Capital Circle Southwest, Tallahassee, Florida 32304.