First Time Buyer Program

Sheridan Ford First Time Buyer

Ford Credit First-Time Buyer Program — “The First One’s Special.” Low APR, $750 Bonus Cash, no cosigner required, low down payment.

$750 Bonus Cash ends September 30, 2026

Buying your first car shouldn’t be the hard part.

If you’ve never financed a vehicle before, most lenders treat you like a question mark. Ford Credit’s First-Time Buyer Program does the opposite — it’s built specifically for people with no auto loan history, with $750 in Bonus Cash, low-APR pricing, and no cosigner required. Here’s exactly how it works and what it takes to qualify.

$750
Bonus Cash toward your first Ford
$750
Minimum down payment
84 mo.
Terms available on new retail financing
No
Cosigner required

Why a first car is hard to finance

Auto lenders price your loan based on how you’ve handled car payments in the past. If you’ve never had one, there’s nothing to look at — so first-time buyers often get quoted higher rates, asked for a bigger down payment, or told to bring a cosigner. Ford Credit built the First-Time Buyer Program to underwrite people in exactly that spot, and in 2026 Ford made it meaningfully better.

$750 Bonus Cash

Real money off the deal

Qualifying first-time buyers get $750 in Ford Bonus Cash applied directly to the purchase or lease. It comes off at the dealership — there’s no rebate form to mail and no check to wait for.

Available on eligible new models when you finance or lease through Ford Credit.

Low APR

Priced at Ford Credit’s top rate tier

Approved first-time buyers are now priced at a maximum of Tier 1 — Ford Credit’s best rate tier — instead of Tier 2. Over an 84-month loan, that difference adds up to real money.

Improved in 2026 from max Tier 2 to max Tier 1

Low Down Payment

$750 gets you started

The minimum down payment dropped by $250, so there’s less standing between you and the keys. Trade-in equity can be used toward it.

Improved in 2026 from $1,000 to $750

No Cosigner

Approved on your own

You don’t need a parent or relative to sign with you. The program is designed to approve first-time buyers on their own income and credit standing.

Terms now run up to 84 months on new retail, improved from 72.

How to qualify

These are the actual guidelines Ford Credit uses. Read through them — if you can check most of these boxes, it’s worth a conversation. Our finance team can confirm where you stand in a few minutes.

  • ✓No previous auto loan or lease on your credit report
    This is the core of the program. If you’ve already financed a vehicle in your own name, you’re not a first-time buyer for this offer — but we have other programs that may fit.
  • ✓A credit score of at least 620
    Ford Credit requires a minimum 620 FICO score. Having a thin credit file is fine; this program exists for that. Approval is not guaranteed.
  • ✓No repossession, charge-off, or bankruptcy
    Your credit needs to be in good standing with none of these on your record.
  • ✓At least 6 months with your current employer
    Bring a recent pay stub. Depending on your credit tier, Ford Credit may ask for proof of income up front — having it ready speeds everything up.
  • ✓At least $750 down
    Cash, trade-in equity, or a combination of both can cover the minimum down payment.
  • ✓Financed or leased through Ford Credit
    Program benefits apply to retail financing and leases arranged through Ford Motor Credit Company here at Sheridan Ford.
  • ✓For personal use, and one vehicle per buyer
    The program covers personal-use vehicles only, and is limited to one purchase or lease per eligible customer.

What happens at Sheridan Ford

Four steps. You can start the first one from your phone in about two minutes.

  1. Tell us about you. Fill out our secure pre-qualification form, or just call and we’ll walk through it together.
  2. We confirm eligibility. Our finance team submits your application to Ford Credit and verifies your first-time buyer status.
  3. Pick your Ford. We’ll show you which eligible vehicles on our lot fit your approved payment range — no surprises at the desk.
  4. Sign and drive. The $750 is applied to your deal and we finish the paperwork here.

A few other things worth knowing

  • Your total monthly vehicle payment can’t exceed 22% of your monthly income.
  • The maximum amount financed under the program is $50,000.
  • Available terms: up to 84 months on new retail financing, 66 months on Flex Buy, 36 months on a lease, and up to 84 months on a certified Ford Blue Advantage vehicle.
  • The $750 Bonus Cash can’t be combined with Ford private offers or with a 90-day payment deferral.
  • You must be a U.S. resident. Approval is not guaranteed — standard underwriting guidelines apply.

Which vehicles are eligible

Ford expanded the lineup in 2026 — the Explorer, F‑150, Mustang and Bronco were all added. Tap any model to see what we have in stock right now.

Eligible for $750 Bonus Cash

2026 & 2027 model years