Back to School in Waterloo: Save $500 with the GM Student & Graduate Bonus Program
Back to School in Waterloo: Save $500 with the GM Student & Graduate Bonus Program
Posted on September 23, 2026
Back to School in Waterloo: Save $500 with the GM Student & Graduate Bonus Program
Back-to-school season in Waterloo means new classes, new schedules, co-op placements, early-morning commutes, and, for many students, a whole lot more travelling.
Whether you're heading to the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, Conestoga College, starting a new co-op term, or settling into your first job after graduation, having reliable transportation can make getting around Waterloo Region much easier. And while buying your first new vehicle is exciting, we also know that students and recent graduates have plenty of other expenses competing for their attention.
That's where Forbes Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac in Waterloo can help.
Through the GM Student and Graduate Bonus Program, eligible current students and recent graduates may receive a $500 bonus toward the purchase, finance, or lease of an eligible new Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, or Cadillac vehicle.
If a new vehicle is part of your plans for the school year ahead, here's what you should know.
Waterloo Is a Student City — And Getting Around Matters
Waterloo is built around education. With the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, and Conestoga College campuses serving thousands of students throughout the region, back-to-school season brings plenty of activity to local roads, neighbourhoods, and transit routes.
Your week might include lectures on campus, a part-time job across town, groceries on the weekend, trips home to visit family, and a co-op placement that isn't conveniently located along your usual transit route. Once you graduate, your transportation needs can change again as you begin commuting to a full-time job or travelling for work.
Public transit is an important part of getting around Waterloo Region, including Grand River Transit buses and the ION light rail system. But depending on where you live, work, study, or complete a co-op term, having your own vehicle can add another level of flexibility.
A vehicle can be particularly helpful when you're balancing:
- Classes, labs, and extracurricular activities with different schedules
- Co-op placements or internships throughout Waterloo Region and beyond
- Part-time or full-time work
- Grocery shopping and everyday errands
- Trips between Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge, and surrounding communities
- Weekend drives and visits home
- Early mornings, late nights, and unpredictable Ontario weather
And if you're considering buying your first new vehicle, you may qualify for an extra incentive simply because you're a student or recent graduate.
Explore GM Special Offers at Forbes GM
What Is the GM Student and Graduate Bonus Program?
The program is designed to help eligible students and recent graduates get behind the wheel of a new GM vehicle while keeping a little more money in their budget.
Eligible students and recent graduates may receive a $500 Student and Graduate Program bonus toward the purchase, finance, or lease, on approved credit, of an eligible new Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, or Cadillac vehicle.
That's $500 that can make taking the next step toward a new vehicle a little easier.
The program applies to eligible new vehicles across GM's four brands in Canada — Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac — which means there's plenty of variety when you're deciding what fits your lifestyle.
You might be looking for something compact and easy to drive around Waterloo, an SUV with extra room for friends and gear, a pickup for work and weekend adventures, or even an EV that fits the way you want to drive.
Whatever you're considering, the team at Forbes GM can help you explore eligible vehicles and determine whether the Student and Graduate Bonus Program applies.
Browse New Vehicles at Forbes GM
Who Can Qualify for the $500 Student Bonus?
You don't necessarily have to be walking across the graduation stage this year to qualify.
If you're currently a student or have graduated within the last four years, you may be eligible to receive the $500 Student and Graduate Bonus toward an eligible new GM vehicle. Proof of eligibility is required when participating in the program.
That four-year eligibility window can be especially helpful for young professionals.
Maybe you've already finished school, started your career, and are only now reaching the point where buying or leasing a new vehicle makes sense. You could still fall within the eligibility period.
Depending on the purchase or lease structure, additional program requirements may apply, including approved credit and vehicle registration conditions. The easiest way to know whether you and the vehicle you're considering qualify is to speak with the Forbes GM team before making your decision.
When you visit the dealership, simply bring your proof of eligibility so the team can help confirm whether you qualify.
Contact Forbes GM to Ask About Eligibility
What Kind of Vehicle Makes Sense for a Waterloo Student?
Choosing a vehicle isn't only about finding something that looks good in the parking lot. When you're a student or recent graduate, your vehicle should work with your lifestyle and your budget.
For someone primarily travelling around Waterloo and Kitchener, a smaller vehicle or compact SUV can make everyday commuting and parking straightforward. If your school or career regularly takes you outside the city, you may put greater emphasis on highway comfort, cargo capacity, available all-wheel drive, or driver-assistance technology.
Think about what your typical week actually looks like.
Do you spend most of your time travelling a short distance between home and campus? Do you have a co-op position in another part of Waterloo Region? Are you regularly carrying sports equipment, instruments, tools, or other gear? Will you be making frequent highway trips back home?
You should also consider your longer-term needs.
A vehicle that works for your final year at school should ideally continue to fit your life as you transition into your career. That's one advantage of shopping across Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac at Forbes GM: you can compare different vehicle types and find something suited to where you are now and where you're heading next.
Start Shopping for Your Next Vehicle
Purchase, Finance, or Lease: Which Works for You?
One of the advantages of the Student and Graduate Bonus Program is flexibility. The $500 bonus may be applied toward the purchase, finance, or lease of an eligible new vehicle, subject to program conditions and approved credit where applicable.
That gives you several ways to approach your first new vehicle.
Purchasing may appeal to drivers who plan to keep their vehicle for many years. Financing lets you spread the cost over an agreed term while working toward ownership. Leasing can appeal to drivers who prefer driving a newer vehicle and changing vehicles more frequently, subject to lease terms and kilometre limits.
There isn't one approach that works for every student or graduate. Your income, monthly expenses, expected annual driving, and long-term plans all matter.
That's why it's worthwhile to look beyond the monthly payment and understand the complete cost before deciding. The finance team at Forbes GM can explain available options and help you understand which programs may apply to the vehicle you're considering.
Don't Forget About Life After Graduation
Graduating from university or college brings plenty of changes. You may be starting a new job, relocating, moving into your first apartment, or adjusting to a completely different daily routine.
Your transportation needs can change quickly, too.
A co-op student who previously lived within walking distance of campus could graduate and find a job requiring a daily commute. Someone who relied on transit throughout school might suddenly need to travel between offices, client locations, or communities throughout Waterloo Region.
Because the Student and Graduate Bonus Program may be available to qualifying graduates from within the last four years, you have some additional flexibility when deciding when buying or leasing a new vehicle makes sense for you.
So, even if your student card hasn't seen the inside of a lecture hall for a few years, it's still worth asking whether you qualify.
Learn More About the Student and Graduate Bonus
Make Forbes GM Part of Your Back-to-School Checklist
You've got your textbooks. Your laptop is charged. Your class schedule is sorted out — hopefully.
Now, how are you getting there?
If a new vehicle is on your back-to-school checklist, visit Forbes Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac in Waterloo and ask about the GM Student and Graduate Bonus Program.
Forbes GM is located at 165 Weber Street South in Waterloo, making the dealership convenient for students, recent graduates, and other shoppers throughout Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge, and the surrounding region.
Bring your proof of eligibility when you visit, and the Forbes GM team can help determine whether you qualify for the current program and which vehicles are eligible. Program conditions apply, and availability and eligibility can vary, so it's always a good idea to confirm the details before choosing your vehicle.
Start Your Next Chapter Behind the Wheel
University and college are about preparing for what's next. Sometimes, what's next also requires a reliable way to get there.
Whether you're beginning another semester at the University of Waterloo, studying at Wilfrid Laurier University or Conestoga College, heading out for your next co-op placement, or putting your education to work in your first full-time job, Forbes GM is ready to help you explore your options.
If you're an eligible current student or you've graduated within the last four years, you may qualify for a $500 bonus toward purchasing, financing, or leasing an eligible new Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, or Cadillac vehicle through the GM Student and Graduate Bonus Program.
Back-to-school season is all about getting ready for the road ahead. Why not make sure you have the right vehicle for it?
Visit Forbes Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac in Waterloo
Program eligibility, vehicle eligibility, approved credit requirements, delivery dates, and other conditions may apply. Program terms are subject to change. See Forbes Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac for complete current program details.