As any graduate will tell you, the first few years out of college can be exciting, but financially tough. 

So for any recently-matriculated graduate, owning a car that gets good gas mileage is an important way to save those precious pennies and get out of debt as fast as possible. 

Now Toyota wants to help graduates out, with a $1,000 rebate on any 2012 Toyota Prius C, one of the most efficient gasoline hybrids on the market today. 

Part of its Toyota College Grad Program, students less than six months from the end of their degree, and those who graduated up to two years ago, can sign up to buy the 50 mpg combined compact hybrid. 

As HybridCars reports, Toyota financial services added the 2012 Toyota Prius C to its Grad Program offer last week, placing alongside other Toyota cars like the 2012 Camry, Corolla, Matrix, Tacoma, RAV4 and Yaris. 

2012 Toyota Prius C

2012 Toyota Prius C

Toyota says the scheme is perfect for new graduates, as it requires no money down and no monthly payments for the first 90 days. It’s worth noting however, that even if you take the 90-days no-payment option, interest is charged from the day the paperwork is signed. 

College graduates aren’t the only ones to be eligible for the offer either: complete a two-year post secondary automotive program accredited by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF), or complete certain electrician apprenticeship or certification programs, and you’ll also be eligible for the offer. 

Starting at $18,950, the 2012 Toyota Prius C One isn’t the cheapest car you can get through Toyota’s Grad Program, but it is certainly the most efficient.

Prius c Rebate For Graduates

Prius c Rebate For Graduates

Of course, there’s the usual prerequisites, such as having full-time employment and being able to qualify for the loan, but we’ll be interested to see just how many graduates sign up for the deal. 

And there’s this problem: with student debts on the rise, just how many college graduates can afford to buy a new car? 

Let us know your thoughts in the Comments below.