Thanks for any replies. It's a 3 year program by an accredited educational institution. Has anyone received the rebate claiming this? Thanks in advance.

Here's what Edmunds.com says:

Restrictions: Qualified customers must be within 6 months of graduation or have graduated within the last 2 years from one of the following: accredited junior or community college, four-year college or university, nursing school, or graduate school with an appropriate degree.

Comments: $500 College Graduate cash back available on purchase or lease of any new and unused 2004 or 2005 Mazda vehicles (Offer excludes Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles). Incentives may vary; see your local dealer for details.

Based upon that, and the fact that it states that you qualify if you graduate from a 2 year associate program, I would guess that you would qualify.

CFA is certified financial analyst?

Chartered Financial Analyst

And I don't think it qualifies. This is how I see the CFA, but I could be wrong. The CFA is not an educational institution like a community college, or university. It's just an exam that you must pass. It's akin to getting a CPA, CFP, not an MBA. It's a designation to show that you know your financial analysis. CFAI, the organization that administers and regulates the CFA charter holders are just responsible for selling you the volumes of text books that you must study on your own to pass the three exams, and of course create, administer, and grade the exams. There are no lectures, no professors, no dorms, no library, no campus.

Of course you can attend numerous CFA review courses offered by many different organizations like Schweser and Stalla. But they are not endorsed by or affiliated with the CFAI.

Thanks guys, not sure if it's worth a try. I wonder how diligent Mazda is in following up. I could certainly get a letter from the CFA Institute telling Mazda what's involved in the course.

I'd give it a shot! Let me know, I'm taking the CFA too. But I've only just started.

If you're in a three year program in an accredited institution, then heck, give it a try. Just talk fast and fancy, and who is the sales rep to say you're wrong? Dont' get all defensive, just expect the rebate and you can raise heck if its declined. Assuming you're getting the car anyway, this is free money.

I'm hoping they give you the rebate up front, followed by me providing the educational confirmation, rather than me getting the rebate in the mail, only upon a "committee" deciding upon whether the CFA qualifies.

Cheers.