Zarela 2020

Climb Credit Student Interview: General Assembly Graduate Zarela Graves

What made you originally start thinking about attending your program?

I’d been working with web content for a while with my previous job, and I was very curious about programming. I have computer information systems as my minor, so I was always very interested in programming and I wanted to do it as my career.

How did you originally find out about Climb?

Through General Assembly. And when I did my review of the loan process — I tend to do reviews on everything before I commit — Climb had very good reviews. So I decided to do it

What were the most important factors you considered before applying for a loan?

One was to have a fair interest rate. I know it’s a private loan, so I knew it was going to be a little high, but I didn’t want it to be crazy. The other one, and actually to me the most important factor, was to be able to go through the paperwork very quickly. Because I applied two weeks before starting class, and the steps were very quick, so that was a big factor for me.

Do you think if you hadn’t been able to get financing you would have attended the course?

Probably not. I didn’t have any money saved, and I knew I would have to quit my job to be able to go to school.

Once you decided to move forward with Climb, how would you describe the process?

I would say very smooth and very quick. Everybody was very responsive.

Would you recommend Climb to a friend?

Yes, definitely. Like I said, you guys are very quick, and I think the interest rate is fair. So definitely.

What is one of the most valuable skills or lessons you learned from your program?

Well I learned a lot. [laughs] I didn’t know I was going to be able to learn so much in a few months. But one of the things I loved so much about the course was the coaching program they have; they call it Outcomes. It’s a program that trains you in what you need to do once you’re done with school. Because it’s not really just the skills alone — it’s the process of getting the job and all that. That was awesome.

What was one standout experience from your time at school?

Being able to create a fully working application within a week. Also, creating something that would provide a solution for a need I was going to have.

For example: creating an application to help me keep track of jobs.  I figured I was going to finish the program soon, and I was going to need something that allowed me to keep track of those jobs.

What did your new job search look like?

Well, we graduated kind of at a hard time to get a job because we graduated the week of Thanksgiving. So they already told us it was going to be hard, and we were probably more likely to start seeing some activity at the beginning of the year. Which was true — I got a job in January. It was not necessarily something I was crazy about, but I did it to gain experience. I wasn’t getting paid a lot, so I went there for a little bit and didn’t stay. Then I was freelancing for a while until I finally got a full-time job with a company that absolutely love.

“I didn’t know I was going to be able to learn so much in a few months. But one of the things I loved so much about the course was the coaching program they have; they call it Outcomes. It’s a program that trains you in what you need to do once you’re done with school. Because it’s not really just the skills alone — it’s the process of getting the job and all that. That was awesome.”

What kind of projects are you working on at your current job?

The company that I work for is involved in politics — so they work with political campaigns and nonprofit organizations — and right now they have their own platform, so we basically maintain control for that platform. And I like it; it’s very interesting, the company’s awesome, everybody over there is very good, and I’m learning a lot of new stuff.

How does your current job compare to the one you had before you attended your program?

Oh it’s completely different. Different approaches, and I do get paid better than my previous job — much more. I work from home now and I love my office. Even though our team is in different time zones, we all communicate very well. I never thought I would like to work from home so much, but taking the class online helped me appreciate there can still be a lot of human connection through the internet. During the program, even though we were all over the country, we developed very good friendships and communicated a lot. We still do, and it’s the same with my job.

If you could go back and give yourself any advice while applying, what would you say?

To do just do it and do it earlier. I had a whole year where I wasn’t sure, just thinking  “Do I do it? Do I not? Which one would be smart?” My biggest concern was quitting a job, being unemployed while I was in the program, and taking out a loan. It seemed like so many risks at the time, but now I can see it was totally worth it.

Is there anything else you’d like to include in this piece?

Just that, for anybody who’s looking to do this, just do it! It’s all about learning to “trust the process.” Trust your school. General Assembly has an awesome coaching program, and they truly care about their students. I don’t know where I’d be if it weren’t for my coach. We still meet even now just to check in, and our coach is always there for us.

My other advice will be to start connecting with your local tech community; it will go very far. Start working with them and volunteering, so people start noticing you. It’s hard to get a job right away, but sometimes it makes a difference if people see how much you are willing to learn or help others.

“I had a whole year where I wasn’t sure, just thinking ’Do I do it? Do I not? Which one would be smart?’ My biggest concern was quitting a job, being unemployed while I was in the program, and taking out a loan. It seemed like so many risks at the time, but now I can see it was totally worth it.”

Zarela is a client of Climb’s. However, she was not paid or otherwise compensated for this testimonial. This testimonial reflects the real-life experiences and opinions of Zarela; however, it should not be assumed that all users will have the same experiences. Individual results may vary.

This testimonial appears verbatim as given by the user, except for the correction of grammar and typing errors. Some testimonials may have been shortened or rearranged for the sake of clarity.

Schools do not endorse loans originated by Climb Investco, LLC, and Climb Investco, LLC is not affiliated with any school. Climb Investco, LLC is the loan distributor, not General Assembly.

Climb encourages students to do thorough research in selecting a training program that meets their unique needs. Details provided by Climb are for information purposes only and are not meant to qualify an institution or be relied upon in determining which institution is right for you.

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What to Expect: Realistic Outcomes

Climb’s Comprehensive Access Solution can offer a strategic balance of increased enrollments and upfront cashflows compared to traditional lenders. While no financing solution guarantees 100% collection, our data-driven approach maximizes both upfront cash and long-term repayment rates.

Typical Partner Results:

  • 15-30% of students qualify for Climb Loans with upfront tuition delivered to the school shortly after course start
  • 45-60% of students qualify for 0% APR* payment plans
  • Enrollment increases of 20%+ reported by partner schools**

**Results vary by school and student demographics. This represents performance reported by individual school partners and should not be considered a guarantee of your specific outcomes.

The bottom line: CAS is designed to maximize your net tuition recovery while eliminating the administrative headaches of student financing.

Maximizing Your Results

Pro Tip: Schools that require student deposits and set up automatic payments during enrollment see significantly better repayment performance across all financing options. These simple steps can meaningfully improve your outcomes.

FAQs

We use a comprehensive, AI-driven assessment that goes beyond traditional FICO scores to better serve career training students:

  • Climb Credit Score: Over 150 data points specifically designed for vocational students
  • Debt-to-Income Ratio: Reliable predictor of payment performance
  • FICO Score: Used primarily for interest rate assignment

Key advantages of our approach:

  • Soft credit pull until loan funding (no credit impact during application)
  • The majority of students receive instant decisions
  • Students can apply with co-borrowers directly in the application
  • More accurate placement into appropriate financing products

We use a comprehensive, AI-driven assessment that goes beyond traditional FICO scores to better serve career training students:

  • Climb Credit Score: Over 150 data points specifically designed for vocational students
  • Debt-to-Income Ratio: Reliable predictor of payment performance
  • FICO Score: Used primarily for interest rate assignment

Key advantages of our approach:

  • Soft credit pull until loan funding (no credit impact during application)
  • The majority of students receive instant decisions
  • Students can apply with co-borrowers directly in the application
  • More accurate placement into appropriate financing products

Students are placed into funding brackets (Elite, Standard, Enhanced) based on our AI assessment. Higher-credit students generate higher upfront payments to your school, while students with limited credit are seamlessly directed to our 0% Payment Plan.

These brackets are established using data from over $1 billion in career training loan originations and may be adjusted periodically based on updated repayment trends.

Important note: Regardless of which bracket a student falls into, they are considered fully paid by your school once funded. The student’s repayment obligation exists exclusively between Climb and the student.

Elite Access not available for Computer Science programs. Upfront percentages vary by industry and loan terms.

Once Climb disburses upfront funding for a student loan, that student is considered fully paid by your school. You will not receive any additional payments for that student—the single upfront payment is complete and final.

From that point forward, the student’s repayment obligation exists exclusively between Climb and the student. Your school has zero liability if the student defaults, and you keep the full upfront payment regardless of the student’s future payment performance.

They’re automatically offered our 0% Interest Payment Plan, ensuring no student is turned away while maintaining steady monthly cash flow for your school.

Higher-credit students generate larger upfront payments (75-100% of tuition), while students with limited credit use our 0% APR* Payment Plan for consistent monthly revenue. Both options are risk-free for your school

Absolutely. Climb complements existing payment options like scholarships, employer-sponsored programs, and internal financing.

Absolutely. Climb complements existing payment options like scholarships, employer-sponsored programs, and internal financing.

Typically, within 5-10 business days after your partnership agreement is signed.

Comprehensive onboarding webinar, continuous partner support via AI-assisted chat and live email—and real-time borrower assistance with our live-chat-available student success team.

No. Climb fully manages the administrative responsibilities—your team simply monitors your school’s performance via our intuitive School Portal.

Your school is fully protected either way. For Climb Loans, you keep the entire upfront payment with zero liability. For Payment Plans, you only receive what students actually pay, with no risk to your school.