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Climb Credit’s Mission

Our Career-Focused Mission

Providing access to career training in a financially responsible way

There is often a disconnect between career-training education and the availability of good payment options. That’s why we work hard to ensure that everyone involved in the education financing process benefits from it — especially the learners. We do this through initiatives such as alternative payment options and career development resources for those attending our partner schools.

Our mission is to help learners reach their goals in a financially responsible way.

What types of programs do we work with?

Climb supports three types of programs. These designations — career transformation, upskilling, and career exploration — help gauge what students can expect to receive from their educational investment, allowing us to help students reach their goals in a financially responsible way.

Career transformation

To gain new skills in order to change careers — or to enter the workforce for the first time — career training programs can be a viable option for those looking for shorter-term, skill-based education. We’ve seen first-hand the positive impact programs like coding bootcamps, heavy equipment training, teacher training, and more can have our borrowers. Because we believe in the transformative power of these alternative education programs, we work to help make them more accessible to prospective learners.

Upskilling

For those interested in leveraging new skills within their present career, whether that be through progressing in their current role or obtaining a new job in a related role, there are a wide variety of programs that can provide the skills needed, and that do so in a more condensed and targeted way.

Since there is incredible value in continuously learning and keeping up with modern technology and industry trends, we’ve long been interested in how we can provide access to the types of programs that can help people keep ahead in their fields — as well as determining the benefits and results education with a focus on upskilling (as opposed to career transformation) has. The key is ensuring learners have the right goals and expectations when choosing an upskilling program.

As we’ve evaluated and honed the idea of “career-focused education” over the years, we’ve recognized that it’s more than just a complete transformation. It’s also about learning and building the skills necessary to keep up with new trends and technology, as well as to better carry out your role.

Career exploration

Since our founding, we’ve been able to witness firsthand that careers mean so much more than just salary. A third of our lives are spent at work — and we’ve heard directly from our customers, through student surveys and interviews, that the decision to take a course is not only about making more money, but often about making a change to something more enjoyable.

This is why career-exploration courses are absolutely aligned with our mission of promoting career-focused education.

That being said, we want to ensure that we’re helping people explore careers in a financially responsible way.

ClimbTalent

For all alumni of our partner computer science and business training programs — regardless of whether or not they use our payment options — we also offer ClimbTalent, a free career development platform where students and graduates can access job listings, career development resources, training tools, mentorship opportunities, and more. Click the link below to create a free account!

Sign up for ClimbTalent

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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.