Climb Credit payment plans for career certificate programs
For students who are ready to move forward on their own timeline, Digital Workshop Center partners with Climb Credit to offer flexible loan options that break tuition into manageable monthly payments, including 0% interest financing and reduced payments while you are in class.
- Training careers nationwide since 2006
- Soft credit check, no effect on your score
About Climb Credit
Flexible financing for live online certificate programs
Climb Credit is a student lending company that specializes in financing career-focused training programs. Options include 0% interest financing and reduced payments while you are in class, so you can choose the structure that fits your budget during training.
All DWC certificate programs are eligible for Climb Credit financing. Checking your options starts with a soft credit check that does not affect your credit score.
WIOA, Vocational Rehabilitation, and employer funding may cover training without a loan.
A scholarship or the Community Heroes Discount comes off tuition before you finance.
Climb starts with a soft credit check that does not affect your credit score.
Pick the payment that fits your budget during training and after.
Payment plan options
Payment plan and student loan options
Climb offers four repayment options for DWC certificate programs. All of them begin once your class starts.
| Plan | Term and payments | APR | While you are in class | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0% Interest Financing | 12 even monthly payments | 0% | Full payments begin on the first day of class | The lowest total cost, if you qualify |
| Climb Loan | 36 even monthly payments | 13.99% to 26.24% | Consistent principal and interest payments from the start | Steady payments and the lowest total cost of the three loans |
| Climb Loan with Interest-Only Payment Period | 6 months interest-only, then 30 months of principal and interest | 13.99% to 26.24% | Smaller, interest-only payments for the first 6 months | A lower payment during training without the balance growing |
| Deferred Payments: Climb Loan with $20 Initial Minimum Payment Period | $20 a month for 6 months, then 30 months of full payments | 14.15% to 26.24% | $20 a month; interest accrues from funding and is added to the principal | The lowest payment while you are not earning an income |
Every plan carries a $100 registration fee, and monthly amounts vary by program. Figures shown by Climb during application are illustrative examples. For a majority of Climb loans, APRs are below 19%. Actual rates, terms, and monthly amounts depend on the program, loan product, and approval. Contact us with questions about payment plan options.
How to choose
How to choose the right plan
If you qualify for the 0% Interest Financing option, that is the lowest-cost plan available. For a longer term or a lower payment during training, the choice between the three Climb loans depends mainly on your cash flow during training and how you weigh total borrowing cost against monthly flexibility.
Steady payments from day one
If you can handle steady payments from the start, the standard Climb Loan has the lowest total borrowing cost of the three loan products, because you pay down principal and interest from the start.
A middle ground
If you want lower payments during training without the full interest capitalization, the interest-only plan offers a moderate in-class payment that keeps the principal from growing.
The lowest payment in class
If you are not earning an income or are between jobs, the $20 minimum payment plan gives you the most runway. Unpaid interest capitalizes, so your total repayment will be higher than the other two loans.
Your DWC admissions advisor can walk through the numbers for your specific program and show exactly what each plan looks like for your tuition amount. Talk to an advisor.
How the application works
How the Climb Credit application works
Applying for Climb Credit financing is straightforward, and you can check your eligibility and rates with no risk to your credit score.
Choose your program
Select the DWC certificate program you are enrolling in.
Pick a repayment option
Choose one of the four Climb plans.
Apply online
Complete Climb's application. The soft credit check does not affect your score.
Review your terms
See your rate, monthly payment, and loan terms before you commit.
Accept and start class
Accept the loan if the terms work for you. It is funded once your class begins.
A hard credit pull is only performed once a loan is accepted and funded. Your rate depends on your credit profile and the loan product you select, and final approval is subject to Climb's underwriting.
Combine your funding
Combining Climb Credit with other financial aid
Most students who finance with Climb pair it with a discount, a scholarship, or employer support.
Lower the balance before you borrow
Climb Credit financing can be combined with other DWC financial aid to reduce the total amount you need to borrow. The discount or scholarship comes off tuition first, and Climb Credit can finance the remaining balance.
- Community Heroes Discount: 40% off tuition for nurses, teachers, EMTs, firefighters, police, full-time college students, military spouses, and veterans who do not qualify for Next Mission
- Next Mission Scholarship: 80% off standard tuition for eligible veterans and service members
- Tech Skills and Women and Tech Scholarships: 25% to 100% of tuition
One discount or scholarship applies per enrollment, and the Community Heroes Discount cannot be combined with other DWC discounts. Blueprint Basic Digital Literacy is not eligible for DWC scholarships or the Community Heroes Discount; Climb Credit is available for it.
Using WIOA, DVR, or an employer?
If you are pursuing WIOA or DVR funding, talk to your DWC admissions advisor before making any financing decisions. Workforce funding follows its own approval and payment process through your case manager, and our team can help you coordinate timing so your enrollment stays on track.
The same approach works with employer tuition reimbursement: finance your tuition through Climb and coordinate reimbursement with your employer.
Compare your options
Every way to pay for DWC training, side by side
A payment plan can cover full tuition or whatever balance remains after a discount or scholarship.
| Option | Who it is for | What it covers | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payment plansYou are here | Anyone covering tuition or a remaining balance | Monthly payments through Climb Credit | See the plans |
| Community Heroes Discount | Nurses, teachers, firefighters, EMTs, police, and full-time college students | 40% off tuition | Verify your role |
| Next Mission Scholarship | Eligible veterans and service members | 80% off standard tuition | See eligibility |
| Tech Skills Scholarship | Job seekers, career changers, and upskillers | 25% to 100% of tuition | See eligibility |
| Women and Tech Scholarship | Women building a career in technology | 25% to 100% of tuition | See eligibility |
| WIOA | Job seekers and dislocated workers who qualify | Approved training through your local workforce center | WIOA programs |
| Vocational Rehabilitation | People with a disability working with a vocational rehabilitation counselor | Training approved in your employment plan | Vocational Rehabilitation |
| Employer billing | Employees whose company pays for training | DWC invoices your employer directly | Employer billing |
"I personally like this digital workshop because it is affordable, arranges payment plan, and easily attending from home."
Important disclosures
Any payment amounts, rates, or schedules shown by Climb Credit during application are illustrative examples. Actual loan amounts, interest rates, APRs, and monthly payments vary based on the program, repayment product selected, state of residence, credit profile, and other factors. APRs on Climb loans currently range from 13.99% to 26.24% depending on the loan product selected. For 81.50% of Climb loans, APRs are below 19%. Repayment options are subject to availability, and loan approval is subject to Climb's full underwriting.
Climb performs a soft credit check during the initial application, which does not affect your credit score. A hard credit pull is performed only once a loan is accepted and funded.
Loans are originated by Climb Investco, LLC. Digital Workshop Center does not endorse loans originated by Climb Investco, LLC, and Climb Investco, LLC is not affiliated with Digital Workshop Center. Licensing: California Finance Lender #60DBO-44527, NMLS #1240013. Climb loans are private loans and do not carry the terms or repayment options of federal student loans, such as Income Based Repayment, Income Contingent Repayment, or PAYE. DWC encourages all students to research their financing options thoroughly before committing to any loan product.
For the $20 Initial Minimum Payment Period loan, a minimum payment is owed during the initial 6-month period, but interest begins accruing as soon as the loan is funded (once class starts). Unpaid interest is added to the principal balance and repaid over the remaining 30 months of the term.
FAQ
Payment plan questions, answered
Still have questions? Attend a free info session or call 970-980-8091.
Does applying for Climb Credit affect my credit score?
No. Climb performs a soft credit check during the initial application, which does not impact your credit score. A hard credit pull only occurs after you accept the loan and it is funded.
What interest rates are available through Climb Credit?
APRs on Climb loans currently range from 13.99% to 26.24%, depending on the loan product and your individual credit profile. For 81.50% of Climb loans, APRs are below 19%. The 0% Interest Financing option carries a 0% APR over 12 months.
Is there a fee for a Climb Credit payment plan?
Yes. Every Climb plan, including 0% Interest Financing, carries a $100 registration fee.
When do payments start?
For all four options, payments begin once your class starts. The 0% Interest Financing option and the standard Climb Loan begin full payments immediately. The $20 minimum payment plan and the interest-only plan both begin with lower payments for the first six months before transitioning to full monthly payments.
What programs are eligible for Climb Credit financing?
All DWC certificate programs are eligible: Data Analytics, AI for Business Professionals, Frontend Web Development, CompTIA A+ (IT Support Specialist), CompTIA Network+ (Network Technician), CompTIA Security+, Advanced Graphic Design, UX Design, Digital Media Production, Digital Marketing, Project Management, QuickBooks Bookkeeper, Business Administration, and Blueprint Basic Digital Literacy.
How quickly will I know if I am approved?
Climb's online application returns a decision quickly, and you will see your specific interest rate, monthly payment, and loan terms before you commit to anything. Final approval is subject to Climb's underwriting.
Can I combine Climb Credit with a scholarship or discount?
Yes. Scholarships and the Community Heroes Discount reduce your tuition balance first, and Climb Credit can finance the remainder. This is the most common way students reduce their total borrowing amount. One discount or scholarship applies per enrollment, and Blueprint Basic Digital Literacy is not eligible for DWC scholarships or the Community Heroes Discount.
Can I pay off my Climb loan early?
Yes. There are no prepayment penalties. You can pay off your loan early at any time without additional fees.
Is Climb Credit the same as federal student loans?
No. Climb Credit is a private lender, not a federal student loan program. Climb loans do not require FAFSA, are not eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs, and have different terms than federal student loans. If you qualify for WIOA or DVR funding, those options should generally be explored first since they may cover the full cost of training without borrowing.
Can veterans use a payment plan?
Yes. DWC cannot currently accept VA education benefits, so veterans should check the Next Mission Scholarship first, which takes 80% off standard tuition for eligible veterans and service members. A Climb Credit payment plan can cover the remaining balance.
Ready to get started?
The fastest way to understand which payment plan fits your situation is to talk to a DWC admissions advisor. They can walk you through the numbers for your specific program, help you compare Climb loan options, and explain how to combine financing with scholarships or discounts. Or call 970-980-8091.
Climb Credit loans are originated by Climb Investco, LLC, which is not affiliated with Digital Workshop Center. All plans carry a $100 registration fee, and approval is subject to underwriting. Rates and terms are set by Climb and can change. Class start timing depends on enrollment and cannot be guaranteed.