Why Students May Need to Upload Additional Documents

Updated August 27, 2025 20:21

Most document requests fall into income verification, residency/address verification, identity/credit file flags, or document quality issues.
Students should upload a clear photo or full PDF in the Student Portal (preferred) or email it to hello@climbcredit.com.
Screenshots, cropped/partial pages, distorted images, or password‑protected files delay review and will trigger re‑requests.
If a student shows “pre‑approved” but not fully approved, it may still route to the Student Success Team for a quick review (e.g., duplicate/second app or a doc check). Encourage the student to complete any pending uploads.

The most common reasons we ask for additional documents

1) Income verification (most frequent)

We request proof when income is missing, outdated, inconsistent with what was entered on the application, or the student is self‑employed/gig‑based.

Tell the student: “Please upload one of the acceptable income documents below. Make sure the full page is visible, legible, and includes your name and dates.”

Acceptable proof of income (any one):

W‑2 from the most recent year
Two pay stubs — the most recent (within the last 60 days) and one within the last 15 months
Tax return
1099 forms
SSA forms
Schedule C
Schedule K‑1

Quality standard (important): Both pay stubs must be from the same employer and show a full pay breakdown including pay period. Screenshots, partial documents, cropped photos, distorted images, etc. will be denied, and additional documentation will be requested.

2) Residency/address verification

Requested when the application address doesn’t match public records, the student moved recently, or the file needs a current address on record.

Tell the student: “Please upload one of the acceptable residency documents dated within the last 90 days (where applicable). The entire page must be visible.”

Acceptable proof of residency (any one):

State identification or driver’s license
Bank letter/statement dated within the past 90 days
Utility bill in the student’s name dated within the past 90 days
Pay stub or canceled check dated within the past 90 days
Postmarked mail delivered to the student dated within the past 90 days
W‑2 from the most recent year

Quality standard: Pay stubs must show a full pay breakdown, including pay period. As above, screenshots/partial/cropped/distorted images will be denied.

3) Identity or credit‑file flags

We may ask for a document when there is a credit freeze, fraud alert, or name/SSN/DOB mismatch across records.

What you can do:

If the student has a credit freeze, have them temporarily lift it with the bureaus so we can review.
If there’s a name change or multiple name versions, advise uploading a government‑issued ID that clearly shows the current legal name.

4) Document quality issues (very common)

Even when the right document type is selected, we often need a resubmission because the file is:

Cropped or partial (missing top/bottom/side of the page)
Blurry or distorted (can’t read names, dates, or pay amounts)
Too dark/overexposed (photo glare)
Password‑protected (we cannot process protected files)
Wrong date range (e.g., pay stub older than allowed)
From the wrong source (e.g., two pay stubs from different employers)

Coach the student to:

Upload a full‑page photo or PDF (no screenshots)
Check that name, dates, pay period, and totals are readable
Turn off any password protection before sending
If photographing, place the document on a flat, well‑lit surface and capture all four corners

What to say

If needed, you may use these messages to respond to students. They’re written from the school to the student and make it clear that Climb is requesting the documents.

Proof of income

Hi , Climb (our financing partner) needs you to upload ONE of the following as your proof of income to complete your application. Please make sure it’s a full page, your name and dates are visible, and the pay period and totals are readable (no screenshots or cropped images).

Upload ONE to Climb:
• W‑2 from the most recent year
• Two pay stubs — your most recent (within the last 60 days) and one within the last 15 months (both from the same employer)
• Tax return
• 1099 forms
• SSA forms
• Schedule C
• Schedule K‑1

How to send to Climb: Upload a clear photo or PDF in your Climb Student Portal (fastest) or email it to hello@climbcredit.com.

Proof of residency (address verification)

Hi , Climb needs a quick proof of residency. Please upload ONE of the items below. Where noted, it must be dated within the last 90 days. Be sure the entire page is visible.

Upload ONE to Climb:
• Driver’s license/state ID
• Bank letter/statement (within 90 days)
• Utility bill in your name (within 90 days)
• Pay stub or canceled check (within 90 days)
• Postmarked mail delivered to you (within 90 days)
• W‑2 from the most recent year

How to send to Climb: Upload a clear photo or PDF in your Climb Student Portal or email hello@climbcredit.com.

Re‑upload request (quality/visibility issue)

Hi , thanks for sending your document. Climb couldn’t clearly read everything needed. Please re‑upload a full‑page image/PDF with all four corners visible. Make sure your name, dates, pay period, and totals are readable. Avoid screenshots, cropped photos, distorted images, or password‑protected files.

Credit freeze or fraud alert

\Hi , Climb’s review shows a credit freeze or fraud alert, which prevents completion. Please temporarily lift the freeze with the credit bureaus and reply once it’s lifted so Climb can continue your review.

Self‑employed or gig income

Subject: Upload self‑employment income docs to Climb
Hi , if most of your income is from self‑employment or gig work, Climb accepts your tax return, Schedule C, 1099s, or SSA forms as proof. Please upload a full PDF (no screenshots) in your Climb Student Portal or email hello@climbcredit.com.

Best file format reminder

For the fastest processing by Climb, please upload a PDF or a well‑lit photo showing the entire page. Password‑protected files delay Climb’s review—please remove any passwords before sending.

How students should submit documents

Students have two options. The Student Portal is fastest.

Upload via Student Portal — Upload a clear photo or PDF of the documentation.
Email — Send a photo or PDF to our underwriting team at hello@climbcredit.com.

Note: The submission of password‑protected documents will delay processing; please avoid using documents that require a password.

Pro tips to prevent back‑and‑forth

Pre‑check the dates on pay stubs and residency docs before the student uploads.
Ask students to review on their phone after taking a photo: can they read their name, pay period, and totals without zooming?
Encourage PDFs when possible (e.g., downloading pay stubs from a payroll portal).
If a student is self‑employed or gig‑based, steer them toward tax return/Schedule C/1099s rather than bank screenshots.
If a student appears pre‑approved, remind them it still may require a final review and any pending doc uploads should be completed.

FAQ

Q: Can a screenshot of a pay stub or bank statement work?
A: No. Screenshots, partial, cropped, or distorted images are denied. Please submit a full‑page photo or PDF.

Q: How recent do the pay stubs need to be?
A: Two pay stubs: the most recent within the last 60 days and another within the last 15 months, both from the same employer, showing a full pay breakdown and pay period.

Q: What if the student emails a password‑protected PDF?
A: We can’t process it. Ask them to remove the password and resend.

Q: The student moved recently and nothing shows the new address yet. What should they upload?
A: A recent utility bill, bank statement, pay stub, canceled check, or postmarked mail showing the new address (dated within 90 days), or their driver’s license/state ID if already updated.

Q: Where should we send students?
A: The Student Portal is best. Alternatively, email hello@climbcredit.com with a photo or PDF.