compare_student_loansCompare student loan options in the SecureLend catalog. Optional inputs are loan amount, credit score, and US state.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| state | No | US state. Optional. | |
| loanAmount | No | Requested student loan amount in USD. Optional. | |
| creditScore | No | Credit score used to rank catalog options. Optional. |
Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.
Input schema / properties / amountRemoved value: -{
- "description": "Requested amount.",
- "type": "number"
-}Input schema / properties / creditScore / descriptionPrevious value: -"Credit score used to filter options."New value: +"Credit score used to rank catalog options. Optional."Input schema / properties / homePriceRemoved value: -{
- "description": "Property value for a mortgage comparison.",
- "type": "number"
-}Input schema / properties / loanAmount / descriptionPrevious value: -"Requested amount."New value: +"Requested student loan amount in USD. Optional."Input schema / properties / principalRemoved value: -{
- "description": "Principal when loanAmount is omitted.",
- "type": "number"
-}Input schema / properties / purposeRemoved value: -{
- "description": "What the amount is for.",
- "type": "string"
-}Input schema / properties / state / descriptionPrevious value: -"US state."New value: +"US state. Optional."Input schema / additionalPropertiesPrevious value: -trueNew value: +falseInput schema / propertiesAdded value: +{
+ "amount": {
+ "description": "Requested amount.",
+ "type": "number"
+ },
+ "creditScore": {
+ "description": "Credit score used to filter options.",
+ "type": "number"
+ },
+ "homePrice": {
+ "description": "Property value for a mortgage comparison.",
+ "type": "number"
+ },
+ "loanAmount": {
+ "description": "Requested amount.",
+ "type": "number"
+ },
+ "principal": {
+ "description": "Principal when loanAmount is omitted.",
+ "type": "number"
+ },
+ "purpose": {
+ "description": "What the amount is for.",
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "state": {
+ "description": "US state.",
+ "type": "string"
+ }
+}Input schema / $schemaRemoved value: -"http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"Input schema / additionalPropertiesAdded value: +trueInput schema / propertiesRemoved value: -{
- "coSignerCreditScore": {
- "description": "The co-signer's estimated credit score (300-850), if applicable.",
- "maximum": 850,
- "minimum": 300,
- "type": "number"
- },
- "creditScore": {
- "description": "The student's estimated credit score (300-850).",
- "maximum": 850,
- "minimum": 300,
- "type": "number"
- },
- "degreeType": {
- "description": "The type of degree the loan is for.",
- "enum": [
- "undergraduate",
- "graduate",
- "mba",
- "medical",
- "law"
- ],
- "type": "string"
- },
- "loanAmount": {
- "description": "The total amount needed for the student loan in USD.",
- "maximum": 250000,
- "minimum": 1000,
- "type": "number"
- },
- "state": {
- "description": "The student's state of residence (2-letter code).",
- "type": "string"
- }
-}Input schema / requiredRemoved value: -[
- "loanAmount",
- "degreeType"
-]Output schema / (root)Previous value: -{
- "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#",
- "additionalProperties": false,
- "properties": {
- "metadata": {
- "additionalProperties": false,
- "properties": {
- "queryId": {
- "type": "string"
- },
- "sessionId": {
- "type": "string"
- },
- "timestamp": {
- "type": "string"
- }
- },
- "required": [
- "queryId",
- "timestamp"
- ],
- "type": "object"
- },
- "offers": {
- "items": {
- "additionalProperties": false,
- "properties": {
- "disclaimer": {
- "description": "A disclaimer message, e.g., if the offer is an estimate.",
- "type": "string"
- },
- "fees": {
- "additionalProperties": false,
- "description": "Any fees associated with the loan.",
- "properties": {
- "origination": {
- "additionalProperties": false,
- "description": "Fee charged by the lender for processing the loan.",
- "properties": {
- "amount": {
- "additionalProperties": false,
- "description": "The origination fee amount.",
- "properties": {
- "amount": {
- "type": "number"
- },
- "currency": {
- "const": "USD",
- "type": "string"
- }
- },
- "required": [
- "amount",
- "currency"
- ],
- "type": "object"
- },
- "percentage": {
- "description": "The origination fee as a percentage of the loan amount.",
- "type": "number"
- }
- },
- "required": [
- "amount"
- ],
- "type": "object"
- }
- },
- "type": "object"
- },
- "isEstimate": {
- "description": "Indicates if the offer terms are an estimate and not a firm quote.",
- "type": "boolean"
- },
- "isSecureLendTenant": {
- "description": "Indicates if the offer is from a SecureLend-managed tenant.",
- "type": "boolean"
- },
- "lender": {
- "additionalProperties": false,
- "description": "Details about the lender providing the offer.",
- "properties": {
- "id": {
- "description": "The unique identifier for the lender.",
- "type": "string"
- },
- "name": {
- "description": "The display name of the lender.",
- "type": "string"
- },
- "type": {
- "description": "The type of lending institution (e.g., 'Bank', 'Credit Union').",
- "type": "string"
- }
- },
- "required": [
- "id",
- "name",
- "type"
- ],
- "type": "object"
- },
- "matching": {
- "additionalProperties": false,
- "description": "Information about how the offer was matched.",
- "properties": {
- "matchReasons": {
- "description": "Reasons for the match score.",
- "items": {
- "type": "string"
- },
- "type": "array"
- },
- "matchScore": {
- "description": "A score indicating how well the offer matches the search criteria.",
- "type": "number"
- }
- },
- "type": "object"
- },
- "offerId": {
- "description": "A unique identifier for this specific loan offer.",
- "type": "string"
- },
- "process": {
- "additionalProperties": false,
- "description": "Details about the application and funding process.",
- "properties": {
- "applicationMethod": {
- "description": "How to apply for the loan.",
- "enum": [
- "online",
- "phone",
- "in_person"
- ],
- "type": "string"
- },
- "applicationUrl": {
- "description": "The URL to the online application form.",
- "format": "uri",
- "type": "string"
- },
- "fundingSpeed": {
- "additionalProperties": false,
- "description": "Information on how quickly the loan is funded.",
- "properties": {
- "description": {
- "description": "Estimated time to receive funds.",
- "type": "string"
- }
- },
- "required": [
- "description"
- ],
- "type": "object"
- }
- },
- "required": [
- "applicationMethod"
- ],
- "type": "object"
- },
- "product": {
- "additionalProperties": false,
- "description": "Details about the financial product.",
- "properties": {
- "description": {
- "description": "A brief description of the product.",
- "type": "string"
- },
- "name": {
- "description": "The name of the financial product being offered.",
- "type": "string"
- },
- "type": {
- "description": "The category of the financial product.",
- "enum": [
- "INSTALLMENT_LOAN",
- "LINE_OF_CREDIT",
- "SHORT_TERM_CREDIT",
- "BNPL",
- "MORTGAGE",
- "AUTO_LOAN",
- "AUTO_REFINANCE",
- "STUDENT_LOAN",
- "STUDENT_LOAN_REFINANCE",
- "BUSINESS_LOAN",
- "BUSINESS_BANKING",
- "BUSINESS_CREDIT_CARD",
- "PERSONAL_BANKING",
- "SAVINGS_ACCOUNT",
- "PERSONAL_CREDIT_CARD"
- ],
- "type": "string"
- }
- },
- "required": [
- "name",
- "type"
- ],
- "type": "object"
- },
- "terms": {
- "additionalProperties": false,
- "description": "The terms and conditions of the loan offer.",
- "properties": {
- "amount": {
- "additionalProperties": false,
- "description": "The principal loan amount.",
- "properties": {
- "amount": {
- "type": "number"
- },
- "currency": {
- "const": "USD",
- "type": "string"
- }
- },
- "required": [
- "amount",
- "currency"
- ],
- "type": "object"
- },
- "interestRate": {
- "additionalProperties": false,
- "description": "Details about the interest rate.",
- "properties": {
- "apr": {
- "description": "The Annual Percentage Rate, including fees.",
- "type": "number"
- },
- "rate": {
- "description": "The nominal interest rate.",
- "type": "number"
- },
- "type": {
- "description": "The type of interest rate.",
- "enum": [
- "fixed",
- "variable"
- ],
- "type": "string"
- }
- },
- "required": [
- "type",
- "rate",
- "apr"
- ],
- "type": "object"
- },
- "payment": {
- "additionalProperties": false,
- "description": "Details about the repayment schedule.",
- "properties": {
- "amount": {
- "additionalProperties": false,
- "description": "The amount of each payment.",
- "properties": {
- "amount": {
- "type": "number"
- },
- "currency": {
- "const": "USD",
- "type": "string"
- }
- },
- "required": [
- "amount",
- "currency"
- ],
- "type": "object"
- },
- "frequency": {
- "const": "monthly",
- "description": "The frequency of payments.",
- "type": "string"
- }
- },
- "required": [
- "frequency",
- "amount"
- ],
- "type": "object"
- },
- "prepaymentPenalty": {
- "description": "Indicates if there is a penalty for early repayment.",
- "type": "boolean"
- },
- "repayment": {
- "additionalProperties": false,
- "description": "Summary of repayment details.",
- "properties": {
- "costOfFinancing": {
- "description": "The total cost of borrowing (interest and fees).",
- "type": "number"
- },
- "totalRepaymentAmount": {
- "description": "The total amount to be repaid over the life of the loan.",
- "type": "number"
- }
- },
- "required": [
- "totalRepaymentAmount",
- "costOfFinancing"
- ],
- "type": "object"
- },
- "termMonths": {
- "description": "The duration of the loan in months.",
- "type": "number"
- },
- "totalCost": {
- "additionalProperties": false,
- "description": "The total cost of the loan, including interest and fees.",
- "properties": {
- "amount": {
- "type": "number"
- },
- "currency": {
- "const": "USD",
- "type": "string"
- }
- },
- "required": [
- "amount",
- "currency"
- ],
- "type": "object"
- }
- },
- "required": [
- "amount",
- "interestRate",
- "termMonths"
- ],
- "type": "object"
- }
- },
- "required": [
- "offerId",
- "lender",
- "product",
- "terms",
- "process",
- "isSecureLendTenant"
- ],
- "type": "object"
- },
- "type": "array"
- },
- "summary": {
- "additionalProperties": false,
- "properties": {
- "bestRate": {
- "type": "number"
- },
- "fastestFunding": {
- "type": "string"
- },
- "totalOffers": {
- "type": "number"
- }
- },
- "required": [
- "totalOffers",
- "bestRate",
- "fastestFunding"
- ],
- "type": "object"
- }
- },
- "required": [
- "offers",
- "summary",
- "metadata"
- ],
- "type": "object"
-}New value: +nullDoes the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true, destructiveHint=false, and openWorldHint=false, so the safety profile is covered. The description adds that comparisons come from the SecureLend catalog, but it does not explain ranking behavior, output shape, or limits, so it adds only modest context beyond annotations.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
Two short sentences, front-loaded with the purpose and followed by optional input information. There is no wasted language.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
For a simple read-only comparison tool with three optional parameters, the core purpose and optional inputs are covered. However, with no output schema, the description does not clarify what the comparison returns or how credit score affects ranking, leaving an agent to infer the result shape.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema description coverage is 100%, so the schema already documents all three optional parameters. The description repeats that loan amount, credit score, and US state are optional without adding format, constraints, or ranking semantics beyond what the schema provides.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description states a specific verb and resource: compare student loan options, scoped to the SecureLend catalog. It is distinguishable from siblings like compare_personal_loans because it explicitly names student loan options, though it does not explicitly route away from alternatives.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
It does not say when to use this tool versus other comparison tools, nor does it provide exclusions or prerequisites. The only guidance is that the three inputs are optional, which is already visible from the schema.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
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