International Students

Steps to Apply

To apply to Biola as an international student, follow the steps below:

  1. Complete and submit your official application for admission. Every advantage goes to the early applicant, and late applications are charged a non-refundable $55 application fee.

  2. Submit a non-refundable $45 application fee.* If applying online, you may submit the fee by credit card. Otherwise, please send a check or money order made payable to Biola University, with the student's name indicated on the memo-line, to the address below:

    Office of Admissions
    Biola University
    13800 Biola Avenue
    La Mirada, CA 90639

    * Biola will accept the College Board or ACT fee waiver, or you may submit the Biola Request for Application Fee Waiver form and accompanying documentation.

  3. Submit an official transcript from each secondary and post-secondary school attended, current through the time of application. Transcripts must arrive with a certified English translation documenting your coursework, examinations taken, grades received, passing and maximum marks, and evidence of secondary school graduation. Transcripts will be considered official only when sent directly from the institution to Biola via the aforementioned address above.

  4. Submit your scores from one of the following Standardized Tests:

    • SAT (Code 4017)
    • ACT (Code 0172)
    • If English is your second language – TOEFL or IELTS
      Please note that Transfer students who have earned a minimum of 15 transferable college units (completed after high school graduation) are not required to submit SAT or ACT score. However, if English is a second language, they may still be asked to take Biola's English Placement Exam (BEPE).
  5. Submit a pastoral reference form from a member of the pastoral staff of your church that supports your Christian testimony. In addition, you have the option to submit a reference from a high school teacher, counselor, or a college instructor that attests to your academic ability. Both references should be provided by persons outside of your own family and be sent to the aforementioned address above.

  6. Submit your completed affidavit of support.

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International Student Admissions Requirements

  • The student must be an evangelical believer in the Christian faith.
     
  • The student must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or equivalent to that according to the grading system used by the country that a student is applying from. (Please Note that Biola does not have a translation or evaluation service, and students are required to submit records in English. If the school does not issue an English translation, the student is responsible to get an official translation done by a known agency. Please see the transfer student information below regarding transferring college units to Biola). 
     
  • The student must have one of the following Standardized Tests:
  1. Minimum SAT combined score of 920 (Critical Reading/Math score on the SAT. This does not include the Writing score)
  2. Composite 19 score on the ACT
    Note: The average Critical Reading/Math SAT score for incoming freshmen at Biola is 1,104. The average Composite ACT score is 24.

  3. 600 Paper / 100 iBT score on the TOEFL

  4. IELTS–Band 6
    Note: Students with test scores below the requirement may enter most Biola degree programs if they meet all other requirements for admission. These students will be asked to take the Biola English Placement Exam (BEPE) prior to the starting date of classes, and may need additional language training prior to starting major courses.

  • Financial ability to meet the cost of education at Biola University (Tuition, Room, Board, Health Insurance). Please refer to the current tuition and cost.

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Transfer Information for International Students

International Student Transferring from a school within the United States

F-1 visa holders who desire to transfer to Biola (from another US high school, college, or university) must complete all requirements listed above, as well as:

  • Submit copies of their I-20, passport with F-1 Visa pages, and I-94.
  • Official transcripts from all colleges and/or universities attended in the United States.
  • Submit a complete Transfer Authorization Form signed by the current school to verify that they are in status.
  • In lieu of the TOEFL, students who are already in the United States and have completed College English courses may be asked  to take the BEPE (Biola English Placement Exam).

International Student Transferring from a school outside of the United States

Students who desire to get transfer credit for college courses taken outside of the United States must have their transcripts evaluated by an independent Credential Evaluation Agency located in the United States, such as the American Education Research Corporation. A 2.5 GPA is required for international transfer students.

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Application Deadlines

To qualify for an application deadline, all materials must be received in the Admissions Office by the appropriate deadline date. If a student qualifies for a specific application deadline, they will be notified of admission by the corresponding notification date.

Applying for Fall Semester

Deadline Type Apply By Notified By
Early Action 1 Nov. 15 Jan. 15
Early Action 2 Jan. 15 Feb. 15
Regular Mar. 1 Apr. 1

Note: Applications for the fall semester that are received after March 1 are considered late, charged a late fee of $55, and processed if space is available and time allows.

More Information on Early Action Deadlines

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Biola University
13800 Biola Ave. La Mirada, CA 90639
1-562-903-6000