A transfer student is one who has earned college units after graduating from high school, or is currently in the process of earning college units. Students who have earned dual credits while enrolled in high school are required to follow the First Time College Student application process even though they may receive transfer units for applicable courses. To apply to Biola as a Transfer student, follow the steps below:
(If you are a Homeschool student or an International student, please visit the links for additional information that is specific to your needs.)
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.
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
Note: If you are transferring 15 or more transferable units, unless you are a Nursing student, you are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores.
* 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.
Submit an official transcript from each high school and each college attended. Transcripts will be considered official only when sent directly from the institution to Biola via the address above.
If you have completed less than 15 transferable units post high school, or if you are a Nursing student, submit your scores from the SAT (Code 4017) or ACT (Code 0172).
Submit a 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 address below.
Students are permitted to transfer a maximum of 70 units from a community college. All of the following are not transferable from a community college:
Admissions counselors are prepared to advise those attending, or planning to attend, community colleges with the intention of transferring into Biola. Final authority for the acceptance of transfer credits rests with the Office of the Registrar.
Students transferring from non-accredited institutions may be given the opportunity to validate credits through the College Level Examination Program or through consultation. Information on this procedure is available in the Office of the Registrar.
Provisional credit for liberal arts courses from non-accredited institutions will be granted in accordance with the policies of state colleges or universities of the state in which the institution is located. Provisional credit is considered validated only when the student performs at the "C" level or better following enrollment.
Students must take at least 15 of the 30 required units of Biblical Studies at Biola University. Biola offers the Bible Bridge Program as a unique way for transfer students to get a head start on the Bible requirement. If you are accepted to Biola for the upcoming school year, we encourage you to sign up for the Bible Bridge option as soon as possible since space is limited.
Each university determines how units earned at a different college transfer in to their program/curriculum. At Biola University, all courses must have at least a "C" (2.0) grade. There are three ways to determine if units will transfer to Biola:
Students with 14 or fewer transferable units qualify for admission to Biola on the basis of both their high school and college records, including SAT or ACT scores. Students with 15 or more transferable units qualify primarily on the basis of their college grades. Please see below for specific requirements.
The student must be an evangelical believer in the Christian faith.
The student must have at least a 3.0 unweighted high shcool GPA.
Note: The average unweighted high school GPA for incoming freshmen at Biola is 3.53.
The student must have at least a 920 Critical Reading / Math score on the SAT, or a Composite 19 score on the ACT.
Note: The average Critical Reading / Math SAT score for incoming freshman at Biola is 1,123. The average Composite ACT score is 23.
The student must have graduated from high school or earned an equivalent degree (GED). The following is a recommended high school curriculum:
Note: Elective courses in fine arts and PE are encouraged. Prospective nursing candidates must have one year each of chemistry and algebra. Biology majors must have one year each of chemistry and physics.
Deficiencies in the student's high school cirriculum may be made up while at Biola.
The student must be an evangelical believer in the Christian faith.
The student must have at least a 2.5 collegiate GPA.
The student must have graduated from high school or earned an equivalent degree (GED). The following is a recommended high school curriculum:
Note: Elective courses in fine arts and PE are encouraged. Prospective nursing candidates must have one year each of chemistry and algebra. Biology majors must have one year each of chemistry and physics.
Deficiencies in the student's high school cirriculum may be made up while at Biola.
Biola University requires unmarried undergraduate students, under 20 years old as of the first day of Fall classes, to live in University housing unless commuting from their parent(s)' and/or guardian(s)' home. As a transfer student, we understand that you may be 20 years or older, or possibly married, so you may choose to become a commuter student. Biola's department of Commuter Life serves the undergraduate commuter population through assessing student needs, developing "commuter friendly" programs and services, managing the Collegium (a home-away-from-home for commuters), and supporting and collaborating with the AS Commuter Senators. For more information, please visit our Commuter Life webpage.
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 date, they will be notified of admission by the corresponding notification date.
| 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.
| Deadline Type | Apply By | Notified By |
|---|---|---|
| Regular | Nov. 15 | As Processed |
Note: There is only one application deadline when applying for the spring semester. Applications will be accepted after November 15, but are charged a late fee of $55, and processed if space is available and time allows.