For international student (on the F-1 student visa), the type of financial aid that you will receive is generally limited to institutional aid programs that are provided by Biola University. In other words, the scholarship options are limited and the process is highly selective. Biola University does not offer full scholarships, so all international applicants are expected to provide proof of financial support as to how they plan to meet the cost of education at Biola University. 

International Students are not eligible for the federal grants and loans through the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The federal and state financial aid programs require you to be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national (including natives of American Samoa or Swain’s Island), or permanent resident of the United States.

This page outlines all the financial aid opportunities that Biola University offers to undergraduate international students. Please review each program for specific details on eligibility.

Academic Scholarship: Freshman Students

Students who are applying for admission to Biola University as first time college students will be reviewed for eligibility based on their secondary school (high school) grade point average along with their SAT or ACT scores.  Please note that for the SATs, the scores that we use are the Critical Reading and the Math Scores only.  Do not include the Writing scores in this calculation.

Annual Scholarship Amounts

* President's Scholarship - $10,000/year

* Provost's Scholarship - $8,000/year

* Dean's Scholarship - $6,000/year

Eligibility

Eligibility requirements based on the student's non-weighted final high school GPA and scores received on the SAT or ACT.  Scholarship is renewable for subsequent years as long as a student maintains the minimum renewal GPA for the award received.  This information will be given to you by the Admissions Office upon receipt of the scholarship.

Note: The Office of Admissions automatically awards the Academic Scholarship at the time the student is admitted to Biola University and no separate application is required. The Academic Scholarship cannot be combined with the Community Service Scholarship.

Academic Scholarship: Transfer Students

Students who are transferring in to Biola University from other colleges or universities will be reviewed based on their college Grade Point Average.  Official Transcripts are required to confirm the scholarship amounts.  A student is eligible for the transfer scholarship if h/she is transferring a minimum of 15 units from an accredited college/university and meets the GPA requirements below. 

Eligibility

A student is eligible if he/she is transferring 15 or more credit units, based on a college transcript. If the student is transferring 14 credit units or less, he/she is only eligible for the traditional academic scholarship based on the student's high school transcript.  Scholarship is renewable as long as the minimum renewal GPA is maintained.

International Student Aid Grant

Amount

$500 - $3,000/year

Eligibility

This grant is available to international students (on the F-1 visa) who have been accepted to Biola University, and have financial need as demonstrated by submission of an application.

Deadline

April 1st.

Scholarship Applications

International Student Grant Application  (FOR NEW APPLICANTS)

International Grant Renewal Application  (FOR CURRENT Biola STUDENTS)  

International MK/PK Scholarship

Amount

Up to $2,000 per year (SEPARATE APPLICATION REQUIRED)

Eligibility

The student is eligible if he/she has demonstrated financial need and is the dependent of a pastor or a missionary. To qualify, the primary parental income must be through the ministry organization.

Deadline

Due to limited funding, priority given to early applicants.

Application

2013/14 MK/PK Application. Please complete this application and return to the Admissions Office, details on the application.

Church Matching Scholarship

Amount

Up to $1000 per year

Eligibility

This scholarship is a matching scholarship for financial gift that a student receives from a church. Biola University matches the funds up to $1,000/year.  To qualify, the eligible student must submit BOTH the Church Matching Application and the church check (made payable to Biola University) to the Financial Aid Office.

Deadline

Due to limited funding, the matching part is guaranteed only as funds are available.  The anticipateddeadline is October 1^st for the Fall Semester intake, and March 1^st for the Spring Semester intake.  Students are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible.

Application

Church Matching Scholarship Application. Church sponsorship check should be written out to Biola University and attached to the Church Matching Scholarship Application.

Community Service Scholarship (CSS)

Amount

Freshman - $3,000 per year
Transfer - $2,000 per year

Eligibility

The student is eligible if he/she is a new undergraduate student and has demonstrated outstanding spiritual leadership in the community. To qualify, the student must also live on campus when enrolled and be a full-time student.  This scholarship is NOT stackable with the Academic Scholarship.

Deadline

To be considered for this scholarship, a student must complete the Biola University admissions process by January 15. 

Renewal

Annually renewable with demonstrated leadership involvement on campus.

Alumni Dependent Scholarships

Amount

$500 per year.

Eligibility

The student is eligible if he/she is the dependent of someone who has completed 30 units of coursework at Biola University (including Talbot School of Theology, Rosemead School of Psychology, or the School of Intercultural Studies) at the time the student enters Biola.

Note: The Office of Admissions reviews eligibility in collaboration with the Registrar’s Office to confirm the details of parent’s alumni status.

Departmental Scholarships

Amount

Varies.

Eligibility

Departmental scholarships are available for the following programs: Athletics, Music, Art, Science, and Communications (Forensics, Journalism, and Speech and Debate). The scholarships are awarded through the specific departments and students are encouraged to seek advise from the program advisors or coaches as well as review the specific websites.