International Students

• Biola University accepts applications only for the fall semester.
• You must have the equivalent of a bachelor's degree from an accredited, recognized institution.
• All admissions items must be received by June 1st prior to the fall semester for which one is applying.
• Pre-application completed before Application for Admission

Required Documents

The following documents must be received before an application can be considered:

1. Pre-application completed, no later than February 1 for preferred consideration.
2. Application completed with application fee of US $45 (check, money order or foreign draft).
3. Official transcripts of all colleges, universities or seminaries attended. The transcripts must be sent directly from the school to Biola's Office of Graduate Admissions to be official. These records should include the grading system, grades earned, courses, and/or examination marks.
4. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores of 80 IBT or above*. If TOEFL score is less than 80 IBT, you may be admitted to the English Language Study Program. For information about TOEFL, contact either:
   • American Embassies and Consulates, United Information
   • Test of English as a Foreign Language, Box 6154, Princeton, NJ 08541-6154, USA
5. Three References (see application).
6. Affidavit of Support for each individual source of funding. You need to find a sponsor (or sponsors) who will pay for your educational expenses, or you must have the funds yourself (note: Copies of the Affidavit of Support may be made if more than one person will serve as sponsor for your expenses). The forms must be notarized and sent with supporting bank statements or copies of income tax return forms.

English Proficiency Requirements

You are required to display English proficiency before being admitted into the graduate programs at Biola University. You are required to submit standardized test scores for application to Biola. You must take the TOEFL.

TOEFL

The minimum TOEFL score required to display English proficiency is 100 IBT/250 computer/600 paper. If you have a score lower than this score, but higher than 80 IBT/213 computer/550 paper, you may be admitted in an academic program while taking required English courses. You also may be accepted without TOEFL scores, but must take the Biola English Placement Exam (BEPE) during orientation week of your first semester at Biola. You are assigned English courses in Biola's English Language Studies Program based on your test results.

Affidavit of Financial Support

Before we can consider your application you must be able to demonstrate a substantial amount of financial support from your own resources. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will not allow us to issue I-20 forms (used to obtain student visas) without documented proof that the student has sufficient funds to study in this country. This means the applicant must raise a minimum of 75% of the needed costs. The affidavit of support form assures us that you will receive support from a sponsor or your parent(s) for the necessary funds to support your education at Biola. We require that an official or notary public notarize the form. We also require that corresponding bank statements be attached.

Download the Affidavit of Financial Support (PDF).

It is important to understand the cost of attending a private university in the United States before beginning the application process. This section attempts to answer questions about financial aid available to international students.

• There is financial aid available, however, funds are limited and normally do not exceed 25% of a student's yearly costs. Applicants must be able to afford the majority of the cost of their education.
• The source of the remaining 75% or more of yearly costs must be from the applicant's personal resources and/or sponsor(s). Biola cannot assist applicants in finding sponsors.
• Before requests for financial aid can be considered, the applicant must complete and return the application with the required transcripts, references, Affidavit of Support, etc. and be accepted for admittance by June 1st.
• It is essential that the University clearly understands the applicant's qualifications and sponsor's financial resources before evaluating eligibility for scholarship assistance. Incomplete or unnotarized affidavits will be returned to the applicant.
• Applicants who wish to be considered for financial assistance should specify this request with their completed application forms.
• No financial aid is available for students of the School of Professional Studies.

Grants

The International Student Aid Grant is available to international students who have been accepted to Biola University. Eligibility is based on academic achievement and financial need. Amount is $800 per year for master's level education and $1800 per year for doctoral studies. You must submit a separate application by March 15.

The International Leadership Grant is available to international students who have been accepted to Biola University. Eligibility is based on leadership potential and financial need. Amount is 50% of tuition that may be increased to 80% of tuition. You must submit a separate application by March 15.

International Scholarships

Other scholarships available to international students are departmental scholarships and church matching scholarships.

Employment Opportunities

International students on F-1 visas may work on campus but not off campus. Accompanying spouses in the U.S. are not permitted to work unless also full-time students. Do not plan on any other employment while in the United States. Biola has around 680 on-campus jobs, but it is not guaranteed that you will get a job on campus.