Former Students


Former Students

Students who graduate or leave the University are required to pay in full any outstanding tuition and phone balances prior to their departure. If you are unable to pay your balance in full, you must contact the Collections Specialist at (562) 903-4760 to make payment arrangements. A finance charge (1.5% on the first $1000 and 1.0% on any additional balance) will continue to be assessed monthly on the outstanding balance.

Enrollment Deposits

When enrolled students officially withdraw from the University, the enrollment deposit is applied to any existing balance or refunded if the account is paid in full. PLEASE NOTE: Official Withdrawal from the University is made by submitting a completed Departure Card (PDF) to the Office of the Registrar. Please fax it to the Registrar's Office at (562) 903-4896. If you believe you have already submitted a Departure Card but have never received a refund of your deposit, please contact the Collections Specialist at (562) 903-4760 for assistance.

Outstanding Balances

As Biola is an educational institution, any balance owing on a student's account is considered to be an extension of credit by the University and is considered an "educational loan" within the meaning of section 523(a)(8) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code: If a loan becomes in default, Biola may disclose the default, along with other relevant information, to the national credit bureaus and assign the account to a professional collection agency. Should the University be forced to take this action, there may be additional charges for reasonable collection of the balance due. All transcripts and diplomas will be withheld until the outstanding balance is paid in full. An account is considered paid in full when all checks clear the bank.

Delinquent Accounts

Accounts in which full payment or the arranged monthly payment amount is not received within 30 days of the statement date are considered to be delinquent.

Payment Plans

If you are unable to pay your balance in full, the University is willing to establish with you a reasonable monthly payment plan until the debt is paid in full. Payment amount will be determined based on the balance owed, the monthly finance charge and the individual's financial circumstances.

Transcripts and/or Diploma

As stated on page 12 of the University Catalog, academic transcripts and diplomas may be released when your student account is paid in full and all Biola, Perkins and Nursing Loan accounts are current.

Frequently Asked Questions

"Where do I send my payment?"
Please mail your payment to Biola University Accounting Department, ATTN: Collections Specialist, 13800 Biola Avenue, La Mirada, CA 90639. Be sure to attach your payment stub or include your student ID number on the check or money order to ensure that it is applied to the appropriate account.

"Can I make a payment over the telephone?"
Yes, we accept Visa, Discover and MasterCard over the phone. Please contact the collections specialist at (562) 903-4760 to make your payment.

"Is my Biola, Perkins or Nursing Loan included in my school account balance?"
No, you will receive a separate account statement for your Biola tuition account. For information regarding your Biola, Perkins or Nursing Loan, please contact ACS at (800) 432-2372 or visit them online at www.acs-education.com

"What if I cannot pay my balance in full?"
If you are unable to pay your full balance by the statement due date, you must contact the collections specialist at (562) 903-4760 to set up a payment plan. If you fail to send payment or contact us to make payment arrangements, your account may be assigned to an outside collection agency which will result in an adverse effect on your credit history.

"What happens if I do not pay my bill?"
As Biola is an educational institution, any balance owing on a student's account is considered to be an extension of credit by the University and is considered an "educational loan" within the meaning of section 523(a)(8) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. If a loan becomes in default, Biola may disclose the default, along with other relevant information, to the national credit bureaus and assign the account to a professional collection agency. Should the University be forced to take this action, there will be additional charges for reasonable collection of the balance due. All transcripts and diplomas will be withheld until the outstanding balance is paid in full. An account is considered paid in full when all checks clear the bank.

"Who do I contact about a charge that I believe to be incorrect?"
If you believe the amount of a charge or the charge itself is an error, please contact the department who initiated the charge. For example, if your question is in regard to a housing charge, please contact the Housing Department. For a list of departments and contact information, please click here.

"Can I return to Biola if I have an outstanding balance?"
In order for Admissions to process your re-admit application, your balance must be paid in full in so that the Accounting hold may be removed. If you believe you will be awarded enough financial aid to cover 100% of the charges for the term to which you are applying in addition to 100% of your prior balance, please contact the collections specialist at (562) 903-4760 to discuss the situation.

"Will you release my transcripts if I am making monthly payments on my account balance?"
Biola desires to assist you in establishing a payment plan if you are unable to pay your balance in full. Establishing and abiding by a monthly payment plan allows you to keep your current account and avoid further default. However, as stated in the University Catalog, Biola cannot release your trasncripts or diploma until the balance is paid in full.

"Why did I receive a bill with a parking fine when I am not longer a student at Biola? Do I have to pay this?"
You must pay the bill or submit a formal appeal to the Campus Safety Office. If your appeal is approved, the charge(s) will be removed from your account, as well as any finance charges that accrue on the amount. Former students are not considered "visitors" on campus, but "alumni." If you are an alumnus and desire to park your car on campus, YOU MUST use your alumni membership card (available at Alumni Relations) to obtain an alumni parking permit in the Campus Safety Office. It's simple, free of charge, and you will avoid future citations.

"Why was financial aid removed from my account after I left Biola? I wasn't expecting to owe any money."
The awarding of financial aid is based on enrollment status. If you withdraw from Biola during the first eight weeks of the term, not only will you receive full or partial tuition, housing and meal refunds according to the week the withdrawal takes place, but a percentage of your financial aid will also be reversed according to the number of weeks into the semester the withdrawal occurs. Please contact the Financial Aid Office with specific questions regarding your financial aid.

Refund Policies

If you have a remaining credit balance on your account and have not yet requested a refund, you may do so through the Accounting Department. Please be aware that the Account Holder must request the disbursment of the funds. We cannot accept a request from a parent or spouse. However, we can make a check payable to a parent or spouse with a written and signed request from the Account Holder.

To request a refund, please call us at (562) 903-4760 or stop by our office during regular business hours. You may also submit a refund request via fax at (562) 903-4748 or e-mail at accounting@biola.edu Please be sure to include your student ID number.

To check the status of a request, please contact the Accounting Department at (562) 903-4760 and ask to be connected to the collections specialist.

Updating Student Information

The ACCOUNT HOLDER is responsible for notifying the Accounting Department of an address, telephone number or name change. This is to ensure that you receive your monthly statement and that we may contact you quickly should the need arise. Click here to download the Address Change Request Form.