Scholarships
A scholarship is a financial aid award that does not need to be repaid. Scholarships are a form of merit-based aid, meaning they are offered based on merit or achievement in a specific area.* Below is a list of the scholarships available at Biola University.
* Biola offers some scholarships based on both merit and need, in which case a completed FAFSA is required to show need.
Academic Scholarship
| Unweighted GPA | Amount | SAT/ACT Scores | Amount | Class Rank | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.85+ | $2,850 | 1350+ / 31+ | $2,850 | Top 3% | $2,350 |
| 3.70 - 3.84 | $2,350 | 1280 - 1340 / 28 - 30 | $2,350 | Top 10% | $2,050 |
| 3.56 - 3.69 | $1,850 | 1200 - 1270 / 26 - 27 | $1,850 | Top 15% | $1,750 |
| 3.45 - 3.55 | $1,350 | 1100 - 1190 / 24 - 25 | $1,350 | Top 25% | $1,350 |
GPA Award + SAT/ACT Award + Class Rank Award = Total Academic Scholarship
$1,000 Bonus if you are in the top quartile of each block
- Amount
- $4,050 - $9,050 per year.
- Eligibility
- The student is eligible if he/she has an unweighted high school GPA of 3.45+, a combined SAT score of 1100 (Critical Reading and Math) or ACT composite score of 24, and a high school class rank in the top 25%. The eligible student must meet the minimum requirements of all three categories to qualify. Transfer students see below.
- Deadline
- Updated GPA, SAT/ACT scores, and class rank are due by May 1.
- Renewal
- Annually renewable when a minimum GPA is maintained.
- Application
- No separate application required. See note below.
- Funding
- Biola University
Note: The Office of Admissions automatically awards the Academic Scholarship at the time the student is admitted to Biola University. The Academic Scholarship cannot be combined with the Community Service Scholarship.
Academic Scholarship
Transfer Students
| College GPA | Award Amount |
|---|---|
| 3.95 - 4.00 | $7,850 |
| 3.85 - 3.94 | $6,350 |
| 3.70 - 3.84 | $5,350 |
| 3.50 - 3.69 | $4,350 |
- Amount
- $4,350 - $7,850 per year.
- Eligibility
- The student is eligible if he/she is transferring 27 or more credit units, based on a college transcript. If the student is transferring 26 credit units or less, he/she is only eligible for the traditional academic scholarship, based on the student's high school transcript.
- Deadline
- Updated college transcripts are due at the end of the student's spring semester.
- Renewal
- Annually renewable when a minimum GPA is maintained.
- Application
- No separate application required. See note below.
- Funding
- Biola University
Alumni Dependent Scholarship
- 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.
- Deadline
- No deadline. Priority given to early applicants.
- Renewal
- Annually renewable.
- Application
- No separate application required. The eligible student should indicate "alumni" on the Biola University Application for Admission.
- Funding
- Biola University
Note: The Office of Admissions automatically awards the Alumni Dependent Scholarship at the time the student is admitted to Biola University.
Christian Worker Dependent Scholarship
- Amount
- Up to $2,000 per year.
- Eligibility
- The student is eligible if he/she has demonstrated financial need and is the dependent of a pastor, missionaries, or other full-time vocational Christian ministry workers. To qualify, primary parental income must be through the ministry organization.
- Deadline
- No deadline. Priority given to early applicants.
- Renewal
- Non-renewable. Student must reapply annually based on financial need and continued involvement in Christian service.
- Application
- Completed FAFSA (Biola listed) and Christian Worker Dependent Scholarship Application.
- Funding
- Biola University
Note: The Office of Financial Aid awards the Christian Worker Dependent Scholarship.
Church Matching Scholarship
- Amount
- Up to $700 per year.
- Eligibility
- The student is eligible if he/she has demonstrated financial need and is at least a half-time student. To qualify, the eligible student must receive financial sponsorship from a church. Biola University will match up to $700 of support per year.
- Deadline
- October 1 for full-year or fall-only students; March 2 for spring-only students.
- Renewal
- Non-renewable. Student must reapply annually based on financial need and additional church sponsorship.
- Application
- Completed FAFSA (Biola listed) and Church Matching Scholarship Application. Church sponsorship check should be written out to Biola University and attached to the Church Matching Scholarship Application.
- Funding
- Biola University
Note: The Office of Financial Aid awards the Church Matching Scholarship. BOLD students are not eligible for the Church Matching Scholarship. ELSP students should see the ELSP office for additional eligibility details.
Community Service Scholarship (CSS)
- Amount
- $2,700 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.
- Deadline
- February 15. 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.
- Application
- Community Service Scholarship Application
- Funding
- Biola University
Note: The Office of Admissions awards the Community Service Scholarship. The Community Service Scholarship cannot be combined with the Academic or SURGE Scholarship.
Departmental Scholarships
- Amount
- Varies.
- Eligibility
- The student is eligible on the basis of his/her achievement or potential in a certain field.
- Deadling
- Contact appropriate department.
- Renewal
- Contact appropriate department.
- Application
- Contact appropriate department.
- Funding
- Biola University
Note: Departmental scholarships are available for the following programs: Athletics, Music, Art, Science, and Communications (Forensics, Journalism, and Speech and Debate). For information regarding specific departments, contact the Office of Admissions.
SURGE Scholarship
- Amount
- $4,000 - $6,500 per year.
- Eligibility
- Students with a cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 or above, whose leadership and experience demonstrate a commitment to ethnic diversity and multicultural awareness, are invited to apply. To qualify, the student must also demonstrate outstanding community involvement.
- Deadline
- February 15. To be considered for this scholarship, a student must complete the Biola University admissions process by January 15.
- Renewal
- Annually renewable with participation in the Cultural Encounters leadership program and when a minimum GPA is maintained.
- Application
- SURGE Scholarship Application
- Funding
- Biola University
Note: The Office of Admissions awards the SURGE Scholarship.
SURGE Scholarship Application