International Students Admissions Process

Steps to Apply

Complete and submit your official application for admission
Whether you are a first-time or transfer student, we strongly encourage international students to apply early.
Submit a non-refundable $45 application fee
If applying online, you may submit the fee through your application portal, otherwise please send a check or money order made payable to Biola University, with the applicant's name indicated on the memo-line, to the address below:

Office of Admissions
Biola University
13800 Biola Avenue
La Mirada, CA 90639
Complete the required essay
Your essay must follow the prompt found in your application. Your application will not be reviewed until your essay has been submitted.
Submit an official transcript

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, we are accepting “Pass/Fail” coursework completed in Spring 2020 or Summer 2020 for applicants. In lieu of a letter grade, we are accepting "Pass/Fail” high school and college credit for incoming applicants, assuming the course is otherwise transferrable.

Submit a transcript from each secondary and post-secondary school attended, current through the time of application. Secondary transcripts will be considered official only when sent directly from the high school guidance counselor to the admissions counselor through email or through mail. Only university transcripts must arrive with a certified English evaluation and translation documenting your coursework, examinations taken, grades received, passing and maximum marks and evidence of secondary school graduation. If any secondary coursework is not documented in English, it must be translated by a certified translator or translation company.
Submit your scores from one of the following standardized tests

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the TOEFL iBT Home Edition will be accepted. As of April 2, 2020, the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition is available everywhere that TOEFL iBT testing is normally available, with the exception of Mainland China and Iran. To request a special circumstance review, please contact international.coordinator@biola.edu.

Please look at the admissions requirements below for the minimum score requirements:
- SAT (Code 4017)
- ACT (Code 0172)
- TOEFL
- IELTS

Admission Requirements

Please note the following admission requirements for international students.

First-Time International Students

The student must be a believer in the Christian faith (the applicant's statement of faith will be articulated in the personal essay section of the application).
The student must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or equivalent to that according to the grading system used by the country that a student is applying from. (Please note that Biola does not have a translation or evaluation service, and students are required to submit records in English. If the school does not issue an English translation, the student is responsible to get an official translation done by a known agency. Please see the transfer student information below regarding transferring college units to Biola).
The student must submit one of the following standardized tests:
- SAT: The student must have at least a 1000 Evidence-Based Reading and Writing+Math score and a 26 Reading Test score on the New SAT.
- ACT: The student must have a minimum composite score of 19.
- TOEFL: This is an English language proficiency test taken by non-native speakers of English. A minimum iBT score of 70. Students who don’t yet meet this requirement should consider Biola’s English Language Program.
- IELTS: A minimum band of 6.0.
Students who are ready to begin undergraduate degree programs within a supportive language cohort will be enrolled in the Accelerated Learning Placement (ALP) program in addition to receiving full acceptance into the university. The ALP program consists of credit-bearing, Core Curriculum (GE) courses (in English composition, speech communication, and modern languages) designed to increase proficiency in English-language critical thinking, information literacy, and written and oral communication.
- Placement in the ALP track is based on language scores: TOEFL (iBT) 70+ or IELTS 6+.
Financial Requirements: each student must demonstrate a significant amount of financial resources to meet the cost of education at Biola University (tuition, room, board, health insurance). Please refer to the current tuition and costs.
Questions? Please contact your admissions counselor, Rebecca Fuller

Transfer International Students

If transferring from a school within the United States:
- Please follow the steps to apply and admissions requirements for transfer students.
If transferring from a school outside of the United States:
- Students who desire to get transfer credit for college courses taken outside of the United States must have their transcripts evaluated by an independent credential evaluation agency located in the United States, such as SpanTran (Biola Discount), World Education Services (WES) or Foundation for International Services (FIS). A 2.5 GPA is required for international transfer students.
  - Be sure to choose "Course by Course Report" and have the evaluation agency send them directly to Biola University via online portal or post (13800 Biola Ave, La Mirada, CA 90639) in order for the transcript to be considered official.
- Questions? Please contact your admissions counselor, Ty Mussack

Requirements for I-20 Issuance

A student who is accepted and desires to attend Biola must pay the enrollment deposit and complete the steps listed on the What's Next page. In addition, international students are required to complete the following steps in order to receive an I-20 from Biola University:

Copy of a valid passport (no expired passports will be accepted)
Affidavit of Financial Support
Bank statements
- Current bank statement reflecting the amount on affidavit of support
- Certificate of balance from the bank reflecting availability of funds
For those who are currently studying in the US with an F1 visa (in high school or college), there is a transfer of SEVIS records that must be done by the school that has issued your current I-20.
- Biola Transfer Authorization Form

View Additional Information for F-1 Visa

Scholarships for International Students

International undergraduate students may qualify for the following scholarships. The requirements are listed under each category. Please note that Biola University does not offer full scholarships and all international students are expected to have sponsorship to meet their educational expenses. The scholarships offered are to supplement to overall cost in tuition, room and board, and miscellaneous expenses.

Learn About International Student Scholarships

Have Questions About the Admissions Process?

Contact International Admissions

Application Deadlines

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 application deadline, they will be notified of admission by the corresponding notification date.

Apply for Fall Semester

Deadline Type	Apply By	Notified By
Early Action 1	November 15	January 15
Early Action 2	January 15	February 15
Regular	*We are still accepting applications for fall 2020*

Note: Some programs have different application and notification deadlines and may require separate application. For more information please visit application steps for Cinema and Media Arts, Torrey Honors College, Conservatory of Music and the Pre-Clinical Nursing Program.

Learn More About Early Action Deadlines

Apply for Spring Semester

Deadline Type	Apply By	Notified By
Regular	November 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 processed if space is available and time allows.

Helpful International Student Resources

Preparing to start your journey at Biola University? Here's some important information you'll need to know. Take a look at the resources below to get started.