Tuition & Financial Aid

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was approved by Congress in late March. The aid included approximately $14 billion for colleges across the nation. The distribution of aid dollars to colleges was determined by the number of Pell Grant recipients at a given college. Biola will receive $3,922,227, 50% of which, $1,961,114 will be given to students in the form of direct aid and the remaining 50% is for institutional aid. Biola received $1,961,113 from the CARES Act to cover its costs associated with significant changes to the delivery of instruction due to the coronavirus. Read more details here on the institutional aid. 

Student Aid

Biola University is committed to using the CARES Act funds, within the parameters set by the government, to help those students with the greatest needs while meeting the needs of as many students as possible. The government has, however, put certain restrictions on how these funds can be used. Specifically, students who receive the funds must be Title IV eligible (if you have not filed a FAFSA, you should do so on the FAFSA website selecting the 20/21 school year) and the funds must be used to cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and child care). Also, students who were enrolled only in online programs prior to COVID-19 and DACA students are not eligible per the government issued guidance.

If you have incurred expenses, beyond what you would have typically, as a result of the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, there may be funding available through the CARES Act if you are eligible for any type of federal Title IV (FAFSA) aid including federal loans. (Note that Title IV aid includes Pell Grant, SEOG, Direct Subsidized, Unsubsidized, and PLUS Loan. Click here to review Title IV eligibility requirements or simply review your most recent official financial aid award notice.)

Please review the application online and if you think you may be eligible to receive CARES Act funds, return the form no later than May 18, 2020. (The application timeframe has closed.) While the type of need you have may not be covered by the CARES Act, there is a question on the form asking about any other needs you have. This is why we ask you to answer all questions to help us identify other ways in which Biola may be able to help you.

Students who have qualified expenses will be issued a payment which will be mailed to the address indicated on the application. Our hope is to issue payments by June 5 if we receive our funds from the government this month. If we do not receive the funds in time, students will be notified of the delay.

Review FAQs on the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund.

June 12, 2020: Update on the receipt and distribution of the CARES Act funds

Biola has signed and returned the Certification and Agreement for the funds and has received access to $3,922,227, 50% of which, $1,961,114 will be distributed to students in the form of direct aid.

There are approximately 3,400 students at Biola who are eligible under Title IV to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants under the CARES Act. The first phase of distribution of funds has been based on an application process. The application included questions relating to certain categories of expenses the student has incurred based on the language of the CARES Act and federal guidance. 886 students applied for the funds. The applications were then reviewed and decisions relating to eligibility and the amount to be paid were made based on the language of the CARES Act and guidance from the Department of Education. Approval for applications that require further information are still pending. Please note the application is now closed.

As of June 10, $1,206,660 has been approved for payment through direct deposit and checks mailed to home addresses. A total of $1,111,233 is being directly deposited on June 12 into the bank accounts of 680 students. An additional 85 students will be receiving physical checks.

To publicize the availability of CARES Act funds, Biola published information on its Coronavirus website and emailed all students about the eligibility requirements and the application process.

July 27, 2020: Update on the receipt and distribution of the CARES Act funds

On June 12, 2020, Biola distributed a total amount of $1,206,660 to 776 students who had applied for reimbursement under the CARES Act.  

Following the initial distribution, those students whose applications were not approved were notified through this letter on June 10. Students who received amounts less than what they requested were emailed on June 10 inviting them to submit documentation to support their expenses. As a result of that process, an additional $30,871.90 has been approved for payment, which will be sent within the next week. 

As of July 27, a total of 920 applications were submitted and 776 students have received CARES Act funds. A total of $1,237,531.90 of the $1,961,114 allocated for Biola students has been or is scheduled for distribution. With the formal application process having ended, Biola will be deciding within the next two weeks how and when the remainder of the funds will be distributed to its students. 

August 28, 2020: Update on the receipt and distribution of the CARES Act funds

On August 5, 2020, Biola distributed a total amount of $30,871.91 to 14 students who submitted additional documentation to support their expenses. The CARES Act funds still available for Biola to access is $563,582. A decision has been made to distribute $2,000 to all eligible clinical nursing students who were unable to complete their courses in the spring semester and who will be resuming their program at Biola. 

September 30, 2020: Update on the receipt and distribution of the CARES Act funds

On August 24, 2020, nursing students were notified that they would be receiving $2,000 to cover expenses associated with an additional semester that will be needed to complete their degree due to closure of courses and clinical placements in the spring. On September 30, 2020, Biola distributed a total amount of $160,000 to 80 clinical nursing students who re-enrolled in courses for the fall semester.  The CARES Act funds still available for Biola to access is $563,582. 

October 30, 2020: Update on the receipt and distribution of the CARES Act funds

Since September 30, 2020, Biola has distributed another $1,110.48 to reimburse music students and communication disorder students for computer software needed to complete their coursework that would not have been needed if the classes were held in person. The remaining amount to be distributed under the student portion of the CARES Act is $562,471.61. 

November 20, 2020: Update on the receipt and distribution of the CARES Act funds

Since October 30, 2020, Biola has distributed another $239.94 to reimburse students for computer software needed to complete their coursework that would not have been needed if the classes were held in person. The remaining amount to be distributed under the student portion of the CARES Act is $562,231.67. 

December 18, 2020: Update on the receipt and distribution of the CARES Act funds

Since November 21, 2020, Biola has distributed $70 to reimburse 1 student for computer software needed to complete their coursework that would not have been needed if the classes were held in person; $2,000 to 1 student to cover expenses associated with an additional semester that will be needed to complete the student's degree due to closure of courses and clinical placements in the spring; and $6,000 for 2 students in Communication Sciences and Disorders who were forced to relocate due to COVID-19 in order to complete their clinical requirements. The remaining amount to be distributed under the student portion of the CARES Act is $554,161.67. 

January 20, 2021: Update on the receipt and distribution of the CARES Act funds

Since December 19, 2020, no additional distributions were made. The remaining amount to be distributed under the student portion of the CARES Act is $554,161.67. 

February 25, 2021: Update on the receipt and distribution of the CARES Act funds

Since January 21, 2021, Biola distributed $99 to 1 student. The remaining amount to be distributed under the student portion of the CARES Act is $558,203.67.

Upon preparation of its annual report, Biola noted some minor, inadvertent errors in the reporting above with regard to the number of students who received CARES Act funds and the total amount expended as of the dates the information was posted. The correct information as of March 12, 2021 was as follows: 851 students received a cumulative total of $1,402,910.33, leaving a total of $558,104.67 remaining from HEERF I funds to be distributed to eligible students.

March 19, 2021: Update on the receipt and distribution of the CARES Act funds

On March 11, 2021, Biola distributed $32,000 to 16 Nursing students ($2,000 each) as a result of their education having to be delayed due to COVID. On March 18, 2021, Biola distributed an additional $2,487,318.00 to 1,643 students who Biola determined have exceptional financial need. To date, Biola has distributed a total (including current and all prior disbursements) of $3,922,228.33 to 2,123 students, exhausting all available CARES and CRRSAA funds awarded to Biola under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds I and II.

Biola has received an additional $1,961,114 in federal funds to be distributed to students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. This new round of funding is from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA).

Unlike the CARES Act, which Biola received last year, the CRRSAA requires that institutions prioritize students with exceptional need (e.g. students who receive Pell Grants) in awarding financial aid grants to students. However, students do not need to be only Pell recipients or students who are eligible for Pell grants. The grants are intended to help Biola students deal with the financial burden caused by the COVID-19 crisis and assist with the costs of attending college. 

Congress has stated that these funds are to be granted to students with exceptional financial need. Therefore, using the 2020-21 FAFSA students have on file, we have identified students based on their financial aid profiles. We acknowledge that every student has been affected in one way or another by the pandemic. However, Biola is required and committed to using the HEERF II funds to help those students with exceptional need while providing financial support to as many students as possible.

The CRRSAA funds, in addition to the amount remaining from the first round of relief funds received last spring, will be distributed via direct deposit or a mailed check to all full-time and part-time students who meet the following criteria as of March 8, 2021.

• Students must be enrolled for the spring term at any level (e.g. undergraduate, graduate, PTUG, online students).
• Title IV eligible students with satisfactory academic progress.
• Students filed 20/21 FAFSA and completed their file with Biola’s Office of Financial Aid.
• Students must have spring tuition charges greater than $2,000.
• Students must have a family’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) less than $10,001.
• Students must have unmet need (COA-EFC-Gift Aid) greater than $5,000.

March 19, 2021: Update on the receipt and distribution of the CRRSAA Act funds

On March 18, 2021, Biola combined the remaining funds from the CARES Act and the CRRSAA funds received and distributed a total amount of $2,487,318.00 to 1,643 students who Biola determined have exceptional financial need. To date, Biola has distributed a total (including current and all prior disbursements) of $3,922,228.33 to 2,123 students, exhausting all available CARES and CRRSAA funds awarded to Biola under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds I and II.

Biola also received $4,059,872 from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (HEERF II) to cover its institutional costs associated with the impact of the coronavirus. Read more details here. 

Biola has received $5,297,833 in federal relief funds to be distributed to Biola students. Over $4.5 million will be distributed via a block grant to students with exceptional need who meet the criteria below. The remainder will be distributed to students who have exceptional need based on significant loss of income due to COVID or significant additional expenses related to COVID.

Using the 2020-21 FAFSA students have on file, we have identified eligible students based on their financial aid profiles. We acknowledge that every student has been affected in one way or another by the pandemic. However, Biola is required and committed to using the HEERF III funds to help those students with exceptional need while providing financial support to as many students as possible.

The “block grant” will be allocated to all full-time and part-time students who meet the following criteria as of May 25, 2021:

• Students must have been enrolled (e.g. undergraduate, graduate, post-traditional, online students) as of the end of the spring 2021 semester.
• Students filed a 2020-21 FAFSA and completed their file with Biola’s Office of Financial Aid.
• Students must have a 2020-21 Expected Family Contribution (EFC) less than or equal to $15,000 or were paid a Cal Grant in 2020-21
• Students must have unmet financial need (Cost of attendance less EFC less gift aid) greater than $5,000.
• Students must have net spring 2021 tuition charges greater than $2,500.

October 10, 2021: Update on the receipt and distribution of the HEERF III (American Rescue Plan)

Biola has signed and returned the Certification and Agreement for the funds and has received access to $5,297,833 to be distributed to Biola students in the form of direct aid under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (American Rescue Plan).

Since receiving the American Rescue Plan funds and within the last quarter (July-September), Biola has distributed a total of $4,928.492 to approximately 1883 of its full-time and part-time students who, based on their 2021-21 FAFSA, were deemed to have exceptional need. $4,644,400 was distributed in July, 2021 as a block grant based on the following criteria:

• Students must have been enrolled (e.g. undergraduate, graduate, post-traditional, online students) as of the end of the spring 2021 semester.
• Students filed a 2020-21 FAFSA and completed their file with Biola’s Office of Financial Aid.
• Students must have a 2020-21 Expected Family Contribution (EFC) less than or equal to $15,000 or were paid a Cal Grant in 2020-21
• Students must have unmet financial need (Cost of attendance less EFC less gift aid) greater than $5,000.
• Students must have net spring 2021 tuition charges greater than $2,500.

An additional $284,092 has been distributed since our last quarterly report as discretionary funds to students who lost income due to COVID or who incurred extra expenses due to COVID. $369,341 of discretionary funds remains to be distributed.

December 16, 2021: Update on the distribution of the HEERF III (American Rescue Plan)

After distributing funds through block grants and discretionary awards, Biola still had remaining funds available for a final round of block grant awards for current students.

As with prior awards from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF), institutions are to prioritize students with exceptional financial need. The grants are intended to help Biola students respond to the financial burden caused by the COVID-19 crisis and assist with the costs of attending college.

Using the 2021-22 FAFSA students have on file, we have identified eligible students based on their financial aid profiles. We acknowledge that every student has been affected in one way or another by the pandemic. However, Biola is required and committed to using the HEERF III funds to help those students with exceptional need while providing financial support to as many students as possible.

The “block grant” will be allocated to all full-time and part-time students who meet the following criteria as of November 15, 2021:

• Students must have been enrolled (e.g. undergraduate, graduate, post-traditional, online students) as of the above referenced date.

• Students filed a 2021-22 FAFSA and completed their file with Biola’s Office of Financial Aid.

• Students must have a 2021-22 Expected Family Contribution (EFC) less than or equal to $6,000.

• Students must have unmet financial need (Cost of attendance less EFC less gift aid) greater than $5,000.

• Students must have net spring 2021 tuition charges greater than $2,500.

• A student’s total HEERF funding received previously through Biola is less than $1,200.

• Note that if additional funds are made available because eligible students do not accept the offer, the EFC cutoff and/or unmet need cutoff will be adjusted to allow for alternate recipients.

Eligible students who meet the criteria for block grants will receive communication by Dec. 16, 2021 from the Office of Financial Aid including the amount of the grant and distribution timeline. Biola will disburse block grants to approximately 575 eligible undergraduate, graduate and post-traditional students. Our goal is to have the grants disbursed via direct deposit by January 11, 2022 with checks going out by the same date to those who do not have direct deposit set up. 

January 10, 2022 Quarterly Report: Update on the Receipt and Distribution of HEERF Funds

Biola has signed and returned the Certification and Agreement for the funds and has received access to $5,297,833 to be distributed to Biola students in the form of direct aid under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (American Rescue Plan (ARP)). The funds distributed to date and those remaining to be distributed are those designated under the CRRSAA (HEERF II) and the ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

All funds received under CRRSAA, $1,961,114, were distributed to approximately 1271 eligible students as of March 18, 2021.

Since receiving access to the American Rescue Plan funds through the date of this report, $5,081,978.33 has been distributed to approximately 1,997 eligible students; $175,615 was distributed to 144 eligible students in the last quarter (October through December, 2021). We estimate that approximately 2,400 students were eligible for CRRSAA and American Rescue Plan funds.

The criteria used to determine eligible students through November, 2021 was:

• Students must have been enrolled (e.g. undergraduate, graduate, post-traditional, online students) as of the end of the spring 2021 semester.

• Students filed a 2020-21 FAFSA and completed their file with Biola’s Office of Financial Aid.

• Students must have a 2020-21 Expected Family Contribution (EFC) less than or equal to $15,000 or were paid a Cal Grant in 2020-21

• Students must have unmet financial need (Cost of attendance less EFC less gift aid) greater than $5,000.

• Students must have net spring 2021 tuition charges greater than $2,500.

All amounts distributed in October and November of the last quarter were distributed as discretionary funds to those students who either established greater need than the block grant or who were deemed eligible due to experiencing exceptional need even though they may not have fit within the criteria above.

All other amounts distributed in December, 2021 of the last quarter were distributed as a block grant based on the student meeting the following criteria as of November 15, 2021:

• Students must have been enrolled ((e.g. undergraduate, graduate, post-traditional, online students) as of November 15, 2021.

• Students filed a 2021-22 FAFSA and completed their file with Biola’s Office of Financial Aid.

• Students must have a 2021-22 Expected Family Contribution (EFC) less than or equal to $6,000.

• Students must have unmet financial need (Cost of attendance less EFC less gift aid) greater than $5,000.

• Students must have net spring 2021 tuition charges greater than $2,500.

• A student’s total HEERF funding received previously through Biola is less than $1,200.

Note: Other students may be eligible should the eligible students under the criteria above not accept the offer. In that situation, the EFC and/or the unmet need thresholds may be adjusted to allow for alternate recipients.

Students were notified of their eligibility to receive ARP funds via two email communications, one of June 15, 2021 and one on December 16, 2021.

April 2022 Quarterly Report: Update on the Receipt and Distribution of HEERF Funds

Biola has signed and returned the Certification and Agreement for the funds and has received access to $5,297,833 to be distributed to Biola students in the form of direct aid under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund III (American Rescue Plan (ARP)). The funds distributed to date and those remaining to be distributed are those designated under the CRRSAA (HEERF II) and the ARP (a)(1) and (a)(4) programs to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students.

All funds received under CRRSAA, $1,961,114, were distributed to approximately 1271 eligible students as of March 18, 2021.

Since receiving access to the American Rescue Plan funds through the date of this report, $5,549,821 has been distributed to approximately 2,420 eligible students; $456,228 was distributed to 437 eligible students in the last quarter (January through March, 2022). We estimate that approximately 3,700 students were eligible for CRRSAA and American Rescue Plan funds.

The criteria used to determine eligible students for the last quarter was:

• Students must have been enrolled (e.g. undergraduate, graduate, post-traditional, online students) as of November 15, 2021.

• Students filed a 2021-22 FAFSA and completed their file with Biola’s Office of Financial Aid.

• Students must have a 2021-22 Expected Family Contribution (EFC) less than or equal to $6,000.

• Students must have unmet financial need (Cost of attendance less EFC less gift aid) greater than $5,000.

• Students must have net spring 2021 tuition charges greater than $2,500.

• A student’s total HEERF funding received previously through Biola is less than $1,200.

The distribution methods from prior quarters can be found under the quarterly reporting for each quarter for each plan.

Students were notified of their eligibility to receive ARP funds via email communication, on December 16, 2021.

Institutional Aid

Biola also received $5,237,135 from the HEERF III to cover its costs associated with the impact of the coronavirus on business operations including costs to implement health protocols. Read more details here.