Skip to main content

What's Next

Congratulations, you’re in!

Now that you're accepted, I’m sure you’re wondering, “What’s Next?” Below you’ll find a list of essential next steps to start your Biola journey. If you have any questions along the way, we’re here to help.

Ready to be a Biolan?

First things first — you’ll need to access MyAccount, your personalized enrollment portal, and submit your enrollment deposit by following the steps below.

  1. Retrieve your new student username and password

    Where do I find my username and password?

    Check the personal email account that you used to apply to Biola for a message titled “Accessing your student account.” This email contains the username and temporary password you will use to log in to your MyAccount, Biola’s online student portal.

    Note: your username will also function as your new Biola University email address.

    If you did not receive an email from Biola with instructions on accessing your student account, please call the IT Helpdesk: (562) 903-4740 or email it.helpdesk@biola.edu.

  2. Log in to MyAccount using your username and password

    What is My Account?

    MyAccount is Biola’s online student portal where you'll find a personalized list of enrollment steps and resources. Go ahead and bookmark the site — you’ll return to it frequently as you complete enrollment steps.

  3. Update your MyAccount credentials

    How do I update my multi factor authentication and password?

    When you have logged in to MyAccount, you’ll receive a prompt to download the Microsoft Authenticator app (or choose “I want to set up a different method”).

    Once you have set up your multi factor authentication (MFA), you’ll be redirected to update your password. Here, you’ll input the temporary password you were assigned (sent to you in an email) and change your password to a new, permanent one.

  4. Submit your $100 enrollment deposit via the assigned task on MyAccount

    See additional deposit payment options

    Prefer to pay by mail? Make your check payable to Biola University and send to:
    Office of Admissions
    Biola University
    13800 Biola Ave
    La Mirada, CA 90639

    Enrollment Status

    Once your $100 enrollment deposit is submitted, our team will process it during regular business hours and change your status to "Confirmed." Paying your enrollment deposit confirms you’re coming to Biola (congratulations!) and gives you access to other tasks on MyAccount.

  5. International Students: Additional Steps

    See additional steps

    Are you an incoming international student? Learn more about additional next steps, including applying for a visa and transitioning to the U.S.

Steps to Complete Enrollment

Once your admission is confirmed (either by admissions or by an enrollment deposit), your additional tasks to complete enrollment will be available on your MyAccount during the subsequent weeks and months. See below for a general outline of the tasks involved in completing enrollment. Biola’s Academic Calendar provides the enrollment task dates and deadlines for upcoming terms.

Academic Advising

Connect with your program’s Academic Advisor to determine the best classes to Register for on MyAccount. Some programs may require that you meet with an advisor before Registration.

Registration

Registration for classes is done through MyAccount via Add/Drop Classes and is available a few months before the start of each term. See the Academic Calendar for when Registration opens for your starting term. Be sure to connect with your Academic Advisor before registering.

Graduate Housing

Graduate students are eligible for our graduate and married housing options. Most housing is offered on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Orientation

New Graduate Student Orientation is held for each incoming fall term (and some programs also offer spring start orientation). Be sure to register for orientation a few months before the start of your term. See the Graduate Student Orientation page for dates and details.

Enrollment Tasks

Registration is one of several tasks that must be done to complete enrollment. The additional enrollment tasks open a few months after Registration does, and mark the start of billing for your upcoming term.

Your additional enrollment tasks are available on MyAccount and vary from student to student. These tasks can include Financial Aid Tasks, Health Insurance, Health Forms, Title IV Authorization, Final Transcripts and Payment. Check with your Admissions Counselor if you have questions about how to complete them.

See the sections below for additional details.

The final task of enrollment is to complete payment. You can pay in full or enroll in a payment plan. 

See the Academic Calendar for your specific enrollment deadlines.

Financial Aid Tasks

Steps to apply for financial aid are different for every individual, but we encourage you to follow these five steps to ensure you qualify for the most financial aid as possible.

  1. Submit the FAFSA.

    • Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online for your upcoming school year. Completing the FAFSA is essential for Financial Aid to provide the best support and discover your aid eligibility. Biola University’s federal code is (001122).
    • If you are starting in the spring semester, file for the aid year that includes the previous fall. For example: Spring 2025 incoming students should submit the 2024-2025 FAFSA.
    • (If you are an AB540 eligible student, in lieu of the FAFSA, submit the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) online.)

  2. Apply for scholarships.

    • Learn more about and apply for Biola’s scholarships and grants.
    • Incoming students may be eligible for department scholarships.
    • Continuing students are eligible to apply for additional donor-funded scholarships.
    • All students are encouraged to proactively search for additional scholarships and grants they may qualify for outside of Biola.

  3. Review your Financial Aid Offer estimate.

    • Biola’s Financial Aid Office will email your estimated aid offer letter after you have been admitted to Biola and have submitted your FAFSA. Your letter will include scholarships, grants, and loans you are being offered.
    • Once you have submitted your enrollment deposit* through MyAccount, the "Financial Aid" tab will appear. You can view your financial aid offer on this tab once you have received it via email.
    • *Some programs do not require a deposit, therefore your Financial Aid tab will be available upon admission.

  4. Submit additional requested Financial Aid Requirements through MyAccount.

    • Depending on your financial aid offer, you may be asked to submit additional financial documents or complete tasks. Please see MyAccount for your personalized list of requested forms to be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid and tasks you may need to complete.
    • It is important to be proactive about gathering financial aid documents and completing tasks, as some items can take days or weeks to process.

  5. Learn about your financial aid options.

Update your Title IV Authorization

Updating your Title IV Authorization will show up as one of your tasks through My Account. Title IV funds are federal student aid funds (Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans, Direct PLUS Loans, Federal Pell Grants, etc.) administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Unless you grant additional permission, The U.S. Department of Education regulations only allow schools to use your Federal Student Aid to pay for current academic year institutional charges. Federal Title IV funds do not include scholarships from the university.

The U.S. Department of Education requires that Title IV funds be applied to specific allowable charges, including: tuition, mandatory fees, and housing and food billed by the University. If your total bill exceeds available Title IV funds, you must grant authorization of these funds to non-qualifying charges.

Health Insurance

Students who fall into one of the three categories will be required to have health insurance, either student insurance through Gallagher or private eligible health insurance:

  • Traditional undergraduate students
  • International undergraduate and graduate students on F1 Visas
  • All Rosemead School of Psychology graduate Students
  • Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) students within the Talbot School of Theology
  • Undergraduate or graduate students who will live in Biola-owned housing.

Health Forms

Submit the following required health forms through Patient Portal (using your net ID and password).

  • Health History Form
  • Meningitis Advisory
  • Tuberculosis (TB) Screening Questionnaire
  • Immunization Records

All students coming to campus are asked to upload their complete immunization records, which must include at least two doses of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine given per CDC guidelines. Students living in Biola housing (with the exception of married housing) must also submit a Meningitis ACYW vaccine given on or after the age of 16. The vaccine requirements can be met by the following steps:

  1. Upload your vaccine records to your Patient Portal. Records can also be faxed to the Health Center at 562-906-4512 or emailed to health.center@biola.edu.
  2. If your records are not readily available but you’ve received your MMR vaccine, an MMR titer (blood test) can be obtained with your doctor or at the Health Center to verify immunity. Results can be submitted to the Health Center to meet the requirement.
  3. If you’re unsure you’ve received the MMR vaccine, are unable to obtain records or receive a negative titer reading, you may obtain two doses of MMR given one month apart from your physician, the Health Center or pharmacy. Meningitis ACYW vaccines are also available in the Health Center if needed.
  4. Those with a medical or religious conflict with obtaining these vaccines may contact the Health Center (health.center@biola.edu) to request waiver applications.

Notice: Even students coming to campus for just a couple weeks out of the year need to still fill out their electronic health forms and submit immunization records for MMR.

Final Transcripts

If applying for a master's program, a transcript conferring a bachelor's degree and all transcripts that reflect graduate credits are required. In addition, transcripts with prerequisites, leveling courses, and advanced standing relevant to your desired program should be submitted.

If applying for a doctoral program, a master's degree and all transcripts that reflect graduate credits are required. In addition, transcripts with a conferred a bachelor's degree and transcripts with prerequisites, leveling courses, and advanced standing relevant to your desired program should be submitted. Additional transcripts may be requested by the Office of Graduate Admissions.

M.S. Speech-Language Pathology and Rosemead School of Psychology applicants need to submit all transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.

Payment

Biola offers four payment options for your semester expenses:

Plan Type Fall Deadlines Spring Deadlines Plan Fees
Four Payments 20% due July 15, August 15,

30% due September 15, October 15		 20% due November 15, December 15,

30% due January 15, February 15		 $85 Plan Fee, 1% assessed monthly for late payments
Three Payments 40% down payment due August 15, 30% due September 15, 30% due October 15 40% down payment due December 15, 30% due January 15, 30% due February 15 $85 Plan Fee, 1% assessed monthly for late payments
Two Payments 40% down payment due August 15 with balance paid by September 15 40% down payment due December 15 with balance paid by January 15 $35 Plan Fee, 1% assessed monthly for late payments
One Payment Pay in full at enrollment by August 15 Pay in full at enrollment by December 15 No plan fee

[(Tuition+Fees+Housing+Meals+Parking+Insurance) - Financial Aid] x 40% = Down Payment

If you are not paying in full, you must sign up for your payment plan through My Account within the “Terms and Payment” task.

Interested in estimating your down payment? Check out our down payment calculator.

Estimate your down payment


Are you an incoming international student?

Learn more about your specific next steps, including applying for a visa and transitioning to the U.S.

See Steps for International Students

Graduate Student Orientation

Find your school and learn how to get oriented into the community.

Learn More about Graduate Orientation