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NEXT STEPS

Admitted to Biola

Congratulations on your acceptance to Biola University! We would love for you to join our global community by completing the next steps outlined below. Click on each one to learn more, and connect with your admissions counselor if you have questions.

  1. Say “Yes” to Biola

  2. Obtain your I-20 from Biola

    *Not required for online students.

  3. Apply for your F-1 visa OR transfer your SEVIS record

    *Not required for online students.

  4. Complete your enrollment steps


What happens after you complete the enrollment process?

Say “Yes” to Biola

  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 MyAccount?

    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. Pay the enrollment deposit

    Learn how to pay the enrollment deposit

    Log in to your MyAccount and pay the enrollment deposit using a credit card through the assigned task.

Obtain Your I-20

Not required for online students.

In order to receive your I-20, you will need to pay the enrollment deposit and submit the following required documents to your application portal or email them to your admissions counselor:

*What is an Affidavit of Support? An Affidavit of Support is a document an individual (i.e. sponsor, family member, spouse) signs to accept financial responsibility for the student coming to the United States to study. The U.S. government requires that all international students provide evidence of financial ability in order to receive the I-20.

Once Biola receives and reviews the documents, you will receive the I-20 digitally by email.

Note: Although Canadian citizens do not need to apply for an F-1 visa, they still need to submit financial documents, obtain the I-20 and pay the SEVIS fee.

Apply for the F-1 Student Visa

Not required for online students.

For Students Living Outside the U.S.

Apply for the F-1 Visa.

Check and sign your I-20

Now that you have your I-20, your first step is to carefully read the form to make sure all the information is correct. After reading “Instructions to Students” on page 3, sign the form in blue ink at the bottom of page 1 (above your name).

Pay the SEVIS fee

All international students applying for an F-1 student visa and entering the U.S. with an I-20 are required to pay a SEVIS fee of $350. This is different from the visa fee.

You have three payment options. Keep in mind that you will need the SEVIS number to pay the SEVIS fee. This ID number is found on the upper left corner of the I-20, and begins with the letter “N”. Here are three ways you can submit your SEVIS fee:

  • Online. You can pay with a credit/debit card at FMJfee.com if you submit your form online. Make sure to print the payment confirmation page to serve as proof of payment at your visa interview.
  • Western Union Quick Pay™ Service. The Western Union Quick Pay™ service is an acceptable payment method for the I-901 fee and is accessible in over 130 countries. Visit ice.gov/sevis/i901/wu-instructions for detailed instructions.
  • Check or Money Order. Visit ice.gov/sevis/i901/faq for detailed instructions.

Complete the visa application (DS-160) and pay the visa application fee (MRV fee)

Note: Canadian citizens do not need to apply for a student visa, but must have all the international documents listed above when going through the port of entry.

Schedule an F-1 visa interview at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Before your interview, review the embassy’s website and bring required documents with you. Most embassies require payment for the SEVIS fee (Form I-901) prior to your arrival.

During the interview, you must prove you are entering the U.S. solely for studying for the years indicated on I-20. Check out these visa interview tips and review questions you may have to answer.

If the visa is granted, they will keep your passport at the embassy to issue a visa stamp (this can take up to two days). Make sure the visa classification is stamped as an F-1 visa and all the names are correct.

Visas for Spouses and Children

If you are accepted into the program, then your spouse and children can apply for the F-2 visa (dependent visa). You will need to provide valid passport copies of your spouse and children, and you must be able to prove through the Affidavit of Support and bank statements that they can be financially funded as well.

For Students Currently Studying in the U.S.

Transfer Your SEVIS Record to Biola

Take your Biola acceptance letter and Transfer Authorization Form to the DSO at your current school

Determine your transfer release date with your current DSO based on the following factors:

  • Academics needs

  • Travel and employment plans

  • Projected start date of your new program

For All Students

Schedule an appointment with Biola’s student immigration advisor upon arrival in the U.S.

Email the student immigration advisor at studentvisa.services@biola.edu to schedule your appointment.

  • For international students living outside the U.S., schedule an appointment within 30 days of your arrival to the U.S.

  • For international students currently living in the U.S. (transferred your I-20), schedule an appointment within 15 days of the first day of class at Biola.

Learn more about legally maintaining your F-1 student status at biola.edu/international/visa-and-travel.

Complete Your Enrollment Steps

All enrollment tasks can be completed through My Account. Enrollment tasks, such as setting up your Biola email account, registering for courses, and applying for health insurance, must be completed before you pay for the semester.

 

Undergraduate Students

  1. Submit your Registration Profile.

    Learn how to submit your Registration Profile.

    Academic Advising will build your first semester course schedule based on the information you provide in your registration profile via My Account.

  2. Apply for on-campus housing.

    Submit your housing deposit and application or Intent to Commute.

    Depending on whether you plan to live on campus or commute, you’ll either need to submit a $250 housing deposit or complete the Intent to Commute form through My Account or directly through MyHousing Self-Service.

    Note: Students who intend to live on campus will receive a separate Housing Application task in My Account.

  3. Register for placement exams.

    Learn how to register for placement exams.

    We want to make sure you get off to a great start with your classes. Depending on your declared major, you may be required to complete a placement exam.

  4. Register for new student orientations.

    View student orientations

  5. Complete additional enrollment tasks on MyAccount.

    Final Transcripts

    Submit final and official transcripts from your high school or previous college/university. High school transcripts must be posted with a graduation date. Official transcripts are required to receive credit for transfer coursework.

    Final transcripts must be sent by mail or email directly from your high school or college to the Office of Admissions via admissions.transcripts@biola.edu or by mail:

    Office of Admissions
    13800 Biola Avenue
    La Mirada, CA 90639

    Or, your transcripts can be ordered electronically through an approved electronic vendor: Parchment/Naviance, Credentials Solutions and affiliate partners (Transcripts Network, Transcripts Plus, eScrip-Safe), and AACRAO's SPEEDE server (send to admissions.transcripts@biola.edu).

    Transfer Course Evaluation

    If you are transferring 15+ units from an institution within the U.S. and you have not yet received a transfer course evaluation, please connect with your admissions counselor.

    If you have potential transfer credit from an institution 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).

    • 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.

    Verify Housing

    To ensure your financial aid package is accurate, you will need to verify whether or not you intend to live in campus housing.

    Students who are younger than 20 years old by the first day of fall classes are required to live on campus OR commute from their parents'/guardians' home for both fall and spring semesters.

    Health Insurance

    Biola requires all traditional undergrad students, any student on an F1 visa, and any student living in Biola housing to have health insurance. If this applies to you, you will have the option in My Account to confirm your enrollment in the Student Health Insurance Plan OR to submit a waiver if you already have coverage that meets Biola’s waiver criteria. Learn more about requirements, deadlines and student insurance.

    Health Forms

    Submit the following required health forms through your 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. You may need to ask your parent(s)/legal guardian for records or consult your physician and/or high school for records. 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 at health.center@biola.edu to request waiver applications.
    Payment

    Biola offers four payment options for your semester expenses. You can review payment plan details, along with semester-specific deadlines.

 

Graduate Students

  1. Register for classes with the help of your Graduate Advisor.

  2. Apply for on-campus housing (optional)

    Apply for graduate and family student housing (optional).

    The Graduate and Family Student Housing offers single graduate students and married undergraduate and graduate students safe and affordable housing (if units are available). Learn more at biola.edu/grad-family-housing.

  3. Register for new student orientations.

    View student orientations

  4. Complete additional enrollment tasks on MyAccount.

    Final Transcripts

      Submit final and official transcripts from your high school or previous college/university. High school transcripts must be posted with a graduation date. Official transcripts are required to receive credit for transfer coursework.

      Final transcripts must be sent by mail or email directly from your high school or college to the Office of Admissions via admissions.transcripts@biola.edu or by mail:

      Office of Admissions
      13800 Biola Avenue
      La Mirada, CA 90639

      Or, your transcripts can be ordered electronically through an approved electronic vendor: Parchment/Naviance, Credentials Solutions and affiliate partners (Transcripts Network, Transcripts Plus, eScrip-Safe), and AACRAO's SPEEDE server (send to admissions.transcripts@biola.edu).

    Transfer Course Evaluation

    If you have potential transfer credit from an institution within the U.S., contact your admissions counselor to request your transcript evaluation.

    • 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).

    • 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.

    Health Insurance

    Biola requires all traditional undergrad students, any student on an F1 visa, and any student living in Biola housing to have health insurance. If this applies to you, you will have the option in My Account to confirm your enrollment in the Student Health Insurance Plan OR to submit a waiver if you already have coverage that meets Biola’s waiver criteria. Learn more about requirements, deadlines and student insurance.

    Health Forms

    Submit the following required health forms through your 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. You may need to ask your parent(s)/legal guardian for records or consult your physician and/or high school for records. 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 at 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.

     

    Payment

    Biola offers four payment options for your semester expenses. You can review payment plan details, along with semester-specific deadlines.

 

Tuition, Scholarships & Aid

Find out how much your education at Biola will cost, and the scholarships, grants and institutional aid opportunities available to international students.

Learn More About Tuition & Costs

Learn More About Scholarships

You are encouraged to research and apply for external scholarships to help fund your education, but please note that Biola does not endorse any of these external scholarships.

Contact Us

Biola’s International Admissions team would love to connect with you! We understand that there may be a time difference, so we want to provide as many options for you. Explore the opportunities below.

Phone Appointment

Make a phone appointment with an International Admissions team member.

Undergraduate Students

First-Time Freshman, Transfers, Athletes and Readmits

Counselor: Ty Mussack
Make a Phone Appointment

Counselor: Megan Mitts
Make a Phone Appointment

Counselor: Grace Shaw
Make a Phone Appointment

Graduate Students

Graduate Programs

Counselor: Ceressa Manzo
Make a Phone Appointment


International Admissions Representative
Make a Phone Appointment

Time Zone Convertor