Graduate Scholarships & Aid
At Biola, we understand that pursuing a graduate degree takes great commitment and sacrifice. That’s why we’re equally committed to helping make your graduate studies affordable. Each of our schools offer different scholarship, grant and loan financial aid opportunities that can help you finance your education. Closely review the information below to see details on amounts, eligibility and more.
For current Biola students, explore Scholarships for Current Students.
Explore School-Specific Aid Opportunities
The scholarships, grants and loans available for graduate students vary based on program and school. Take a look at the information specific to you, including details on eligibility, deadlines and more.
Cook School of Intercultural Studies
Cook School of Intercultural Studies offers a variety of scholarships and loans, including departmental and general Biola aid.
Crowell School of Business
Crowell School of Business students may be eligible for different scholarships or aid opportunities based on their specific program.
Rosemead School of Psychology
Students pursuing degrees at Rosemead School of Psychology may be eligible for financial aid, like the Church Matching Scholarship and loans.
School of Education
School of Education students are eligible for aid such as the Federal TEACH Grant or School of Education Graduate Grant, in addition to other scholarships and loans.
School of Science, Technology and Health
Speech-language pathology graduate students may be eligible for select scholarships and loans.
Talbot School of Theology
Talbot School of Theology students may be eligible for specific departmental scholarships, as well as additional grants and loans.
Aid for All Graduate Students
As a Biola graduate student, you may be eligible for various scholarships and grants based on your school or program. In addition to school-specific scholarships and grants, all graduate students have the option of taking on loans to help finance their education, including:
Direct Unsubsidized Loan
The Direct Loan is a loan funded by the U.S. Department of Education that must be repaid with interest. Amount determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
| Amount and Interest | Up to $20,500, but may vary by school. For current Direct Loan interest rates and origination fee amounts, please visit the Federal Student Aid website. |
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| Application | Students must complete the following applications:
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| Deadline | April 15 — This is the recommended deadline in order to be processed in time for the beginning of the school year. All loan requests must be received no later than the last day of the semester in which the funds are being requested in order to be processed. |
| Eligibility | Student must be enrolled at least half-time. |
| Repayment | Loan repayment is deferred while a student is enrolled at least half-time in a degree program. Repayment typically begins six months after a student drops below half-time enrollment. |
| Renewable Status | Yes, this loan is renewable yearly (with the completion of a FAFSA). MPN is valid for up to 10 years. |
| Graduating/Departing Information | Students must complete exit counseling online in preparation for graduating/completing their program. |
Direct Grad Plus Loan
The Direct Grad Plus Loan is a loan funded by the U.S. Department of Education that must be repaid with interest.
| Amount and Interest | Up to cost of attendance minus financial aid. For current Direct Loan interest rates and origination fee amounts, please visit the Federal Student Aid website. |
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| Application | Students must complete the following applications:
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| Deadline | April 15 — This is the recommended deadline in order to be processed in time for the beginning of the school year. All loan requests must be received no later than the last day of the semester in which the funds are being requested in order to be processed. |
| Eligibility | Student must be enrolled at least half-time, and must meet federal credit check standards. |
| Repayment | Loan repayment is deferred while a student is enrolled at least half-time in a degree program. Repayment typically begins six months after a student drops below half-time enrollment. |
| Renewable Status | No, this loan is not renewable. Students must apply yearly using the applications linked above |
| Graduating/Departing Information | Students must complete exit counseling online in preparation for graduating/completing their program. |
Private Student Loan
You may choose to borrow Private Student Loan funds from a private financial institution to help fund your education after all other resources have been exhausted:
- Federal direct loans are required by law to provide a range of flexible repayment options, including, but not limited to, income-based repayment and income-contingent repayment plans, and loan forgiveness benefits, which other student loans are not required to provide.
- Federal direct loans are available to students regardless of income, whereas private student loans are dependent on student (and cosigner) credit. Private loans are not federally funded, and are dependent on student (and cosigner) credit. Private loans tend to have higher interest rates than federal direct loans, and in most cases, PLUS loans.
| Amount and Interest | Minimum loan amounts begin at $1,000 and may also be large enough to cover the remaining cost of attendance (varies by lender). Maximum loan amounts are determined by subtracting all of a student's financial aid from their cost of attendance for the school year. Interest rates vary by lender. |
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| Application | Students can complete a loan application with their chosen lender, or may look for a lender on our Preferred Lender List. Please note the following additional details:
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| Deadline | June 1 — This is the recommended deadline in order to be processed in time for the beginning of the school year. All loan requests must be received no later than the last day of the semester in which the funds are being requested in order to be processed. Please allow 4–6 weeks for processing. |
| Eligibility | Generally, the borrower must be a U.S. citizen, eligible non-citizen with a U.S. address, or an international student with a U.S. citizen cosigner (varies per lender). |
| Cosigner Requirements | Criteria varies per lender. Unless you are steadily employed, earn at least $12,000 a year, and have a stable credit history with a good FICO score (over 700), you will more than likely need a cosigner in order to be approved for a private student loan. |
| Renewable Status | No, these loans are not renewable. Students must apply yearly using the application resources linked above. |
Additional Resources
Know Your Options
The Office of Financial Aid provides different resources that can help you plan out your finances as you pursue your Biola education.
Financial Aid Counseling
Have questions about the process? Call us or come by our office for a drop-in appointment with a knowledgeable financial aid counselor — they can help.
Contact Us
The Office of Financial Aid is here to answer questions you have about the financial aid process. Contact us in person, by phone or email.