International Student Scholarships & Aid
Biola offers numerous scholarships, grants and other institutional aid to help support our vibrant international student community. We'll help to ensure you have a clear plan for affording and meeting the costs of your education.
While international students are not eligible for government-offered grants and loans through the FAFSA (as federal and state aid programs require you to be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or permanent resident of the United States), there are other scholarship and aid opportunities for incoming students as listed below. For current Biola students, explore Scholarships for Current Students.
As you explore the financial aid opportunities, pay close attention to deadlines, eligibility requirements and more — but most importantly, remember that we’re here to walk alongside you in your journey here at Biola University.
Undergraduate International Students
Scholarships
Undergraduate international students are eligible for the scholarships listed below.
- Academic Scholarship: Freshman Students
- Academic Scholarship: Transfer Students
- Institution-Sponsored Scholarships
- Departmental Scholarships
Church Matching Scholarship (Undergraduate)
The Church Matching Scholarship is a Biola-funded match to church sponsorship funds.
| Amount | Up to $1,300 per year (split between fall and spring semesters) |
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| Application | Students must review the following application guidelines:
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| Deadline | Students must be aware of the following deadlines:
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| Eligibility | Students must show financial need. |
| Renewable Status | Yes, this scholarship is renewable. Students must reapply each year. |
Grants
International Student Aid Grant (Undergraduate)
The international Student Aid Grant is available to international students who have been admitted to Biola University and who are studying on the F-1 student visa.
| Amount | $500-$2,000 per year. |
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| Application | For admitted students only – Submit the ISAG Application |
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| Eligibility | Eligibility is based on academic achievement and leadership experience, and preference is given to financial need. This grant is for new, incoming undergraduate students. |
| Renewable Status | Renewable when maintaining minimum grade requirements and on-campus study. |
Loans
International students are not eligible for governmental loans like Direct Loan (due to U.S. citizenship requirements), but students may pursue other loan opportunities to finance their education.
Graduate International Students
Scholarships
International graduate students are eligible for a variety of other departmental and church matching scholarships based on their program and school. Take a look at what’s available and be sure to pay close attention to details like scholarship amounts, deadlines and more.
- Cook School of Intercultural Studies
- Crowell School of Business
- Rosemead School of Psychology
- School of Education
- School of Science, Technology and Health
- Talbot School of Theology
Church Matching Scholarship (Graduate)
The Church Matching Scholarship is a Biola-funded match to church sponsorship funds.
| Amount | Biola will match up to $750 of a church’s sponsorship funds. |
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| Application | Students must review the following application guidelines:
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| Deadline | Students must be aware of the following deadlines:
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| Eligibility | Students must show financial need. |
| Renewable Status | Yes, this scholarship is renewable. Students must reapply each year. |
Grants
International Student Aid Grant (Graduate)
The International Student Aid Grant is available to international students who have been accepted to Biola University and who are studying on the F-1 student visa.
| Amount | $500-$1,000 per year. |
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| Application | For admitted F-1 students only. |
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| Eligibility | Eligibility is based on academic achievement and leadership experience, and preference is given to new incoming graduate students. |
| Renewable Status | Renewable when maintaining minimum grade requirements and on-campus study. |
Loans
Private Student Loan
You may choose to borrow private student loan funds from a U.S.-based private financial institution to help fund your education after all other resources have been exhausted (with a resident cosigner). You may also borrow private student loan funds from a financial institution in your home country, pending certification by the Office of Financial Aid.
| 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? Connect with your international student admissions counselors for assistance. — 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.