Financial Aid Information

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Click on any of the following links for information:

• Undergraduate Financial Aid
• Graduate Financial Aid
• General Financial Aid Information
• Application for Aid
• Financial Aid Disbursements
• Financial Aid Withdrawal/Return of Aid Policy
• Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

The Financial Aid Office at Biola University is dedicated to helping students gain access to Christian higher education, especially those who would be unable to attend Biola without aid. It is our desire to provide financial assistance to students with demonstrated need, within the limits of the University’s resources.

With this goal in mind, Biola holds to the following financial aid philosophy:

We will partner with the student and his or her family to arrange financing for the student’s education, using the family’s resources, the government’s resources, and Biola’s resources.

Demonstrated need will be measured by a consistent and equitable need-analysis system. To be fair to all students seeking aid, need must be based objectively on a family’s financial resources, not their willingness to pay.

Special circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and we will use our professional judgment to determine when adjustments should be made.

Biola University does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color or national and ethnic origin in administration of its scholarship and loan programs.

Institutional Aid

All students wishing to be considered for need-based aid are required to file a FAFSA.

University Grant
The University will provide a University Grant up to $10,438 to students with exceptional need and limited resources. The University Grant is based partially on incoming GPA. Student must file a FAFSA. Grant amount and availability of funds is awarded on a first come, first served basis.

Academic Scholarships ($3,000-$10,050)
This is awarded to the top 15% of incoming freshmen and transfer students, based on high school and college GPA and SAT / ACT scores, and class rank. Students are notified of the award at time of acceptance and renewable if GPA requirement is met as outlined in scholarship policy.

Christian Worker Dependent Scholarships ($1,500-$2,000)
This is a need-based scholarship awarded to eligible dependent children of pastors, missionaries or Christian workers (primary family income must be through a church, mission board or Christian non-profit agency). Dependent children of pastors / missionaries / Christian workers must file a FAFSA and the appropriate application (available on the Financial Aid website) to receive this scholarship. Biola employee dependent tuition waver recipients are not eligible.

SURGE Award ($4,000-$6,500)
Awarded to underrepresented students not eligible for academic scholarships. Must have 3.0 GPA. Requires participation in Cultural Encounters program. Awarding by committee begins March 15. Please contact Undergraduate Admissions for details on the application deadline.

Community Service Scholarship ($3,000)
Awarded to freshmen and transfer students who have demonstrated outstanding spiritual leadership and services in their community. Awarding by committee begins March 15th. Renewable with demonstrated leadership involvement and services at Biola. Student must file a FAFSA and a separate application through the Undergraduate Admissions Office. All first year leadership and award recipients are required to register for both semesters of GNST 105 Leadership Mentorship Program. Please contact Undergraduate Admissions for details on the application deadline.

Alumni Dependent Scholarship (Up to $500 per student)
Awarded to undergraduate students and their siblings who are concurrently enrolled at Biola in a traditional undergraduate program. Faculty and staff dependents are not eligible.

Church Matching Scholarship (Up to $1,000 for undergraduate stduetns and $500 for graduate students)
Biola will match one award per year up to $1,000 for a full-time student demonstrating need. School of Professional Studies and BOLD students are not eligible. ELSP students are eligible for one award in their first full year.

The church’s check must be submitted along with the Church Matching Application. Fall semester deadline is Oct. 1. Spring semester deadline (for spring entrants only) is March 1. No exceptions are made to the deadline. A FAFSA must be filed by the deadline and the student must demonstrate financial need by submitting a FAFSA. International students enrolled at Biola on a F-1 visa are exempt from the FAFSA requirement.

President’s Award (100% tuition)
This is awarded to one graduating senior at Biola with the intention to graduate at the end of the school year required, along with a minimum 3.60 GPA, attendance at Biola for at least two years as well as personal qualifications. Determined by committee nomination.

Music Scholarships
Awarded by the Conservatory of Music to music majors for outstanding performance and scholastic capabilities. The scholarship must be used for the area in which the applicant auditioned. Recipients may also be required to participate in an ensemble.

Athletic Scholarships
Offered to students who demonstrate outstanding ability and achievement in a particular sport. Awarded by the Athletic Department.

Forensics Scholarships
Offered to participants on the school’s competitive speech team. Students awarded this scholarship are not necessarily communication majors. Awarded by the Communication Department.

Biology/Science Scholarships
Offered to students who demonstrate a high level of achievement within this major. Awarded by the Biology/Science Department.

Cinema and Theater Arts Scholarships
Offered to students who demonstrate a high level of achievement within this major. Awarded by the Journalism Department.

Journalism Scholarships
Offered to students who demonstrate a high level of achievement within this major. Awarded by the Journalism Department.

Chimes Scholarships
Offered to students who are highly involved with the Chimes (Biola’s student newspaper). Awarded by the Journalism Department.

Communication Disorders Scholarship
Offered to students who demonstrate a high level of achievement within this major. Awarded by the Communication Disorder Department.

Federal Aid to Students

Federal Pell Grant Program. A federal program designed to assist students with high financial need. The maximum grant is $5,350.

National SMART Grant. ($4,000)
A federal program for U.S. citizens for third and fourth year students in math and science majors. Must be a Pell Grant recipient to receive grant.

Academic Competitiveness Grant.
(Freshmen - $750; Sophomore - $1,300)
A federal program for U.S. citizens who took a rigorous high school academic program. Must be a Pell Grant recipient to receive grant. Student must have a minimum 3.0 GPA in major subject.

Federal TEACH Grant ($4,000)
A federal program for eligible financial aid recipients who must fulfill 4 years of teaching in a specific program emphasis at an eligible Title 1 school within 8 years of program completion. Failure to fulfill these requirements will result in the grant converting into an unsubsidized Stafford Loan.

FSEOG Program
The Federal Supplementary Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) program is a campus-based federal aid and is designed to assist the neediest undergraduate students. Must be eligible for Pell Grant. Based on availability of funds. Up to $1,500.

Federal Work Study
This program allows students, who obtain certain on-campus jobs and exhibit need, to have their income “protected” from the subsequent year’s FAFSA calculation. Federal funds pay 75% of a student’s wages, while the University pays the remaining 25%. Wages paid to students in the work study program vary according to the student’s qualifications and duties performed. The University cannot guarantee a job for every student. A limited number of community service job opportunities are also available.

Federal Perkins Loan
The Perkins Loan is a need-based loan program offered to early financial aid applicants. $1,800 per year to new incoming students, $1,500 to transfer and continuing students, 5% interest rate. Based on availability of funds.

Repayment of Perkins Loan begins nine months after graduation or withdrawal from school. If the total amount is paid within nine months of graduation, interest will not accrue. Payments may be extended over a 10-year period at 5% interest on the unpaid balance. Members of the armed forces on active duty and students who transfer to other schools to complete undergraduate or graduate work, may defer payment and interest and extend the repayment period.

Biola Loan
The Biola Loan is a need-based loan program offered to early financial aid applicants. $1,500 per year to new freshmen incoming students, $1,000 to transfer and continuing students at a fixed 5% interest rate.

Repayment begins nine months after ceasing to be a regular student at Biola University. If the total amount is paid within nine months of graduation, interest will not accrue. Payments may be extended over a 10-year period at 5% interest of the unpaid balance.

Nursing Loan
The Nursing Loan is a need-based loan program offered to students accepted into the Nursing Program who are early financial aid applicants. $2,500 per year to Level 1 students, $4,000 to Level 2 or above. 5% interest rate.

Repayment begins nine months after ceasing to be a regular student at Biola University. If the total amount is paid within nine months of graduation, interest will not accrue. Payments may be extended over a 10-year period at 5% interest of the unpaid balance. Members of the armed forces on active duty, Peace Corps volunteers and students who pursue further Nursing training may defer payment and interest and extend the repayment method.

Federal Stafford Loans
Available through local banks, credit unions and savings and loan associations. Please refer to the Financial Aid website for recommended lender list.

The program allows students to borrow up to $3,500 as freshmen, $4,500 as sophomores and up to $5,500 as juniors and seniors. Students demonstrating financial need may qualify for an interest subsidy, by which the government pays the interest while the student is in school at least half-time. Application instructions for Federal Stafford Loans may be obtained on the Financial Aid website. The student may defer payment until six months after graduation. See financial aid website for current interest rates. The student has up to 10 years to repay the loan.

Federal Additional Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
This program allows undergraduate students to borrow $2,000 annually.

Independent students and dependent students whose parents are denied the PLUS loan may borrow either $4,000 or $5,000. Students in the teaching credential program may borrow up to $7,000. Repayment for all students may be deferred while the student is enrolled in six or more units. Interest continues to accrue during this time. See financial aid website for current interest rates.

Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)
Parents may borrow up to the cost of education minus financial aid at a fixed interest rate of 8.5%.

State Aid to Students

Cal Grants

Cal Grants are California State Awards based on state residency, GPA and financial need. To qualify for Cal Grant, a FAFSA form and a GPA verification form must be filed by the March 2nd deadline (current Cal Grant recipients need not file the GPA verification form but must file the FAFSA form).

Students attending Biola may qualify for the Cal Grant A or the Cal Grant B programs. Students attending Biola are not eligible for the Cal Grant C program.

Before applying, applicants should make realistic assessment of their resources for financing graduate study in view of the graduate tuition and fee schedule and the cost of living in Southern California.

The following federal aid programs are available to graduate students. Please refer to the appropriate section above for additional information.

Federal Perkins Loan. Up to $1,000 per year.
Limited availability.

Federal Stafford Loans. Up to maximum $8,500 per year.
See financial aid website for current interest rates.

Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans. Up to $12,000.
See financial aid website for current interest rates.

In addition, the following aid programs are available specifically for graduate study.

Graduate Grant
This award is based on financial need as determined by the FAFSA. Up to $2,500 per year depending on graduate school of enrollment. Funds are limited to availability and are awarded on a first come, first served basis.

Church Matching Scholarship (Up to $500 from Biola)
Biola will match one award per year up to $500 for a full-time student demonstrating need. The match is prorated for part-time student. Not available to Doctor of Ministry, who entered after Fall 2006 and School of Professional Studies students. FAFSA required. ELI students are eligible for one award in their first full year.

The church’s check must be accompanied by the Church Matching Scholarship Application signed by the pastor or church official. Fall semester deadline is Oct. 1. Spring semester deadline (for spring entrants only) is March 1.

Department Scholarships
Determined by each school. For scholarship opportunities, contact the school of attendance.

The following apply to both undergraduate and graduate aid applicants.

Entitlement Aid
Biola University is authorized as an institution to grant benefits to veterans and dependents, social security benefits and assistance from the California Rehabilitation Program. Students interested in this type of aid should contact the Office of the Registrar.

Student Loans
Biola will notify all aid applicants of their eligibility to borrow through the Federal Family Educational Loan Program, including the Stafford Loan. Biola will inform every eligible applicant how to apply and provide a list of recommended lenders.

If an applicant chooses a lender that is not listed on the lender list, he should contact that lender for an application.

International Students
International applicants who hold an F-1 visa must establish the degree of their ability to meet the costs of an education at Biola University. Each international applicant must submit a signed statement of financial responsibility as well as signed statements from any agencies or individuals who have taken the responsibility of underwriting the student’s expenses. These statements must include the exact amount of the commitment. All financial aid for international students are awarded and administered through the Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions Offices.

Student Employment
The University maintains an employment office for the benefit of students needing part-time work. While this office does not guarantee employment, it does make an effort to place every student desiring work.

Jobs are available both on and off campus, according to student’s ability, capacity to handle the added burden of employment and financial need. Student worker positions range from 10-20 hours per week.

Students may apply for financial aid by filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Biola University and the school code should be included on the appropriate sections. For FAFSA, Biola’s code number is 001122.

All undergraduate California residents are encouraged to apply for a Cal Grant, using the FAFSA and GPA Verification form.

Departmental applications for scholarships (i.e. music, athletics and forensics, etc.) are available from departments only. For example, write to the Chairman, Conservatory of Music, Biola University. In addition, a FAFSA may need to be filed unless a student can demonstrate disqualification for need-based aid.

Note: FAFSA and Stafford loan applications need to be re-filed for each academic year.

Deadlines for Filing

The following deadlines have been established for the various aid programs:

Cal Grant Programs

New Applicants

January 1-March 2

Institutional Aid

While there is not a “deadline” to apply for financial aid and students are allowed to apply throughout the academic year, resources are limited and are awarded on a first come, first served basis. Therefore, students are encouraged to apply and complete their financial aid file as soon as possible after January 1.

All financial aid is awarded for the academic year; one half is applied to a student’s school account each semester (unless stated otherwise). Students enrolled for only one semester are entitled to only that semester’s award after it is adjusted to a one-semester expense budget. Financial Aid is not available for interterm or summer school, except sources that are mandated by federal regulations.

Biola University’s “Financial Aid Withdrawal Policy” is employed when a student withdraws prior to completing 60% of the semester. Financial aid adjustments caused by a change in semester enrollment status (student remains enrolled in at least one course) are not included in this policy, but are addressed in the Financial Aid Handbook.

If a recipient of financial aid withdraws during a period of enrollment, the amount of financial aid earned will be calculated according to regulations and policies established for the various categories of aid. The unearned aid will be returned to the various aid sources. These sources include:

Title IV Financial Aid: Most types of government aid are included in this category, i.e. Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG Grant, Perkins Loan, Stafford Student Loan, PLUS Loan. (Work Study is not included in the withdrawal calculation)

State Aid: Includes Grants awarded by the California Student Aid Commission, i.e. Cal Grant A, B.

Institutional Aid: Includes all sources of financial aid awarded by Biola University, i.e. scholarships, grants and campus-based loans with the exception of employee or employee dependent tuition waivers.

Outside Assistance: Includes any aid received from outside organizations, i.e. churches, civic organizations, Employee Tuition Waivers, private foundations, scholarship associations, etc.

When a student wishes to withdraw from Biola University, a “Departure Card” must be obtained from and submitted to the Office of the Registrar. The official withdraw date is the earlier of either the date the student begins the withdrawal process, or the date the student provided official notification of the intent to withdraw, and received acknowledgment of the same from the Office of the Registrar.

Students who unofficially withdraw (fail to submit departure card, but stop attending class) will be given an official withdrawal date determined by the last date of class attendance. If the last date of attendance cannot be determined, the official withdrawal date will be the 50% point of the semester.

Return of Aid

Title IV Aid: Federal aid must be returned to the Title IV program(s) if a student withdrew on or before completing 60% of the enrollment period (semester or term). The percentage of Title IV aid to be returned is equal to the number of calendar days remaining in the semester divided by the number of calendar days in the semester. Scheduled breaks of more than four consecutive days are excluded.

Note:

If prior to withdrawing, funds were released to a student prior to withdrawing; because of a credit balance on the student’s account, the student may be required to repay some of the federal funds upon withdrawing.

State Aid: State aid must be returned in the amount of the difference between the State aid awarded for the enrollment period and the actual tuition charged once the tuition refund is reflected.

Institutional Aid: In most cases, institutional aid is reduced when a student withdraws during the first eight weeks of the semester. The institutional aid is reduced by the same percentage of tuition refund. For example, a student has a $1000 scholarship for the semester, and withdraws during the third week of the semester (80% tuition refund). The student keeps 20% of the scholarship, or $200. $800 is returned to the institution. Aid is usually not reduced after the eighth week of the semester, unless the student has contracted for the aid, i.e. athletics, music.

Outside Aid: Outside organizations providing financial aid are contacted when a student withdraws and receives a tuition refund that produces a credit on the student account. The organization can decide if any of the aid must be returned to them. Some organizations specify beforehand the terms of their scholarship if a student withdraws. Unless requested, outside aid sources are not contacted when the withdrawal occurs after the eight week refund period.

Alternative Loans: Alternative loans are only adjusted upon request of the student. Returning excess funds remains the responsibility of the student.

Students attending Biola University who wish to receive financial aid, including federal, state, Veterans benefits, Social Security benefits, etc., in addition to meeting other eligibility criteria, must be in good academic standing and must maintain satisfactory academic progress in their degree or certificate program.

Quality of Progress “Good Academic Standing”

Students requesting aid must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA as follows:

Minimum Cumulative GPA

Undergraduates		2.0
Graduates		2.5

• GPA’s are reviewed at the end of each academic year.
   
• Students who fail to maintain the minimum GPA will be given one semester of “Aid Probation” in which they must earn the above GPA (for that semester) or they will be suspended from the aid programs.
   
• If the student meets the probation requirement and is approved a second semester of probation, he or she must achieve a cumulative GPA at the required level.
   
• Once you have been on probation, you must continue achieving a 2.0 / 2.5 GPA or aid will be suspended.
   
• Transfer students with a GPA less than 2.0 are ineligible for aid.

Quantity of Progress “Unit Completion Requirement”

Students requesting aid must make progress toward a degree as follows:

Undergraduates: Full-time		24 units per year
Graduates: Full-time:		18 units per year

Unit completion is reviewed at the end of each academic year in June. Summer is considered part of the spring semester for progress purposes.

The following grades are considered to demonstrate satisfactory course completion: A, B, C, D, and CR. These grades do not demonstrate course completion: F, Incomplete, Withdrawal, Unofficial Withdrawal, and Report Delayed.

Repeated courses for which a satisfactory grade has been given may be counted only once for the purpose of academic progress.

Remedial course work may be considered if the coursework is specifically prescribed by the student’s academic advisor.

Students are given one probationary year to complete any necessary deficit units. Deficit units must be completed in addition to the above “unit completion requirement” specification within the probationary year.

Students who fail to complete the required number of units per academic year may be suspended from financial aid until the deficit units are made up.

Duration of Progress “Maximum Time Frame”

Students requesting aid are expected to complete an academic program within a reasonable time frame (including transfer units) as follows:

Undergraduates

Full-time:		11 semesters
Part-time:		17 semesters

Graduates

Full-time:		11 semesters
Part-time:		17 semesters

Time frame is reviewed at the end of each academic year. Students may appeal for extended time by submitting a letter of petition to Financial Aid Office.