Thank you for your interest in applying to PBU! "Philadelphia Biblical University exists to educate students to serve Christ in the church, society, and the world as biblically minded, well-educated, and professionally competent men and women of character."
All undergraduate students on the Langhorne Manor Campus major in Bible, leading to the Bachelor of Science in Bible. Degrees in business administration, education, music, and social work are also offered, enabling students to graduate with two degrees. One-year certificate programs are offered in our Institute of Jewish Studies, Biblical Foundations Program, and in camping ministries at our Wisconsin Wilderness Campus.
Please visit our academic programs page to learn more about the many degrees and ministry concentrations available at PBU.
Overview of
the Application Process
Introduction
At Philadelphia Biblical University, the international undergraduate application process consists of two parts. International applicants are evaluated academically to determine eligibility for admission for university level study, and financially to determine whether sufficient sources of financial support exist to cover estimated yearly full-time expenses.
Academic
Evaluation
The PBU International Office evaluates the academic qualifications of undergraduate international applicants. Advising of applicants regarding academic programs and required academic credentials is also a service provided by the PBU International Office.
Financial
Evaluation
Accepted applicants who complete an application for a Form I-20 and demonstrate sufficient financial support are eligible to receive an I-20, the document required for international students to apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate and to enter the U.S. with F-1 student status.
Accepted Applicants Not Holding F-1 Visa Status
International students holding, or intending to hold, Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) statuses other than F-1 may be admitted into PBU without a financial evaluation.
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Completing Your
Application
General Admissions
Requirements
The PBU International Office considers the applicant's Christian experience, commitment and character, high school and/or college grade point averages, English language profiency and standardized test scores. Extra-curricular activities, church and community programs, and experience in the business world or in Christian ministry contribute to the decision-making process.
Since the stated purpose of Philadelphia Biblical University is to educate students to serve Christ in the church, society, and the world, it is important that the values of the applicant be in harmony with those of the University. To determine whether the applicant can benefit from, as well as contribute to, the University community, the following three areas are also reviewed: conversion, lifestyle, and beliefs.
Please visit our online undergraduate catalog for details regarding specific admissions requirements.
Required Admissions Documents
Other Required Documentation
Other forms relating to specific PBU programs or
U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)
status may be required for certain applicants. PBU
reserves the right to require updated applicant information.
Please visit our forms page
for details about other application forms.
Application Deadlines
May 31: for the fall (August) semester
Sept. 30: for the spring (January) semester
Application Grace Period
Applicants are allowed a maximum of two years during which they may submit all
documentation required for admittance into PBU.
Required Academic Transcripts
In order to qualify for admittance into Traditional
Undergraduate Programs at Philadelphia Biblical University
international applicants must have successfully completed
a university preparatory course of study at a secondary
school (a minimum of 12 years of primary and secondary
school training comprises the equivalent to a U.S.
high school diploma). Previous academic training should
satisfy admissions requirements for university-level
study.
Applicants must arrange for official certified transcripts
of previous academic work to be sent to the PBU International
Office. Certified transcripts are reports of individual
courses taken and indicate the grades obtained for
each course. Transcripts must have a raised seal or
a stamp on the copy of the transcript from, for example,
the Director, Registrar, Headmaster, or Headmistress
of the school. Proof of graduation from secondary
school / high school is also required. These transcripts
must be in English or accompanied by an English translation.
Applicants from Commonwealth countries must submit
certified or notarized copies of their "O"
level and / or "A" level certificates (copies
of unofficial result slips are not acceptable). Applicants
from countries having different educational systems
should submit results from their countries' respective
secondary school graduation examinations and / or
university placement examinations (for example, CXC
exam results, Abitur results, baccalaureat results,
etc.)
PBU reserves the right to notify applicants that they must have their non U.S. academic transcripts evaluated by an academic transcript evaluating agency. PBU prefers that transcripts be evaluated by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) to determine their level and authenticity. Once international applicants have submitted their official transcript(s), they will be notified whether an AACRAO evaluation will be required.
Required English Language Proficiency
Studies at PBU require English language proficiency
in areas of listening comprehension, reading, and
writing. International applicants to PBU are required
to take one of three tests in order to demonstrate
their level of English proficiency. Applicants may
choose to take either the Test of English as a Foreign
Language (TOEFL) or the SAT I test or the ACT test.
PBU reserves the right to refuse admittance to applicants
who do not meet the minimum English proficiency requirements.
PBU English Language Standards
TOEFL Test Standards: PBU requires a minimum TOEFL score of 520 on paper-based tests, 190 on computer-based tests and 68 on internet-based tests. The PBU TOEFL school code is 2661.
SAT Test Standards: PBU requires a minimum
composite SAT I score of 920, with a minimum verbal
score of 460 (480 verbal / 440 math for Teacher Education
applicants). The PBU SAT school code is 2661.
ACT Test Standards: PBU requires a minimum
composite ACT score of 19, with a minimum verbal score
of 19. The PBU ACT school code is 3658.
Registering for Required Tests
For more information about the TOEFL test, test dates,
and testing sites, please contact:
TOEFL / TSE
Services
P. O. Box 6151
Princeton, NJ 08541 USA
Phone: (609) 771-7100
E-mail: toefl@ets.org
Web site: www.toefl.org
Fax: (609) 771-7500
For more information about the SAT test, test dates,
and testing sites, please contact:
The College Board
International Education
1233 20th Street NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036 USA
Phone: (202) 822-5900
E-mail: internatl@collegeboard.org
Web site: www.collegeboard.org
Fax: (202) 822-5234
For more information about the ACT test, test dates,
and testing sites, please contact:
ACT Universal Testing
P. O. Box 4028
Iowa City, IA 52243-4028 USA
Phone: (319) 337-1448
E-mail: osus@act.org
Web site: www.act.org
Limited Toefl, SAT and ACT Test Waivers
Applicants who have successfully pursued post-secondary
studies in the United States and some Commonwealth
countries within two years of submitting an application
to PBU may be granted a TOEFL, SAT and ACT test waiver.
However, PBU requires solid previous academic performance
with a minimum of 60 completed university credits
(each course of these 60 credits must be a minimum
of "C"grade) in order for a waiver to be
granted. A test waiver is effective only when confirmed
by PBU. The International Office is unable to grant
a test waiver to international applicants lacking
sufficient funding to register for the TOEFL, SAT
or ACT test. Canadian and other Commonwealth country
applicants may choose to take the ACT or SAT test
in place of the TOEFL.
Special Application Procedure for F-1 Transfer
Students
International applicants presently studying as F-1 students in the U.S. and wishing to transfer to PBU must apply for admission in the same manner as international applicants living outside of the U.S. F-1 transfer applicants must also submit a PBU Transfer In Request Form to the International Office from the currently-attended U.S. school. The designated school official (DSO) of that school should return this form directly to the PBU International Office by fax or by mail.
Admission to Specific Academic Programs
Admission to the University does not guarantee admission to an applicant's desired academic program. Some academic programs have additional requirements that must be met. An entrance audition is required for all applicants for the School of Music and Performing Arts. The School of Education and Bachelor of Social Work Program also have additional requirements. Applicants should review the specific entrance requirements outlined in the respective departmental sections in our online undergraduate catalog.
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Financial Aid
at PBU
Introduction
The University will award a limited number of scholarships to first-year and transfer students based on review of their academic credentials, recommendations, and other information submitted during the admissions process. US dollar amounts of scholarship and grant awards are set by the University annually and are subject to change.
Financial Aid Deadlines
Scholarships and grants are awarded on a first-come,
first-served basis and are competitive. PBU financial
aid is available until the financial aid award deadline
of the semester of application or until all funds
have been awarded, whichever comes first. Semester
financial aid deadlines are typically:
May 1
for the fall (August) semester
Nov. 1 for the spring (January) semester
Types of Financial Aid
Philadelphia Biblical University offers scholarships, need-based grants, and a church matching grant. After arrival, students may apply for on-campus student employment. Scholarships and grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and are competitive. PBU is unable to award full scholarships which cover all living and academic expenses. As a result, international applicants are advised to have additional sources of financial support which sufficiently meet and exceed remaining student academic and living expense needs during studies at PBU.
Academic Scholarships
The University offers new freshman and transfer students significant scholarship aid based on each student's academic record and/or unusual achievements in church and community service. The International Office evaluates students for these scholarships as a part of the admissions process.
Need-Based Grants
The limited number of need-based grants are awarded to international students who demonstrate need after considering all other sources of aid available, including support from sponsors, scholarships, grants, and gift-aid from other sources.
Church Matching Grant
PBU also offers a matching grant available to students in the fall semester only. Our University matches dollar for dollar, up to $500, monies donated by church/ministry organizations for the student (this translates into a combined total of $1,000).
On-Campus Student Employment
After arrival, many of our students choose to apply for on-campus student employment, which can serve as a limited source of additional financial support. International students holding F-1 status (this is normally the visa status with which international students enter the U.S. to study as full-time students) may work only part-time during academic semesters (20 hours a week in the fall and spring semesters) and may work full-time (typically 40 hours per week) during the winter and summer semester breaks. Please note that earnings depend on the availability of on-campus jobs, the specific work schedules chosen by students and / or their employers, and the amount of U.S. federal and state taxes withheld from each paycheck.
Certification of Financial Support
U.S. Federal Law requires international applicants who wish to obtain a Form I-20 and to apply for an F-1 student visa to provide proof that they can financially support themselves during the duration of their studies. If you do not plan to enter the U.S. with an F-1 visa, or if you are in the U.S. and do not plan to change your visa status to F-1, you will not need to submit certification of financial support.
If you are seeking to enter PBU as an F-1 student, you must be able to document that you can support the minimum annual expenses for the entire duration of study in order to be eligible to receive a Form I-20. Consult the PBU Financial Aid Office Estimated Expenses page for the most up-to-date estimation of annual student expenses.
If you plan to come to study at Philadelphia Biblical
University with dependents (spouse and/or children),
you will need to have additional funding available
to support them.
Please note that you should have sufficient funding to cover and exceed the yearly costs for the entire length of your program. Tuition, food and housing costs generally increase at the rate of 6% per year.
Estimated Degree Completion Timetables
Certificate Programs
Camping Ministries Certificate (Wisconsin Campus): Nine (9) Months
Institute of Jewish Studies Certificate Program: Nine (9) Months
Degree Programs
B.S. in Bible (with a specific concentration): Four
(4) years
B.S. in Bible / B.S. Business Administration: Five
(5) years
B.S. in Bible / B. Music: Five (5) years
B.S. in Bible / B. Social Work: Five (5) years
B.S. in Bible / B.S. Education: Five (5) years
Required Financial Documentation
Your financial support can come from any combination of the following sources in the U.S. or abroad.
FUNDS FROM SPONSORS (Parents, relatives, friends, organizations). You may have as many sponsors as you need. Sponsors may provide you with support in the form of cash and/or room and board. Free room and board means that you live with someone and do not have to pay for your room or food.
PERSONAL FUNDS that come from your own resources, not those of your relatives. Unless you have enough cash to support yourself for your entire program of study or can prove other sources of personal income, you will need a sponsor with an income sufficient to support you.
FUNDS FROM THIS SCHOOL such as, a scholarship or financial aid. PBU does not offer full scholarships so you will need additional support to meet your minimum annual costs.
Documentary Evidence Requirements
Complete the Application for a Form I-20 and submit it with all the necessary evidence of financial capability directly to the PBU International Office by mail, or fax.
We strongly recommend that you do this at the same time as you are applying to PBU. That way, once you are accepted, your From I-20 can be issued quickly.
All documents you submit must be:
- Less than two months old
- In English (we cannot review documents that are not in English)
- Photocopies, scanned documents, or faxes, not originals. You will need the originals of all the documents you have sent us to take to the American Embassy when we send you your I-20.
Sponsor Affidavits must be notarized, that is, signed by the sponsor in the presence of a notary public, the notary public must sign, and the official seal of the notary public must be on the affidavit. There are notaries public at all U.S. embassies and consulates. In the U.S., most neighborhood pharmacists, lawyers and accountants are notaries. There are notaries in all countries, though the names for them may be different. Put simply, notaries are officials licensed by the national or regional government to take sworn statements for courts of law or to witness contracts and property deeds.
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Evidence Required
Sponsors of Cash Support
- Affidavit of Annual Cash Support (Included in Application for a From I-20). All questions must be answered. The affidavit must be notarized.
- Proof of Income
Individual Sponsor (any one of the following):
- Employer’s salary statement on letterhead stationery with most recent pay stub
-
If self-employed, salary estimate from accountant or attorney with most recent pay stub
-
Income tax returns or receipts with most recent pay stub
-
Pay stubs for last six months
-
Bank/investment statements for the last six months
-
Bank Statement in the name of the sponsor only. A monthly statement of balances and deposits.
Company Sponsor
Submit the Affidavit of Annual Cash Support and the most recent “Profit and Loss Statement” for the company.
Personal Funds
Bank/Asset statement in your name. A monthly statement of balances and deposits.
School Funds
Any merit-awards or scholarships received.
Sponsors of Free Room and Board
- Affidavit of Free Room and Board (Included in Application for a Form I-20). All questions must be answered. The affidavit must be notarized.
- Proof of Income (any of the following):
- Employer’s salary statement on letterhead stationery with most recent pay stub
- If self-employed, salary estimate from accountant or attorney with most recent pay stub, or Income tax returns or receipts with most recent pay stub
-
Pay stubs for last six months
-
Bank/investment statements for the last six months
- Photocopy of Lease, Deed, Rent Receipts, or Phone Bill
Additional Notes Regarding Financial Documentation
- It is highly recommended that at least part of your financial support come from your home country. This is important for getting your student visa
- A sponsor should promise only as much money as he or she is able to give you. Some sponsors believe that the more money they promise to give the easier it will be to get your I-20. The most common reason for rejection of financial documents is that we do not believe the sponsor can afford to give as much as promised. A sponsor should promise only what he or she intends to give and only as much as can be afforded.
- If there is no proof of income provided with a bank statement, the statement balance will be totaled and divided by the number of years in your program of study to determine the amount available to you for each year.
- The income of a company is not the income of the owner of the business and will not be accepted as proof of income. You must provide an official statement of the salary paid to the owner/sponsor.
- If a bank statement is in the name of more than one person, each individual must submit an affidavit of support.
- We cannot accept bank statements that do not specify monthly balances and deposits.
- Copies, clear faxes, and scanned documents sent as e-mail attachments are satisfactory. Unclear copies, faxes, and scans will not be accepted. Send faxes to 215.702.4248 and emails to intl-office@pbu.edu.
Contact the PBU International Office with any questions you may have regarding what financial documentation to submit. We are eager to assist you!
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