Frequently Asked Questions

To complete your application to Moody Bible Institute, you will need to submit:

1. Your online application, which includes essays, a pastoral reference and a Christian character reference.
2. Pay the $50 application fee.
3. An evaluation of transcripts from any school you have attended (see below for more information).
4. The results of an English Proficiency Exam (we accept TOEFL, IELTS Academic, and Duolingo at this time).

There are some exceptions to these requirements, so ask your admissions counselor for more information.

The deadlines for the application process differ based on which school and semester you are applying to:

Undergraduate Chicago Fall Semester:

• Early Decision Deadline: December 1
• Final Deadline: March 1

Undergraduate Chicago Spring Semester:

• Final Deadline: October 1

Undergraduate Aviation Fall Semester:

• Final Deadline: June 1

Undergraduate Aviation Spring Semester:

• Final Deadline: December 1

Graduate Chicago Fall Semester:

• Final Deadline: May 1

Graduate Chicago Spring Semester:

• Final Deadline October 1

Our online studies programs have rolling deadlines since you do not need a Visa to study online.

Please Note: The deadline is not only for the online application. You must submit all documents by the final deadline. Some items can take a couple of months, so please start sooner rather than later.

Qualifications for a Pastoral Reference:

• Must be in a leadership position at a church
• Must have known you for at least one year
• Cannot be a relative (cannot be a sibling, parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc.)

Anyone who has known you for at least one year and is not a relative (cannot be a sibling, parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc.) can be your Christian Character Reference.

Almost every international student will need to submit a transcript evaluation of the transcripts from every secondary school (high school) or university that they have attended. Please double-check with your admissions counselor before paying unnecessary fees.

A transcript evaluation is an evaluation of the transcripts from every school you have attended. This evaluation determines if you have received the equivalent of a high school diploma from the United States or any other university-level degree or courses you could transfer to Moody.

It is very important that whichever transcript evaluation service you choose, you send them transcripts from every secondary school or university you have attended, even if you did not complete a degree at that school, or even took just one course.

Transcript evaluations must be completed by a member of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services). We currently recommend SpanTran as our evaluator of choice, and you can start the process by clicking here. We also recommend ECE as another option for you.

These transcript evaluations can take a few weeks to a few months depending on your situation, so be sure to get started on this process as soon as possible.

If you are from West Africa and have taken your country’s national examination through WAEC or NECO, you will need your PIN or Scratch Card to obtain the scores and have that sent to SpanTran, ECE, or the evaluation service of your choice (a NACES Member). This only applies to undergraduate applicants.

Almost every international student who is not a citizen of the United States will be required to take an English Proficiency Exam. These English exams can take time to sign up for, take, and pass. We currently recommend the Duolingo English Test (DET) for most applicants as it is the most convenient method for you (link to the Duolingo English Test). However, we also accept the TOEFL and IELTS Academic test results as well.

Elementary Education Applicants MUST take either the TOEFL or IELTS Academic tests for admission. We recommend that Elementary Education applicants take the TOEFL iBT At Home Edition for convenience and cost. Learn more and take the test here: https://www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/take/locations-dates/.

Minimum scores for the English Proficiency exams depend on the program you applied for and the test you take:

Duolingo English Test Minimums:

(not available for Elementary Education applicants)

• Undergraduate Studies: 105
• Graduate Studies: 110
• Master of Arts in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling: 115

TOEFL iBT Minimums:

• Undergraduate: 79
• Elementary Education Applicants: 84
• Graduate: 85
• Counseling: 95

IELTS Academic Overall Minimums:

• Undergraduate: 6.5
• Elementary Education Applicants: 6.5
• Graduate: 6.5
• Counseling: 7.0

• TOEFL: 79 (iBT)
• IELTS: 6.5 overall
• Duolingo: 105

Elementary Education majors have slightly higher minimum scores:

• TOEFL: 84 (iBT)
• IELTS: 6.5
• Duolingo: CANNOT take the Duolingo. Please take the TOEFL iBT or IELTS

• TOEFL: 85 (iBT)
• IELTS: 6.5 overall
• Duolingo: 110

Applicants to the Master of Arts in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling degree have slightly higher minimum scores:

• TOEFL: 95
• IELTS: 7.0
• Duolingo: 115

Please indicate that you want your test scores sent to Moody Bible Institute.

Most times, this will be enough information for them to send us the results. You may be asked for a “school code” if you take the TOEFL exam. Moody’s school code is 1486.

Be aware that the process of signing up for the exam, taking the exam, and having the scores assigned and sent to Moody can take a few weeks, so be sure to get started on this process as soon as possible!

Moody has a unique undergraduate tuition model. If you are a single, undergraduate student living on campus, you will not pay tuition (the cost of taking the class/credit hours).

You are, however, responsible for your housing, food, and other fees which come out to about $7,000 per semester or $14,000 per year.

If you are studying online or have to live off-campus (most married students), the cost is $360/credit hour for tuition. You are then responsible for your own housing and food. The total cost of a 120-credit hour bachelor’s degree is around $42,000 for the 2020-2021 school year.

Please Note: This is subject to change; please refer to the academic catalog for the most up-to-date rates.

Our aviation classes cost $440 per credit hour. Moody continues to strive to keep costs as low as possible for our students.

With all of the tuition and student fees included, the total school cost for a flight emphasis is $156,151 and the total cost for an advanced maintenance emphasis is $106,824.

This does not include living costs. We tell our students to estimate $1000 per month for living expenses (housing, food, clothing, etc.)

Please Note: This is subject to change; please refer to the academic catalog for the most up-to-date rates.

Our graduate studies cost $460 per credit hour. Moody continues to strive to keep costs as low as possible for our students.

This means that a 36 credit hour master’s degree (such as the Master of Arts in Biblical Studies) will be $16,560 for the entire program.

To figure out how much your program will cost, simply multiply the number of credit hours in your degree plan by $460 to receive your estimated cost of tuition.

Please Note: This is subject to change; please refer to the academic catalog for the most up-to-date rates.

Unfortunately, Moody does not offer “full-rides” at this time. It is unlikely that you will be able to cover every dollar needed with scholarships from Moody. However, we do have scholarships available (see below), and those can be combined with external scholarships that potentially could eliminate out-of-pocket costs. In most cases, students will have some kind of required expenses.

Yes! Moody offers a number of scholarship opportunities to our students.

Click here for Moody scholarship information.

In addition, you can apply for external scholarships (scholarships from outside organizations).

If you are accepted, you will be applying for what is called an “F-1 Visa,” also known as a Student Visa. The first step in this process is getting accepted. If you are accepted to Moody, the next step that the U.S. government requires is to provide what is called “proof of funds” to demonstrate that you can pay for your first year of classes.

If you are applying to the Chicago undergraduate school as a single person with no dependents, this means that you will need to have about $17,000 in your bank account to provide “proof of funds.”

If you are applying to Moody Aviation as a single person with no dependents, this means that you will need to have about $20,000 in your bank account.

If you are applying to Moody Theological Seminary as a single person with no dependents, this means that you will need to have about $22,641 in your bank account.

If you applying to any of the schools as a married person, add about $5,000 to the number already estimated for your spouse. If you are applying to any of the schools as a person with children, add about $2,500 for each child. Doing this will give you the estimated amount needed for the “proof of funds” required.

These numbers are estimates which are subject to change.

Many of our students assemble a team of financial supporters (sponsors) in order to cover this amount. Please consider how you will do this if you are accepted.

Once your “proof of funds” is accepted, you can move forward in the process of obtaining your F-1 Visa.

As a single, undergraduate student, you will live in an all-male or all-female dormitory on Moody’s campus in downtown Chicago. You will live on a floor with dozens of other students from around the country and around the world.

If you are a graduate student or married student, you will likely be finding your own accommodations in Chicago. Please reach out to our housing department for questions.

Student Life Housing Information

Yes! We have a number of student groups for you to take part in. Not only do we have groups with different interests, but we also have groups specifically for international students or missionary kids on campus in which to fellowship and find community!

See Student Life

All undergraduate students receive a U-Pass, which is an unlimited ride card for the extensive Chicago Public Transportation system (CTA). You can ride any bus, train, or subway for free with this card.

Yes, you can work on campus with an F-1 Visa. The U.S. government does place restrictions on you as an international student. You may only work on campus and you may work up to 20 hours per week.

We do not have traditional student housing since our campus is on an active airfield. Instead, we partner with local landlords who rent out their houses specifically to Moody Aviation students.

The houses are fully furnished, gender-specific, and usually hold between 6 and 8 students with 2 students per bedroom.

You will be responsible for your own grocery shopping and cooking.

Our Student Services team is here to help you! We have staff members who are on-loan to us from different mission organizations, have served all over the world, and speak a variety of languages! We try our best to connect you with someone who speaks your native language.

You can join our Multicultural club! This is for international students, missionary kids, and those who grew up in other countries or cultures.

We also have student volunteers who can help you with getting a driver’s license, government I.D. card, finding the grocery stores, and finding fun things to do around Spokane!

Public transportation is available within a few blocks of campus through the Spokane Transit Authority. Student Services can assist in purchasing a bus pass.