Grand Canyon University Gains Nonprofit Status in Landmark Decision
In a significant development for Grand Canyon University (GCU) in Phoenix, the U.S. Department of Education has officially acknowledged the institution as a nonprofit entity. This designation is a milestone for the university, recognized as the largest Christian university in the United States.
The decision from the Department of Education brings it in line with the Internal Revenue Service, the Higher Learning Commission, the State of Arizona, and the NCAA, all of which have already recognized GCU’s nonprofit status. This follows a comprehensive four-year audit by the IRS, concluded in May, and a U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling from the previous year. The court determined that a 2019 decision denying GCU’s nonprofit status used an incorrect legal standard.
Earlier in the year, the Department of Education also reversed a significant financial penalty against GCU, which accused the university of misleading students regarding the costs of its graduate programs. The rescinded fine was over $37 million.
GCU President Brian Mueller expressed gratitude for the department’s decision, stating, “We look forward to working with the department in a cooperative manner moving forward and being part of the conversation to address the many challenges facing higher education.”
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