According to the university, the U.S. Department of Education fined $37.7 million, a deceptive practice against Grand Canyon University.
The proposed fine is the largest fine the department has ever made against a university.
University President Brian Mueller welcomes the decision to cancel the fine.
“The facts clearly support our argument that we have been wrongly accused of misleading our PhD, and we thank people for thinking that these allegations are unfounded,” Mueller said in a statement.
Harvard president makes 25% cuts amid Trump administration fund freeze
Grand Canyon University President Brian Mueller welcomes the decision to cancel the fine. (Grand Canyon University)
He continued: “GCU is a leader in innovation, transparency and best practices in higher education and we look forward to working with the sector in the future, just as we do with all regulators.”
The fine was reported in October 2023 in the federal government that a survey found that 78% of doctoral students who graduated between 2017 and 2022 needed additional courses and incurred at least $10,000 in additional fees to complete the program.
The U.S. Department of Education fined $37.7 million against Grand Canyon University. (J. David Ake/Getty Images)
According to a statement at the time, the university appealed the fines in the following month, with Mueller accusing the federal government of “out of control” and targeting one of the country's largest Christian universities.
In his speech at the time, Mueller also said the fine was “absurd” and noted that another top Christian university, Liberty University, reportedly received a $37 million fine for allegedly underestimating the crime.
Trump Title IX Team Exploring Education Leader, He called it “inaccurate”, saying only boys and girls
The proposed fine is the largest fine issued by the Ministry of Education against universities. (Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)
Click here to get the Fox News app
“It's interesting that these are the two largest Christian universities in the country, this university and the Free University, who were fined almost the same amount at almost the same time?” he said. “Is there a reason and a force there right now? I don't know. But it's the truth.”
The Ministry of Education’s move to cancel the fine ended a one-year legal battle for universities.
