The Department of Education (ED) on Friday rescinded a $37.7 million fine applied to Grand Canyon University (GCU) under the Biden administration.
The fine was the largest ever proposed against a university and sparked allegations that the Biden administration was targeting and harshly punishing Christian universities. ED under the Trump administration dismissed the case with “no findings” of wrongdoing by the university, according to GCU, and with prejudice, meaning the suit can’t be brought again.
“Unlike the previous Administration, we will not persecute and prosecute colleges and universities based on their religious affiliation,” Ellen Keast, an ED spokesman, told the Daily Caller News Foundation. “The Trump Administration will continue to ensure every institution of higher education is held accountable based on facts – but Department enforcement will be for the purpose of serving students, not political bias.”
The Lyndon Baines Johnson Department of Education Building is seen on February 07, 2025 in Washington, DC. U.S. (Photo by Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)
ED announced in 2023 it was issuing the fine due to an investigation allegedly finding GCU “substantially” misrepresented the cost of its doctoral program.
“The facts clearly support our contention that we were wrongly accused of misleading our Doctoral students and we appreciate the recognition that those accusations were without merit,” GCU President Brian Mueller said in the university’s announcement. “GCU is a leader in innovation, transparency and best practices in higher education and we look forward to working cooperatively with the Department in the future – just as we have with all regulatory agencies.”
That same year ED attempted to go after GCU’s tax-exempt nonprofit status, claiming it did not fit the requirements, evne though the IRS had recognized its status. GCU ended up suing and winning against the department in 2024.
The American Principles Project in April called on Congress to investigate former President Joe Biden’s “attacks” on Christian colleges and universities, alleging they were targeted at an unfair rate compared to secular institutions. The letter, first obtained by the DCNF, found that the fine levied against GCU combined with a $14 million fine issued against Liberty University “total more than all other penalties assessed by the Department of Education over the past seven years.”
GCU did not immediately respond to the DCNF’s request for comment.
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