Grand Canyon University [GCU]
reviews and complaints

My son and I were led to beleieve he would only be in school 2 more years for theatre degree. He lives on campus and loves it but financially we were planning on 2 years and now we find out he has to attend an extra year which is an additional $10,000 to $20,000 more depending on if he stays on campus, which we live out of state. We were very upset about this. It would have been different if we were told ahead of time and had prepared for this financial journey.

This so called school is billing me for classes I did not authorize to be in. I attempted to register for a program but after several weeks of trying to find out more inform on when classes would begin and how or if I would be able to take any courses, I stared getting harassing calls and texts from a person who worked there who then put me in a class and told me I had to do all of these things. When I informed her I wouldn't be able to do that she still harassed me daily and even allowed financial aid to be applied on my behalf. Initially when I wanted to find out about taking classes, she notified me not to contact anyone but her until otherwise informed to do so. I contacted the department of education and had all funds taken back but now they are sending me bills, threatening to take me to collections if I don't pay all that back.

I'm a GCU 2nd time Master's graduate. This year has been my most challenging year with the leadership team that I have to communicate / collaborate with such as school counselor & my school counselor overseer. I really would like to speak with someone other than Luke Hiatt and Adam Blair. I don't like the treatment that I have been receiving from those two individual. I requested some changes and nothing was done. I was told that GCU didn't offer those changes. I asked for a payment agreement for my last class, I was told that it wasn't an option.

I would like someone to review our emails, my questions and concerns. As I mentioned earlier, I graduated with a Master's Degree in Special Education in 2015. I decided to pursue my Master's Degree in Educational Administration and this last year has been horrible for me. Please contact me at [protected]

I was told I was able to receive an unsubsidized loan of 9000 but when I received the stipend check it was for 1601 may I ask if you can break it down for me this isn't a complaint, I'm just curious on how the payments work for unsubsidized loans. this isn't a complaint i just would like to know how the payments break down and my name is Chelsie Embry I'm in my first year on my bachelor's in science. I have living expenses that need to be paid for I used the first check for school supplies and a computer. will I receive another check when the next semester comes in.

I started GCU in February of 2022. I agreed to pay 700 every two months for school fees because I had grants and veterans discount (which is something like $100 GCU took off, so they obviously do not appreciate veterans and I had to keep asking for the discount). This payment plan has never happened. I have been being charged 2k per class (every 7 weeks) and I am only contacted when they want money. I was told that if I filled out a student loan application that I can start school sooner, I was hesitant because I told the lady many times I do not want a loan. She promised me that she would not put a loan but they needed my information, so I did it. She took out a loan I did not approve of and nobody that works there took me seriously. Awful school. Awful experience. Most important, GCU does not care about the people fighting for their country (from my personal experiences).

The program I had hoped to attend was grossly misrepresented, as was the financials involved. With a FASFA and VA educational benefit, I started the first class, which was a huge waste of time and money. It was 2 weeks of "how to be organized." I decided GCU was not for me and withdrew at the end of the 2 weeks. GCU then sent me a bill for $2,400! They threatened to garnish my wages and send the amount to collections. This is my 3rd time attending college. I have never in my life dealt with a more difficult school. $2,400 for 2 weeks of an "organizational" class?! That is utterly absurd! And robbery! Most legit schools will forgive a withdraw of 2 weeks. They dragged their feet so I was beyond the 2 weeks and now is trying to rob me. I work full time and support my autistic son. I am appalled. Stay away from GCU.

I was unable to find a place to do my Clinical Field Experience Hours because my Field Service Counselor refused to give me proper paperwork to show proof that I am doing Clinical Field Experience Hours. Therefore my education has been put to a stop. I have called for two months now and they will not allow my to talk to a Dean or anyone else and will not allow me to take any more classes. I am on my 3rd year. No one can help.

I have been forced to put money on my lopes cash dining dollars and it is one of the only ways I am able to eat here. My counselor is really taking her time to activate or get my card working. Every time I try to active my card your website tells me my card can’t be activated but you had no problems putting my own money on it. My balance is over $1500 and I am unable to spend a dime of it due to the slow nature of the counselors and lack of communication and understanding of the situation.

Given the challenging nature of Doctoral studies and the dissertation process, it is inexplicable to have had so many challenges with receipt of my Graduate Plus Loan funds literally every semester. However, my dispute this time centers on amount and not timing. On 7/21/2023, Graduate Plus disbursed $10,555 to my account, the remaining amount of Graduate Plus loan funds available to me for this academic cycle. I am reapplying for Graduate Plus in October, so that would work out. I should have received a check for $8380 — enough to cover my educational expenses until mid-October when the new Graduate Plus Loan can kick in. However, I only received a check for $6205, as GCU unilitaterally and without my permission paid for the next class. The next class won't start until mid-to late October when the new financial aid cycle already kicks in. I am not rich, do not come from an affluent home, so these loans are the ONLY way I can complete my education. I was depending on that extra $2175 to carry me over until new loan funds become available. I am not thrilled to have to rely on these loans, but I can only work a limited amount of hours as I complete my dissertation. GCU should have sent the complete amount that was left after the current class was paid for and not unilaterally pay for the next course that will occur after a new cycle of financial aid begins.

I enrolled in Sept 2020 and was thrown around across four different advisors, had my financial aid distributed inappropriately, and falsely accused of still owing them money in order to actually get my transcript and diploma. I had COVID during the program on 5 different occasions and I am disabled, and had to retake some of my courses. One of the courses, I was told by Geoff Thomb, would cover one retake and he would cover the other course retake. He inadvertently was removed and I was given my fourth advisor, who continue to argue with me, does not allow me to audit my account, and ended up charging me an additional $1803.90 in order to graduate. I paid in Student Loans over $24,000 per year to attend this university and still paid out of pocket. My funds were misused and misappropriated and I want a refund of my money and a forgiveness of my loans. They had a disbursement of $10,142 each semester, but continued to charge me for withdrawals, and held my stipends after the first year. They were going to credit me two retakes and use one stipend to cover the other one. Then, before being allowed to get my transcript or graduate, they billed me for an out of pocket amount of $1803.90. They are crooks and need to refund me.