In a major development, Grand Canyon University, the largest for-profit college in the United States, has been hit with a fine of $37.7 million by the U.S. Education Department. According to a report by NBC News, the for-profit Christian school has been accused of misleading students about the costs associated with enrolling in its doctoral programs.

The Education Department alleges that Grand Canyon University falsely informed students that the program would cost between $40,000 and $49,000, covering tuition and 60 credit hours. However, a staggering 98% of doctoral students at the institution needed more than the promised 60 credit hours to graduate.

From 2017 to 2022, an alarming 78% of graduating doctoral students needed to take an additional five or six three-credit courses, costing them an extra $10,000 to $12,000, and sometimes even more. It has been revealed that many of these students were unable to access federal financial aid for these additional courses, exacerbating their financial burden.

In a letter dated Tuesday, the Education Department disclosed the hefty fine to Grand Canyon University President Brian Mueller. The department further highlighted that the school consistently failed to clarify these additional course requirements, often burying them in fine print or lengthy documents, leaving students uninformed about the true cost of their degrees.

With over 100,000 students, predominantly enrolled online, Grand Canyon University received over $1.1 billion in federal funding under Title VI of the Higher Education Act, primarily for its bachelor's degree programs. This made it the highest recipient among participating schools.

The Education Department stated that a total of 7,547 students enrolled in Grand Canyon University's doctoral programs from November 1, 2018, to October 19, 2023. Consequently, the government is imposing a $5,000 fine for the misrepresentation of costs for each of these students.

This fine serves as a significant blow to Grand Canyon University, tarnishing its reputation as the leading for-profit college in the country. The penalty sends a clear message that institutions must be accountable and transparent when disclosing program costs to prospective students.

As news of the fine spread, concerns have been raised about the impact this could have on current and future students who may have been misled by the university's misrepresentations. It remains to be seen how the institution will respond to the fine and address the grievances of affected doctoral students.

The case of Grand Canyon University highlights the need for stricter oversight and regulation of for-profit colleges to prevent such misrepresentations in the future. It also serves as a reminder for students to thoroughly research and verify the details of any educational program before making financial commitments.

The Education Department's actions demonstrate its commitment to protecting students from misleading practices, ensuring that they have access to accurate and transparent information when making decisions about their higher education.