Grand Canyon University [GCU]
Reviews and Complaints

I agree! She should go back to High School first. I graduated with my Bachelor's at Gcu and now working towards my Master's.

Maybe you never graduated High School from the looks of your atrocious spelling and grammar. It hurts my head to try to understand what you're saying because you make NO sense whatsoever. Perhaps go back to High School and get your diploma and try to go to college then.

Hi jo42869,

Would you please contact me directly and I'd be happy to assist you in any way I can. I can be reached at ritule@gcu.edu or by phone at [protected] between the hours of 9am and 5pm Mountain time.

Thanks,
Robyn

Robyn Itule
Social Media Strategist
ritule@gcu.edu
[protected]

That's sad since they are a 'christian' college.. heard similar stories on GCU lack of concern.

I had a similar problem. I finished up my last class for my Bachelors degree in Nursing (the last class was a capstone project). a couple of weeks later, I was looking for information for getting my diploma, when a pop-up asked if I wanted to take another class called spirituality in nursing. I said no. After another couple of weeks of not being told how to get my diploma, I called the school. I was informed that I had to take the class and that because time had passed, my financial aid would not pay. I could not afford the class so I wasn't going to be able to take it. Lisa, my academic counselor referred me to her supervisor who eventually said that they were sorry for the mix up and that I could take the class for no charge because my grades were so good she would scholarship the class. I took the class. Almost a year later, they still will not honor their agreement and refuse to let me have my diploma untill I pay for that last class. I just turned them in to the BBB and my attorney is next. Do Not attend this school!

blessed82,

Would you kindly contact me directly about your situation and I'll try to help you out. I apologize for any inconvenience you may have experienced.

Thanks!
Robyn Itule

ritule@gcu.edu
[protected]

I am going to GCU and they have lied to me about how they do things. I was told one thing by one person then told something different by another. I am suppose to remember a conversation with a certain person which we never had. I have been lied to by 2 teachers and the disability center. Now they have my financial aid and now what for me? They try to make you believe they are honest because they are a private christian university. Well they have lied to me more then once and now they have my financial aid. my e-mail is judymann79@yahoo.com

Shame on GCU FOR NOT CORRECTING ASAP. ITS NOT HARD TO FIX

Make sure to file your complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB serving Central, Northern and Western Arizona):

http://www.bbb.org/phoenix/Business-Reviews/schools-academic-colleges-and-universities/grand-canyon-university-in-phoenix-az-34001345/complaints/

In 2009 I was going to attend Grand Canyon University; however, I had a change of heart and withdrew the first day of class. I was told I would have to pay apx. 500.00 for posting one day. I agreed to pay and asked to be withdrawn and the finical aid process stopped. The school did not stop the finical aid process and did not send the money back to the Department of Education. I found this out when the school attempted to file finical aid on my behalf while I was enrolled and attend another University. I have made several attempts to have the situation resolved, only to have my requests ignored, before I decide to contact the Attorney General in my State. I suggest that anyone else having Problems with this school should do the same, as, this is how the Federal Government can track, fine, and if necessary take away the schools accreditation.

Hi Deirdrefaye,

I'm sorry to hear you're frustrated. The resolution team works with students one-on-one to help resolve their issues, while also working to effect changes so that these issues are fixed permanently.

I encourage you to reach out to us at resolutionteam@gcu.edu or give us a call at [protected] and please give us the opportunity to resolve your situation.

Thanks!

I'm so frustrated with this school..this school has the program I want but the financial aid and loans are a mess..This is my first and last semester at this college..I feel like i'm being lied to daily about my loan...the resolution team that monitor these sites sees that people are complaining about the same thing and yet it doesn't address the problem and offer resolution..How does this college gets away with this behavior

Hi Kelly,

Could you kindly contact me directly about your issue and I'll do what I can to help you in getting this resolved. I'm sorry for any inconvenience this has caused you.

Robyn Itule
Social Media Strategist

[protected]
ritule@gcu.edu

Hi Ronald,
The University strives to help students like yourself reach their educational goals. I would like to refer you to Beth Jamison in our Academic Compliance Department to assist you with some of the concerns you have mentioned. I think she will be able to help you. She can be reached at [protected].

Thanks!
Robyn Itule
Social Media Strategist
robyn.itule@gcu.edu
[protected]

Beth Jamison
Academic Compliance Administrator
Student Disability Services
Grand Canyon University
Phone: [protected]

The longer I am associated with GCU the sorrier I am, they baited me away from another on line school with their Christian Studies program. I am so sorry I ever listened to their sales pitch. When you bring a complaint to their attention they start to become defensive and then before you know it you are on the defensive, today alone I was related to as a trouble maker...being silly! when I asked to speak to a supervisor, her reply was "She had no idea what to say".
I am disabled, they accepted me knowing this and assured me accomodations would be made to compensate for my shortcomings, now due to a technocality I have been told they need more letters from my doctors, the last letter my doctor wrote told them if they had more questions feel free to contact him on his fax line for further information.
In spite of my 3. something GPA I have been put on a scholastic probation list and after the finish of my present class I feel sure I am doomed to be expelled.
I wish I could say I don't care, I am 58 years old, and after dropping out of school to enlist in the military I just wanted to prove to my family and myself that I was capable; I suppose I chose the wrong playing field to make my big play. I hope they can live with thierselves after killing my dreams.
If you can avoid this school please go elsewhere I doubt it could be worse, and I do use the term (school) very loosely.

Ronald L Brockman Major?...Religious Studies
Signing this may not be smart, but it shows that I truely believe That I have been wronged.

Hi LLyon,

Please contact me directly and I'll be happy to assist you in resolving any issues you may have. I'm sorry for any inconvenience you've experienced.

Robyn Itule

Social Media Strategist

ritule@gcu.edu
[protected]

As a military student I have been attending Grand Canyon University for almost two years and my experience with Financial Aid has been nothing but a complete nightmare! This current semester I started a new class on October 14th. I noticed that I had been charged the regular rate for my upcoming classes and that my military scholarship had not been applied. After speaking to four different counselors including my own financial advisor and repetitive calling all ensuring me that my scholarship would be applied, needless to say it didn't get applied until the third week after constant complaints. I had a credit issued on my account on the 19th of October. Two weeks rolled by and my account still had not been changed over to a zero balance so I called Finance again and was told that because of the new system things were taking awhile but she assured me that I would receive my disbursement refund within the 14 business day guideline. One of the many lies and misconceptions told by a counselor, how is it even possible to receive my check by the 14th business day which is November 8th if here it is November 4th and my account has not even been cleared out yet! So November 5th I check my account and it is finally a zero balance so I think to myself okay I should be receiving my disbursement check within the next couple of days. I checked the mailbox for an entire week all the way up to November 13th and I still did not have a refund in the mail. I live in California the check is coming from Arizona it shouldn't take a week to receive. On November 15th I called spoke to a finance counselor to find out where my check is and he continuously tried to tell me that it showed in his system that my check was mailed out November 5th. I repeatedly asked him does he doubt my intelligence, if my check was mailed out on the 5th why is it the 15th and my check is still a no show. Once again I was given the run around that mail was just slow because of Veterans day, ok Veterans day was only one day what about the other nine days. The conversation ended with Mrs. if you do not receive your check by the end of the week we can stop payment on it and send you out another. After talking to this representative I called the very next day today, November 16th and spoke to a new counselor and explained to her that what I was told yesterday was unacceptable and that I needed for her to speak to accounting to find out where exactly my check is because there is no way that it was sent out on the 5th. This counselor places me on hold and gets back on the phone and tells me that the person that she needs to speak to in accounting is not in but that she would send her an email to find out where my check is. This representative provided me with her personal line and assured me that she would get this matter resolved and to give her a call in a couple of hours. I spoke to this representative around 8am. I called her back at 1pm and left a message, 3 pm and left a message, and 5 and left a message. Needless to say she never contacted me back. As a result of the finance department being unprofessional and not managing my funds properly, I will be filing a formal complaint with the US Department of Education OIG for misuse and mismanagement of financial aid because I have been more than patient and cooperative with GCU and my matter has yet to be resolved.

Thank You for your assitance. GCU was helpful and able to resolve the complaint.

Hi elemedustudent,

Please contact me directly at robyn.itule@gcu.edu and I'll be happy to assist you with getting this situation resolved. I apologize for any inconvenience you've experienced.

Thanks!
Robyn Itule

Social Media Strategist
[protected]
robyn.itule@gcu.edu

I feel that I am being pushed around by Grand Canyon University as well. I was suppose to receive a Grand Canyon Retention credit . I was told it is a schlorship, it wa a great selling point when they were trying to get me enrolled. Well my first counselor told me I would receive it during my first class. Now he is no where to be found. I started my second class and have emailed my counselor repeately in Nov. I then contacted her and was told it would apply after my second class. Well now I am in my third and she called back to reply to my emails . (keep in mind this was 10 weeks ago). She told me all the funds would be applied this week. Well the week is over and nothing is applies. This school is a rip off ! The tuition is ridiculous and I am thinking of withdrawing. Three different people have told me three different answers at his school ! Get it right or you will start losing students.

I was interested in attending this college but I have read several complaints that are similar..I don't think I will be attending this college. Thank you, for sharing because this information has helped alot of people about making a decision to attend that college

Hi Unhappynurse,

Please contact me directly and I'll be happy to assist you any way I can. I can be reached at ritule@gcu.edu or via phone at [protected] between 9a-5p Mountain time.

I apologize for any inconvenience you've experienced.

Thanks!
Robyn Itule

Social Media Strategist
ritule@gcu.edu
[protected]

same thing is happening to me. i think they do this to wear you down so they can just keep the additional revenue. it is more work to chase them around in the financial department than it is to do the class work.

Hi AYB,

Please contact me directly and I'll be happy to assist you any way I can. I can be reached at ritule@gcu.edu or via phone at [protected] between 9a-5p Mountain time.

I apologize for any inconvenience you've experienced.

Thanks!
Robyn Itule

Social Media Strategist
ritule@gcu.edu
[protected]

good and good luck with your education and THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO FOR OUR COUNTRY

I have started my 2nd class @ GCU and hadn't received any thing either

LIED TO AS WELL
Well if you are counting on Grand Canyon University to help you with financial aid think again. I submitted all of my paperwork on time for my direct loan. I was contacted that the loan was approved and then the bills kept coming. "Oh, your financial aid officer is no longer with us, but don't worry all the paper work is in and your loan is approved." I was expecting a refund check as my final course came to the last week. I received yet another bill and I was told, it was just a technicality, and that I should be getting a refund check shortly. Now weeks after my last course was completed I get the news, "Oh, our bad, we didn't certify the loan in time! YOU NOW HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO PAY THE FINAL BILL!" And that 4.0 that I got for all of your courses, well, if you don't pay, it won't mean a thing to anyone.
I recommend that you look for a college with people who care... GRAND CANYON finance does not care! Good Luck!

Apoplawski, I totally and fully agree. How can we, the student, mess up our accounting/financial aid? Now, we are paying for it three times. I am so in if anyone decides to file a class action law suit. I had no idea that this many atrocities were happening with this school. Wish I had searched sooner.

Hi Apoplawski,

Could you kindly contact me directly and I'd be happy to assist you. I can be reached at ritule@gcu.edu or via phone at [protected] between the hours of 9a-5p Mountain time. I apologize for any inconvenience or frustration you've experienced.

Robyn Itule
Social Media Strategist

ritule@gcu.edu
[protected]

I was working on a Masters in Special Education and I am in a similar boat. I have been going through problems from the beginning. I had a wonderful first semester 2 years ago but everything fell apart through all the changes. Lack of contact personal, mishandling and misappropriation with funds from financial aid. I was shuffled through many people when in the end I was left to hang and now where I am at currently. I have finished classes and paid for my graduation (200.00) the check was cashed and I sit here with nothing and no reply. I was last told that I somehow owe 4000.00 for my last set of classes that they somehow sent my funds back and now I have to cover it. This was after receiving a refund check for the semester of my leftover money after they took payment once for it. This all is only the tip of the iceberg. I have been left with no response from any department now after many attempts of emails and phone calls. With all the similar complaints, perhaps we should look into a class action suit against them.

Hi Ann-Renee,

Please contact me directly and I'll be happy to assist you in any way I can and see that your situation is addressed promptly.

Robyn Itule

Social Media Strategist

Grand Canyon University

ritule@gcu.edu

[protected]

Well here is my financial aid complaint. I had an award letter now I no longer have an award letter. I asked my finance advisor several times if I had enough money to cover the upcoming semester which she swore I did. Now three emails later I have no reply as to why I have no financial aid. Had I known I never would have enrolled in this semesetrs classes. And what makes it worse is she in a reply to one of my emails a while back told me that she gets over 200 a day and basically I have to wait my turn...uhhm thanks for making me feel like a number. At GCU you are a number, the financial aid department and finace advisors are a JOKE. If you are cash pay it's a great place. Beware however if you depend on aid, and don't believe a word that comes out of the mouth of a finance counselor. Ann-Renee Mathis (looking for a university where I'm not a number some $100, 000 later)

Hi Jesse James

Please contact me directly and I will see your situation is addressed promptly. I apologize for any problems you have encountered to date.

Sincerely,

Robyn Itule

Social Media Strategist

Grand Canyon University

ritule@gcu.edu

[protected]

Ekophxstudent:

I'm so glad everything worked out for the best!

Robyn

ekophxstudent:

Please contact me directly and I will see that your situation is addressed promptly. I apologize for any problems you have encountered to date.
Sincerely,
Robyn Itule
Social Media Strategist
Grand Canyon University
ritule@gcu.edu
[protected]

To everyone here.
You know I have had the same problem with them over and over again. I am now speaking with an attorney from an LLC who deals with this type of stress and problems. I have legal documents from GCU and the financial aid department that state when I would receive my financial aid and then never received it. I have all conversations documented and recorded for this very reason. Now I am going to sue the heck out of the fake little world. The attorney I spoke to already told me that there first mistake was to make these promises on paper/email then not to go through with what they put in paper/email form. I have been so stressed over all of this that it is making me sick. Dont pay any attention to the person Robin that intervenes for GCU because I was promised by her too that someone would reach me concerning my issues but ya know...thats GCU for you a school that never EVER goes through with what they promise their students. I am also enrolling un another school that knows how to treat their students right after this pathetic overly expensive $60.00 community biology class is done.

Now this has been happening since I enrolled back in 2009. I am an online student who is disabled and my illness has left me with a very short life span. I have been dealing with financial aid issues since 2009 and every time I have been my own detective in uncovering all kinds of hold up's and problems that are not mine but the Financial aid departments. I have a 4.0 GPA consistently through my time at GCU. Now I cannot mentally take it anymore. I have lost count the times that I have gone through this. I am done and now I have no choice but to drop out due to the stress. Here is my recent email to a Mr. jesse Lopez.
Ok it was confirmed by the mail center at GCU that no package was given to them as of today and yesterday. You told me Jesse that it would go out by thursday and now even fed-ex has no record of it being picked up. The lady I spoke to at the mail center at GCU said that if a package is given to them later than 4pm then it wont go out till the following day because the last pick up for Fed-ex is 4pm. I shared with you that I needed to have a date because my Electricity was going to be shut off if not paid by yesterday. After speaking with you yesterday and being given a tracking number to track it I was able to extend the shut off date till today. Now I am being told (Once Again) that this package does not even exist and there is no record at all of it being in transition nor of it being picked up by fed-ex. I dont think anyone understands how much this happens and has consistantly continued to happen to me concerning any type of financial aid from GCU. Once I told that a package is on its way then GCU's reputation is on the line and I have to push and push to get an answer and it is always the same. I just got out of the Emergency ward because of relapsing due to stress and now this. Once again I can that the financial aid department is consistent about one thing..."They promise me one thing and then do the complete opposite."
You know my power is going to be turned off tonight by 5pm.I do not have the money to make the deposit to turn my power back on when it gets shut off tonight. That is not ok. With all the hospital bills and medication that needs to be paid for we are poorer than before.
Look I understand and appreciate that many people have worked hard to make things happen concerning any financial aid. I am promised that thing like this will not happen again. I tell my wife and she does not believe aything anyone from GCU has to say and I am the fool for believing. I appreciate all the hard work everyone has done for me but when that hard work leaves me still waiting and then I am havign chest pain's and in the hospital because of all the stress then everyone's promises mean nothing. I cannot force myself to feel better because nothing is alleviating this pain and suffering I am going through. Now I am supposed to be expecting another disbursment at the end of Febuary when i complete this class. I am already stressed knowing what type of anguish and suffering I am going to have to go through when it comes to receiving that disbursment. It has been the same and I am not ready to do it all over again. Perhaps the school is too small too handle all the students.
This is more stress that I can handle. Do I have to drop out due to all these inconsistencies? This stress has affected not only me but my family to. What does it matter because we are only online students.
I am going to report this somehow because I have finally had enough. I need the email's of your supervisor's and anyone else who has handled this matter.
I have already been through this so many times I have lost count and I am finally through. I have held up my end as long as I could so much that it has made me sick to the point of being hospitalized and now I mentally and physically cannot take anymore and I am done playing this game. No student should be subjected to this over and over again. It may be a laughing matter to some but I really do not have much time left to live and I am trying my best to finish my program and to enjoy the time that I do have but your school is not making this any easier. The result of all this is me getting sicker and visiting the emergency room more frequently. I cannot stop my wife from seeking legal help but I can tell you that I do not have the capacity to do this anymore.

withdrawn after 3rd time on line and still charged me the total fee

i've completed my fourth class with them and I still have'nt received a check. the funny thing is I have to pay them for a class out of that check and yes they are all over me for it. But they say they mailed the check out to me on the 18th. today is the 24th. what did they do put it on a stage coach to new york ?

Hello all,
Myself and several other students are having issues with GCU and their fraudulent credit banking. We were promised 80 credits upon our enrollment due to heavy life expierence, as well as attending accredited public safety academies such as the NYPD and Fairfax county Fire academy. None of us have been awarded our credits after numerous failed attempts of both written and phone contacts. I`m guessing a class action lawsuit or other steps maybe the only way to get help.

Hi Valerie,

Could you kindly contact me by email at Robyn.Itule@gcu.edu and I will happy to assist you.

Thank you!
Robyn Itule

Social Media Strategist
robyn.itule@gcu.edu
[protected]

I would say to get used to it. I am in my second year there and I have been dealing with that same problem since day one. Ya know funny thing is that when you owe them money then that financial aid department is all over you. I would say that we all need to contact all the local news papers and all forms of media because there is something seriously wrong with that institution.

I wish that I could say the financial aid department is really great, but I cannot. I complete the first half of my semester this Wednesday, and I still do not have my refund check--my account has not even been cleared. I have called repeatedly but my financial aid counselor does not even pick up her phone anymore, and with talking to a different person every single time you get a different answer every single time. I am appalled and disappointed with this university. I wish that I could just transfer but I cannot! I have THREE classes to go before I complete my program.
I am praying to God that I make it through this trial because it is just that a trial of my faith. GCU should not be able to get away with what they are doing to online students, but how do we fight back that is what I want to know...how do we fight back?!

I am in my senior year at GCU and am stuck. They have been jerking my chain since June. They have canceled my finacial aid several times because of their own mistakes. I am trapped and cannot get out because I am so close to graduation. They have the most messed up finacial aid department anywhere. I had to fight to prove I had been in class, convince them I had not graduated and have been promised over and over again that they would contact me and fix it. Someone needs to audit them and fix this mess.

I too amd a GCU student. My disbursement was scheduled for 7-5-2010 and I still have not gotten a refund check AT ALL I hate this school and am looking into who i can complain to about the Finance department.

Hi Bill,

Well my wife emailed you on June 11th. Hadn't heard back as yet. She also had attempted contact with the person she was working with before - no reply.

I convinced her to call today. She has left a voice message.

I'm finding it hard to believe that her emails and phone messages have gone unanswered so long. We would appreciate a response.

John:
Please have your wife contact me. I guarantee someone in senior management will deal with her issue immediately once I receive her contact information. This is not an empty promise.
Again, I apologize for our past service and the problems this has caused for you.
Sincerely,
Bill Jenkins
Executive Director, Institutional Advancement
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ 85017
bjenkins@gcu.edu
602.315.5566

Make sure to file your complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB serving Central, Northern and Western Arizona):

http://www.bbb.org/phoenix/Business-Reviews/schools-academic-colleges-and-universities/grand-canyon-university-in-phoenix-az-34001345/complaints/

Robyn:

Thanks for your offer to help in this situation. Your offer reminds me of my experience at GCU.

To all who follow this complaint:
I have expressed my opinion and been sensitive to those of others when accused of crossing the line. I understand what it is like to receive poor service. I just think it is a shame to disparage the reputation of an entire university because of a bad personal experience. I think that, down the road, we will all benefit from not discrediting the institution where we are getting our degrees. I received a great education at GCU. I have an investment in time and money there too. So, it's quite natural for one to get a little sensitive when his alma mater's reputation is attacked.

That said, I truly hope that the situations work out for 4boysmom and anyone else having problems here. It would be a shame for you to waste you time an money, and not get a degree.

Professor G

Hi 4boysmom,

I'd really like to assist you in finding a resolution to your situation by connecting you with the right parties. Could you please reach out to me directly and I will be happy to do all can to help.

I can be reached at robyn.itule@gcu.edu or resolutionteam@gcu.edu.

Thank you for taking the time to reach out to me!

Robyn Itule
Social Media Strategist
Robyn.Itule@gcu.edu
[protected]

I don't want to get too much into your discussion but I earned my Masters at GCU and now I'm trying to earn my Doctorate. Well I have emailed Dr. Player several times to assist in resolving my issues as well as my husband who is also a student who was suppose to graduate in June 2010. She didn't help she passed the buck to her lower people, who did nothing but a temporary fix. Well now he is not because they suddenly found that he is short 6 credits and he is at his aggregrate limit for his Bachelor degree. This is kind of strange because the very same thing just happened to me at the beginning of January. Professor G, it sounded more like you were taking cheap shops instead of trying to help resolve the issue. When I read the above comment I saw that it was someone who is upset, if they have had this experience then it means they went to the same school you and I did so they must be educated, right? Where is your loyalty for your degree, Professor G.? I am still trying to address my concerns with GCU before I really start to post on this site. I'm in the last classes of my degree and trying to work on my dissertation (it is very hard when you are worried about academic scheduling problems as well financial aid problems). So since the Professor has all the answers as to who to go to for help, give them to me. Papouti1, keep your chin up and don't let know it all people dispurse their opinions when they have no ideas of a bad experience. My husband has a funny saying, "Don't get in a battle of wits with an unarmed person!" :)

Wow! That hurt. Sorry if I offended you. I was just expressiong my opinion. Don't take things so personal. We are all entitled to our opinions. Aren't we?

I am appalled by the last comment. I received my MBA in Leadership from the Ken Blanchard School of Business of Grand Canyon University in May of 2007. I was hired as a full-time college instructor within days of completing the program. I am the envy of my peers. I learned a great deal at this fine institution. Ken Blanchard is a well known God fearing man who is not ashamed to own up to his Christian principles. He has written and/or co-authored several books including the One Minute series and Lead Like Jesus.

When I needed assistance, I contacted a dean, Dr. Kathy Player. She is not a mafia hit woman. She is an extreme professional who believes so much in Grand Canyon University that she enrolled in the MBA program, even after having a Ph.D. She was very helpful to me, and she really showed that she cares about the students.

I can tell by this poorly written complaint, that the author is uneducated and inarticulate. The complaint looks like a text message. I must consider the source here. Besmirching the reputation of a great university because of a bad personal experience, or the inability to perform at a college level, is uncalled for. I am sending my daughter to GCU for her master's degree as well. I stand by this school and the excellence that it represents.

Hey I completely agree, ive had a similar experience with GCU. I am seeking legal action against them. Anyone who would like to join and make a case against them please get back to me.

The same thing happened to me, only in another field of study. I was told no clinical hours are required. Instead, you will do a community project that is pretty intense. Lies. There is a practicum and the recruiter knew that I was looking for an online program that did not have practicums included (because they do exist). They lie to you to get you to sign up and oh my gosh, are they ever available to get you in. Once you're in, you're dropped like a hot potato and good luck with financial aid.
It is a nightmare school and I have let everyone I know in Phoenix know about this poisonous deceptive inapt want to be college.

I couldn't agree more. I'm still enrolled at GCU. They haven't even posted our financial aid packages for the [protected] school year and it's May! They said it may not be until the end of the summer. Well, I need the financial aid for the summer! The financial aid counselor told me that I'm not allowed to use student loan money for living expenses. I told her that was ridiculous- that you can use the money to support yourself while you're in school. She adamantly disagreed with me - clearly she didn't know what she was talking about. They keep changing my financial aid counselors. The one I have now NEVER calls back or returns my emails. I call and call and, after spending much time online, still can't get answers to my questions. I'm almost done with my program so it would be foolish to change schools now. I'm so frustrated but I don't know what else I can do.

One more thing- I just realized that they charge for e-books. I thought the whole point of e-books was that they were convenient and free. I guess I can see why they cost money - copyright laws and all - but they most certainly should have made this clear to me. There's no transparency. I would never recommend this school to anyone!

I have been attending GCU for two years now. I decided, after 3 long years at a community college, that because of my physical disabilities it would be in my best interest to transfer to an online college. I'm a single mom and disabled so I don't have a lot of time or the ability to attend a classroom setting. I did for a few years and it was really hard on my body and my mind. Now that I am 2 years into GCU I am starting to have my doubts about this college. My counselor has contradicted himself on many occasions, for instance, when I first enrolled at GCU I told him I am disabled and may need to take time off in order to have further spinal surgeries and procedures. I may need to take a month or two off in the future. He told me, "No problem." A year later, I needed time off for medical procedures and he made up every excuse in the book to not allow me to take the time I off I needed. I postponed my surgery due to fear of being over-charged for classes I wasn't taking. Now, another year later, I am in the same position. I must take the next 2 months off. I am fearful that my counselor will not approve even though he's had two years of notice and I was promised an LOA when needed. I tried to contact him for an entire week with no success. It's now the weekend before I am supposed to start a new class and I know I've been set up for failure. I've sent numerous emails documenting every phone call in anticipation of a fight. It shouldn't be like this. I shouldn't feel this way. I feel like GCU only wants my money. They want me enrolled at all times so they get PAID! Even if it means putting their students in a health predicament. I'm so sorry I ever started with GCU. I will return to this forum to let you all know how it went when I finally talk to my counselor this week (if I can get a hold of him). Wish me luck! PS - I totally agree that the teachers only care about APA formatting. I've written great papers with mistakes in the reference section and only got feedback on the negative. I have been self-taught the entire way... so sad. :(

Hello Disappointed Scholar,

I'd be interested to hear more about your experience and address any concerns you have. Please contact me directly at robyn.itule@gcu.edu.

Thanks!
Robyn Itule

Social Media Strategist
robyn.itule@gcu.edu
[protected]

The only thing I have noticed is that indeed the instructor does not really give credit for or seem to care about the content of the paper. He merely goes by APA standards for techniques and whether the assignment is on time. There seems to be no empathy for family illness, computer problems generated from GCU, etc. Pray that they are not as bad as the other posts have stated. I am disinhearted by this semester as am barely passing and was a straight A student with an occassional B at other universities. In Phi Theta Kappa at one time.

Disappointed Scholar

I am too disappointed with Grand Canyon University finacial aid as well as the instructors. You would think that if you are reaching out to your instructor they would contact you. I have been reaching out for my instructor to contact me and you would think for 1800 dollars they would. The finacial aid department feel as if they can work on there on time with your money. When you call them to ask about your stipend they have an attitude like it belongs to them. My finacial aid has been delayed being sent to me for a whole month do you think Grand Canyon cares No. They still say it is a process but it wasn't a process when you collected your money. I will not be attending the next school year with them and I will not refer no one to their school.

I HAVE HAD THE WORST FINANCIAL AID LUCK WITH GCU. EVERY SEMESTER I AM AWARDED MONEY AND THEN HAVE TO PAY IT BACK. NO ONE EVER GIVES ME CORRECT INFORMATION. I PAY THIS SCHOOL WAY TOO MUCH MONEY TO HAVE TO KEEP GOING THROUGH THE SAME DRAMA. LAURA LYNCH HAS HELPED ME OUT, BUT MY END RESULT KEEPS BEING GIVING THE SCHOOL BACK MONEY. IW ILL NOT SUGGEST THIS SCHOOLL TO ANYONE. ALL I EVER GET IS "I APOLOGIZE FOR YOU GETTING THE WRONG INFORMATION". THE APOLOGIES HAVE RAN OUT FOR ME. GCU NEEDS TO TAKE THE FALL FOR ALL OF THE WRONG INFORMATION I KEEP GETTING. I CAN HAVE A CLEAN ACCOUNT ONE DAY AND THE NEXT DAY IT SAYS I OWE OVER $2000.00. THIS KEEPS HAPPENING AND I REALLY WANT GCU TO FIX IT.

Dealing with the people at GCU is like dealing with a bunch of idiots. They are unable to be professional because they are not properly trained. This school should not broadcast that they are a Christian school because a bunch of devils run the joint. If you are having a financial aid problem, contact the Omsbudman Office on FAFSA Website.

Mr. Jenkins and Carrie have resolved my issue. My problem with GCU was true, however, it is now taken care of. I would recommend someone to go to this school. I was very frustrated with my problem and wanted resolution and they took care of the issue. GCU is like other schools, they have some problems and have some people who dont care and some that do. Its just finding that one person who cares and wants to help out. I am glad that Mr. Jenkins does respond and does help with resolving issues at GCU. Overall, I will say that I have had a good time in the classes and have learned alot. The only problem I had with the classes is the changing of the curriculum guide, but that effected thousands, not just me, so that is a global problem and not individual. Thank you again Mr. Jenkins and Carrie.

I will say my comments are true about GCU, however, Mr. Jenkins, does generally care and does attempt to help everyone out in every issue. Sometimes it takes that one person to make a wrong a right! Mr. Jenkins, seems to be that man!

I have had the worst time with GCU's financial aid department. As a military member, I am irrate. GCU's financial aid department doesnt care about students, only money. My class started on April 29, 2010 and I still have not received my refund. Everytime, I speak to my military financial rep. (kyle) I get the run-around. He will tell me one thing and make empty promises. Then when the deadline has passed, I can call in and speak to another financial counselor, who knows nothing of my case and will tell me a complete different story. My money finally came in on June 7th. I was told they only had up to 14 days by federal law to hold my money, which would give them until June 21st to mail it out. Guess what? It still didnt get mailed out and its June 22 after the so called federal deadline. Therefore, I called in and spoke to another rep. Guess what she did? She blamed it on the accounting department. She apparantly told me that they havent completly completed my account. Are you kidding me? Its been 2+weeks since they got their money, but I still dont have mine. I dont know where to turn, because no one seems to care about students at GCU only funds. This has got to be the worst experience ever. They keep passing the buck from one department to the next and now I am being told it can take up to one more week for the accounting department to correct my account. How pathetic is this department. NO ONE CARES AND NO ONE WILL HELP YOU OUT! THEY ONLY CARE ABOUT GETTING THEIR MONEY! whats funny is that its not their money, its mine and I dont even get to have it, GCU controls when I can get it. Please dont go to an online school, because they can give a D**n about you, especially if you are from another state, because they know you arent about to drive there to confront them. They control everything you do and even your money. I have even had problems academically, not from grades, but because they changed the curriculum and I have to take 39 hrs for a 36 hr. degree. Thats right, I lose GCU wins! Apparantly, when they changed, I took classes that are required for the degree anymore, but I had to take them under the old curriculum guide. So its not just financial there, its the whole school. Please stay away from this school. Go to a real school, somewhere, who really gives a D**N about their students. I dont expect anything to come of this post but at least it may keep some other student from making the poor choice I did!

T Lynch:
Please send me your contact information and I will attempt to get this issue resolved for you today. I apologize for the problems you have encountered.
Sincerely,
Bill Jenkins
Executive Director, Institutional Advancement
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ 85017
bjenkins@gcu.edu
602.315.5566

I am very disappointed with Grand Canyon University's financial aide system. I started a new quarter on April 29, 2010 and I have not received my refund from my financial aid yet. I have had this problem once before but, they lost my refund last quarter and blamed it on the mail man. It finally dawned on me that my refund was probably never mailed. However, this quarter I've been calling every week and my financial aid counselor is never available and when I do get someone on the line I get the run around and no one will give me a straight answer. I thought GCU was a christian school but, I see they are not. I feel like they are trying to steal from their students. This is very unprofessional and I've never attended a school with so many complaints. I wish I would have known this before attending GCU. I just want my refund because I have to pay this money back when I finish school and Grand Canyon could care less. I also called the FASA office about my situation last quarter and they stated it was nothing they could do. We need some justice done because GCU sucks!

Laura:
Please contact me direct and I will see your situation is addressed promptly. I apologize for any problems you have encountered to date.
Cordially,
Bill Jenkins
Executive Director, Institutional Advancement
Grand Canyon University
bjenkins@gcu.edu
602.315.5566