GCU Tuition: Scholarships and Cost of Living

The Grand Canyon University (GCU), gladly offers generous scholarship opportunities to help students fund their education. Register today to secure your scholarship offer and see how affordable earning your degree at GCU can be. 

The Grand Canyon University (GCU) is a private Christian university based in Phoenix, Arizona.  It was set up in 1949. The University is a non-profit university that aims to help its students improve their lives through quality education. As a matter of fact, the GCU tuition fees are the cheapest you can get for an institution of that pedigree.

In this post, we will share with you all the information you need to help you apply for the Grand Canyon University scholarship 2023. You will learn about the criteria that makes you eligible to apply, the cost of living of the scholarship, tuition, and how to apply for the scholarship.

GCU Tuition

Its staff is always ready to help their students reach their goals. Furthermore, the school offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs that one can earn on-campus and online.

GCU has its regional accreditation from the Commission for Higher Education. This has given them the credit to offer over 230 academic programs to traditional and international students.

They have also awarded many certificates to undergraduate students and working professionals.

Irrespective of the fact that it is a Christian university, the GCU welcomes students of all backgrounds and beliefs. And they offer affordable tuition fees and rates to everyone that is due for it.

As I stated earlier, the GCU is one of the cheapest schools for its kind of pedigree.

The management of the GCU on October 22nd announced the extension of its GCU tuition freeze that has actually been on for over 11 years.

This means there will be no further increment in the GCU tuition fee rates for the 2023 academic session. The fees will remain at their former rate for old and new students.

Although they have made this huge offer to their students, the management of the GCU still offers huge institutional scholarships that cut the average tuition cost nearly in half, to $8,800, to about 90% of their students.

More OVERVIEW OF GCU TUITION FEES AND RATES

The GCU tuition fee rates have been on a freeze since the year 2009. This is the 10th year they have been on this fee increment halt. And a report says the GCU management is yet not ready to increase the tuition costs for the next 10 years.

When asked in an interview the motives behind their actions, the President of the school, President Brian Muller, said “A big reason we reverted back to our nonprofit status was that it will benefit students and families by making it easier to continue to hold the line on GCU tuition costs.

Furthermore, the president opined that they have been blessed to be able to do that for the past 10 years because of their very innovative approach to higher education and that they hope to even continue that trend for the next 10 years.

Moreso, a press release by the school has shown that really the school is going out of its way to make things a lot easier for its students.

A comparative study was done, comparing GCU and other profit and nonprofit universities.

It was discovered that the average cost of in-state tuition and fees at four-year public universities rose 2.5 percent to $10,230. And tuition and fees at four-year private nonprofit institutions jumped 3.3 percent to $35,830 during that same period.

This means that over this same period, tuition costs at GCU remained unchanged.

Consequently, the number of students at GCU has increased from less than 1,000 to over 20,000 students.

How much is tuition fees at GCU?

For the past 10 years and still counting, the grand canyon university tuition costs have remained at $16,500 per academic year.

And it was revealed that the management has no plans of increasing it soon.

So the GCU tuition cost remains $16,500. It has not changed either has it increased.

How much is the cost of Living at GCU?

Living costs at GCU has remained minimal over the years. It has really fallen below the national average.

Recently, the University’s management built new single-occupancy apartments, which have really been the students’ choice.

Despite this fact, the cost of living has remained the same. No increment was made.

Currently, the GCU cost-of-living remains at $7,950. This is severely below the national averages for public four-year schools ($11,140) and private four-year universities ($12,680).

Additionally, students on campus will pay an additional $1,600 in wait for other additional fees.

Overall Cost of study at GCU

From the official school website information, the overall cost of studying at Grand Canyon University full-time is $32,550.

This is for all students regardless of their residency. This fee comprises of $16,500 annual for tuition, $7,950 room and board, $800 for books and stationeries, and $1,600 for other fees. $5,700 will be for miscellaneous expenses.

The information is further represented on the table below:

The GCU Four Years Tuition Fee Plan

The information on GCU tuition and fees shows the cost of a 4-year bachelor’s degree and living expenses at Grand Canyon University for someone that graduates when due is $144,322.

However, If you stay an extra year, you are going to pay for that year.

The calculation follows a 7% annual increase over the next 4 years which is the national trend

GCU Online and Evening Tuition Rates

GCU online and evening classes are designed for students wishing to pursue online studies or take evening classes.

However, Online and evening awards vary by program of study.

Usually, the range for all undergraduate programs is $395 to $470 per credit. Graduate courses range from $350 to $690 per credit, depending on the field of study. Ph.D. programs cost $670 per credit.

Grand Canyon University Scholarships

Interestingly, the GCU offers many scholarships to its students to help them carry through school without many burdens. They cut the average tuition cost nearly in half, to $8,800, to about 90% of their students.

Generally, there are various levels of scholarships offered by Grand Canyon University.

However, offering these scholarships mainly aims to make private Christian education affordable at GCU by reducing tuition rates.

In the meantime, below are some the many scholarships offered by the Grand Canyon University.

#1. Campus Scholarships:

Campus scholarships are packaged specially for traditional students who take courses on the main campus.

Also, GCU gives outside scholarship opportunities to help its students supplement their education.

Find The Scholarship Here

#2. Online Scholarships:

Several online scholarships are available for graduating students through online or evening courses offered by the GCU.

In addition, GCU has developed relationships with hundreds of employers and organizations across the country offering scholarships to eligible participants wishing to pursue a degree, or certificate or take a single course.

Find The Scholarship Here

#3. High School Student Scholarships

High school scholarships may be available if you graduated between December of the previous calendar year and June of the calendar year you wish to register.

For example, if you want to enroll at GCU for the 2023 spring semester or the 2023-24 academic year, High School Student Scholarships may be available if you graduate between December 2023 and June 2024.

If you must qualify for this scholarship, you must:

• Complete and submit an application
• Submit transcripts showing six semesters or more with cumulative, weighted or unweighted GPA, or submit SAT (math and reading scores only) and/or ACT scores
• Submit final transcripts by day 21 of the semester, which includes a graduation date for final awards

Find The Scholarship Here

#4. Transfer Student Scholarships

You may be eligible for this scholarship if you transfer from another university to GCU.

If you must apply for a Transfer Student Scholarship, you must:

• Submit unofficial transcripts for all institutions attended since high school. You must provide your high school transcript if you did not attend another college or university. SAT and/or ACT test scores cannot be used if any college coursework has been attempted. Students under 24 attempted college credits must use their high school GPA to qualify for academic scholarships. Students with 24 or more attempted college credits must use their cumulative GPA to qualify for academic scholarships.
• Upon completion of final terms at all institutions, provide the official transcripts to GCU. For scholarship adjustment considerations, submit unofficial transcripts, due no later than two weeks prior to the start of the term. All official transcripts are due by day 21 of the semester to lock in your scholarship award.

Find The Scholarship Here

#5. International and Gap Year Student Scholarships

International scholarships and sabbatical scholarships may be available if you do not register for GUC in the semester after completing high school or if you are a fully eligible international student who registers in GUC with an F-1 visa.

Aside from the already listed scholarships, GCU offers so many other scholarships and grants to its students.

Find The Scholarship Here

#6. Priority Registration Award Scholarship

This program awards scholarships from $125 – $1,000 per academic year based on the number of awards available at registration and whether students live on or off campus.

This award is renewable annually for the fall and spring, up to eight semesters. This GCU scholarship aims to reduce tuition rates.

There must meet a few Priority Registration Awards and all requirements for registration and attendance to receive this award.

Find The Scholarship Here

#7. CSET Award

This program awards $500 per academic year to students admitted to GCU and enrolled in one of our computer programs, information technology, computer or technical programming.

This award can be extended each year in the fall and spring, up to eight semesters, as long as the student remains enrolled in a qualified GCU program.

There is a few CSETs and they are available on a first-come, first served basis. It cannot combine this prize with the Phi Theta Kappa or the Psi Beta Scholarship.

Find The Scholarship Here

#8. Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship 

This award offers $1,000 per academic year if you are eligible for GCU, a current Phi Theta Kappa member, and earn a grade point average of 3.5 or higher. These prizes are available on a first-come, first-served basis and can not be combined with the CSET Award or the Psi Beta Scholarship. This GCU scholarship aims to reduce tuition rates.

Find The Scholarship Here

#9. Psi Beta Bursary 

This bursary awards $1,000 per academic year if you are a current Psi Beta member, have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher, and are eligible for GCU.

These prices are available on a first-come, first served basis and can not be combined with the CSET Award or Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship.

Find The Scholarship Here

#10. Grand Canyon State University Scholarship

This award provides Arizona students $1,000 per academic year and $250 to new students. Non-university students graduating from one of the taking part GCU high schools with an unweighted cumulative grade point average of 3.0, an ACT score of 19 or higher, or an SAT of 1,000 or more *.

Students visiting one of the Maricopa County Community College campuses must have an associate degree or equivalent diploma for the award.

This award can be extended annually for fall and spring, up to eight semesters. This award can not be combined with the Canyon Christian Schools Consortium Award.

Find The Scholarship Here

#11. Canyon Christian Schools Consortium (CCC) Award

New and Qualified Students must have completed a CCCS student school with an unweighted average of 3.0, an ACT score of 19 or higher, or an SAT of 1 000 or more *.

The bursary provides $ 4,000 per academic year to eligible students and $ 1,500 per academic year to off-campus students. This award can be extended annually for fall and spring, up to eight semesters.

This award requires the student to join campus worship each week and to respect the 40-hour power of knowledge each academic year. GCU determines where each student meets the requirements.

It cannot combine this award with the Grand University University Award. Students aged 21 to 23 are eligible for the CCSC Indirect Prize.

To be eligible, students must graduate from a CCSC school before the contract signing date and begin a program of study before their 23rd birthday.

The indirect CSB awards $ 3,000 per academic year to eligible students and $ 1,000 per academic year to off-campus students.

Find The Scholarship Here

#12. Honors College Academic Excellence Scholarship

This scholarship may be awarded from $ 1,000 to $ 10,000 per academic year. Several rewards are available.

This grant can be combined with other institutional grants funded by the GCU.

The Dream.US grant is a renewable award per academic year for students enrolled in DACA or DACA programs. The selected recipients must be fully receptive to Grand Canyon University.

GCU has agreed to cover all tuition fees, and tuition fees remaining, which is a full scholarship.

Find The Scholarship Here

Conclusion

The University of Grand Canyon Scholarship Foundation offers many other scholarship opportunities. As an independent organization, the Grand Canyon University Scholarship Foundation works closely with the Board to align academic needs with personal support.

GCU SCHOLARSHIP FAQ

Author’s Recommendation:

• 10 Most Affordable Online Landscape Architecture Degree
• Midwestern State University Tuition: Scholarships and Cost of living [UPDATED]
• Study at Harvard University: Its Tuition fees and Admission Requirements
• 25 Top Affordable Online Bible Colleges [SHARE]
• MOE Tuition Grants for International Students
• Proven Steps on How to Get a Free Master’s Degree
• Lee University Tuition: Scholarships and Cost of Living