'Education Stimulus' Rewards Academic Achievers, Emphasizes Values-Based Curriculum

Contact: Bill Jenkins, 602-315-5566

PHOENIX, Mar. 24 /Standard Newswire/ -- In answer to the financial aid cuts at public universities and the need for more values-driven leaders, Grand Canyon University (GCU) has increased the number of scholarships it rewards to high academic achievers as well as those pursuing degrees in education and Christian studies.

"This is our own higher education stimulus package," said GCU CEO Brian Mueller. "With our values-based curriculum we're able to stimulate the minds of young people, stimulate these professions and stimulate the higher education marketplace."

GCU has seen a surge in student applications for the fall semester. The increased interest, along with financial cuts at public institutions throughout the country has prompted the University to closely examine its financial aid to help meet student needs during these difficult financial times.

The new scholarships are for those enrolling in GCU's traditional ground campus and include an increased number of athletic scholarships as well as the popular ROTC cadet program.

"There's a drastic need in our country for more values-based education, helping students understand their important role in the changing world and how they can impact the future. By offering these scholarships, we're going to affect important areas including education and healthcare, as well as industries that need more effective leadership including business and the non-profit world," Mueller said.

Incoming students may be eligible for:

• up to $10,000 per year for high academic achievers (defined as those with GPA of 3.0 or above)

• $4,000 per year for Education majors

• $4,000 per year for Christian studies majors

The financial aid is available to both incoming freshmen and transfer students.

"We have long been known for producing high quality teaching and healthcare professionals, and with the situation currently faced by public universities, our ability to mold our curriculum based on student demand -- particularly in these two areas -- is critical. We can help relieve the burden for public institutions and make private higher education more affordable than ever before," Mueller said.

GCU's increased emphasis on recruiting high academic achievers comes at a time when the state's public universities are considering a reduction of similar incentives, giving the University an advantage in recruiting high achieving students and an opportunity to expand its values-based curriculum. GCU's Ken Blanchard College of Business is known for its servant leadership approach, a learning/management style that is particularly advantageous considering today's economic turmoil.

"We are in an important role as a provider of not only higher education curriculum, but also for instilling social values and ethics in today's college students. As a private institution we're in a unique position to provide this guidance and positively impact the industries that are in desperate need of this type of leadership," Mueller said.

As tuition at public universities increase, and quality of programming diminishes with budget cutbacks, Grand Canyon University is capitalizing on the down market and offering prospective students a richer experience -- smaller classes, attentive faculty, abundant housing, NCAA athletics, community involvement opportunities and on-campus benefits that public universities cannot provide.

"With additional financial aid and scholarships, the cost of attending our private university is very close to what a student would pay to attend a public university, in a more productive setting," Mueller said.

More information about the stimulus package is available at www.gcu.edu or by calling 888.226.7320.

About Grand Canyon University
Founded in 1949, Grand Canyon University is a traditional regionally accredited, private, Christian university offering campus-based and online bachelor's and master's degree programs through the Ken Blanchard College of Business, College of Education, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, and College of Liberal Arts. The Phoenix-based school is ranked as having one of the top online education programs by OEDb (Online Education Database). GCU emphasizes individual attention for both traditional undergraduate students as well as the working professional. For more information visit www.gcu.edu.