Grand Canyon University says the Higher Learning Commission has approved its application to regain its non-profit status.
Officials for the Arizona school said Tuesday that the move will help return the university to its roots.
Brian Mueller, the university's president and CEO, says that non-profit status will put the private Christian school on a level playing field with other institutions for tax status, philanthropic contributions and research grant opportunities.
The company that has been operating the school will sell its academic-related assets to a non-profit entity carrying the university's name and will continue providing services like accounting and human resources.
The structure is similar to many non-profit universities that outsource services to third-party providers.
Grand Canyon University has 19,000 students at its Phoenix campus and another 70,000 online students.
