The scholarship that I received allowed me to stay at CCU. The Lord has such intent with the plans He has for our lives. I think I believed that, but I actually lived it out here at CCU. To receive the exact amount that I needed to stay at CCU was a miracle.
- Carlie Kuhl (B.S. '22)
At Colorado Christian University, nearly 98% of our students receive some form of financial aid. Our aim is that biblically integrated, rigorous, and exemplary education be available to all deserving scholars, regardless of their financial circumstances.
Without the generous support of scholarships provided by the CCU Endowment Foundation, a student like Carlie Kuhl (B.S. '22) would not have been able to stay at CCU — and go on to become the student body president in 2022.
Every endowed gift — regardless of size — has a compounding impact, growing over time and multiplying its effect on future generations of CCU students and faculty. Since 2006, the CCU Endowment Foundation has provided $2,878,897 in scholarships to 1,293 deserving students — and its impact continues to increase exponentially:
- $293,250 in 2023-24
- $376,900 in 2024-25
- $527,000 in 2025-26
By the end of 2025, the CCU endowment will surpass $16 million, a dramatic increase from $5 million in 2019. The next milestone for the endowment: reaching $20 million, which will provide $1 million in annual scholarship support to CCU students each year!
Influencing the World Through
Quality Work: Rachel Mandt (B.A. '28)
Before starting at CCU, Rachel Mandt took a gap year and completed a program through Summit Ministries. "This was the first time I was introduced to an education that operated through the lens of a Christian worldview,” she continued. “Previously, I had attended public school from kindergarten through my senior year. To be able to pray before class, learn about topics such as church history and philosophy, and know that my professors shared my same values completely changed my view of education.”
Mandt heard about CCU through the Summit Ministries program and after doing some research, she knew she couldn’t go anywhere else. “There are endless things I appreciate about going to this University, but several in particular stand out,” she said. “I believe CCU has the most intentional and genuine professors in the world.
I know I can trust them because they live out their beliefs not only in the classroom but also in their personal lives, which they invite their students into.
Additionally, I love CCU’s location — just 15 minutes from downtown Denver or 15 minutes to the mountains. It’s perfect for both work opportunities and weekend adventures. Lastly, the student body and amazing community make CCU very special. I’m incredibly grateful to go to school with such authentic believers who build me up in my faith.
When Mandt first arrived at CCU, she wasn’t quite sure which path she wanted to pursue. During the World Changers event on campus, she found herself in a meeting with students majoring in Strategic Communication and Digital Media — and she was hooked. “It seemed to combine everything I enjoyed, and I never even knew those things could be a major,” she said. “I grew up very creative — always working on crafts, designs, art
projects, or video projects. I also love people and knew that I wanted to pursue a career that allowed me to
interact with others daily. When I found out that strategic communication courses at CCU included photography, videography, graphic design, public relations, and more, I was sold! I was also enticed by the fact that this is a constantly growing and evolving industry, which means there are plenty of job opportunities, whether you’re working for a company or as your own boss."
Mandt is a recipient of the Graber Family Endowed Scholarship, which focuses on helping students meet global needs through the power of the gospel of Christ. “To me, this means living in a way that reflects a deep understanding of Christ’s mercy and love towards us so that we cannot help but extend those things to others,” Mandt reflected. “This looks like living a grateful, service-oriented life — vocationally, recreationally, and in our everyday habits. A big part of this means simply doing good, quality work. Martin Luther said, ‘The Christian shoemaker does his duty not by putting little crosses on the shoes, but by making good shoes, because God is interested in good craftsmanship.’ I think this is the easiest way to meet global needs through the power of the gospel. Overtly sharing the message of Christ isn’t always feasible in secular or even anti-Christian spaces, but working hard and maintaining upright character points to the redemptive work of the Savior in a different way.”
Watch the Graber Family’s
Story and Discover What
Inspires Their Generosity
With career aspirations that include working for a ministry and using her CCU education to impact the media realm from a Christian perspective, Mandt hopes one day to work in the media department at Summit Ministries, the organization she credits with changing her life. “That would be a job where I could use my skills to share student stories, create marketing content, and increase donor interaction so that more students could be impacted by the life-changing work of a Christian education,” she added.
Travel is also high on Mandt's list of dreams. After graduation, she already plans to hike the Colorado Trail with a friend and document the experience. She’s also considering freelance media work. “I would love to take a year to travel and work on the go from a converted schoolbus-home," said Mandt. "Of course, my biggest dream is to become a wife and mom and use my experience at CCU in communications — along with my minors in Spanish and biblical studies — to serve the kingdom of God through those roles.”
However Mandt’s next chapter unfolds, her dreams and ambitions reflect the values she has developed and strengthened during her time at CCU: refinement, gratitude, and adventure. “I hope to influence the world by doing good, quality work in my future media and communications career — and also by striving to be a good wife, mom, church volunteer, Bible study leader, friend, mentor, and whatever other role the Lord puts me in,” she concluded.
A Sense of Belonging: Kyleigh Vigil (B.A. ‘27)
Elementary education major Kyleigh Vigil hadn’t considered attending a Christian university until a friend mentioned CCU. “When I looked into the programs CCU offered, I knew that I would love being a student here,” she said.
At first, Vigil was drawn to the exceptional reputation of CCU’s education program, but when she visited campus for a Preview event, the University’s Christ-centered values inspired her to commit. “I was shocked that we would have Chapel and that I could worship freely,” she recalled. “I was also amazed that professors prayed over their students. I felt loved and seen by the staff who helped me pursue CCU and start my degree here."
A lifelong learner who says she could never pick just one favorite subject in school, Vigil opted to pursue a degree in elementary education not only to continue learning herself but also to instill a love of learning in others. Her experience at CCU has deepened her understanding of what it means to be an educator.
“Since coming to CCU, I’ve realized that education has a more beautiful and purposeful role than I previously thought,” she reflects. “As a teacher, not only can I encourage a love for learning in others, but I can also deeply love my students and point them to the love of God. Education is an amazing ministry — one that I am super honored to be involved in.”
Vigil is a recipient of the James 1:27 Endowed Scholarship, named after the Scripture that reads: "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and
to keep oneself unstained from the world." Awarded to students who have lost one or both parents, the scholarship provides a measure of comfort and care through financial support that helps these students pursue their dreams.
“This support has meant the world to me,” Vigil shared. “When going through grief, one feels alone and helpless. However, this scholarship reminded me that God sees me in my grief and will provide. I love CCU and the programs offered here, so the fact I can continue coming here through this scholarship is an amazing blessing. It’s helping me accomplish my goal of becoming a public school teacher by making my education at CCU possible. I couldn’t imagine pursuing my degree without a Christian perspective because of the ministry aspect involved in it. That’s why I’m so grateful to continue at CCU.”
After completing her degree, Vigil hopes to become a public school teacher, so she can be a light of encouragement to her students. “I love when Jesus calls all the children to come to Him, so I want to be part of announcing His call to my students,” she said. “Elementary students can go through difficult and dark times, so I desire to pour into them and give them hope while teaching them to learn. I want to encourage my students to know that they are capable, smart, and loved.”
But her dreams don’t stop there — Vigil added that someday she hopes to teach abroad, sharing her love for others with students around the world while seeing more of God’s creation.
When asked how she would best describe her student experience at CCU, Vigil reflected thoughtfully: “Belonging, growth, and perseverance. What I value most here is the ability to pursue my relationship with God and be discipled, while also feeling like I am seen and that I belong."
The CCU Endowment Foundation has become an essential part of the University’s future financial stability, empowering CCU to:
- Provide student scholarships, ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder access to a Christ-centered education.
- Enhance academic programs, fostering innovation and excellence in teaching and learning.
- Support distinguished faculty, helping CCU to attract and retain educators who inspire, mentor, and lead.
- Secure CCU’s long-term mission, safeguarding its commitment to developing Christian leaders who impact culture and society.