Catholic University $2M COVID Tuition Refunds Settlement

If you attended The Catholic University of America during the Spring 2020 semester, you may be eligible to claim a cash award from a class action settlement.

The Catholic University of America has agreed to pay $2,000,000 to settle a class action lawsuit for alleged failure to provide refunds for tuition and fees after transitioning to remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Who are the class members?

To be considered a class member:

• You were an undergraduate or graduate student at The Catholic University of America during the Spring 2020 semester.
• You did not withdraw by March 18, 2020.
• Tuition and/or fees were paid to the university from any source other than a scholarship, grant, or tuition remission from the university.
• Your tuition or fees have not been fully refunded by the university.

The class members are automatically included in the settlement, and no action is required to be eligible for compensation.

Who is excluded from the class?

• Students who received full scholarships, grants, or tuition remission from the university and thus did not pay any tuition or fees for the Spring 2020 semester.
• The university's officers, trustees, and their family members.

How much can class members get?

The settlement fund of $2,000,000 will be divided equally among approximately 5,070 class members. This means each class member will receive a share of the settlement fund after deductions for attorneys' fees, litigation expenses, and other costs.

The exact amount each class member will receive depends on the final number of valid claims and the deductions mentioned above. However, the distribution is designed to be equal among all class members.

• Net Settlement Fund Calculation:
• Total Settlement Fund: $2,000,000
• Attorneys' Fees (33.33%): $666,666.66
• Class Representative Award: Up to $7,500
• Administrative Costs: To be determined
• Remaining Fund: Divided equally among class members

Payments will be automatically sent to the last known mailing address of each class member as reflected in the university's records. Alternatively, class members can update their mailing address or choose to receive their payment via Venmo or PayPal by visiting the settlement website.

Important dates

• Opt Out Deadline: December 23, 2024
• Final Approval Hearing: January 23, 2025

When is the Catholic University of America payout date?

The court will hold a final approval hearing on January 23, 2025. If the settlement is approved, payments will be distributed to class members within sixty days after the effective date.

Why was there a class action settlement?

The lawsuit alleged that students were entitled to partial refunds of tuition and fees because the university transitioned to remote learning in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The university denies any wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid further litigation.