Point Park University $1,250,000 Settlement

A proposed settlement has been announced in the class action lawsuit Figueroa, et al. v. Point Park University. The lawsuit, which alleges that the university breached a contract when it transitioned to remote learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, has resulted in a proposed settlement of $1,250,000. This settlement is intended to resolve the matter promptly and provide compensation to eligible class members.

Detailed Analysis of the $1,250,000 Settlement

The proposed settlement, if approved, will provide financial relief to students who were enrolled at Point Park University after March 12, 2020, and were assessed tuition and/or fees for the Spring 2020 semester. The lawsuit claimed that the university breached a contract and unjustly enriched itself when it transitioned to remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while continuing to charge full tuition and fees.

The university, for its part, has denied all allegations of wrongdoing and liability. However, in order to resolve the matter promptly and avoid the uncertainties and costs associated with continued litigation, both parties have agreed to the proposed settlement. The settlement amount of $1,250,000, if approved, will be used to compensate eligible class members.

Important Dates

The Court will hold a Final Approval Hearing on December 4, 2023, to consider whether to approve the proposed settlement. Class members who wish to opt out or object to the settlement must do so by October 23, 2023.

Who are the Class Members?

The class members in this lawsuit are students who were enrolled at Point Park University after March 12, 2020, and were assessed tuition and/or fees for the Spring 2020 semester. These students must not have been enrolled solely in classes that were delivered as an online program at the beginning of the Spring 2020 semester.

The settlement class members are further defined by the ratio of the total amount of Spring 2020 Tuition and Fees assessed to Potential Settlement Class Members enrolled at PPU during the Spring 2020 semester to the total amount of Spring 2020 Tuition and Fees assessed to Potential Settlement Class Members enrolled at PPU during the Spring 2020 semester, less Financial Aid, unpaid balances related to the Spring 2020 term, and any refunds already distributed related to the Spring 2020 semester.

What Awards Can Class Members Claim?

Under the proposed settlement, class members will be eligible to receive a payment from the settlement fund. The Net Settlement Fund will be divided among all Settlement Class Members based on the ratio of their assessed tuition and fees to the total assessed tuition and fees for the Spring 2020 semester.

This means that the amount each class member can claim will be proportional to the amount they were assessed in tuition and fees for the Spring 2020 semester. This calculation will take into account any financial aid received, unpaid balances related to the Spring 2020 term, and any refunds already distributed related to the Spring 2020 semester.

Is Proof Required to Claim the Reward?

No. If class members do nothing and the proposed Settlement is approved by the Court, class members will be eligible to participate in the proposed Settlement and to receive the Settlement Benefit allocated to you according to the terms of the proposed Settlement. Class member's payment will be sent automatically by First-Class U.S. Mail to your last known mailing address on file with the University Registrar. 

Why is there a Class Action Settlement?

The class action lawsuit was brought against Point Park University due to allegations of breach of contract and unjust enrichment when the university transitioned to remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while continuing to charge full tuition and fees. The university has denied all allegations of wrongdoing and liability.

The proposed settlement is intended to resolve these claims and provide compensation to eligible class members. If the settlement is approved at the Final Approval Hearing on December 4, 2023, eligible class members will receive their share of the settlement fund.