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Individuals enrolled in at least one class at Fordham University originally scheduled to be held in person during the spring 2020 semester who paid tuition or mandatory fees or had them paid on their behalf and remained enrolled as of March 1, 2020, may be eligible to receive a cash payment from a class action settlement.
Fordham University agreed to pay $2,549,490 to settle a class action lawsuit alleging breach of contract and quasi-contract claims. The lawsuit claims Fordham charged full tuition and fees during its transition to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2020 yet suspended on-campus services.
Who are the class members?
Class members must meet all of the following criteria:
- They enrolled in at least one class at Fordham University originally scheduled to take place physically in person during the spring 2020 semester.
- They paid, or someone paid on their behalf, tuition and/or mandatory fees for the spring 2020 semester.
- They remained enrolled as of March 1, 2020.
The settlement administrator used Fordham’s records to identify eligible students. Individuals who received a notice about this settlement likely qualify.
How much can class members receive?
Each eligible class member will receive a share of the net settlement fund. The settlement administrator will calculate this amount based on the net tuition and fees paid for the spring 2020 semester after deductions for Fordham aid, grants or other reductions that do not require repayment, as well as any unpaid balances. There are two settlement pools: 65% for undergraduates and 35% for graduate students.
Within each pool, each class member's payment is proportional to the net amount they paid compared to the total net amount all students in the pool paid.
Actual payment amounts vary based on the class member's payment history and the total number of eligible students. The class notice eligible claimants received from the settlement administrator included an estimated award amount. No class member will receive less than $15.
No action needed to receive compensation
Eligible class members do not need to take any action to receive their settlement payment. If they do nothing, the settlement administrator will mail a check to their last known address after the court grants final approval.
Class members who prefer to receive their payment electronically via PayPal or Venmo can complete an online payment election form or print and complete the PDF payment election form and mail, email or fax it to the settlement administrator.
Settlement administrator's mailing address: Conley et al. v. Fordham University, c/o Apex Class Action LLC, P.O. Box 54668 Irvine, CA 92619
Settlement administrator's email address: support@apexclassaction.com
Settlement administrator's fax number: 949-989-4428
The deadline to submit the payment election form is Dec. 14, 2026.
Required information
Class members using the online payment election form must provide the notice ID and login ID they received in their settlement notice.
Payout options
- Paper check mailed to the class member's last known address
- PayPal or Venmo (for class members who file the payment election form)
$2.55 million settlement fund breakdown
The $2,549,490 settlement fund includes:
- Settlement administration costs: Up to $50,000
- Attorneys' fees: Up to $849,830
- Attorneys' expenses: Up to $20,000
- Service awards to class representatives: $3,000 each ($6,000 total)
- Payments to eligible class members: Remaining settlement funds
Important dates
- Deadline to opt out: Dec. 14, 2026
- Deadline to submit an election form: Dec. 14, 2026
- Final approval hearing: Jan. 13, 2027
When is the Fordham University class action settlement payout date?
The settlement administrator will issue payments to eligible class members after the court resolves any appeals and grants final approval of the settlement.
Why did this class action settlement happen?
Students alleged Fordham University breached its contract by moving in-person classes to remote instruction and limiting access to campus facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The plaintiffs argued they were entitled to a prorated refund of tuition and fees for the period when the university did not provide services as originally promised.
Fordham denied all allegations of wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid the expense and uncertainty of continued litigation.
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