Franklin & Marshall $750,000 COVID-19 Settlement

Students enrolled at Franklin & Marshall College during the Spring 2020 Semester who paid tuition and/or mandatory fees and attended at least one in-person, on-campus class at the start of the semester may qualify to receive a cash payment from a class action settlement.

Franklin & Marshall College agreed to pay $750,000 to settle a class action lawsuit alleging breach of contract and unjust enrichment related to the transition to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The lawsuit alleged the college failed to provide the in-person education and campus services students paid for when it moved to remote instruction.

Who can claim a Franklin & Marshall College payout?

Class members must meet all of the following criteria:

• They enrolled as a student at Franklin & Marshall College during the Spring 2020 Semester.
• They satisfied their payment obligations for tuition and/or mandatory fees for that semester.
• They were enrolled in at least one class that met in person and on campus at the beginning of the Spring 2020 Semester.

How much is the COVID-19 tuition and fees payment?

Pro Rata Payment: The amount each class member receives will be proportional to the amount of tuition and mandatory fees they paid minus any Franklin & Marshall-funded financial aid, unpaid balances and any prior refunds related to the Spring 2020 Semester.

No claim form required

Class members do not need to file a claim to receive compensation. The settlement administrator will use existing records from the college registrar to determine eligibility and payment amounts.

However, class members who wish to update their address or select an alternative payment method (Venmo or PayPa) can submit an election form.

Payout options

• Venmo (if selected via Election Form)
• PayPal (if selected via Election Form)
• Paper check mailed via first class U.S. Mail to the last known mailing address on file with the college registrar

$750,000 Franklin & Marshall College settlement fund breakdown

The $750,000 settlement fund covers:

• Settlement administration costs: Up to $55,000
• Attorneys' fees: Up to $250,000
• Attorneys' expenses: To be determined
• Service award to class representative: Up to $2,500
• Payments to eligible class members: Remainder of the settlement fund

Important dates

• Exclusion Deadline: July 7, 2025
• Fairness Hearing: Aug. 21, 2025

When is the COVID-19 tuition settlement payout date?

Payments will be distributed within 90 days after final court approval.

Why was there a class action lawsuit?

The class action lawsuit alleged Franklin & Marshall College breached its contract and was unjustly enriched when it switched from in-person to remote learning during the Spring 2020 Semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The plaintiffs argued they paid for in-person instruction and campus services but did not receive them.

Franklin & Marshall College denied any wrongdoing but agreed to settle the lawsuit to avoid further litigation and provide prompt resolution for students.

Sources

1. Class Notice
2. Settlement Agreement