Lincoln University $169,500 COVID-19 Tuition Settlement

Lincoln University

Lincoln University students enrolled for the spring 2020 semester who paid (or had paid on their behalf) any amount of tuition or mandatory fees that was not fully refunded may qualify to claim a cash payment from a class action settlement.

Lincoln University agreed to pay $169,500 to resolve a class action lawsuit alleging breach of contract and unjust enrichment related to its transition to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Who are the class members?

Class members must meet the following criteria:

They were enrolled in at least one in-person, on-campus class at Lincoln University for the spring 2020 semester
They did not withdraw from the university by March 12, 2020.
They paid, or had paid on their behalf, any amount of tuition and/or mandatory fees for the spring 2020 semester that has not been fully refunded

The settlement covers only tuition and mandatory fees for the spring 2020 semester. It does not include housing, dining or other nonmandatory fees.

Students who received full scholarships or tuition remission from Lincoln University for the spring 2020 semester are excluded from the class.

How much can class members receive?

Pro rata payment: The total settlement fund is $169,500. After deducting attorneys' fees, litigation costs, administrative expenses and a service award for the class representative, the remaining amount will be distributed equally among all class members who do not opt out.

No action needed to receive payment

Eligible class members do not need to submit a claim to receive their payment. They will be identified using university records. Payments will be sent automatically by first class mail to the last known permanent mailing address on file with the university registrar.

Class members may update their address or select an alternative payment method (Venmo or PayPal) by visiting the settlement website and submitting an online election form or downloading, printing, completing and mailing the PDF election form to the settlement administrator.

Settlement administrator's mailing address: Dixon v. Lincoln University Settlement, c/o RG/2 Claims Administration LLC, P.O. Box 59479, Philadelphia, PA 19102-947

Payout options

Venmo (must submit an election form)
PayPal (must submit an election form)
Physical check

$169,500 Lincoln University settlement fund breakdown

The $169,500 settlement fund covers:

Settlement administration costs: Up to $30,000
Attorneys' fees: Up to $56,500
Attorneys' expenses: Up to $10,000
Service award to class representative: Up to $2,500
Payments to eligible class members: Remainder of the fund

Important dates

Opt-out deadline: Aug. 10, 2025
Final approval hearing: Sept. 15, 2025

When is the Lincoln University COVID-19 tuition settlement payout date?

Payments will be distributed approximately 60 days after the settlement becomes final and once any appeals are resolved.

Why was there a class action settlement?

This class action lawsuit alleged Lincoln University breached an implied contract and was unjustly enriched when it switched to remote learning in spring 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The plaintiffs claimed students were entitled to partial refunds of tuition and mandatory fees for the portion of the semester when in-person classes were not provided.

Lincoln University denied all allegations but agreed to settle to avoid the cost and uncertainty of ongoing litigation.