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Full-time students enrolled in a degree-conferring program at a Northwestern University campus in the United States during the spring, summer or fall 2020 quarters who paid tuition that the university did not fully fund may be eligible to claim approximately $35 to $153 per term from a class action settlement.
Northwestern University agreed to pay $4,000,000 to settle a class action lawsuit alleging breach of contract and unjust enrichment. The lawsuit claimed the university did not provide the full value of in-person instruction and services after moving classes online during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Who are the class members?
Class members must meet the following criteria:
- They were a full-time student at a Northwestern University campus in the United States.
- They enrolled in a degree-conferring program for the spring 2020, summer 2020 and/or fall 2020 quarters or terms.
- They paid tuition that Northwestern did not fully fund for any of those quarters or terms.
The settlement administrator identified class members using Northwestern’s records.
How much can class members get?
The settlement fund is $4,000,000. After deductions for attorneys’ fees, costs, service awards and administration expenses, the settlement administrator will distribute the remaining funds to class members based on the term(s) they attended:
- Spring 2020 term: 75% of the net settlement fund with an estimated payment of approximately $153 per eligible student
- Summer 2020 term: 7% of the net settlement fund with an estimated payment of approximately $61 per eligible student
- Fall 2020 term: 18% of the net settlement fund with an estimated payment of approximately $35 per eligible student
Class members who attended more than one term will receive a payment for each term with a maximum estimated payment of $249. The actual payment per student depends on the number of eligible students in each term.
No action needed to receive payment
Class members do not need to file a claim to receive compensation. The settlement administrator will automatically send payments to eligible individuals.
Class members can choose how they want to receive their payment or update their mailing address by submitting an election form online or by mail. Those who do not submit an election form will receive a check at the last known address on file.
Settlement administrator’s mailing address: Northwestern University COVID-19 Tuition Settlement, c/o Epiq Class Action & Claims Solutions Inc., P.O. Box 4339, Portland, OR 97208-4339
Payout options
- Venmo
- PayPal
- Physical check (default)
$4 million settlement fund breakdown
The $4,000,000 settlement fund includes:
- Settlement administration costs: Approximately $63,873
- Attorneys’ fees: Up to $1,332,000
- Attorneys’ expenses: Up to $58,100.85
- Service awards to class representatives: Up to $15,000 each (total $45,000)
- Payments to eligible class members: Remainder of the fund
If any funds remain after the settlement administrator makes all payments (for example, due to uncashed checks), it will donate those funds to Northwestern’s emergency aid fund for students.
Important dates
- Deadline to opt out: March 30, 2026
- Final approval hearing: May 19, 2026
When is the Northwestern University COVID-19 tuition settlement payout date?
The settlement administrator will issue payments to class members approximately 30 days after the court resolves any appeals and receives final court approval.
Why did this settlement happen?
The class action lawsuit alleged Northwestern University breached its contract and received unjust enrichment when it moved in-person classes and services online during the COVID-19 pandemic. The lawsuit claimed students did not receive the full value of what they paid for.
Northwestern denied all allegations and any wrongdoing. Both sides agreed to settle to avoid further litigation costs and uncertainty.
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