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Students who enrolled at Widener University during the Spring 2020 semester, satisfied their payment obligation for tuition and/or fees and took at least one in-person on-campus class may be eligible to receive a cash payment and additional benefits from a class action settlement.
Widener University agreed to pay $800,000 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?
The class includes all students enrolled in at least one in-person on-campus class at Widener University during the spring 2020 semester who satisfied their payment obligation for tuition and/or fees for that semester.
Class members are eligible whether they paid the tuition and/or fees themselves or someone paid it on their behalf.
The settlement administrator will use Widener’s records to identify eligible class members. Individuals who received a notice by mail or email are likely a member of the settlement class.
Who is excluded from the class?
- Students who received scholarships, grants or credits that equaled or exceeded their total payment obligations to Widener for the spring 2020 semester
- Students who did not make any payments, contributions or third-party arrangements toward tuition or fees for that semester
How much can class members get?
Pro rata cash payment: Each eligible class member will receive an equal cash payment from the settlement fund. The precise amount of the cash payment will depend on the number of eligible class members and the deductions from the total settlement fund for attorneys’ fees, administrative costs and a service award to the class representative.
In addition to the cash payment, each class member will receive:
- Five complimentary tickets to regular season Widener athletic events (men’s or women’s) on campus. The tickets are valid between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027, and subject to ticket availability and other conditions.
- Access to Widener’s Pride Recreation Center at no cost during the same period
No claim form needed to receive payment
Eligible class members do not need to file a claim to receive payment. The settlement administrator will automatically send payments by first class U.S. Mail to their last known permanent mailing address on file with Widener University.
However, class members may update their mailing address or elect to receive their payment by Venmo or PayPal instead of a paper check. To do either of these, they must submit an election form on the settlement website or by downloading, printing, completing and mailing it to the settlement administrator within 45 days after the settlement’s effective date (to be posted on the settlement website once known).
Settlement administrator’s mailing address: Sparacino v. Widener University, c/o RG/2 Claims Administration LLC, PO Box 59479, Philadelphia, PA 19102-9479
The settlement administrator may donate funds from any payments unclaimed after 180 days to scholarships for Widener students.
Required information
To file an election form online, class members must provide the class member code and PIN from the settlement notice they received.
Payout options
- Paper check mailed to the class member's permanent address on file with Widener
- Venmo payment (if selected via election form)
- PayPal payment (if selected via election form)
$800,000 settlement fund breakdown
The $800,000 settlement fund includes:
- Settlement administration costs: To be determined
- Attorneys’ fees: Up to $266,400
- Attorneys' expenses: To be determined
- Service award to class representative: Up to $2,500
- Payments to class members: The remaining amount
Important dates
- Deadline to opt out: May 26, 2026
- Fairness hearing: June 30, 2026
- Deadline to update address or select digital payment: 45 days after the effective date (to be posted on the settlement website)
When is the Sparacino v. Widener University payout date?
The settlement administrator will distribute payments to eligible class members within 60 days after court resolves any appeals and grants final approval to the settlement.
Why did this settlement happen?
The class action lawsuit alleged Widener breached its contract with students and received unjust enrichment when it moved to remote learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The plaintiff claimed students who paid for in-person instruction and campus access did not receive the full value of their purchase after classes moved online.
Widener denied all allegations of wrongdoing and liability but agreed to settle the case to avoid further litigation, costs and uncertainty.
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