George Washington University COVID-19 tuition $5.4M class action settlement

George Washington University has agreed to a $5.4 million settlement to resolve a class action lawsuit that claimed the university failed to refund students’ tuition payments after sending them home during the spring 2020 semester because of the COVID-19 lockdown. 

The settlement class is made up of all students and payors who paid or incurred tuition and/or fees to George Washington University in connection with the spring 2020 semester and whose tuition and/or fees have not been refunded in their entirety. 

Like many universities at the time, George Washington University opted to have students travel home and learn remotely at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the university continued to charge full tuition and fees for the spring 2020 semester. The plaintiffs in a class action lawsuit contend the university reaped financial benefits from students being off campus, while the students were given a lesser educational experience for their money’s worth. 

George Washington University is a private university in Washington, D.C., with about 11,000 undergraduate students, according to U.S. News and World Report.

George Washington University denies any accusations of wrongdoing but has agreed to the COVID-19 tuition settlement to resolve the claims. The university will establish a $5.4 million settlement fund that will be used to make payments to the plaintiffs, class counsel and class members. 

Class members need to do nothing to receive a payment, which the parties expect to be around $193. If class members want to avoid receiving a paper check, they can fill out an election form to be paid electronically through Venmo or PayPal.

Non-student payors may submit a claim form to receive the payment instead of the student.

The deadline to submit a claim form is March 11, 2024.

The deadline to opt out of or object to the settlement is March 11, 2024.

A final fairness hearing in the George Washington University COVID-19 tuition settlement will take place on April 2, 2024.

Who’s Eligible

All students and payors who paid or incurred tuition and/or fees to the George Washington University in connection with the Spring 2020 semester and whose tuition and/or fees have not been refunded in their entirety. 

Potential Award

$193

Proof of Purchase

N/A

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

03/11/2024

Case Name

Shaffer, et al. v. George Washington University, et al., Case No. 1:20-cv-01145-rjl, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

Final Hearing

04/02/2024

Settlement Website

GWSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Shaffer, et al. v. George Washington University, et al.
c/o Settlement Administrator
PO Box 2178
Portland, OR 97208-2178

Class Counsel

Steve W Berman
Daniel J Kurowski
Whitney K Siehl
HAGENS BERMAN SOBOL SHAPIRO LLP

Defense Counsel

WILMER CUTLER PICKERING HALE AND DORR LLP