Are You Entitled to a Florida College Fees Refund?

Florida college students who have not received refunds for fees they paid for services that are unavailable due to COVID-19 campus closures may have a legal claim.

Attorneys are currently seeking potential plaintiffs to file class action lawsuits targeting Florida colleges that have not issued refunds to students for fees paid for services that were no longer being offered while their campuses were closed due to the pandemic.

Why Are Students Seeking Refunds for Florida College Fees?

The Florida Department of Education announced on March 17, 2020 that all public state colleges and private colleges and campuses would be closed for at least the rest of the spring semester. Colleges were encouraged to transition students into online learning. 

Although online classes ensured students were able to continue their coursework, students were deprived of many of the valuable amenities and services due to the COVID-19 campus closures. Due to campus closures, students were no longer able to participate in on-campus activities such as laboratory work and athletics. They also no longer needed the technology and transportation services that were included in their Florida college fees.

Many students, such as those at Miami-Dade, have tried to get a refund for the fees that they paid for services they could no longer use because of the campus closures. Some have even resorted to posting petitions on Change.org to demand their colleges provide refunds for tuition and fees. 

The Miami Herald reports that some Florida colleges agreed to pay partial refunds for certain services. However, a large number of Florida colleges are being investigated for allegedly refusing to issue refunds or waivers for services that were unavailable during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

What Types of Florida College Fees Are Being Challenged?

Students who paid any of the Florida college fees, or fees for other services that were not provided during the COVID-19 pandemic, may qualify to participate in the class action lawsuit investigation:

• Laboratory Fees
• Health Fees
• Technology Fees
• Athletics/Sports Fees
• Transportation/Bus Fees

The Florida colleges that are currently under investigation for allegedly failing to issue fee refunds include those within the Florida Board of Education system. A full list of the schools currently under investigation is available here. 

Am I Eligible to Join the Class Action Lawsuit Investigation?

If you were enrolled in a Florida college within the Florida Board of Education system when the campus was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and you did not receive a refund or waiver for fees you paid for services that were not provided, you may be eligible to join the free Florida college fees class action lawsuit investigation. 

Submit your information now to find out if you qualify!