Grand Canyon University Class Action Demands Coronavirus Refunds

A recent class action seeks Grand Canyon University tuition refunds, arguing that students didn’t get the benefits of their tuition after campus closures.

Plaintiff Seth Hannibal-Fisher is an undergraduate student at Grand Canyon University campus who reportedly paid a variety of fees for the spring 2020 semester. He claims to have paid $8,250 in tuition, $1,400 in fees, and $3,500 for room and board.

Unfortunately, the spring semester was disrupted in March when the coronavirus outbreak forced the transition to online classes. Following these recommendations, Hannibal-Fisher was allegedly forced to purchase WiFi components in order to continue his classes at home.

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Although the plaintiff paid tuition for on campus classes and benefits, he is allegedly being denied the education he paid for. However, despite receiving a lower quality education, Hannibal-Fisher says he has not been given a refund.

“Plaintiff has not been provided a refund of any tuition monies or related costs to continuing his education online, nor has he received a refund of any student fees from Defendant,” the Grand Canyon University tuition class action lawsuit alleges. “Also, Plaintiff has not been provided with an adequate refund for his room and board costs.”

What Other Benefits Have Students Paid for and Lost?

According to Hannibal-Fisher, the Grand Canyon University tuition he paid went towards a variety of benefits such as on-campus classes, collaborative learning, in-person interactions, and more.

The tuition costs allegedly allowed students to access a variety of other facilities such as labs, libraries, study areas, student offices, and countless other useful campus resources.

As a result of the transition to online classes, Hannibal-Fisher claims that he and other students have been denied these benefits. Allegedly, based on this reduction in education value, students are owed refunds for the portion of their tuition and fees which did not result in benefits for the semester.

“Plaintiff and the putative class are therefore entitled to a refund of all tuition and fees for services, facilities, equipment, access and/or opportunities that Defendant has not provided,” the Grand Canyon University tuition class action lawsuit argues.

“Even if GCU claims it did not have a choice in cancelling in-person classes, it nevertheless has improperly retained funds for services it is not providing.”

Have Refunds Been Issued for Room and Board?

Hannibal-Fisher also takes issue with his lack of room and board refund. Starting after the transition to online classes, Grand Canyon University allegedly warned students that it was not safe to stay on campus. Students were reportedly encouraged by the university to move home from the Grand Canyon University campus and complete their coursework via an online format.

“We are asking all students – other than international students who can not travel to their home countries and students who have special circumstances – to leave campus as soon as possible,” the university reportedly said in a March 21 statement. The school noted that the services provided on campus would be severely limited or entirely eliminated in light of the outbreak.

However, despite these recommendations and reduced benefits, Grand Canyon University campus room and board fees have not been refunded.

Hannibal-Fisher notes that the university has offered small credits between $260 and $450 for students that moved out of campus housing by March 25.

Similarly, any remaining dining dollars were rolled over to fall, but refunds were denied for students who are not graduating at the end of the semester.

The plaintiff argues that these measly benefits are not sufficient to compensate himself and other students for the complete lack of room and board services provided during the coronavirus pandemic.

“The housing credits offered to GCU students are insufficient because they do not return to them the full pro-rated, unused portion of their room and board payment for the semester,” Hannibal-Fisher argues in his Grand Canyon University tuition class action lawsuit.

Hannibal-Fisher seeks to represent a Class of students who paid Grand Canyon University tuition, room and board, and/or fees for the spring 2020 semester. He also seeks to a subclass of the same students who live in Arizona.

This is not the first time that Grand Canyon University has faced legal action. Only days ago, another undergraduate student took action against the school claiming that she and other students were duped into paying for worthless degrees.

Allegedly, Grand Canyon University programs are not accredited by professional organizations, meaning that various professional programs offered by the school will not allow students to seek licenses for their careers.

Hannibal-Fisher and the proposed Class are represented by Gerald Barrett and Taylor Secemski of Ward Keenan & Barrett PC along with Joseph I. Marchese and Sarah N. Westcot of Bursor & Fisher PA.

The Grand Canyon University Tuition Refund Class Action Lawsuit is Seth Hannibal-Fisher v. Grand Canyon University, Case No. 2:20-cv-01007-DLR, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona.

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