University of California unlawful late fees $1.525M class action settlement

The Regents of the University of California agreed to a $1.525 million class action lawsuit settlement to resolve claims it charged unlawful late fees on student accounts.

The settlement benefits current and former students of the University of California system who were charged one or more late fees between Oct. 10, 2015, and Sept. 26, 2022.

The University of California (UC) system is an expansive system of universities that spans California. The UC system includes reputable universities such as UCLA and UC Berkeley.

According to a class action lawsuit against the Regents of the University of California, the school’s governing body, the school system violates state laws by charging late fees on student housing, late enrollment, late registration and delinquent student accounts. 

The plaintiffs in the case say they were charged hundreds in late fees while enrolled at University of California schools. The class action lawsuit contends these fees are not actual fees reflecting financial harm caused by students but are instead “unconscionable and unlawful penalties and forfeitures.” As a result, the students argue the fees are prohibited by California contract laws.

The Regents of the University of California hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to pay $1.525 million to resolve these allegations.

Under the terms of the University of California fees settlement, class members can receive partial refunds for late fees paid on student housing, late enrollment, late registration or delinquent student accounts. 

Those who paid late fees paid for student housing charges will receive 33% refunds. Those who paid late fees for late enrollment, late registration or delinquent student accounts will receive a 20% refund. 

Exact payment amounts will vary depending on the amount each class member paid in fees. If a large number of claims are filed with the settlement, payments may be reduced so each class member receives a proportional share of the settlement fund.

As part of the settlement, the University of California will forgive unpaid late fees paid during the class period. If the total amount of waived late fees is less than $2.8 million, the University of California regents may either terminate the settlement, use the corresponding funds to increase the cash fund payments or take other actions to change late fee collection.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is Nov. 10, 2022. 

The final approval hearing for the University of California late fees settlement is scheduled for Jan. 17, 2023.

In order to receive settlement benefits, class members must submit a valid claim form by Nov. 25, 2022.

Who’s Eligible

Current and former students of the University of California system who were charged one or more late fees between 10/10/2015 – 09/26/2022

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

No proof of purchase applicable

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

11/25/2022

Case Name

Recinos et al. v. the Regents of the University of California, Case No. RG19038659, in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Alameda

Final Hearing

01/17/2023

Settlement Website

UCLateFeeSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Recinos v. The Regents of the University of California
c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC
P.O. Box 225391
New York, NY 10150-5391
info@uclatefeesettlement.com
833-512-2321

Class Counsel

Defense Counsel

Jean-Paul P Cart
VENABLE LLP