$10M University of Southern California tuition class action settlement

The University of Southern California (USC) agreed to a $10 million settlement to resolve a class action lawsuit claiming it overcharged students for tuition during the spring 2020 semester when classes were moved online due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The University of Southern California settlement benefits students who paid or were obligated to pay tuition, fees or other costs to USC for the spring 2020 academic term.

According to the class action lawsuit, USC promised to provide high-quality in-person instruction and services for the spring 2020 semester but failed to do so when classes were moved online due to the pandemic. The plaintiffs in the case argue that they are entitled to a refund because the value of remote instruction is less than that of in-person USC tuition.

The University of Southern California is a private university in Los Angeles, California.

USC has not admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to a $10 million class action settlement to resolve the allegations.

Under the terms of the University of Southern California settlement, class members can receive an equal share of the net settlement fund. Exact payment amounts will vary depending on the number of participating class members and the net settlement fund after deductions for fees and costs. No payment estimates are available at this time.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is Feb. 20, 2026.

The final approval hearing for the USC tuition settlement is scheduled for March 27, 2026.

No claim form is required to benefit from the settlement. Class members may visit the settlement website to complete an election form by Feb. 20, 2026, indicating that they would prefer to receive their cash award by Venmo or PayPal or to provide an updated mailing address. Class members who do not update their information on the settlement website will receive their settlement payment at the address USC has on file.

Who’s Eligible

Students who were enrolled at the University of Southern California and paid tuition, fees or other costs for the spring 2020 semester.

Potential Award

TBD

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

02/20/2026

Case Name

In re University of Southern California Tuition and Fees COVID-19 Refund Litigation, Case No. CV 20-4066-DMG (PVCx), in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Final Hearing

03/27/2026

Settlement Website

USCRemoteLearningLawsuit.com

Claims Administrator

In re University of Southern California COVID-19 Tuition and Fee Litigation
1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210
Philadelphia, PA 19103
[email protected]
833-658-5333

Class Counsel

E. Michelle Drake
Ariana Kiener
BERGER MONTAGUE P.C.

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

Roy A. Katriel
THE KATRIEL LAW FIRM P.C.

Defense Counsel

Vineet Bhatia
Stephen Morrissey
Amanda Bonn
SUSMAN GODFREY LLP