American University COVID-19 tuition $5.439M class action settlement

American University agreed to pay $5.439 million to resolve claims that it failed to refund students for tuition after the spring 2020 semester was disrupted by COVID-19.

The settlement benefits individuals enrolled in American University as undergraduate students during the spring 2020 semester and for whom any amount of tuition and fees were paid from a non-scholarship or grant and have not been refunded in their entirety.

According to the class action lawsuit, American University students did not get the full value of their spring 2020 tuition and fees due to closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Plaintiffs in the case argue their tuition should have been partially or fully refunded after classes were moved to an online format.

American University is a research institution in Washington, D.C.

American University hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to a $5.439 million settlement to resolve the COVID-19 tuition class action lawsuit.

Under the terms of the settlement, class members can receive an equal share of the net settlement fund. Class counsel estimates each class member will receive $400 to $475, though exact payments may be higher or lower depending on the number of participating students.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is April 1, 2024.

The final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for May 7, 2024.

No claim form is required to benefit from the settlement. Class members can submit an election form by April 1, 2024, if they wish to receive an electronic payment instead of a check.

Who’s Eligible

Individuals enrolled in American University as undergraduate students during the spring 2020 semester and for whom any amount of tuition and fees were paid from a non-scholarship or grant and have not been refunded in their entirety.

Potential Award

$475 (estimated)

Proof of Purchase

N/A

Election 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.

Election Form Deadline

04/01/2024

Case Name

Qureshi, et al. v. American University, Case No. 1:20-cv-01141-CRC, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia

Final Hearing

05/07/2024

Settlement Website

AURefundSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Qureshi, et al. v. American University
c/o Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 2587
Portland, OR 97208-2587
888-497-4133

Class Counsel

LEEDS BROWN LAW PC

PULIN WILLEY ANASTOPOULO LLC

BURSOR & FISHER PA

Defense Counsel

WILMER CUTLER PICKERING HALE AND DORR LLP