Catholic University of America Reaches $2 Million Settlement in COVID-19 Tuition Lawsuit
The Catholic University of America has agreed to a $2 million settlement to resolve a class action lawsuit, Gustavson v. The Catholic University of America, Case No., alleging that the university failed to provide adequate refunds for tuition and fees after transitioning to remote learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. The deal, preliminarily approved by the court on September 19, 2024, aims to compensate eligible students who experienced this disruption to their education.
Who is Eligible for the Settlement?
The settlement benefits undergraduate or graduate students enrolled at the Catholic University of America during the Spring 2020 semester who meet specific criteria. To be considered a class member, you must meet all of the following conditions:
- You were an undergraduate or graduate student at The Catholic University of America during the Spring 2020 semester.
- You did not withdraw from the university by March 18, 2020.
- Tuition and/or fees were paid to the university from a source other than a scholarship, grant, or tuition remission from the university.
- Your tuition or fees have not been fully refunded by the university.
Students who received full scholarships, grants, or tuition remission from the university and thus did not pay any tuition or fees for the Spring 2020 semester are excluded from the class. The university's officers, trustees, and their family members are also excluded.
Class members are automatically included in the settlement, and no action is required to be eligible for compensation.
Background of the Lawsuit
The class action lawsuit, filed in August 2023, argued that students were entitled to partial refunds of tuition and fees because the university transitioned to remote learning in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The suit alleged that the university refused to offer adequate refunds of tuition or fees despite the fact that students were “deprived of approximately 46% of the in-person instruction, activities, and on-campus services” for which they’d already paid.
Read also: Postgraduate Studies During the Pandemic
The lawsuit, Gustavson v. The Catholic University of America, Case No., alleged that students were entitled to partial refunds of tuition and fees because the university transitioned to remote learning in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Settlement Terms and Potential Payouts
The Catholic University of America has agreed to pay $2,000,000 to settle the class action lawsuit. The settlement fund of $2,000,000 will be divided equally among approximately 5,070 class members. This means each class member will receive a share of the settlement fund after deductions for attorneys' fees, litigation expenses, and other costs. A portion of the Catholic University settlement will be used to pay attorney’s fees and expenses.
The exact amount each class member will receive depends on the final number of valid claims and the deductions mentioned above. If the settlement is approved, payments will be distributed to class members within sixty days after the effective date.
Important Dates and Deadlines
- Exclusion and Objection Deadline: Dec.
- Final Approval Hearing: January 23, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Settlement payouts will be issued to eligible class members after the deal is ultimately approved and any appeals are resolved.
How to Update Your Information or Choose Electronic Payment
If you want to provide an updated address or opt for electronic payment via Venmo or PayPal, you can do so on the settlement administrator's website. You will need your unique Notice ID and PIN, which are typically found on the notice sent to class members to inform them of a settlement.
Read also: The Lasting Effects of COVID-19 on Education
University's Response
“The University does not admit to any fault or wrongdoing, having transitioned to remote instruction to protect the health of students, faculty, and staff, and to comply with public health mandates.”
“A court-appointed settlement administrator will administer the settlement and notify students who are eligible to participate,” the spokesperson concluded.
Additional Information
The settlement administrator for the Gustavson v. The Catholic University of America case is:
Gustavson v. The Catholic University of Americac/o Settlement AdministratorP.O.
It is important to remember that you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim.
Read also: Transfer Portal Dynamics
tags: #cua #covid #tuition #settlement
