$4M Northwestern University Settlement Ends Class Action Seeking Tuition Refunds For COVID-19 Semesters

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Northwestern University has agreed to a $4,000,000 settlement to resolve a class action lawsuit claiming the university owed partial refunds of tuition, fees, and other related costs to students enrolled in the Spring, Summer, and/or Fall 2020 terms who transitioned to remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The Northwestern University class action settlement received preliminary approval from the court on January 8, 2026 and covers all full-time students enrolled in degree-conferring programs at any Northwestern University campus in the United States for the Spring 2020, Summer 2020, and/or Fall 2020 quarters or terms, and whose tuition was not fully funded by the university in any of the respective quarters or terms they were enrolled in.

The court-approved website for the Northwestern University COVID-19 settlement can be found at NorthwesternTuitionRefund.com.

According to the website, Northwestern settlement class members do not need to do anything to automatically receive a one-time cash payment from the net settlement fund after the payment of attorneys’ fees, settlement administration costs and lead plaintiff service awards.

The settlement agreement reports that each class member’s reimbursement will depend on the specific times they were enrolled as a student, based on the following calculations:

• Class members enrolled in Spring 2020 quarters/terms are eligible for a pro-rated share of 75 percent of the net settlement fund for a payment of approximately $153;
• Class members enrolled in Summer 2020 quarters are eligible to receive a pro-rated share of 7 percent of the net settlement fund for a payment of approximately $61; and
• Class members enrolled in Fall 2020 quarters/terms are eligible to receive a pro-rated share of 18 percent of the net settlement fund for a payment of approximately $35.

Northwestern class members who were enrolled in more than one of the quarters/terms at issue will receive a combined payment for each, the agreement adds.

Payment to class members will be issued automatically via check to their last known address on file and all checks must be cashed within 270 days of issuance before expiration, the agreement states.

To receive a settlement payment electronically, or to update a mailing address for a physical check, class members can complete the payment election form on this page using the unique ID and PIN as listed on their received copy of the settlement notice.

Northwestern class members who have any difficulty completing a payment election form, or with any outstanding questions about the settlement, may contact the settlement administrator to receive more information.

All Northwestern settlement election forms, along with any objections or exclusion requests, must be submitted by class members by March 30, 2026.

The court will determine whether to grant final approval to the Northwestern University settlement at a hearing on May 19, 2026. Compensation will begin to be distributed to class members only after final approval is granted and any appeals are resolved.

The Northwestern University class action lawsuit alleged that the private Illinois university wrongfully charged tuition and other fees to students enrolled in semesters and terms during the COVID-19 pandemic despite the transition from in-person instruction to remote learning.

Did you know that some class action settlements require no proof to submit a claim? Check out the latest open class action settlements.