University of Minnesota $5 Million Data Breach Settlement

Individuals whose personal information was stored in the University of Minnesota’s systems as of August 2021—or who received notice of a data breach—may be eligible to claim a $30 cash payment and 24 months of dark web monitoring through a class action settlement.

The University of Minnesota has agreed to pay $5 million to resolve allegations that it failed to adequately safeguard personal information during a data breach involving its Legacy Data Warehouse. The incident occurred in August 2021 and allegedly exposed personal data belonging to students, employees, and program participants dating back to 1989.

Who Is Eligible?

You may be eligible if:

  • Your personal information was maintained in, or accessible through, the University of Minnesota’s Legacy Data Warehouse as of August 10, 2021. This includes:
    • Prospective students who submitted information
    • Former or current students
    • Former or current university employees
    • Participants in university programs between 1989 and August 10, 2021
  • You received a direct notice from the university in September 2023 about the data breach.

What Compensation Is Available?

Eligible individuals may receive:

  • Cash Payment: An estimated $30 per valid claim. Final payment amounts will depend on the total number of approved claims.
  • Dark Web Monitoring: Up to 24 months of dark web monitoring services are also available to all class members, regardless of whether they choose the cash option.

How to Submit a Claim

To receive a payment or monitoring services, you must submit a claim form by December 24, 2025. You can either:

Important: You must include your class member ID from the official notice you received to submit a valid online claim.

Payment Methods

Claimants can choose to receive their payment via:

  • Electronic transfer (available only for online claims)
  • Paper check (mailed to the address provided on the claim form)

Breakdown of the $5 Million Settlement Fund

The $5 million fund will be used for:

  • Administrative costs (to be determined)
  • Attorneys’ fees (up to $1,666,666.67)
  • Attorneys’ expenses (subject to court approval)
  • Service awards for class representatives (up to $2,000 each)
  • Cost of providing dark web monitoring
  • Payments to approved claimants (remaining funds after other expenses)

Key Dates

  • Claim submission deadline: December 24, 2025
  • Deadline to opt out or object: December 29, 2025
  • Final approval hearing: January 28, 2026

When Will Payments Be Sent?

Payments are expected to be issued approximately 105 days after final court approval and the resolution of any appeals.

Background of the Lawsuit

The lawsuit alleged that the University of Minnesota failed to properly protect personal data stored in its Legacy Data Warehouse. The breach, which occurred in August 2021, reportedly allowed unauthorized third parties to access and potentially post sensitive information on the dark web.

While the university denies any wrongdoing, it agreed to settle to avoid the cost and uncertainty of continued litigation.

Additional Resources

More information, including the official claim form and settlement agreement, can be found on the official settlement website. Resources include:

Settlement Benefits:
Estimated $30 cash payment and/or 24 months of dark web monitoring
Claim Deadline: December 24, 2025