Published: August 13, 2025
Ithaca College has agreed to a $1.5 million settlement to resolve a class action lawsuit related to its transition to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Students who were enrolled on campus during the spring 2020 semester and did not withdraw before March 23, 2020, may be eligible for a cash payment from the settlement.
The lawsuit claimed Ithaca College breached its contract with students by moving instruction online and closing campus facilities while continuing to charge full tuition and fees.
Who Is Eligible
To qualify for a payment, individuals must meet all of the following conditions:
- They were enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student on campus at Ithaca College during the spring 2020 semester.
- They did not withdraw before March 23, 2020.
- They paid tuition and fees for the spring 2020 semester, either directly or through a third-party payer (excluding institutional scholarships or grants from Ithaca College).
- They did not receive a full refund of their tuition and fees for that semester.
Eligibility will be verified using Ithaca College’s records.
Who Is Not Eligible
The following individuals are excluded from the settlement:
- Students who enrolled exclusively in online-only courses for the spring 2020 semester
- Students who paid no tuition or fees (e.g., those whose costs were fully covered by institutional scholarships or grants)
- Students who withdrew, left, or graduated before March 23, 2020
Settlement Benefits
Cash payment: Each eligible class member will receive a share of the net settlement fund. Payment amounts will be determined based on how much net tuition and fees each student paid, compared to the total paid by all eligible students during the spring 2020 semester.
Additional benefits:
- A one-time $800 tuition credit if the class member later attends an Ithaca College graduate program (not including the physician assistant program)
- One complimentary alumni weekend ticket, redeemable for up to two years following the final settlement approval
No Claim Form Required
Class members do not need to submit a claim to receive a payment. If no action is taken, the settlement administrator will automatically mail a check to the last address on file with Ithaca College after court approval.
To receive the payment electronically or update a mailing address, class members can complete an online election form. They must provide their Apex ID and PIN from the settlement notice. The deadline to submit the form is October 5, 2025.
Payment Methods
- Venmo
- PayPal
- Mailed check (default option)
Settlement Fund Distribution
The $1.5 million settlement fund will be allocated as follows:
- Administrative costs: $75,000
- Attorneys’ fees: Up to $500,000
- Attorneys’ expenses: Up to $45,000
- Service award to the lead plaintiff: Up to $10,000
- Payments to eligible students: Remaining funds
Key Dates
- Election form deadline (for electronic payment or address update): October 5, 2025
- Final court approval hearing: October 28, 2025
When Will Payments Be Sent?
The settlement administrator will distribute payments approximately 60 days after final approval is granted by the court and any appeals are resolved.
Background of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit alleged that Ithaca College did not fulfill its contractual obligations when it closed campus facilities and shifted to remote learning during the COVID-19 outbreak. Students argued they paid for in-person instruction and access to campus services but received neither during part of the spring 2020 semester.
Ithaca College denied any wrongdoing but chose to settle in order to avoid the expense and uncertainty of continued litigation.
Sources
Estimated Payment: Varies by individual
Deadline to submit election form: October 5, 2025
