George Washington University Settles COVID-19 Tuition Refund Lawsuit for $5.4 Million

Each GW student who studied online in the spring 2020 semester can expect to get about $193.
George Washington University Settles COVID-19 Tuition Refund Lawsuit for $5.4 Million
The campus of George Washington University is seen as classes were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in Washington, DC, May 7, 2020. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
Bill Pan
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George Washington University (GW) has reached a $5.4 million settlement with former students who accused the institution of breaching its contract when they were sent home to attend classes online at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under the terms of the settlement agreement, approved on Wednesday by a federal judge in the District of Columbia, each of the four student plaintiffs will receive $10,000. After covering attorney fees and expenses of up to $1,782,000, the rest of the settlement fund will be distributed as tuition refunds among approximately 18,000 students attending online classes during the spring semester of 2020.