$2.2M Drexel University COVID Tuition Refund Settlement, Are You One of the 16,576 Students Who Qualifies?

Drexel University agreed to pay $2,200,000 to settle a class action lawsuit filed by students who paid full tuition for the Spring 2020 term but received only remote learning after the university closed its campus due to COVID-19. The settlement received preliminary court approval on March 19, 2026, and covers all enrolled students at Drexel during the Spring 2020 term who paid any tuition and fees for that term. Up to 16,576 students may qualify — and most will receive payment automatically, with no claim form required.

Quick Facts

Field	Detail
Settlement Amount	$2,200,000
Claim Deadline	No claim form required — automatic payment
Who Qualifies	Students enrolled at Drexel for Spring 2020 who paid tuition and/or fees
Payout Per Person	Pro-rated equal share of net fund (TBD after fees and costs)
Proof Required	No
Settlement Status	Preliminarily approved — March 19, 2026
Administrator	TBD — Settlement website not yet launched
Official Case	Deller v. Drexel University, E.D. Pa., Case No. 2:23-cv-03746-JDW

Where the Case Stands Right Now

• The $2,200,000 settlement received preliminary court approval on March 19, 2026, from U.S. District Judge Joshua D. Wolson in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
• The final approval hearing is scheduled for August 2026, after which eligible students will receive an email with information about eligibility and compensation.
• The settlement website has not yet launched. Class members will be able to provide an updated address or choose electronic payment once the site goes live.

What Is the Drexel University COVID Tuition Lawsuit About?

In March 2020, Drexel University shut down its Philadelphia campus and moved all instruction online in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Students who had paid full tuition for the Spring 2020 quarter — expecting in-person classes, campus facilities, labs, and the full on-campus experience — suddenly received only a remote version of their education at the same price.

The class action claimed that students enrolled at Drexel were deprived of the “full” university experience after the transition to remote learning. Students who paid tuition for in-person classes during Spring 2020 expected the full benefit of their investment, but were instead charged the same price for an online learning experience without access to university facilities and resources.

Joshua Deller, a former Drexel student, filed the lawsuit in 2023, alleging he paid tuition and fees for in-person education, experiences, access to campus, and services that were denied to him and his classmates because of the pandemic. The lawsuit brought claims for breach of implied contract and unjust enrichment under Pennsylvania law.

Drexel has not admitted any wrongdoing. In agreeing to settle, the university continues to deny that it violated its contract with students. Drexel argued that students knew ahead of the Spring 2020 term that classes would be virtual, and had the option to receive a full tuition refund before enrolling.

Related article: Super Ego Holding Class Action Lawsuit, Are You a Driver Who Qualifies?

Who Is Eligible to Receive a Payment?

This settlement covers a specific, clearly defined group of students. You may qualify if:

• You may qualify if you were enrolled at Drexel University during the Spring 2020 academic term
• You may qualify if you paid any tuition and/or fees for that term, or were credited as having paid
• You may qualify if your tuition was not fully funded by the university itself

You do not qualify if:

• You were enrolled solely in online classes through Drexel University Online during Spring 2020
• Your tuition and fees were fully funded by the university

As many as 16,576 students who paid Drexel tuition for the Spring 2020 term could claim a portion of the settlement. If you fall into the eligible group, you do not need to do anything right now — payment is automatic.

How Much Will You Receive?

Each class member will receive an equal, pro-rated share of the net settlement fund remaining after the payment of attorneys’ fees, settlement administration costs, and the lead plaintiff service award.

Attorneys’ fees will be up to one-third of the $2,200,000 settlement amount. After those deductions, the remaining net fund divides equally among all eligible class members. The exact per-person amount is TBD until the final number of eligible class members is confirmed and court-approved deductions are finalized.

To put this in rough perspective: if attorneys take the maximum one-third ($733,333) and administration costs reduce the fund further, the per-student payout from a pool of up to 16,576 students would be modest — likely in the range of $75–$90 per person, though the court has not confirmed a per-person figure. Do not treat this estimate as a confirmed amount — the official payout is TBD.

Do You Need to File a Claim?

No. This settlement works differently from most class action settlements.

According to court documents, Drexel University settlement class members do not need to do anything to receive a pro-rated one-time cash payment. The settlement administrator will send payments automatically to eligible students.

The settlement administrator will distribute payments by check to the last known personal mailing address on file with the university registrar. All settlement checks must be cashed within 180 days of issuance before expiration.

Here is what you should do right now to make sure your payment reaches you:

1. Confirm your mailing address is current. Drexel will use the address on file with the registrar. If you moved since 2020, update your contact information.
2. Watch for the settlement website launch. Once the site goes live, class members will be able to provide an updated address or choose to receive their benefit as an electronic payment by email.
3. Monitor your Drexel email. After the final approval hearing in August 2026, eligible students will receive an email explaining eligibility requirements and payment details.
4. Do not cash out or opt out without reading your notice. If you receive a formal notice, read it in full before deciding whether to opt out or object.
5. Cash your check within 180 days. Once issued, checks expire after six months.

Estimated time to update your address once the settlement site launches: under 5 minutes.

Students who attended other universities and paid tuition during the pandemic-era campus closures may also have options — the Northwestern University COVID tuition settlement is one example of how similar cases have resolved at other schools.

Important Deadlines & Dates

Milestone	Date
Lawsuit Filed	September 2023
Settlement in Principle Reached	November 18, 2025
Preliminary Approval Granted	March 19, 2026
Settlement Website Launch	TBD
Opt-Out Deadline	TBD
Objection Deadline	TBD
Final Approval Hearing	August 2026 (exact date TBD)
Expected Payment Date	After final approval and any appeals

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lawyer to file a claim? 

No. You do not need to file a claim at all — payment is automatic for eligible class members. No attorney is required to receive your share of this settlement. If you have questions about whether you qualify or whether to opt out, a consumer protection attorney can advise you at no cost in many cases.

Is this settlement legitimate?

 Yes. The settlement is filed as Deller v. Drexel University, Case No. 2:23-cv-03746-JDW, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. U.S. District Judge Joshua D. Wolson granted preliminary approval on March 19, 2026. This is a verified, court-approved proceeding.

When will I receive my payment?

 Compensation will begin to be distributed to class members only after final approval has been granted and any appeals have been resolved. The final approval hearing is scheduled for August 2026, meaning payments are unlikely before late 2026 at the earliest. Exact timing is TBD.

What if I missed the claim deadline?

 There is no claim deadline for eligible class members — payment is automatic. If you miss cashing your check after it is issued, you will lose that payment. Checks expire 180 days after issuance. Watch your mail and update your address with the university registrar now.

Will this settlement payment affect my taxes?

Payments from class action settlements that reimburse out-of-pocket losses, such as tuition and fees for services not received, are generally not taxable. However, tax treatment depends on your specific situation. Consult a tax professional for advice on how to report your payment.

I graduated before Spring 2020. Am I included?

 No. The settlement only covers students enrolled specifically during the Spring 2020 term who paid tuition and fees for that quarter. Earlier or later enrollment periods are not covered by this settlement.

What if Drexel no longer has my current address? 

Watch for the official settlement website to launch. Once it is live, the court documents confirm you will be able to update your mailing address or switch to an electronic payment option. Check your Drexel alumni email for communications about the site launch.

Why did it take until 2026 to settle a COVID-era lawsuit? 

The parties participated in a full-day mediation session in June 2025, but did not reach an agreement that day. They continued to negotiate, and reached a settlement in principle nearly five months later, on November 18, 2025. The case also survived Drexel’s motion for summary judgment, which extended the timeline before settlement talks concluded.

Last Updated: April 13, 2026

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal claims and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. For advice regarding a particular situation, consult a qualified attorney.