$315K American International College Data Breach Settlement, Check If Your Personal Information Qualifies for a Cash Payment

Prepared by the AllAboutLawyer.com Editorial Team and reviewed for factual accuracy against the official AIC Data Incident Settlement website (aicdatasettlement.com) and the court-authorized FAQ and Important Dates pages on April 28, 2026. Last Updated: April 28, 2026

The American International College Data Breach Settlement is a $315,000 class action settlement where eligible individuals whose personal information was compromised in AIC’s November 2023 cyberattack can receive up to $5,000 in documented loss reimbursement, an estimated $50 pro rata cash payment, or two years of free credit monitoring — by filing a claim before July 22, 2026. Cybercriminals targeted AIC’s computer systems in November 2023 and accessed files containing sensitive personal data including Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and financial information. The case, Kelly Shea v. American International College, Case No. 1:24-cv-11449-AK, is pending before the District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

Quick Facts: AIC Data Breach Settlement

Field	Detail
Settlement Amount	$315,000
Claim Deadline	July 22, 2026 (online or postmarked)
Who Qualifies	All U.S. individuals whose personal information was potentially compromised in AIC’s November 2023 data incident, including those who received a breach notice
Payout Per Person	Up to $5,000 for documented losses; estimated ~$50 pro rata cash payment (no proof required); or two years of free credit monitoring
Proof Required	Yes for documented loss reimbursement; no proof required for the pro rata cash payment or credit monitoring
Settlement Status	Preliminarily approved — Final Approval Hearing set for August 6, 2026
Administrator	Simpluris — AIC Data Incident Settlement, c/o Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 25226, Santa Ana, CA 92799 — (833) 386-6521
Official Website	aicdatasettlement.com
Last Updated	April 28, 2026

Current Status of the AIC Data Breach Settlement

• Settlement notices were mailed to class members beginning April 23, 2026. If you received one, your data was identified as part of the incident.
• The opt-out and objection deadline is June 22, 2026. Missing this date locks you into the settlement and waives your right to sue AIC independently over these claims.
• The Final Approval Hearing is August 6, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. Eastern Time, in Room 8 of the District Court for the District of Massachusetts, 1 Courthouse Way, Boston, MA 02210. Payments go out after final approval and the resolution of any appeals.

What Is the American International College Lawsuit About? Kelly Shea v. American International College, Case No. 1:24-cv-11449-AK

In November 2023, cybercriminals carried out a targeted attack on American International College’s computer systems and accessed files containing the private information of an undisclosed number of current and former students, staff, and other individuals connected to the Springfield, Massachusetts institution. The files accessed may have contained Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and financial information — the kind of data that makes identity theft and financial fraud a very real, ongoing risk for anyone affected. Plaintiff Kelly Shea filed a class action lawsuit in the District Court for the District of Massachusetts alleging that AIC failed to implement adequate data security practices to protect the personally identifiable information it held.

AIC denies all allegations and disputes that it would be found liable at trial. Both sides agreed to settle rather than face the cost and uncertainty of continued litigation, which is the standard outcome in most institutional data breach compensation cases of this size. Class Counsel — Cassandra P. Miller of Strauss Borrelli PLLC — was appointed by the court to represent the settlement class at no cost to class members. The court authorized the notice, which means a judge has already reviewed the proposed terms and found them sufficient to proceed toward final approval.

If you received a breach notification letter from American International College in connection with the November 2023 incident, this settlement covers you directly. Anyone who had personal data stored in AIC’s systems during the relevant period and was identified as potentially affected falls within the settlement class. For a sense of how similar small-institution data breach settlements are structured, see our coverage of the $315,000 range settlements like the Cardiovascular Consultants $3.85M data breach settlement, which uses the same tiered benefit structure and was administered by the same court district.

Who Qualifies for the AIC Data Breach Settlement?

If you are trying to figure out whether this class action settlement eligibility applies to you, here is the straightforward breakdown.

You may qualify if:

• You are a U.S. resident whose personal information was potentially compromised in AIC’s November 2023 data incident
• You received a written notice from American International College informing you that your data may have been accessed during the cyberattack
• You were a current or former student, employee, or any other individual whose personal information was stored in AIC’s systems at the time of the breach — even if you have not experienced any documented identity theft or fraud
• You did not receive a notice but believe your data was involved — contact the settlement administrator at (833) 386-6521 to check

You do NOT qualify if:

• You are an AIC officer, director, or employee acting in that capacity, or an immediate family member or judicial staff of the presiding judge
• You submit a valid opt-out request postmarked by June 22, 2026 — opting out removes you from the settlement and all its benefits
• Your personal information was not included in the files affected by the November 2023 incident

If you are unsure whether you are included, reach out to the administrator for free help at any time — they are available 24/7 at (833) 386-6521 or [email protected]. You do not need a consumer rights lawyer to check your eligibility.

How Much Can You Get from the AIC Settlement?

The $315,000 fund covers court-approved attorneys’ fees ($105,000 requested), litigation costs, and a $5,000 service award for the Class Representative first — then the remaining net fund goes to class member payments. There are two cash options and one non-cash benefit, and you can combine the credit monitoring with either cash tier.

Option 1 — Pro Rata Cash Payment (no documentation required): Every eligible class member can claim a proportional share of whatever money remains in the net fund after all other costs and documented claims are paid. The settlement estimates this payment at approximately $50 per person, but that figure can go up or down depending on how many people file. No receipts, no paperwork — just select this option on the claim form. This is the fastest path to getting something from the settlement without gathering any records.

Option 2 — Reimbursement for Out-of-Pocket Losses (up to $5,000 with documentation): If the breach caused you real, verifiable financial harm between November 14, 2023, and July 22, 2026, you can claim up to $5,000 back. Covered expenses include losses from identity theft or fraud, fees to pull your credit report, costs for credit monitoring services you purchased, fees to freeze or unfreeze your credit, expenses to replace compromised IDs, and postage costs to contact banks by mail. You must support your claim with third-party documentation — bank statements, receipts, invoices, or similar records. Personal notes alone will not make a valid claim, but they can support other documentation you provide.

Credit Monitoring (available to all class members in addition to cash): Every class member can also enroll in two years of CyEx Financial Shield Complete at no charge. The package includes fraud and identity theft monitoring, unauthorized financial transaction alerts, monitoring for your personal information appearing in high-risk transactions, $1 million in financial fraud insurance, and access to a fraud resolution agent if anything suspicious is flagged. This benefit stacks on top of whichever cash option you choose — claim both.

Step-by-Step: How to File Your AIC Data Breach Claim

The claim form is short and straightforward. Have your breach notice, bank records, or receipts ready before you start if you are claiming documented losses.

Step 1 — Go to the official claim portal at aicdatasettlement.com and click “Submit a Claim.” This is the only legitimate place to file online — do not use any third-party site.

Step 2 — Enter your personal information: full name, mailing address, contact details, and any identifying information from your breach notification letter if you received one.

Step 3 — Select your benefit option: the pro rata cash payment (~$50, no proof required), the documented loss reimbursement (up to $5,000 with proof), or both options as applicable. Also elect the free credit monitoring if you want it — this does not reduce your cash payment.

Step 4 — If claiming documented losses, upload your supporting records: bank statements, credit card statements, receipts, invoices, or other third-party documentation showing the expense and its connection to the AIC data incident. Personal declarations are not sufficient on their own.

Step 5 — Review your submission and submit online by July 22, 2026. If mailing a paper form, download it from aicdatasettlement.com and ensure it is postmarked no later than July 22, 2026. Mail to: AIC Data Incident Settlement, c/o Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 25226, Santa Ana, CA 92799.

Step 6 — Save your confirmation. Keep copies of everything you submitted in case the administrator requests additional information.

Estimated time to complete: 10 minutes for the pro rata cash option; 20–30 minutes if you are gathering and uploading documentation for the loss reimbursement tier.

Important Deadlines: AIC Data Breach Settlement

Milestone	Date
AIC Cyberattack	November 2023
Lawsuit Filed	2024 — Kelly Shea v. American International College
Notification Mailing to Class Members	April 23, 2026
Opt-Out Deadline	June 22, 2026 (postmarked)
Objection Deadline	June 22, 2026 (filed with court or postmarked)
Claim Filing Deadline	July 22, 2026 (online; or postmarked by mail)
Final Approval Hearing	August 6, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. ET, Room 8, District Court for the District of Massachusetts, Boston, MA
Expected Payment Date	TBD — after final court approval and resolution of any appeals

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a class action lawsuit against American International College?

Yes. The case is Kelly Shea v. American International College, Case No. 1:24-cv-11449-AK, filed in the District Court for the District of Massachusetts. AIC agreed to pay $315,000 to resolve claims that it failed to adequately protect personal information stored in its systems during a November 2023 targeted cyberattack. AIC denies all wrongdoing.

Do I need to do anything right now to be included in the AIC settlement?

Yes — you must actively file a claim by July 22, 2026 to receive any payment or credit monitoring. If you do nothing, you will not receive any benefit and you will lose the right to sue AIC separately for the same claims covered by this settlement.

How much will I get from the AIC data breach settlement?

If you choose the pro rata cash option, the settlement estimates approximately $50 per person — but that amount increases if fewer people file and decreases if more people file. If you have documented losses from the breach, you can claim up to $5,000 with supporting records. Every class member can also add two years of free credit monitoring on top of either cash option.

Do I need a lawyer to file a claim?

No. Cassandra P. Miller of Strauss Borrelli PLLC serves as Class Counsel and represents all class members at no cost. You can file entirely on your own at aicdatasettlement.com. If you suffered significant losses and are considering opting out to pursue an individual identity theft lawsuit against AIC, a free legal consultation with a data privacy attorney may help you evaluate whether that route makes sense before the June 22 opt-out deadline.

When will the AIC settlement pay out?

The Final Approval Hearing is August 6, 2026. If the judge approves the settlement and no one appeals, payments will be distributed after that date — expect at least several months for processing after the hearing. Monitor aicdatasettlement.com for updates.

What if I did not receive a notice from AIC?

You may still qualify. The settlement class includes all U.S. individuals whose personal information was potentially compromised in the November 2023 incident — not only those who received a mailed notice. Contact Simpluris at (833) 386-6521 or [email protected] to confirm whether your data was affected before filing.

Will this settlement payment affect my taxes?

Potentially. The tax treatment of lawsuit settlement checks depends on the nature of the payment and your individual circumstances. This article does not constitute tax advice. Consult a CPA or tax advisor about how to report any payment you receive for the year it arrives.

What happens if I opt out of the AIC settlement?

Opting out by June 22, 2026, preserves your right to file your own lawsuit against AIC for the same claims. You give up all settlement benefits — cash and credit monitoring — and pursue recovery at your own expense. You cannot opt out and also object; the two are mutually exclusive. If you are considering this route because your losses were substantial, speak with a data privacy attorney before the deadline.

Sources & References

• Official Settlement Website: aicdatasettlement.com
• Important Dates: aicdatasettlement.com/dates/
• Court Docket via PACER: Kelly Shea v. American International College, Case No. 1:24-cv-11449-AK, District Court for the District of Massachusetts — ecf.mad.uscourts.gov

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.