$2.2M Drexel University Covid Tuition Settlement, You Paid Drexel for In-Person Classes in Spring 2020, They Went Online Get Your Automatic Payment 

Drexel University COVID Settlement is a breach of contract class action where students who paid tuition and/or fees for the Spring 2020 term at Drexel University — and then had their in-person classes moved online due to COVID-19 — can receive a pro-rata cash payment with no claim form required. Former Drexel student Joshua Deller sued the university in 2023, arguing it kept full tuition for an in-person experience it never delivered after closing its campus in March 2020. Drexel denies any wrongdoing. The case — Deller v. Drexel University, Case No. 2:23-cv-03746 — is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania before Judge Joshua D. Wolson, who granted preliminary approval on March 19, 2026. The Final Approval Hearing is set for August 5, 2026.

Drexel COVID Tuition Settlement — Quick Facts

Field	Detail
Settlement Amount	$2,200,000
Claim Deadline	No claim form required — payment is automatic
Who Qualifies	Drexel students enrolled Spring 2020 who paid any tuition and/or fees for that term
Payout Per Person	Pro-rata share of Net Settlement Fund — divided equally among all class members
Estimated Class Size	Up to 16,576 students
Proof Required	No
Settlement Status	Preliminarily approved — final hearing August 5, 2026
Administrator	RG/2 Claims Administration LLC
Official Website	DrexelCovidSettlement.com
Opt-Out / Objection Deadline	June 25, 2026
Last Updated	May 13, 2026

Current Status

• Preliminary approval was granted by Judge Joshua D. Wolson on March 19, 2026.
• The Final Approval Hearing is scheduled for August 5, 2026 at the James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse, 601 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106.
• Payments will be distributed within 60 days of the date the settlement becomes final after that hearing.
• Class Counsel’s fee application — up to one-third of the settlement fund — must be filed by June 11, 2026.

Why Is Drexel Paying? Deller v. Drexel University, No. 2:23-cv-03746

In March 2020, Drexel University shut down its Philadelphia campus and moved all classes online in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Students who had enrolled for the Spring 2020 term — and paid full tuition expecting labs, in-person lectures, campus facilities, and all the access that comes with on-campus university life — suddenly got none of it.

Joshua Deller filed this consumer fraud lawsuit in 2023 arguing that when students paid Drexel’s tuition and fees, they were entering into a contract for an in-person educational experience. That included not just instruction, but campus access, student services, and facilities. Drexel delivered none of those things in Spring 2020 and kept the money anyway. The lawsuit asserted claims for breach of contract and unjust enrichment — two of the most straightforward legal theories in consumer litigation. Drexel’s defense was that students were notified the term would be online before it started and had the option to withdraw for a full tuition refund. Judge Wolson found the case complex enough that class certification would face real challenges, which is part of why both sides agreed to settle rather than roll the dice at trial.

This case is part of a nationwide wave of COVID-19 tuition refund class actions against universities. Dozens of similar cases have settled across the country, including a $3.25 million settlement with the University of Minnesota. Drexel’s settlement covers as many as 16,576 students. For more on how COVID tuition lawsuits have played out nationally, see our coverage of class action settlements you can claim in 2026 at AllAboutLawyer.com.

Were You a Drexel Spring 2020 Student? Here Is How to Know If You Qualify

This is one of the simplest eligibility checks in any class action. The class is defined broadly — if you were there and you paid, you are almost certainly in.

You may qualify if:

• You were enrolled as a student at Drexel University during the Spring 2020 term
• You paid any portion of your tuition and/or fees for that term — even a partial payment
• Your tuition was not entirely funded by Drexel itself (i.e., you or financial aid sources outside Drexel covered at least some of the cost)

You do NOT qualify if:

• Drexel fully funded your tuition and fees with no payment obligation on your part
• You were not enrolled at Drexel during the Spring 2020 term specifically

Not sure if Drexel has your current address on file? That is the most important thing to check right now. Visit DrexelCovidSettlement.com or the election form portal at claimsettlementportal.com to update your address or switch to electronic payment. You will need the Class Member ID and PIN from the notice you received. If you did not receive a notice but believe you qualify, contact the Settlement Administrator at 1-866-742-4955 or [email protected].

How Much Will You Get from the Drexel COVID Settlement?

The $2,200,000 settlement fund pays several things before class members see a dollar:

• Attorneys’ fees: Up to one-third of the fund ($733,333)
• Litigation costs: Documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Class Counsel
• Class representative award: Up to $10,000 for Joshua Deller
• Administration costs: Projected to not exceed $50,000

What remains — the Net Settlement Fund — gets divided equally among all eligible class members. With up to 16,576 students in the class, and assuming maximum fees and costs are approved, the per-person payment is estimated to be in the range of $85–$95 per student. The exact amount will be confirmed after the August 5, 2026 Final Approval Hearing and will depend on how many class members are ultimately confirmed and what the court approves for fees.

Your payment is the same regardless of whether you were a full-time or part-time student, or how much tuition you personally paid — the Net Settlement Fund is split equally per class member, not proportionally by tuition paid. This legal settlement payout requires zero action from you to receive it.

You Do Not Need to File a Claim — But You Should Still Act Now

This is a settlement where your payment arrives automatically. If you do nothing, Drexel’s records will determine your eligibility and a check will be mailed to your last known permanent address on file with the University Registrar. There is no claim form to submit.

However, there are two things worth doing before the deadline:

Option 1 — Update your mailing address: If you have moved since Spring 2020 — and after five years, most people have — Drexel’s records likely have an old address. A check mailed to the wrong address is a payment you will never see. Update your address now at the election form portal: claimsettlementportal.com.

Option 2 — Switch to Venmo or PayPal: If you prefer electronic payment — which arrives faster than a paper check — you can elect this option at the same portal. You need your Class Member ID and PIN from the notice Drexel mailed or emailed you.

Both of these actions must be completed no later than 45 days after the Effective Date — which will be posted on DrexelCovidSettlement.com after the August 5 hearing. Do not wait — take 5 minutes now to make sure your payment lands correctly.

Key Dates for the Drexel COVID Tuition Settlement

Milestone	Date
Lawsuit Filed	September 26, 2023
Preliminary Approval Granted	March 19, 2026
Class Counsel Fee Motion Filed	By June 11, 2026
Opt-Out / Objection Deadline	June 25, 2026
Final Approval Hearing	August 5, 2026
Payment Distribution	Within 60 days of the settlement becoming final

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there really a class action settlement against Drexel University for COVID? 

Yes. Deller v. Drexel University, Case No. 2:23-cv-03746, is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Judge Joshua D. Wolson granted preliminary approval on March 19, 2026. The $2,200,000 settlement covers Drexel students who paid tuition or fees for the Spring 2020 term when classes moved online due to COVID-19.

Do I need to submit a claim form to get paid? 

No. Payment is automatic. Your check will be mailed to the address Drexel has on file for you. The only action needed is updating your address or switching to electronic payment at DrexelCovidSettlement.com — and only if your contact details have changed since Spring 2020.

How much money will each Drexel student receive? 

The Net Settlement Fund — after attorneys’ fees of up to one-third, up to $10,000 for the class representative, and up to $50,000 in administrative costs — will be split equally among all confirmed class members. With up to 16,576 students eligible, individual payments are estimated in the range of $85–$95. The exact amount will be set after August 5, 2026.

When will I receive my Drexel settlement payment?

 Payments go out within 60 days of the settlement becoming final after the August 5, 2026 Final Approval Hearing. If you want to make sure your payment arrives without delay, update your address or elect electronic payment at the settlement portal now — do not wait until after the hearing.

What if I did not receive a notice from Drexel about this settlement?

 If you were enrolled at Drexel during Spring 2020 and paid any tuition or fees, you should have received notice by mail or email. If you did not, contact RG/2 Claims Administration LLC at 1-866-742-4955 or [email protected] to verify your eligibility and ensure Drexel has your current contact information.

Can I opt out of the Drexel settlement and file my own lawsuit?

 Yes, but you must act by June 25, 2026. Mail a written opt-out request to Deller v. Drexel University, c/o RG/2 Claims Administration LLC, P.O. Box 59479, Philadelphia, PA 19102-9479. Be aware that the statute of limitations may affect your ability to bring an independent claim — consult a consumer rights lawyer before opting out.

Does it matter how much tuition I paid or whether I was full-time or part-time?

 No. The Net Settlement Fund is divided equally among all class members regardless of how much tuition each individual paid or their enrollment status. Every qualifying Spring 2020 student receives the same amount.

Will this settlement payment be taxable? 

Payments from tuition refund class action settlements may or may not be taxable depending on your individual tax situation. Some legal experts treat these as a return of costs rather than income, but there is no universal rule. Consult a tax professional with questions about how to report your payment.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, consult a qualified attorney.

Prepared by the AllAboutLawyer.com Editorial Team, reviewed for factual accuracy against official court documents in Case No. 2:23-cv-03746 (E.D. Pa.) and the settlement notice at DrexelCovidSettlement.com on May 13, 2026. Last Updated: May 13, 2026