University of Southern California USC $2M Late Fee Class Action Settlement, Deadline June 5, 2026

The University of Southern California agreed to pay $2,000,000 to settle a class action lawsuit alleging it illegally charged students late registration fees, late settlement fees, and monthly finance charges. If USC charged you any of these fees between July 14, 2016, and March 4, 2026, and you never received a full refund or waiver, you may claim up to $225. The claim deadline is June 5, 2026.

Quick Facts

Field	Detail
Settlement Amount	$2,000,000
Claim Deadline	June 5, 2026
Who Qualifies	Current or former USC students charged late registration fees, late settlement fees, or monthly finance charges, July 14, 2016–March 4, 2026, without a full refund or waiver
Payout Per Person	30% of your total unwaived late fees, up to $225 maximum
Proof Required	No — claim form requires attestation only; USC’s records determine your amount
Settlement Status	Preliminarily approved — final fairness hearing July 1, 2026
Administrator	Simpluris
Official Website	USCFeeSettlement.com

Current Status & What Happens Next

• The court has preliminarily approved the settlement. The final fairness hearing is scheduled for July 1, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. PDT at the Spring Street Courthouse, Department 15, Los Angeles.
• The opt-out and objection deadlines are both May 4, 2026 — one month before the claim deadline.
• Payments will go out after the court grants final approval at the July 1 hearing and after any appeals are resolved.

What Is the USC Late Fee Lawsuit About?

USC charged students three types of fees when accounts were not paid on time: late registration fees for enrolling after the payment deadline, late settlement fees for unpaid balances, and monthly finance charges on overdue amounts. Two former USC students, Alejandra Chaisson and Grace Chong, filed a class action lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court in 2020 alleging these fees violated California law.

The plaintiffs argued that USC’s late fees are unlawful penalties that California Civil Code §1671 voids and makes unenforceable. They also alleged the fees constitute unlawful forfeitures under California Civil Code §3275 and unfair business practices under California Business & Professions Code §§17200. In plain terms, the lawsuit claims USC used fees as a punishment rather than a legitimate cost recovery — which California law prohibits.

The case is captioned Chaisson, et al. v. University of Southern California, Case No. 20STCV27062, in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. USC denies all allegations and maintains its fees fully comply with California law. Both parties agreed to settle to avoid the risk and expense of continued litigation.

Who Is Eligible to File a Claim?

The settlement covers all current and former USC students who were charged qualifying late fees during the class period. Specifically:

• You may qualify if USC charged you one or more late registration fees, late settlement fees, or monthly finance charges at any point between July 14, 2016 and March 4, 2026.
• You may qualify if you did not receive a full refund or waiver of those fees from USC.
• You may qualify if USC’s records identify you as a class member and you received a settlement notice by email or mail containing your unique Class Member ID.
• You do not qualify if someone else paid your fees on your behalf — only the enrolled student USC charged the fees to can submit a claim and receive a payment.
• You do not qualify if you are a judicial officer assigned to this case.

If you are unsure whether you qualify, contact the settlement administrator at (833) 647-9101 or [email protected].

Related article: Gores Guggenheim SPAC $25M Settlement Claim by June 17, 2026, Did You Hold GGPI Stock Before the Polestar Merger?

How Much Can You Receive?

Your payment equals 30% of the total late fees USC charged you during the class period, after subtracting any amounts USC already waived, wrote off, or previously refunded. The maximum payment per class member is $225.00.

For example, if USC charged you $400 in total late fees with no waivers, your payment would be 30% of $400 = $120. If USC charged you $800 in total late fees, 30% equals $240 — but the cap brings it down to $225.

USC calculates your payment amount using its own financial records. You do not need to submit documentation. If you believe USC’s records are inaccurate, you can submit a written dispute to the settlement administrator along with supporting documents by the June 5, 2026 claim deadline.

Important cap note: If the total of all approved claims across all class members exceeds $2,000,000, the settlement administrator will reduce each payment proportionally so the combined total stays within the fund. File early to ensure your claim is processed.

Additional benefits for all class members (no claim required): For two years after the settlement takes effect, USC will waive at least 30% of all late fees assessed to students. USC will also pause all new monthly finance charges for 10 weeks starting within 180 days of the settlement’s effective date. These benefits apply automatically to all class members — no action needed to receive them.

USC will pay attorneys’ fees and expenses of up to $1,135,000 and service awards of $4,000 each to the two named plaintiffs separately from the $2,000,000 class member fund. These costs do not reduce what class members can claim.

How to File a Claim

Step 1 — Visit the official claim portal at USCFeeSettlement.com/form/claim. Log in using the unique Class Member ID included in the settlement notice emailed or mailed to you.

Step 2 — If you cannot locate your unique ID, email [email protected] with your full name and mailing address to request your login credentials well before the deadline.

Step 3 — Review the late fee amount USC’s records show for your account. If the amount looks wrong, prepare any supporting documents before you submit — bank statements, USC billing records, or account printouts.

Step 4 — Complete the claim form, attesting under penalty of perjury that you are a current or former USC student whom USC charged late fees during the class period. Select your preferred payment method: USC account credit, PayPal, Zelle, or check by mail.

Step 5 — Submit your claim online by June 5, 2026, or download the PDF form, sign it, and mail it postmarked by June 5, 2026, to: Chaisson v. University of Southern California, c/o Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 25226, Santa Ana, CA 92799.

Step 6 — Save a copy of your confirmation email or mailed form. If you move or change bank accounts before receiving payment, update your information with the administrator at the address above.

Estimated time to complete: 5 minutes online.

Important Deadlines & Dates

Milestone	Date
Class Period Begins	July 14, 2016
Lawsuit Filed	July 20, 2020
Class Period Ends	March 4, 2026
Preliminary Approval Granted	TBD — confirmed as granted per settlement website
Opt-Out Deadline	May 4, 2026
Objection Deadline	May 4, 2026
Claim Filing Deadline	June 5, 2026
Final Fairness Hearing	July 1, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. PDT
Expected Payment Date	TBD — after final approval and resolution of any appeals

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a lawyer to file a claim in the USC late fee settlement? 

No. Class Counsel — Smith Krivoshey, PC and Bursor & Fisher, P.A. — already represents all class members at no cost. Filing takes about 5 minutes online using your unique Class Member ID. You may hire your own attorney at your own expense, but it is not necessary to file a claim.

Is the USC late fee settlement legitimate? 

Yes. This is a court-supervised class action in Los Angeles Superior Court, Case No. 20STCV27062. The official website is USCFeeSettlement.com, administered by Simpluris. You can also reach the administrator at (833) 647-9101 or [email protected].

When will I receive my USC settlement payment? 

Payments go out after the court grants final approval at the July 1, 2026 fairness hearing and after any appeals resolve. USC must fund the payments within 30 days of the settlement’s effective date. Check USCFeeSettlement.com for updates on the payment timeline.

What if I missed the USC late fee settlement claim deadline?

 If you do not submit a valid claim by June 5, 2026, you will not receive a cash payment. However, unless you formally opt out by May 4, 2026, you remain in the class and still benefit from the automatic late fee waiver and finance charge pause — you just forfeit your right to a cash payment and to sue USC separately.

Will my USC settlement payment affect my taxes? 

It may. Settlement payments representing a refund of fees you previously paid may not be taxable, but each person’s tax situation is different. Neither Class Counsel, USC, nor the settlement administrator can advise you on tax consequences. Consult a tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.

What if I still owe money to USC — will my payment go toward my balance? 

Yes. If your USC student account has a positive balance (meaning you owe USC money) at the time USC funds the payments, USC will apply your settlement payment as a credit to your account rather than sending it to you directly. For accounts with a zero or negative balance, you will receive your payment in your chosen method — PayPal, Zelle, or check.

What if I paid the late fees but someone else — like my parents — actually sent the money to USC?

 Only the student enrolled at USC matters for eligibility — not who physically paid the fees. Even if a parent, guardian, or anyone else paid your late fees on your behalf, you — the student — are the class member and the only person who can file a claim and receive a payment.

Can I dispute the late fee amount USC has on record for my account? 

Yes. Submit a written dispute to the settlement administrator along with supporting documents — such as USC billing records or bank statements — by the June 5, 2026 claim deadline. The settlement administrator has sole and final authority to resolve all disputes. You can review your USC account history through USC’s standard online student portal.

Sources & References

• USCFeeSettlement.com — Official Settlement Website
• USCFeeSettlement.com — Full FAQ Page
• Los Angeles Superior Court — Case No. 20STCV27062, Chaisson, et al. v. University of Southern California

Last Updated: March 22, 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.