University of Southern California (USC) Tuition Payback

USC'S COSTS CONTINUE DURING COVID-19

An anonymous student of the University of Southern California filed a class-action lawsuit seeking to represent all USC students enrolled at the university for the spring 2020 semester to obtain repayment of tuition, room and board and other expenses in light of the outbreak of COVID-19, according to attorneys at Hagens Berman.

The anonymous female student referred to in the lawsuit as Jane Doe is represented by Hagens Berman, which led a landmark sexual harassment class action against USC resulting in a $215 million settlement with the university and its former full-time gynecologist, Dr. George Tyndall. Approximately 18,000 individuals are covered by the settlement. The firm has also recently brought tuition and fee refund suits against Boston University, Brown University, George Washington University and Vanderbilt University, in which students and parents sued their universities.

The class-action lawsuit against USC and its board of trustees has been brought by a fulltime USC student and California resident. The case was filed May 7, 2020, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and accuses the university of breach of contract, unjust enrichment, conversion and violations of the California Business & Professional Code.

ABOUT TUITION AND ROOM AND BOARD CHARGES

According to College Board, published tuition fees for 2018-2019 at state colleges are an average of $10,230 for state residents, and $26,290 for everyone else. This compares to an average of $35,830 at private non-profit colleges. On average, during the 2017-2018 school year, students spent $10,800 on room and board at public four-year institutions. At private non-profit four-year colleges and universities, the average cost goes up to $12,210.

Our legal team is reviewing the rights of those continuing to pay these fees at all higher education institutions in light of the outbreak of COVID-19. Many colleges require students to live in campus dormitories during their first year or two.

YOU AND YOUR COLLEGE STUDENT'S RIGHTS

Hagens Berman is investigating continuing lawsuits that would seek reimbursement for parents and guardians of college students, or college students paying their own tuition and room and board at colleges and universities across the nation. Our investigation is not limited to those already named in litigation. We want to fight for the rights of those who have been charged for room and board and tuition at a college or university, but have been forced to relocate due to the outbreak of COVID-19, with no reimbursement. Hagens Berman believes that institutions of higher learning have no right to keep the room and board and tuition charges given the coronavirus outbreak and lack of options to students. We think parents and guardians, and college students paying tuition and room and board deserve compensation. 

TOP PLAINTIFF RIGHTS FIRM

Hagens Berman is one of the most successful consumer litigation law firms in the U.S. and has achieved more than $320 billion in settlements for consumers in lawsuits against food corporations, automakers, big banks and others. The firm has successfully taken on higher learning institutions as well, achieving hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements for students and alumnae to support campus safety and students' rights. Hagens Berman has achieved many record breaking victories in antitrust matters, and your claim will be handled by attorneys experienced in consumer law.

NO COST TO YOU

There is no cost or fee whatsoever involved in joining this case. In the event Hagens Berman or any other firm obtains a settlement that provides benefits to class members, the court will decide a reasonable fee to be awarded to the class' legal team. In no case will any class member ever be asked to pay any out-of-pocket sum.