The University of Southern California is dealing with several major lawsuits at once. Two of them have active settlements that may put money in former or current students’ hands: a $10 million class action over Spring 2020 tuition and a $2 million class action over late fees. A third set of cases, the George Tyndall sexual abuse claims, produced more than $1.1 billion in settlements that have already been distributed. Separate litigation over USC’s online social work program and the 2019 Varsity Blues admissions scandal is still working through the courts. Here is where each USC lawsuit stands and what any affected student needs to know.
Spring 2020 Tuition Refund Settlement
USC agreed to pay $10 million to resolve a class action brought by six students who alleged the university should have refunded tuition and fees after it moved to remote instruction in Spring 2020. The case, In re University of Southern California Tuition and Fees COVID-19 Refund Litigation, was filed in May 2020 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.1CourtListener. In Re University of Southern California Tuition and Fees COVID-19 Refund The plaintiffs claimed students paid for in-person instruction and campus services they never received.2USC Remote Learning Lawsuit. FAQs
Who Is Covered
The class includes anyone who paid or was obligated to pay tuition, fees, or other costs to USC for the Spring 2020 term. Students already enrolled in programs that were fully online before March 10, 2020, are excluded.3ClassAction.org. $10M University of Southern California Settlement Ends Class Action Seeking Refunds for Spring 2020 COVID-19 Tuition An estimated 45,000 students qualify.4Daily Trojan. USC Reaches $10M Settlement COVID Tuition Refunds
How Much Each Person Gets
No per-student figure has been published. Several deductions come off the $10 million fund before anything is divided: class counsel can request up to one-third (about $3.33 million) in fees and expenses, each of the six class representatives can receive up to $10,000, and administration costs are paid off the top.5ClassAction.org. In Re University of Southern California Tuition Notice What remains is split equally among class members who did not opt out. With roughly 45,000 eligible students, individual payouts will be modest.
What You Have to Do
Nothing. Payments go out automatically by check to the last address USC has on file. The window to change your mailing address or request Venmo or PayPal payment through the settlement website closed on February 20, 2026, which was also the deadline to opt out or object.6USC Remote Learning Lawsuit. Home Checks must be cashed within 180 days; anything uncashed is directed to the USC Student Basic Needs Fund.4Daily Trojan. USC Reaches $10M Settlement COVID Tuition Refunds
Timing
The final approval hearing was held April 24, 2026, and court records show the case was terminated that day.1CourtListener. In Re University of Southern California Tuition and Fees COVID-19 Refund Payments are expected roughly 70 days after final approval becomes effective and any appeals are resolved.4Daily Trojan. USC Reaches $10M Settlement COVID Tuition Refunds
Late-Fee Settlement (Chaisson v. USC)
A second active settlement covers late fees. In Chaisson v. University of Southern California, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, two students alleged that USC’s late registration fees, late settlement fees, and monthly finance charges are unlawful penalties under California law.7ClassAction.org. Chaisson et al v USC Notice USC denies the allegations and admits no liability.8Daily Trojan. USC Late Fees Lawsuit Settlement
Who Is Covered
All current and former USC students charged one or more late fees between July 14, 2016, and March 4, 2026, who did not receive a full refund or waiver.7ClassAction.org. Chaisson et al v USC Notice
Payouts and Deadlines
USC will fund $2 million for claims. Class members who filed a valid claim by June 5, 2026, can recover 30% of their unreimbursed late fees, capped at $225 per person, with proportional reductions if claims exceed the fund.9USC Fee Settlement. FAQ Unlike the tuition settlement, this one required a claim form. USC also agreed to waive or decline to assess 30% of late fees for two years and to pause new finance charges for ten weeks. Attorney fees up to $1,135,000 and $4,000 service awards for each named plaintiff are paid separately and do not reduce the claims fund. The opt-out and objection deadline was May 4, 2026, and the fairness hearing is set for July 1, 2026. Any payout timing depends on final approval and the resolution of any appeals.8Daily Trojan. USC Late Fees Lawsuit Settlement
George Tyndall Sexual Abuse Settlements
The largest civil liability in USC’s history came from allegations against George Tyndall, a gynecologist at the student health center from 1989 to 2016. Across two settlements, USC paid more than $1.1 billion to former patients.10NBC News. USC Agrees $1.1 Billion Settlement Hundreds Women Alleging Abuse Both settlements have been fully distributed; new claims are not being accepted.
The federal class action resolved for $215 million, with 16,019 claimants receiving tiered payments. Every class member received a $2,500 base payment, with additional amounts of $7,500 to $250,000 depending on participation and the nature of the claim.11ABC News. University of Southern California’s $1.1 Billion Sex Abuse12USC. FAQ Regarding George Tyndall Global Settlement in State Court
The state court settlement, reached in March 2021 for 710 women who had opted out of the federal class, totaled $852 million. Each plaintiff was entitled to at least $250,000, with an average payout of roughly $1.2 million. USC says 761 plaintiffs were ultimately compensated through the state process, and the civil litigation is concluded.10NBC News. USC Agrees $1.1 Billion Settlement Hundreds Women Alleging Abuse12USC. FAQ Regarding George Tyndall Global Settlement in State Court Tyndall was charged criminally in 2019 but died in October 2023 before trial, and the criminal case was dismissed in February 2024.13ABC7. George Tyndall USC Gynecologist Sexual Assault Trial
Online Social Work Program Lawsuits
Two separate class actions target USC’s online Master of Social Work program and its former partnership with the for-profit online program manager 2U. Neither has produced a settlement, so there is nothing to claim at this point.
Luna v. USC, filed in May 2023 in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleges misrepresentation, false advertising, and deceptive business practices. Plaintiffs say USC marketed the online MSW as the “same” program as the on-campus version while outsourcing significant portions to 2U, that 2U recruiters posed as USC employees and used high-pressure tactics, and that the program was deliberately marketed to people of color for revenue. Students paid more than $100,000 in tuition for what the complaint describes as an inferior program with different faculty, pre-recorded coursework, and outsourced career services.14Project on Predatory Student Lending. Luna v USC A class certification hearing was set for May 2026, and a related federal case has already been certified as a class action.15Higher Ed Dive. Graduates of USC’s Online Social Work Masters Sue Alleging Misrepresentation
Favell v. USC and 2U, filed in December 2022, focuses on the USC Rossier School of Education. The complaint alleges USC and 2U submitted erroneous data to U.S. News & World Report to inflate program rankings, then used those rankings to recruit students and justify premium tuition. The complaint also states that 2U received roughly 60% of all tuition revenue from USC’s online students.16Higher Ed Dive. USC 2U Misled Online Students US News Rankings Lawsuit17ClassAction.org. Favell et al v University of Southern California et al 2U called the allegations “baseless and frivolous.” USC and 2U announced in November 2023 that they would wind down their partnership across most online degree programs, but the split did not resolve the pending lawsuits.18Higher Ed Dive. 2U USC Part Ways Online Degrees
Admissions Scandal Lawsuits
Class actions filed by rejected applicants after the 2019 “Operation Varsity Blues” admissions bribery scandal did not survive. In June 2020, U.S. District Judge Edward J. Davila dismissed those suits, ruling that no plaintiff alleged they were competing for the specific athletic recruitment spots at the center of the fraud.19Top Class Actions. Judge Tosses Rejected College Applicants Class Action Following Varsity Blues Scandal There is no claims process for rejected applicants.
One Varsity Blues suit is still active. John Wilson, a parent whose fraud, conspiracy, and bribery convictions were unanimously overturned by the First Circuit in May 2023, sued USC in Los Angeles Superior Court in February 2025.20La Grande Observer. Exonerated Varsity Blues Parent Challenges USC’s Wrongdoing False Testimony Wilson alleges USC engaged in “systematic deceit” and provided false testimony during his criminal trial about admissions policies and his son’s status on the water polo team. He is seeking damages over $75 million. USC says the suit has no merit, and the case is ongoing.21KTLA. Father Sues USC Netflix Over Varsity Blues Scandal After His Conviction Was Overturned
Related Criminal Matter: Former Social Work Dean
Marilyn Flynn, the former dean of USC’s School of Social Work, pleaded guilty in September 2022 to one count of bribery and was sentenced in July 2023 to three years of probation, including 18 months of home confinement, and ordered to pay $150,000. She admitted funneling $100,000 from the campaign account of Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas through USC to a nonprofit run by his son in exchange for help renewing a county contract.22Los Angeles Times. Marilyn Flynn USC Dean Ridley-Thomas Sentenced23Courthouse News Service. Former USC Dean Gets 18 Months Home Confinement in Bribery Case This is a criminal case against an individual, not a civil claim against USC, and there is no class or claims process attached to it.