Important: Final approval hearing scheduled for May 21, 2025 at 1:30 PM. Learn more

Welcome to the official Troia v. North Central College Settlement website

If you were enrolled as an undergraduate student at North Central College for the Spring 2020 semester, you may be eligible for benefits from this class action settlement.

Important Notice

This is the official website for the Settlement in Troia v. North Central College. This website will be updated with important information about the settlement. Please check back regularly for updates.

Quick Actions:

Settlement Status

The Court has preliminarily approved the Settlement. The Court will hold a "Fairness Hearing" on May 21, 2025 at 1:30 P.M. CT to consider the Settlement.

If you are eligible and the Court approves the Settlement, you will receive a portion of the Net Settlement Fund on a pro rata basis. The relief provided to the Settlement Class will be provided only if the Court gives final approval to the Settlement and, if there are any appeals, after the appeals are resolved in favor of the Settlement.

What is this Settlement about?

Plaintiff Alena Troia commenced a putative class action in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois alleging breach of contract and unjust enrichment claims related to North Central's transition of in-person instruction and other educational services to a virtual environment during a portion of the Spring 2020 semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related state and local public health mandates and orders.

The lawsuit alleges that North Central College violated the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act and breached its student enrollment contract by switching from in-person instruction to online instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Plaintiff alleges that when she and other class members paid tuition and fees for the Spring 2020 semester, they did so with the understanding that they would receive in-person instruction and access to on-campus facilities and services.

North Central College denies Plaintiff's allegations and that it has done anything wrong. No court has decided which side is right. The settlement has been reached to avoid ongoing litigation costs and going to trial. Class Members will receive relief now rather than years from now, if at all.

Who is included?

You are a member of the Settlement Class if:

You were enrolled as an undergraduate student during the Spring 2020 semester who registered for at least one in-person class at North Central College and who paid tuition or fees, or on whose behalf tuition or fees were paid.

The Court certified a Settlement Class in this case:

  • All enrolled undergraduate students during the Spring 2020 semester who registered for at least one in-person class at North Central College and who paid tuition or fees, or on whose behalf tuition or fees were paid.

If you are still not sure whether you are included in the Settlement Class, you can visit the website www.NorthCentralTuitionFeeSettlement.com, call toll free 1-800-355-0700, or write to 18 Technology Drive, Suite 154, Irvine, CA 92618 for more information.

How do I participate in the Settlement?

To receive a payment, you must file a claim by April 9, 2025.

If you do nothing and the Court approves the Settlement, you will receive a portion of the Net Settlement Fund on a pro rata basis.

If you would like to receive your portion of the Net Settlement through digital means such as Venmo, PayPal, or Zelle instead of a physical check, or to update your address, then you must submit the Election Form via the settlement website at www.NorthCentralTuitionFeeSettlement.com.

The Court in charge of this case still has to decide whether to approve the Settlement. Payments will be made if the Court approves the Settlement and after any appeals are resolved. Please be patient.

Your Legal Rights and Options in this Settlement

Action & Due Date Explanation

DO NOTHING

Deadline: April 9, 2025

  • Receive the benefits in the Settlement.
  • If you do nothing and the Court approves the Settlement, you will receive a portion of the Net Settlement Fund on a pro rata basis.
  • If you would like to receive your payment through digital means, you must submit the Election Form on the settlement website.

EXCLUDE YOURSELF

Deadline: April 9, 2025

  • Get out of this Settlement and get no money.
  • If you ask to be excluded from the Settlement, you are not eligible to share in the benefits of the Settlement.
  • Instead, you will keep any rights to sue North Central separately over the legal claims in this Action.

OBJECT

Deadline: April 9, 2025

  • Challenge the Settlement.
  • You may file a written objection telling the Court why you object to the Settlement and think it should not be approved.
  • Submitting an objection does not exclude you from the Settlement.

ATTEND THE HEARING

May 21, 2025 at 1:30 P.M.

  • Go to Court.
  • The Court will hold a "Fairness Hearing" to consider the Settlement, the request for attorneys' fees and costs, and the Plaintiff's request for a Service Award.
  • You may, but are not required to, speak at the Fairness Hearing about any objection you filed to the Settlement.
  • If you intend to speak at the Fairness Hearing, you must also submit a "Notice of Intention to Appear" indicating your intent to do so.

These rights and options—and the deadlines to exercise them—are explained in the Notice. The deadlines may be changed, so please check this website for updates and further details.