$319M College Financial Aid Antitrust Settlements

The court approved the first distribution for ten university settlements on July 2, 2026. Electronic payments were initiated July 20, and physical checks were scheduled to be mailed by July 24; the Caltech and Johns Hopkins settlements follow a separate approved track.

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Approved Settlements · Distributions Underway

$319M College Financial Aid Antitrust Settlements

Published December 3, 2025
Updated July 26, 2026

The court approved the first distribution for ten university settlements on July 2, 2026. Electronic payments were initiated July 20, and physical checks were scheduled to be mailed by July 24; the Caltech and Johns Hopkins settlements follow a separate approved track.

$319M College Financial Aid Antitrust Settlements

Current Status

The court approved the first distribution for ten university settlements on July 2, 2026. Electronic payments were initiated July 20, and physical checks were scheduled to be mailed by July 24; the Caltech and Johns Hopkins settlements follow a separate approved track.

StatusFirst Distribution Initiated · Additional Settlements Pending DistributionSee the current-status update above.
Claim DeadlineDecember 27, 2025New claims are not currently accepted.
Settlement Fund$319.25 million across 12 settlementsApproved deductions and allocation terms may apply.
Potential BenefitVaries under allocation planEligibility and payment terms apply.

What Happened?

The lawsuit alleged that participating universities conspired in financial-aid practices that increased net attendance prices for students receiving need-based aid. Settling universities denied wrongdoing and liability.

Who Was Covered?

The settlement class generally includes qualifying U.S. citizens and permanent residents who attended covered universities during the applicable periods and received need-based financial aid that did not cover the full cost of attendance.

What Benefits Were Available?

Ten settlements totaling $284 million entered an initial distribution in July 2026. Separate approved Caltech and Johns Hopkins settlements add $35.25 million, bringing the covered total to $319.25 million.

Claims and Payment Information

The court approved the first distribution for ten university settlements on July 2, 2026. Electronic payments were initiated July 20, and physical checks were scheduled to be mailed by July 24; the Caltech and Johns Hopkins settlements follow a separate approved track. People with an existing claim or notice should rely on claim-specific communications and the official source.

Official information is available at Financial Aid Antitrust Settlements.

Important Dates

• Caltech and Johns Hopkins claim deadline: December 27, 2025
• First-distribution approval: July 2, 2026
• Electronic payments initiated: July 20, 2026
• Checks scheduled for mailing: July 24, 2026

Settlement Fund and Legal Fees

Administration, legal fees, expenses, benefit payments, and other approved deductions are governed by the official documents and court orders and can affect individual benefits.

Case Information

Henry, et al. v. Brown University, et al.
1:22-cv-00125
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Sources

• Official program or court-authorized information: Financial Aid Antitrust Settlements

For more class actions keep scrolling below.
Settlement Fund $319.25 million across 12 settlements
Case Title Henry, et al. v. Brown University, et al.
Case Number 1:22-cv-00125
Court U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Claim Deadline December 27, 2025
Status First Distribution Initiated · Additional Settlements Pending Distribution

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