University of Florida Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Guide: Steps to File a Claim

Key Points

• The University of Florida class action lawsuit centers on claims that mandatory student service fees were charged during the 2020 COVID-19 campus shutdowns even though associated on-campus services were unavailable.
• As of February 2026, no settlement has been announced, and the case continues in Alachua County Circuit Court following a July 2025 Florida Supreme Court ruling that allowed breach-of-contract claims to proceed.
• Evidence from court records indicates the lawsuit may eventually reach class certification or resolution, but outcomes remain uncertain and depend on further litigation.
• Former UF students from the relevant periods can prepare by gathering records, though no immediate action to file a claim is required.

Overview: Former students at the University of Florida who paid certain fees in spring and summer 2020 may have rights related to services that were not provided due to the shift to remote learning during the early COVID-19 pandemic. The lawsuit does not seek tuition refunds, focusing instead on specific service-related fees. Court documents and news reports confirm the case is active but has not resulted in any payouts or formal settlement to date.

Current Legal Status: The Florida Supreme Court’s 5-2 decision on July 17, 2025, revived the claims after an appeals court had dismissed them on sovereign immunity grounds. The university withdrew its request for rehearing in late August 2025, returning the matter to trial court. Class certification has not yet occurred, and no settlement administrator or claim process exists at this time.

Preparatory Steps for Potential Resolution: Individuals who believe they may be affected should:

• Locate enrollment verification and fee payment records from 2020.
• Monitor official court dockets or reputable legal update sites for notices.
• Avoid unsolicited contacts claiming to represent the settlement, as legitimate updates come through court-approved channels. These steps help position eligible parties to respond quickly if a settlement or judgment creates a claims process.

The University of Florida class action lawsuit has drawn significant attention from former students seeking clarity on potential refunds for fees paid during the 2020 COVID-19 campus disruptions. Filed in April 2021, the case alleges that the university breached contractual obligations by charging mandatory service fees while suspending associated on-campus services. Although no settlement has been reached as of February 2026, the litigation’s progress following key Florida Supreme Court rulings has renewed interest in how affected individuals might participate if a resolution occurs.

This article provides a factual overview based on court records and public reporting, explains the underlying legal principles, and outlines preparatory guidance for potential claim filing. It is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult qualified counsel for personalized guidance and monitor official court sources for updates.

Background & Legal Context

In spring 2020, the University of Florida, like many institutions nationwide, closed its physical campus and transitioned to remote instruction in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Students continued to receive bills that included mandatory fees designated for services such as student activities, health services, transportation (including campus shuttles), athletics, and recreational facilities. These fees are authorized under Florida Statute § 1009.24, which permits universities to assess charges supporting student benefits and programs.

Anthony Rojas, a graduate student at the time, filed the class action in Alachua County Circuit Court (case 01-2021-CA-001124) on behalf of himself and similarly situated students. The complaint asserted breach of contract, arguing that payment of the fees created an enforceable expectation of access to the corresponding services, which were not delivered. An unjust enrichment claim was dismissed early, but the breach-of-contract claim advanced past the university’s initial motion to dismiss.

The University of Florida Board of Trustees raised sovereign immunity as a defense, contending that claims against state entities require an express written contract and that the fee documents did not meet that threshold. The First District Court of Appeal agreed in 2022, reversing the trial court and dismissing the case. Plaintiffs then petitioned the Florida Supreme Court, which accepted jurisdiction on a certified question of great public importance.

This procedural history reflects broader national trends in higher-education litigation during the pandemic, where students at both public and private institutions pursued refunds. In Florida, similar cases against other state universities faced varying outcomes, with some dismissed and others allowed to proceed. The Rojas matter ultimately turned on nuanced interpretations of sovereign-immunity waivers in the context of university-student relationships.

Key Legal Issues Explained

At its core, the University of Florida class action lawsuit tests the boundaries of sovereign immunity and contract law in public higher education. Sovereign immunity generally shields Florida governmental entities, including university boards of trustees, from suits for money damages unless the Legislature has clearly waived that protection. A foundational precedent is Pan-Am Tobacco Corp. v. Department of Corrections, 471 So. 2d 4 (Fla. 1984), which established that immunity is waived for breach of an express, written contract entered pursuant to statutory authority.

The central dispute concerned whether implied covenants—such as the duty of good faith and fair dealing—fall within that waiver when they do not contradict express terms. Plaintiffs maintained that tuition and fee statements, combined with the university’s financial liability agreement and statutory fee-authorization provisions, formed sufficient written contracts incorporating expectations of service delivery. The university countered that no document explicitly promised in-person services or refunds in the event of a campus closure.

On July 17, 2025, the Florida Supreme Court issued a 5-2 opinion quashing the First District’s decision. The majority held that “the waiver-by-contract doctrine does not preclude claims based on the breach of implied covenants or conditions that do not conflict with express contract provisions.” It emphasized that basic contract principles include implied duties of good-faith performance and that courts should not impose “extraordinary specificity” requirements unique to government contracts. The opinion clarified that questions about the precise scope of services authorized under § 1009.24 are merits issues for the trial court, not jurisdictional barriers under sovereign immunity.

A dissent argued that the documents cited by plaintiffs lacked the requisite specificity for a waiver. The majority’s remand returned the case to Alachua County Circuit Court for further proceedings, including potential class certification under Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.220. That rule requires numerosity, commonality, typicality, and adequacy of representation—standards that courts apply rigorously in consumer and education cases.

If certified, the class would likely encompass students enrolled during the affected semesters who paid the relevant fees. Resolution could involve negotiated settlement or trial on liability and damages, with any award potentially including prorated refunds, interest, and attorney fees, though such outcomes are not guaranteed.

Latest Developments or Case Status

Following the Supreme Court mandate issued in September 2025 after the university withdrew its rehearing petition on August 28, 2025, the case resumed in trial court. As of early 2026, no trial date or class-certification hearing has been publicly scheduled, and the university has not issued formal comments on next steps. Public reporting indicates the parties may explore settlement to avoid protracted litigation, consistent with patterns in similar higher-education fee disputes.

No settlement agreement, claims administrator, or distribution plan exists at this time. Court dockets remain the authoritative source for updates. The absence of a settlement means no claim-filing portal or deadline is currently active.

Who Is Affected & Potential Impact

The University of Florida class action lawsuit primarily affects individuals who:

• Were enrolled at UF during the spring 2020 or summer 2020 semesters (or both).
• Paid mandatory service fees categorized for activities, health, transportation, athletics, or recreation.
• Did not receive corresponding on-campus access due to the shutdown.

Tuition itself is excluded from the claims, as online instruction continued. Estimates from similar cases suggest per-student amounts in the range of tens to low hundreds of dollars, depending on fee schedules and enrollment duration, though any recovery would be determined by court approval or settlement terms. Parents or guardians who paid fees on behalf of students may also qualify indirectly through the class mechanism.

If the class is certified and a favorable resolution occurs, thousands of former students could be impacted. Conversely, an unfavorable ruling could limit recovery options for this cohort while influencing fee policies at other Florida public universities. The case underscores ongoing debates about consumer protections in higher education contracts during emergencies.

What This Means Going Forward

The Supreme Court’s clarification on implied covenants strengthens the position of students asserting contractual rights against public universities in Florida. It may encourage clearer fee disclosures and contingency policies in future academic catalogs and billing statements. For the higher-education sector, the case highlights the tension between institutional flexibility during crises and student expectations of value for mandatory charges.

Readers should continue monitoring developments through official channels rather than third-party alerts. If a settlement is reached, a court-approved notice will detail eligibility, claim procedures, and deadlines. Industry observers note that many similar pandemic-era cases have resolved through negotiated distributions administered by neutral third parties to ensure fairness and efficiency.

Conclusion

The University of Florida class action lawsuit illustrates the evolving application of contract and immunity principles to public higher education in Florida. While the Supreme Court’s 2025 ruling removed a significant procedural barrier, the ultimate resolution—whether through settlement, trial, or further appeals—remains pending. Former students have a clear interest in staying informed through verified sources.

By understanding the factual background, legal framework, and practical preparation steps outlined here, affected individuals can navigate the process thoughtfully. Public interest in accountability for pandemic-era campus policies continues, and developments in this matter may shape practices across the state university system.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the University of Florida class action lawsuit about?

It alleges breach of contract regarding mandatory service fees paid for on-campus services that were unavailable during the 2020 COVID-19 shutdowns. The claims focus exclusively on fees, not tuition.

Who qualifies as a potential class member?

Generally, anyone enrolled at UF in spring or summer 2020 who paid the specified service fees. Final class definition, if certified, will be determined by the court.

Has a settlement been reached?

No settlement has been announced or approved as of February 2026. The case remains in active litigation in trial court.

What are the steps to file a claim if a settlement occurs?

1. Await official court-approved notice via mail or email from the settlement administrator.
2. Visit the designated settlement website or use the provided mail-in form.
3. Submit required documentation (e.g., proof of enrollment and fee payment) by the stated deadline.
4. Claims are typically reviewed for eligibility before distribution. Do not respond to unsolicited calls or emails claiming to process claims.

Do I need my own attorney to participate?

No. In a certified class action, class counsel represents the group. Individuals may consult personal counsel to evaluate opt-out rights or separate claims, but participation in a settlement usually does not require separate representation.

What documents should I gather now?

Retain 2020 tuition statements, fee breakdowns, enrollment confirmations, and payment records. Digital copies from UF student portals or bank statements can serve as evidence.

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