California Court Rules Against Students Seeking COVID-Era Tuition Refunds
Grant v. Chapman University :: 2026 :: California Courts of Appeal Decisions :: California Case Law :: California Law :: U.S. Law :: Justia Economic Questions Remain Unanswered TL;DR: A California appeals court ruled that universities made no enforceable promise of in-person education when they charged full tuition but switched to remote learning during COVID-19. However, the decision leaves unresolved questions about market-based pricing that could affect thousands of students and billions in tuition dollars, with legal experts identifying potential grounds for appeal based on the stark price differential between online and residential education. Court Decision Protects Universities But Exposes Pricing Paradox SANTA ANA, Calif. — In a decision with potentially sweeping implications for thousands of students nationwide, the California Court of Appeal has ruled that universities did not breach their contracts when they charged full residential tuition while delivering remote educat...