The Lee University $1.75 million data breach settlement is a proposed deal covering people whose private information may have been compromised in a March 22, 2024 cybersecurity incident. To request benefits, an eligible person must submit a valid claim online by 11:59 p.m.
ET or postmark a mailed claim by August 19, 2026. The settlement is not yet final. The federal court must decide whether to approve it at a September 3, 2026 hearing, according to the court-authorized settlement website.
Official resources:
- Explore the official data from Leeuniversitydatabreachsettlement — Use this primary source to review the underlying data.
- Explore the official data from Midpage — Use this primary source to review the underlying data.
Table of Contents
- Who qualifies to file a claim?
- Which benefit should you request?
- How to submit the claim
- Why the advertised amounts are not guaranteed
- What happens after filing?
Who qualifies to file a claim?
The settlement class includes people whose private information may have been compromised in the Lee University incident. This includes people whom the university notified about the incident.
Court records estimate that the class contains approximately 136,928 people, according to the settlement FAQ and preliminary-approval record. Receiving a notice is strong evidence that a person falls within the described class, but the claim must still be valid. Before filing, check that:.
- Your information may have been involved in Lee University's March 22, 2024 incident.
- You received a settlement or incident notice, if one was sent to you.
- The personal details on your claim match the available records.
- You can document any out-of-pocket losses you request.
Which benefit should you request?
An eligible claimant may request reimbursement of up to $5,000 for documented out-of-pocket losses. The amount can be reduced proportionally if valid claims exceed the money available. As an alternative to loss reimbursement, a claimant may request an estimated $100 cash payment.
That payment is not guaranteed at $100 and may also be adjusted proportionally. Eligible claimants may claim one year of one-bureau credit monitoring. Choose the loss option only if you have documentation supporting the amount claimed. If you lack documented losses, the estimated cash option may be the more practical choice.
How to submit the claim
Claims may be filed online or mailed to Kroll Settlement Administration. Use the official form and instructions available through the court-authorized settlement website.
For a timely submission: Keep a copy of the completed form and supporting records. For an online filing, also retain any confirmation provided after submission.
- Complete every required field on the claim form.
- Select the benefit you are requesting.
- Include the required documentation for an out-of-pocket-loss claim.
- Submit an online claim no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on August 19, 2026.
- Ensure a mailed claim is postmarked by August 19, 2026.
Why the advertised amounts are not guaranteed
The $1.75 million fund is not reserved entirely for claimant payments. It must also cover settlement administration, court-approved attorneys' fees and costs, and service awards, as explained in the official settlement FAQ. The estimated class contains about 136,928 people.
If every estimated class member requested $100, those requests alone would total roughly $13.7 million—far more than the entire fund before other expenses. Actual payments therefore depend on deductions, the number of valid claims, and the benefits requested. A $5,000 loss limit is a maximum, while $100 is an estimate rather than a promised payment.
What happens after filing?
No benefits will be distributed unless the court grants final approval and any appeals are resolved. The September 3, 2026 hearing is an approval hearing, not a guaranteed payment date.
Doing nothing produces no settlement benefit. It also releases the claims covered by the settlement unless the person opted out by the August 4, 2026 deadline.
Sources
- Lee University Data Breach Settlement — Up to $5,000 on OpenClassActions.com — full settlement breakdown, with eligibility, payout tiers and filing steps.
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