Johns Hopkins to Pay Students Back $6M in Tuition For Semester of Pandemic Remote Learning

A Maryland judge has ordered Johns Hopkins University to pay $6 million to students affected by the shift to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ruling follows a lawsuit filed by student Elena Botts, who alleged the university breached its contract by ceasing in-person education and access to campus facilities in March 2020. Botts sought prorated tuition refunds and fee reimbursements for herself and other students during the period affected by the switch to remote learning.

Under the court order, Johns Hopkins must distribute $6 million to students who were enrolled during that semester and have not yet received refunds.

"We are very confident in the quality of the education and services we provided to our students throughout the pandemic, including through a variety of financial, academic, and other supports. We do not agree with the merits of this suit, but we are pleased to see it resolved," the university told 11 News in a Wednesday statement.