Estimated reading time: 8 minutes.
Key facts
- Case: Brand v. The University of Phoenix, Inc., No. 2026LA000170, Circuit Court of Sangamon County, Illinois, Seventh Judicial Circuit, before Judge Gail L. Noll.
- Settlement: Each approved claim is worth $25, reduced proportionally only if total settlement costs reach a cap of $8.75 million. The university denies wrongdoing.
- Who is included: People in the United States enrolled at the University of Phoenix from April 1, 2023 through the date class notice went out, plus people in Illinois enrolled from April 1, 2020 through that date.
- Deadline: November 5, 2026 to file a claim, opt out, or object.
- How to claim: The online form asks for the Login ID and PIN from your email notice. If you did not get one, the administrator says to email info@UOPPixelSettlement.com.
- Final approval hearing: November 20, 2026 at 9:30 a.m., held by Zoom.
- Also in the deal: The university will tell people who enroll through phoenix.edu that the site uses cookies and similar tools, through a banner and its privacy policy.
In this article
- What the settlement offers
- Who the parties are
- What the lawsuit alleges
- The privacy laws behind the claims
- How the case moved so quickly
- Who qualifies and how to file
- How the $25 payment could change
- Your other options
- What happens next
- Frequently asked questions
What the settlement offers
Current and former University of Phoenix students have until November 5, 2026 to claim $25 from a class action settlement over tracking technology on the university's websites. The case alleges that the school shared students' personal information with Meta and other companies without consent.
The settlement agreement sets a flat cash benefit. Each class member who files a valid claim is entitled to $25. That amount drops only if the total cost of the settlement reaches what the agreement calls the Gross Maximum Funding, which is $8.75 million.
The settlement also includes a non-cash change. The University of Phoenix agreed to notify people in the United States who enroll through www.phoenix.edu that the website uses cookies and similar tools. It will do this through a banner and through its privacy policy.
Who the parties are
The University of Phoenix, Inc. is the only defendant. Its lawyers in the case are from Baker & Hostetler LLP.
The plaintiffs are Lauren Brand and Janielle Dawson, who are asking to serve as class representatives. Their lawyers, appointed as class counsel, are Joshua Arisohn of Arisohn LLC and Scott Drury of Drury Legal.
The administrator is Simpluris, which runs the official website, uoppixelsettlement.com, and handles claims.
What the lawsuit alleges
According to the settlement agreement, the complaint centers on the university's alleged disclosure of students' personally identifiable information to Meta Platforms, Inc. and other third parties without consent.
The released claims describe the conduct at issue more specifically. They cover the alleged disclosure, use, interception, or transfer of class members' information through "cookies, pixels, code, analytics tools, and/or tracking technologies, including, but not limited to the Meta Pixel," on the university's websites. The Meta Pixel is a snippet of code that websites can install to send information about visitor activity to Meta, often for advertising.
The University of Phoenix denies the claims. The agreement states that the university "has denied and continues to deny any wrongdoing whatsoever" and believes it would have won at summary judgment or trial. It settled, according to the agreement, because of the uncertainty and risk of litigation. No court has found that the university broke any law.
The privacy laws behind the claims
The complaint relies on three laws.
The Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA). This 1988 federal law, 18 U.S.C. § 2710, says a "video tape service provider" that knowingly discloses a consumer's personally identifiable information to any person can be liable. The law defines that information to include details identifying a person "as having requested or obtained specific video materials or services." It allows a court to award actual damages of not less than $2,500 in liquidated damages. This case settled without any ruling on whether the law applies to the university.
The Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA). This federal law, starting at 18 U.S.C. § 2510, restricts the interception of electronic communications.
The Illinois Eavesdropping Act. This state law, at 720 ILCS 5/14-1 and following sections, restricts recording or intercepting private communications without consent.
The settlement does not say which of these claims was strongest. The agreement says only that the plaintiffs believe their claims have merit.
How the case moved so quickly
The parties agreed on settlement terms before the lawsuit was filed. The agreement says the parties began talking before any lawsuit and mediated with Bennett Picker of Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP on June 3, 2026. They did not reach a deal that day but kept negotiating. On July 16, 2026, they signed a term sheet with the material terms.
The plaintiffs filed the complaint on July 21, 2026. The settlement agreement says the parties exchanged informal discovery before mediation, including information about the size of the class and the university's defenses.
Deadline: November 5, 2026
Claims, opt-out requests, and objections are all due November 5, 2026. That is 30 days after the October 6 notice date, so do not wait if you plan to file.
Who qualifies and how to file
The settlement class has two parts:
- All individuals in the United States who were enrolled at the University of Phoenix from April 1, 2023 through the date class notice was sent.
- All individuals in Illinois who were enrolled at the University of Phoenix from April 1, 2020 through the date class notice was sent.
The settlement website gives that notice date as October 6, 2026. Excluded are entities the university controls, its officers and directors, and the presiding judge and the judge's immediate family.
The administrator emailed notice to class members using the university's records. The online claim form asks for the Login ID and PIN printed in that email. If you think you qualify but did not get an email, the settlement website says to contact the administrator at info@UOPPixelSettlement.com. You can also reach Simpluris at 866-675-2696 or by mail at P.O. Box 25191, Santa Ana, CA 92799.
Each class member may file one claim. You can choose to be paid by check, Venmo, PayPal, or Zelle. If you do not choose, you get a check.
Have your Login ID and PIN ready
The claim form uses the Login ID and PIN from the email notice to confirm you are on the class list. Search your inbox, including spam and promotions folders, for messages about the UOP pixel settlement before you start.
How the $25 payment could change
The $8.75 million cap covers everything the university will pay, not just student claims. Service awards, administration costs, and attorneys' fees all come out of it. Class counsel may seek fees, costs, and expenses of up to 35 percent of the cap, which the agreement values at $3,062,500. The two named plaintiffs may each seek a service award of up to $5,000. The court must approve these amounts.
If enough people file claims that total costs would exceed the cap, each $25 payment is reduced proportionally. The agreement also includes an adjustment if the class turns out to be larger than expected. If the class reaches 385,000 people or more, the university will add $25 for each person above 350,000, and the cap rises accordingly. The cap can never be reduced.
Two other details matter. First, settlement checks must be cashed within 180 days. Money from uncashed checks goes back to the university. Second, the settlement website says payments are expected about 100 days after final approval, assuming no appeals. For other open claims, see our list of class action cases you can join.
Cash your check promptly
Under the agreement, a class member whose check is not cashed within 180 days of issue loses that payment, and the money returns to the University of Phoenix. The electronic payment options do not involve a paper check.
Your other options
Do nothing. You get no money and give up your right to sue the university over the released claims.
Exclude yourself. You can opt out by November 5, 2026. You get no payment but keep your right to bring your own claim.
Object. If you stay in the class, you can object to the settlement by November 5, 2026, following the instructions on the settlement website.
What happens next
Judge Noll will hold the final approval hearing on November 20, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. by Zoom. The court will decide whether the settlement is fair and reasonable, and will rule on fees and service awards.
If the court grants final approval and no one appeals, payments would follow. The release does not cover claims that any government agency may have against the university.
Frequently asked questions
Who qualifies for the University of Phoenix settlement?
People in the United States enrolled at the University of Phoenix from April 1, 2023 through October 6, 2026, the notice date listed on the settlement website, and people in Illinois enrolled from April 1, 2020 through that date.
How much is the payment?
$25 per approved claim. The amount is reduced proportionally only if total settlement costs would exceed the $8.75 million cap.
What is the deadline?
November 5, 2026, for claims, opt-out requests, and objections.
I did not get an email notice. Can I still file?
The settlement website says people who believe they are class members but did not receive a Login ID and PIN should email the administrator at info@UOPPixelSettlement.com.
Did the University of Phoenix admit wrongdoing?
No. The settlement agreement says the university denies any wrongdoing and settled to avoid the uncertainty and risk of litigation.
What is the Meta Pixel?
It is tracking code that websites can install to send information about visitor activity to Meta. The settlement's release specifically names the Meta Pixel among the tracking tools at issue.