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Data Breaches

Columbia University $16.13 Million Data Breach Settlement

Proof or notice ID needed $16.13 Million Open for Claims

Last updated from the official settlement website (columbiauniversitydatasettlement.com). Re-checked .

Individuals who received notice of the Columbia University data breach may qualify to claim up to $8,500 and credit monitoring from a class action settlement.

Who qualifies and how to claim

What you could get

  • Up to$8,500…documented monetary losses: Class members can claim up to $8,500 for documented losses resulting from the cyberattack, such as costs related to identity theft, fraud, credit…

Pulled from the write-up below. The official settlement website and the court's documents have the final word.

Columbia University $16.13 Million Data Breach Settlement

U.S. residents whose private information the May 2025 Columbia University cyberattack compromised and who received a notice about the incident may be eligible to claim up to $8,500 plus credit monitoring from a class action settlement .

Trustees of Columbia University in New York agreed to pay $16,125,000 to settle a class action lawsuit alleging the university failed to adequately protect sensitive personal information during a cyberattack. The potentially exposed information includes names, Social Security numbers, financial account details, medical and academic records, and other private data. The university estimates the settlement includes approximately 2,973,631 people.

Who can file a claim?

Class members are individuals residing in the United Staes whose private information the May 2025 Columbia University cyberattack compromised and who received a notice from Columbia University about the attack. The settlement class is closed; only those with a notice ID number and confirmation code from their settlement notice can submit a claim. Individuals who did not receive a notice are not eligible to file a claim.

Read the full details

How much can class members receive?

Eligible class members may claim the following benefits:

  • Reimbursement for documented monetary losses: Class members can claim up to $8,500 for documented losses resulting from the cyberattack, such as costs related to identity theft, fraud, credit monitoring or other related expenses.
  • Alternative cash payment: Class members who do not wish to claim documented losses can choose an alternative cash payment. The exact amount depends on the number of valid claims and the remaining settlement fund after deductions for attorneys’ fees, litigation expenses, service awards, administration costs, credit monitoring expenses and approved claims for documented losses.
  • Credit monitoring and identity theft protection: All class members can claim two years of free three-bureau credit monitoring, dark web monitoring, identity theft insurance up to $1,000,000 and fully managed identity recovery services.

How to claim a settlement payment

To receive a settlement benefit, class members must submit an online claim form or print and complete the PDF claim form and mail it to the settlement administrator. Only those who received a notice with a unique notice ID number and confirmation code can submit a claim.

Settlement administrator's mailing address: Columbia University Data Settlement Administrator, 1650 Arch St., Suite 2210, Philadelphia, PA 19103

The deadline to submit a claim is Jan. 21, 2027.

Required documentation

  • Reimbursement for documented monetary losses: Class members must provide receipts, statements or other non-self-prepared documents supporting their claimed losses and showing the information used to commit identity theft or fraud consisted of the same type of private information the cyberattack potentially exposed. The documentation must show the loss occurred on or after May 16, 2025. Class members cannot claim losses a third party already reimbursed.
  • Alternative cash payment and credit monitoring: Class members do not need to provide documentation, but they must be a class member with a valid notice ID and confirmation code.

Payout options

  • Physical check mailed to the address on the claim form

$16.13 million settlement fund breakdown

The $16,125,000 settlement fund includes:

  • Settlement administration costs: Amount not specified
  • Attorneys’ fees: Up to $4,031,250
  • Attorneys' costs and expenses: Amount not specified
  • Service awards to class representatives: $500 each ($9,000 total)
  • Credit monitoring: Cost determined by number of claims filed
  • Payments to eligible class members: Remainder of the fund

Important dates

  • Deadline to opt out: Dec. 22, 2026
  • Deadline to file a claim: Jan. 21, 2027
  • Final approval hearing: Feb. 23, 2027

Documents & history

The public record, word for word. Every line below is what the court or the settlement administrator published; we only add short notes on what each item means. The original document has the final word, and it is always one click away.

Official settlement website Court docket 1:25-cv-05541

61 court filings since Jul 2025, the latest on Sep 29, 2026, across 1 docket.

The story so far

Claims are open until Jan 21, 2027, 82 days left. The final approval hearing is on Feb 23, 2027.

Next
Opt-out deadline Dec 22, 2026 · in 7 weeks

Below is every step on record. The key moments come first; tap one to read about it, or pick a filter to see more. Read the graph left to right: each line is one place where things happen, the court and the settlement’s website, and the big labelled marks are the moments that matter. Tap one to read about it. Puzzled by a word? See court words, in plain English.

In courtcase 1:25-cv-05541Settlement website
Jul 2025AugSepOctNovDecJan 2026FebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJan 2027FebTodayJul 3, 2025 · Update from the settlement: Case filed: 1:25-cv-05541 In re Columbia University Data Breach LitigationJul 3, 2025 · Court filing about the lawsuit: Complaint filed (1:25-cv-05541)Sep 18, 2026 · Court filing about the settlement: Settlement (ECF 58)Sep 23, 2026 · The judge ruled on the settlement: Order on Motion for Settlement (ECF 60)Sep 23, 2026 · Court filing about preliminary approval: Opinion and Order (ECF 59)Dec 22, 2026 · Deadline coming up: Deadline to opt outDec 22, 2026 · Deadline coming up: Claim deadlineJan 21, 2027 · Deadline coming up: Claim deadlineFeb 23, 2027 · Court hearing scheduled: Final approval hearingOpt-out deadlineClaim deadline
  • A decision by the judge
  • A date to know
  • Money paid out
  • A request to the judge
  • Paperwork or an update
  • Still to come
  1. Opt-out deadlineDec 22, 2026 · still to come
  2. Claim deadlineDec 22, 2026 · still to come

Coming up 4

  1. DeadlineDeadline coming up

    Deadline to opt out

    Settlement websiteSee the record
    In plain English

    A date by which class members must act: file a claim, opt out (leave the settlement) or object (tell the court what is wrong with it).

  2. DeadlineDeadline coming up

    Claim deadline

    Settlement websiteSee the record
    In plain English

    A date by which class members must act: file a claim, opt out (leave the settlement) or object (tell the court what is wrong with it).

  3. DeadlineDeadline coming up

    Claim deadline

    Settlement websiteSee the record
    In plain English

    A date by which class members must act: file a claim, opt out (leave the settlement) or object (tell the court what is wrong with it).

  4. HearingCourt hearing scheduled

    Final approval hearing

    Settlement websiteSee the record
    In plain English

    A court hearing. At a final approval (fairness) hearing the judge hears any objections and decides whether to approve the settlement for good.

Today, Oct 31, 2026

September 2026 3 events

  1. PaperworkCourt filing about preliminary approval

    Opinion and Order (ECF 59)

    In courtSee the record
    In plain English

    A paper filed with the court. The wording above is the court’s own.

  2. Judge’s decisionThe judge ruled on the settlement

    Order on Motion for Settlement (ECF 60)

    In courtSee the record
    In plain English

    This is the judge’s decision, so it is official.

  3. PaperworkCourt filing about the settlement

    Settlement (ECF 58)

    In courtSee the record
    In plain English

    A paper filed with the court. The wording above is the court’s own.

July 2025 2 events

  1. PaperworkCourt filing about the lawsuit

    Complaint filed (1:25-cv-05541)

    In courtECF 1See the record
    In plain English

    A paper filed with the court. The wording above is the court’s own.

  2. UpdateUpdate from the settlement

    Case filed: 1:25-cv-05541 In re Columbia University Data Breach Litigation

    In courtSee the record
    In plain English

    News published by the settlement or the court, such as a new settlement, a changed date or a payment update.

Documents

Notices to class members 7

The court-approved notice that tells class members who qualifies, what the settlement pays, the options and every deadline. Start here.

Court orders 17

The judge’s decisions. An order is what makes something official: approving the settlement, setting dates, awarding fees.

  • ECF 60: Order on Motion for Settlement Court record · Sep 23, 2026 · case 1:25-cv-05541 · 9 pages
    Open the filing (PDF)
  • ECF 55: Order on Motion to Stay Court record · Aug 10, 2026 · case 1:25-cv-05541 · 2 pages
    Open the filing (PDF)
  • ECF 52: Order on Motion to Stay Court record · May 13, 2026 · case 1:25-cv-05541 · 2 pages
    Open the filing (PDF)
  • ECF 36: Order Court record · Dec 11, 2025 · case 1:25-cv-05541 · 7 pages
    Open the filing (PDF)
  • ECF 30: Order on Motion to Consolidate Cases Court record · Oct 15, 2025 · case 1:25-cv-05541 · 11 pages
    Open the filing (PDF)
  • ECF 6: Order for Initial Pretrial Conference Court record · Jul 9, 2025 · case 1:25-cv-05541 · 2 pages
    Open the filing (PDF)
  • ECF 46: Order on Motion to Withdraw as Attorney Court record · Mar 5, 2026 · case 1:25-cv-05541
    See the docket entry
  • ECF 41: ORDER granting 40 Motion for Amanda Brooke Murphy to Appear Pro Hac Vice (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge P. Kevin Castel)(Text Only Order) (Nacanther, Florence) Court record · Dec 18, 2025 · case 1:25-cv-05541
    See the docket entry
  • ECF 32: ORDER terminating 29 Letter Motion for Extension of Time to Answer. See docket entry 31. (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge P. Kevin Castel)(Text Only Order) (Nacanther, Florence) Court record · Oct 16, 2025 · case 1:25-cv-05541
    See the docket entry
  • ECF 31: ORDER with respect to 29 Letter Motion for Extension of Time to Answer. Time to respond to the Complaint is extended to a date to be set at the December 3, 2025 conference. (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge P. Kevin Castel)(Text Only Order) (Nacanther, Flo Court record · Oct 15, 2025 · case 1:25-cv-05541
    See the docket entry
  • ECF 28: ORDER granting 27 Motion for James Patrick Schaefer to Appear Pro Hac Vice (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge P. Kevin Castel)(Text Only Order) (Nacanther, Florence) Court record · Oct 6, 2025 · case 1:25-cv-05541
    See the docket entry
  • ECF 26: Order to Show Cause AND ~Util - Set Hearings Court record · Sep 29, 2025 · case 1:25-cv-05541
    See the docket entry
  • ECF 23: Order on Motion for Extension of Time to Answer Court record · Aug 4, 2025 · case 1:25-cv-05541
    See the docket entry
  • ECF 19: ORDER granting 18 Motion for Raina C. Borrelli to Appear Pro Hac Vice (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge P. Kevin Castel)(Text Only Order) (Nacanther, Florence) Court record · Jul 25, 2025 · case 1:25-cv-05541
    See the docket entry
  • ECF 16: ORDER granting 15 Motion for Paul Doolittle to Appear Pro Hac Vice (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge P. Kevin Castel)(Text Only Order) (Nacanther, Florence) Court record · Jul 22, 2025 · case 1:25-cv-05541
    See the docket entry
  • ECF 11: ORDER granting 10 Motion for Charles E. Schaffer to Appear Pro Hac Vice (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge P. Kevin Castel)(Text Only Order) (Nacanther, Florence) Court record · Jul 17, 2025 · case 1:25-cv-05541
    See the docket entry
  • ECF 8: ORDER granting 7 Motion for Jeffrey S. Goldenberg to Appear Pro Hac Vice (HEREBY ORDERED by Judge P. Kevin Castel)(Text Only Order) (Nacanther, Florence) Court record · Jul 10, 2025 · case 1:25-cv-05541
    See the docket entry
Settlement filings 1

Papers filed with the court about the settlement: proposals, reports and supporting documents.

Complaints 4

The papers that started the lawsuit and say what the company is accused of. Accusations, not findings.

Court filings come from the court's public docket through the free RECAP archive; official documents from the settlement administrator's own site. Other dates come from the official settlement site and the summary above. We show the record as published and do not interpret it for your case. Nothing here is legal advice. Last checked Oct 31, 2026.

Where this information comes from

Court words, in plain English What words like “motion” or “docket” mean. You never need them to file a claim.
Attorneys’ fees money

What the lawyers for the group ask to be paid for bringing the case. It comes out of the settlement fund, and the judge decides the amount, often less than asked.

For example: The lawyers asked for a quarter of the fund in attorneys’ fees; the judge decides how much they get.

Claim form what you fill in

The form you send to get your share of the settlement, online or by mail. Filing one is free.

For example: Send the claim form before the deadline, or you may not be paid.

Class member you, probably

Anyone who fits the group the settlement covers. If you qualify, you are a class member, even if you never heard of the case before.

For example: If you bought the product during the years the notice lists, you are likely a class member.

Class certification a decision

The judge agreeing that one case can speak for a whole group of people in the same situation.

For example: After class certification, the case went ahead for all the customers, not only the two who sued.

Docket /DOK-it/ the court’s record

The court’s diary for a case: a numbered list of every paper filed and every step taken, in order.

For example: The judge’s order was added to the docket on May 20.

ECF number /E-C-F/ a page number

ECF is the courts’ online filing system (Electronic Case Filing). "ECF 233" is item 233 on the case’s docket; "ECF 213-1" is the first attachment to item 213.

For example: A settlement agreement filed as ECF 251 is the 251st item on that case’s docket.

Final approval hearing a date

Also called the fairness hearing: the day the judge listens to anyone with concerns, then decides whether the settlement is approved for good.

For example: The final approval hearing is usually the last big date before payments go out.

Motion a request

A formal "please" to the judge: one side asks for something, like more time or approval of the deal. Nothing changes until the judge answers.

For example: The lawyers filed a motion to extend the claim deadline.

Object /ob-JECT/ your choice

Staying in the settlement but telling the judge what you think should be better. You can still be paid.

For example: If you think the fees are too high, you can object before the deadline.

Opt out your choice

Choosing to leave the settlement. You get nothing from it, but you keep your right to bring your own case.

For example: If you opt out, you will not get a payment from this settlement.

Order a decision

The judge’s answer, and the part that counts. "Granted" means yes, "denied" means no, "granted in part" means yes to some of it.

For example: An order granting the motion means the judge said yes.

Preliminary approval /pre-LIM-in-airy/ a decision

The judge’s first "this looks fair enough to move ahead". Notices go out and claims open, but it is not the final say.

For example: After preliminary approval in June, the claim form went online.

RECAP /REE-cap/ a source

A free public library of federal court papers run by the non-profit Free Law Project. The court documents on this page link to its copies.

For example: We found the judge’s order in the RECAP archive.

Service award money

A small thank-you payment to the people who brought the case on everyone’s behalf (the class representatives). It comes from the fund and the judge decides it.

For example: The two people who started the case each asked the judge for a service award.

Settlement administrator a company

The company that runs the claims for the court: it sends the notices, checks the claims and mails the payments. Questions about your claim go to them.

For example: The settlement administrator mails the checks once the judge approves the deal.

Unopposed /un-uh-POZED/ a word in requests

Both sides agree on the request, so it usually goes through smoothly.

For example: An unopposed motion to move a deadline is almost always granted.

Columbia University in the news

The newest US news about Columbia University, newest first. News reports, not the settlement's official notice, and not always about this settlement.

  1. Columbia University Opens Claims for $16 Million Data Breach Settlement insurancejournal.com
More news on the News page →