Institute for the International Education of Students Study Abroad Class Action Settlement
Students enrolled in the IES Abroad Spring 2020 Vienna, Austria program who directly paid IES for tuition and housing costs.
Settlement Closed
Who’s Eligible
You may be eligible for the Institute for the International Education of Students settlement if you:
- Were enrolled in the IES Abroad Spring 2020 Study Abroad Program in Vienna, Austria
- Directly paid IES Abroad for tuition and housing costs in connection with that program
Learn more about class action settlements and how they work.
Eligible States
Claim Deadline
What You Need to Do to Get Paid
To get paid from the Institute for the International Education of Students settlement:
Automatic Payment
No claim form is required. If you are an eligible class member, you will automatically receive a $250 check mailed to your last known address in IES’s records after the court grants final approval. The Final Approval Hearing is scheduled for June 24, 2026.
Update Your Address or Payment Method
Visit the official settlement website to update your mailing address or select an electronic payment option (Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, or ACH) using the Notice ID and PIN from your notice.
Submit your updated information before the settlement receives final approval to ensure your payment reaches you.
Settlement class members who do nothing will automatically receive a $250 payment. No proof of purchase or enrollment documentation required to receive payment.
Settlement Payout
Institute for the International Education of Students settlement payments are $250 per eligible class member. Payments will be distributed by check between 30 and 60 days after the court grants final approval. Class members can also opt to receive payment electronically via Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, or ACH by selecting that option on the settlement website. Checks expire 180 days after they are issued.
- Class Counsel Attorneys’ Fees: $30,000.00
- Service Award (Class Representative): $8,200.00
Settlement Documents
Background of the Lawsuit
A student named Kristen Galban sued the Institute for the International Education of Students after IES Abroad cut short its Spring 2020 study abroad program in Vienna, Austria, and transitioned to remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The lawsuit alleged that IES breached its contractual obligations by failing to deliver the in-person educational experiences, room and board, meals, and field trips that students had paid for. The complaint also claimed IES was unjustly enriched by keeping those payments.
The district court sided with IES, pointing to contract language that gave IES the right to modify its program. Galban appealed to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Before the appeals court issued a ruling, both sides agreed to settle. IES denies any wrongdoing and maintains it had the legal right to change its program at any time.
The case is Galban et al. v. Institute for the International Education of Students, Case No. 1:22-cv-4917, pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. For more information, visit the official settlement website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Institute for the International Education of Students settlement?
How much will I receive from the Institute for the International Education of Students settlement?
Do I need to file a claim to get paid?
Can I receive an electronic payment instead of a check?
What is the Institute for the International Education of Students settlement about?
When will Institute for the International Education of Students settlement payments be sent?
What is the deadline to opt out of the Institute for the International Education of Students settlement?
What happens if I do nothing?
Case Details
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Disclaimer
The information on this website is free to access and provided for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not legal advice. We summarise settlement information from official notices, court documents, settlement websites, administrators, and other primary sources where available.
Settlement details and deadlines may change. Always refer to the official settlement website or consult a licensed attorney for advice specific to your situation.
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