Welcome to the Information Website for the Hope College Security Data Breach Litigation Settlement.

A proposed Settlement arising out of a data breach has been reached with Hope College. On September 27, 2022, an unauthorized user was able to access files within Hope College’s computer systems (the “Data Breach”). As a result, Personal Information may have been accessed. Impacted Personal Information may have included names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and student ID numbers. If you were notified by Hope College that your Personal Information may have been compromised because of the Hope College Data Breach, you are included in this Settlement as a member of the Settlement Class.

Under the Settlement, Hope College has agreed to establish a $1,500,000.00 Settlement Fund to (1) pay for one year of credit monitoring and insurance services (“Credit Monitoring and Insurance Services” or “CMIS”); or (2) provide reimbursement of up to $5,000 per Class Member for Class Members who incurred certain Documented Losses (“Documented Loss Payment”); or (3) provide cash payments to Class Members (“Cash Fund Payment”). The Settlement Fund will also be used to pay for the costs of the settlement administration, Court-approved Service Awards for named Plaintiffs, and the Fee Award and Costs. In addition, Hope College has agreed to undertake certain remedial measures and enhanced security measures that they will continue to implement.

Your legal rights will be affected whether you act or do not act. You should read the entire Notice carefully.


Your Legal Rights and Options in This Lawsuit
File a Claim Form
Deadline: May 7, 2024

Submitting a Claim Form is the only way that you can receive any of the monetary Settlement Benefits provided by this Settlement, including Credit Monitoring and Insurance Services, a Documented Loss Payment, or a Cash Fund Payment.

If you submit a Claim Form, you will give up the right to sue Hope College and certain Released Parties in a separate lawsuit about the legal claims this Settlement resolves.
Exclude Yourself from This Settlement
Deadline: April 8, 2024

This is the only option that allows you to sue, continue to sue, or be part of another lawsuit against Hope College, or certain Released Parties (as defined in the Settlement Agreement), for the claims this Settlement resolves.

If you exclude yourself, you will give up the right to receive any Settlement Benefits from this Settlement.
Object to or Comment on the Settlement
Deadline: April 8, 2024

You may object to the Settlement by writing to the Court and informing it why you do not think the Settlement should be approved. You can also write the Court to provide comments or reasons why you support the Settlement. You will still be bound by the Settlement if it is approved, and you will not be allowed to exclude yourself from the Settlement.

If you object, you may also file a Claim Form to receive Settlement Benefits, but you will give up the right to sue Hope College and Released Parties in a separate lawsuit about the legal claims this Settlement resolves.

Go to the Final Approval Hearing
Date: May 20, 2024

You may attend the Final Approval Hearing where the Court may hear arguments concerning approval of the Settlement. If you wish to speak at the Final Approval Hearing, you must make a request to do so in your written objection or comment. You are not required to attend the Final Approval Hearing.
Do Nothing

If you do nothing, you will not receive any of the monetary Settlement Benefits and you will give up your rights to sue Hope College and certain Released Parties for the claims this Settlement resolves.

These rights and options—and the deadlines to exercise them—are explained further in the Notice and on the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page of this website.


Current Status

Notice mailings are sent to Class Members on February 7, 2024.

The Court in charge of this case has preliminarily approved the Settlement, and Class Members are now invited to file Claim Forms to receive Settlement benefits. If the Court grants final approval to the Settlement, and after any appeals are resolved, benefits will then be distributed to those who submit qualifying Claim Forms. Please be patient.


Important Dates
  • April 8, 2024
    Opt Out Deadline
  • April 8, 2024
    Objection Deadline
  • May 7, 2024
    Claim Filing Deadline
  • May 20, 2024, at 9:00 a.m.
    Final Approval Hearing

Start Your Claim