Lee University Data Breach Settlement
Lee University, a private Christian university in Cleveland, Tennessee, has agreed to a $1.75 million settlement over a March 2024 data breach affecting approximately 136,928 people. Eligible class members may claim documented losses up to $5,000 or an estimated ~$100 pro rata cash payment, plus one year of credit monitoring. This is not related to Lee Enterprises. Claim deadline: August 19, 2026.
Do I Qualify?
You may be eligible if:
- Your private information may have been compromised in the Lee University Data Breach discovered on or around March 22, 2024
- You received a breach notice from Lee University (Cleveland, Tennessee)
- You are among the approximately 136,928 notified individuals
- Your exposed data may include name, SSN, driver's license or government ID, financial information, and/or medical information
- You submit a valid claim at leeuniversitydatabreachsettlement.com by August 19, 2026
Claim form required: File at leeuniversitydatabreachsettlement.com. Documentation required only for the $5,000 documented loss path. The estimated ~$100 pro rata cash payment does not require loss documentation. Credit monitoring is available to all class members.
File your claim through the official settlement website at leeuniversitydatabreachsettlement.com before August 19, 2026.
File Your Claim →What Happened?
On or around March 22, 2024, an unauthorized actor gained access to Lee University systems and potentially compromised private information of about 136,928 students, faculty, staff, and others. Lee University — a private Christian university based in Cleveland, Tennessee — began notifying affected individuals around March 2025. Exposed data may have included names, Social Security numbers, driver's license or government ID numbers, financial information, and for some people medical information.
The lawsuit is Harris et al. v. Lee University, Case No. 1:25-cv-107, pending in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. Plaintiffs allege the university failed to adequately protect private information. Lee University denies wrongdoing but agreed to settle. This case is unrelated to Lee Enterprises.
The $1.75 million settlement provides documented loss reimbursement up to $5,000, a pro rata cash payment estimated around $100, and one year of credit monitoring.
Opt-out and objection deadlines are August 4, 2026. The Final Approval Hearing is September 3, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. ET in Chattanooga. Benefits distribute after final approval and resolution of any appeals.
How to File Your Claim
- Visit leeuniversitydatabreachsettlement.com and open the Claim Form
- Complete the online form or download and mail a paper claim
- Choose documented loss reimbursement up to $5,000 OR the estimated ~$100 pro rata cash payment (no documentation required for the pro rata path)
- Elect one year of credit monitoring available to all class members
- Upload supporting documentation only if claiming documented losses
- Submit online by 11:59 p.m. ET August 19, 2026, or mail postmarked by that date
- Opt-out or object by August 4, 2026 if you choose those options
- Visit the official claim form: https://leeuniversitydatabreachsettlement.com/
How Much Will I Actually Get?
Lee University agreed to a $1,750,000 settlement fund. Class members may claim (1) documented out-of-pocket losses up to $5,000, or (2) a pro rata cash payment estimated around $100 with no documentation required. All class members may also receive one year of credit monitoring regardless of cash path. Exact pro rata amounts depend on total valid claims. This case involves Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee — not Lee Enterprises.
Last reviewed: July 12, 2026 | Information verified from court records and official settlement documents.