Students at the University of California and the California State University System are suing for the balance of their campus fees, according to court papers filed in Los Angeles and Oakland yesterday.

The suit filed in Los Angeles against the California State University System said: “CSU's decision to transition to online classes and to instruct students to leave campus were responsible decisions to make, but it is unfair and unlawful for CSU to retain fees and costs and to pass the losses on to the students and/or their families. 

"Other higher education institutions across the United States that also have switched to e-learning and have requested that students leave campus have recognized the upheaval and financial harm to students and/or their families from these decisions and have provided appropriate refunds.”

Similarly, the Oakland filing against the University of California says it “has improperly retained monies paid by Plaintiff and the other Class members for these fees for services that are no longer available,” according to the filing. 

Campus fees include health facilities, health services and student activities. Most students were not eligible for stimulus funds, said the suits.

Campuses have been closed to students since March and moved to distance learning platforms for over 700-thousand students.

School is in session through at least May for both university systems.