Florida university students ask for tuition refunds as classes continue online

ORLANDO, Fla. — While the University of Central Florida campus remains a ghost town, classes are back in session online for the summer semester.

But UCF students, as well as students across the state, say they are still being forced to pay fees for services they can’t use from home.

College students across Florida are asking state universities to reimburse them for fees and tuition for services that are not being provided during the coronavirus pandemic.

READ: Commentary: Graduation may be virtual, but the Class of 2020 is the real deal

Adriana McCabe started a Change.org petition on Monday, asking that UCF remove extra tuition fees. That includes a technology fee, transportation fee, athletic fee, as well as fees for activity and service, IDs and access and an equipment fee.

A student pointed out the total cost of these fees is $687. McCabe wrote the fees are for benefits they are not able to use because they aren't allowed on campus.

Similar complaints are taking place at other state universities across Florida.

READ: New UCF president prepares to guide university through coronavirus pandemic

According to a federal class-action lawsuit filed Monday, University of Florida student Dylan Egleston is suing the school’s board of trustees for reimbursement for the tuition that he paid for the spring semester.

Egleston claims he didn't get what he paid for, saying in the suit that tuition fees for in-person instruction are higher than tuition fees for online instruction.

A spokesperson for UCF said they have waived the transportation access fee for all students for the summer semester. The distance learning fee only apples to course sections that were originally supposed to be offered online. The spokesperson added that UCF did not add the fee to any classes that were moved to an online format as a result of COVID-19.

READ: Statistics on shower doors, graduation on social media: How UCF is finishing spring semester online

UCF also said many of the expenses covered by student fees continue year-round even while the university's classes have shifted into the online format.

UCF also said equipment fees are based on a student’s major and are used for larger equipment purchases that are not tied to a specific course or term.

VIDEO: With virtual UCF graduation looming, employers still looking to fill jobs while closed Employers and job-seekers are still trying to get jobs filled even with most places shut down due to the coronavirus.

© 2020 Cox Media Group