In the past decade tuition hikes have been pretty extraordinary.  It seems to be getting worse every year; some schools have even raised tuition in the middle of the school year.  Luckily a California Supreme Court decision may provide reason for universities to think twice before raising tuition again, especially when they promised not to.

Last week, the CA Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal to this decision, thus upholding a decision for the University of California at Berkeley to reimburse former students $42 million dollars.  The students had their tuition raised mid-year in 2003 after the university promised not to do so.  The students will receive anywhere from $1 to $12,000, including interest fees.

Although the school attempted to appeal the case to the State Supreme Court, the former students began to receive checks back the university in December.   The action was lead by former Berkeley Law Student Mohammad Kashmiri.  The ABA Journal reports Kashmiri brought the suit on the grounds of "alleged a breach of contract." Hopefully the case sets a precedent for future tutition hikes.