The University of Calgary was forced to pay 20.000 Canadian dollars to hackers who managed to infect their systems with malware (ransomware).
According to Calgary Herald, the university network was infected with ransomware which was asking 20.000 CDN (over 15.000 US dollars) to unlock valuable scientific data. 
As you know, once installed in one system the ransomware starts encrypting the files demanding a ransom fee that should be paid in Bitcoin. After paying the amount demanded by the scammers, they give the decryption key to their victims.
University officials have agreed to pay the ransom, but it will take some time before they can unlock all the files with the decryption keys. The process is time-consuming and it is not yet known whether the keys function normally.
In a statement, Linda Dalgetty, Calgary's Vice President of Finance and Services, said the issue was "very difficult," and that the university's IT staff is working around the clock to find out the security holes that allowed ransomware to infect their systems.
"The university is working with a number of experts in the field, and because it was a criminal offense, the Calgary Police are involved in the investigation," said Dalgetty.
"As the investigation is ongoing, we are unable to provide further details on its nature attacks, specific actions to address it, or how or whether to use the decryption keys.”
Note: University is allowed not to hold backups; Surely after this attack everyone learned something more. In this case the ransom can also be called "tuition."
