ASPEN GROUP, INC. - Quarter Report: 2016 January (Form 10-Q)

Quarterly Report

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

þ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended January 31, 2016

o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ________ to ________

Commission file number: 000-55107

Aspen Group, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware	27-1933597
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1660 S Albion Street, Suite 525 Denver, CO	80222
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrants telephone number: (303) 333-4224

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.


Large accelerated filer	o	Accelerated filer	o
Non-accelerated filer	o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Smaller reporting company	þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ


Class		Outstanding as of March 9, 2016
Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share		128,511,605 shares

INDEX


	PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.	Financial Statements.	1

	Consolidated Balance Sheets	1

	Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)	3

	Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders Equity (Unaudited)	4

	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)	5

	Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)	7

Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.	18

Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.	27

Item 4.	Controls and Procedures.	27

	PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings.	28

Item 1A.	Risk Factors.	28

Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.	28

Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities.	28

Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures.	28

Item 5.	Other Information.	28

Item 6.	Exhibits.	28


SIGNATURES	29

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


	January 31,			April 30,
	2016			2015
	(Unaudited)
Assets

Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,522,722		$	2,159,463
Restricted cash		—			1,122,485
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $305,297 and $279,453, respectively		2,056,211			1,058,339
Prepaid expenses		120,822			121,594
Total current assets		3,699,755			4,461,881

Property and equipment:
Call center equipment		133,965			132,798
Computer and office equipment		69,772			78,626
Furniture and fixtures		70,021			42,698
Library (online)		—			100,000
Software		2,515,703			2,244,802
		2,789,461			2,598,924
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		(1,651,352	)		(1,387,876	)
Total property and equipment, net		1,138,109			1,211,048
Courseware, net		201,640			173,311
Accounts receivable, secured - related party, net of allowance of $625,963, and $625,963, respectively		45,329			45,329
Other assets		45,086			26,679

Total assets	$	5,129,919		$	5,918,248

(Continued)

The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (CONTINUED)


	January 31,			April 30,
	2016			2015
	(Unaudited)
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	585,224		$	179,109
Accrued expenses		281,539			173,663
Deferred revenue		1,130,003			784,818
Refunds Due Students		499,742			280,739
Deferred rent, current portion		—			7,751
Convertible notes payable, current portion		50,000			50,000
Total current liabilities		2,546,508			1,476,080

Line of credit		249,783			243,989
Loan payable officer - related party		1,000,000			1,000,000
Convertible notes payable - related party		600,000			600,000
Total liabilities		4,396,291			3,320,069

Commitments and contingencies - See Note 8

Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 250,000,000 shares authorized, 128,511,605 issued and 128,311,605 outstanding at January 31, 2016, 128,253,605 issued and 128,053,605 outstanding at April 30, 2015		128,512			128,254
Additional paid-in capital		25,171,929			24,898,647
Treasury stock (200,000 shares)		(70,000	)		(70,000	)
Accumulated deficit		(24,496,813	)		(22,358,722	)
Total stockholders’ equity		733,628			2,598,179

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	5,129,919		$	5,918,248

The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)


	For the						For the
	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	January 31,						January 31,
	2016			2015			2016			2015

Revenues	$	2,164,031		$	1,286,138		$	5,783,053		$	3,670,245

Operating expenses
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)		995,526			632,997			2,637,436			1,524,793
General and administrative		1,659,133			1,701,871			4,746,953			4,160,978
Depreciation and amortization		151,597			133,966			443,314			389,706
Total operating expenses		2,806,256			2,468,834			7,827,703			6,075,477

Operating loss from operations		(642,225	)		(1,182,696	)		(2,044,650	)		(2,405,232	)

Other income (expense):
Other income		1,414			2,277			8,077			7,157
Interest expense		(34,153	)		(34,532	)		(101,518	)		(389,153	)
Loss on Debt Extinguishment		—			—			—			(452,503	)
Total other expense, net		(32,739	)		(32,255	)		(93,441	)		(834,499	)

Loss from operations before income taxes		(674,964	)		(1,214,951	)		(2,138,091	)		(3,239,731	)

Income tax expense (benefit)		—			—			—			—

Net loss	$	(674,964	)	$	(1,214,951	)	$	(2,138,091	)	$	(3,239,731	)

Net loss per share allocable to common stockholders - basic and diluted	$	(0.01	)	$	(0.01	)	$	(0.02	)	$	(0.03	)

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: basic and diluted		128,336,758			112,753,454			128,271,601			96,548,329

The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED January 31, 2016

(Unaudited)


							Additional									Total
	Common Stock						Paid-In			Treasury			Accumulated			Stockholders'
	Shares			Amount			Capital			Stock			Deficit			Equity
Balance at April 30, 2015		128,253,605		$	128,254		$	24,898,647		$	(70,000	)	$	(22,358,722	)	$	2,598,179
Stock-based compensation		—			—			223,657			—			—			223,657
Warrant modification expense		—			—			6,000			—			—			6,000
Repurchase of shares under settlement agreement		(42,000	)		(42	)		(5,796	)		—			—			(5,838	)
Shares issued for services rendered		300,000			300			50,100			—			—			50,400
Attorney fees associated with Registration Statement		—			—			(679	)		—			—			(679	)
Net loss, nine months ended January 31, 2016		—			—			—			—			(2,138,091	)		(2,138,091	)
Balance at January 31, 2016		128,511,605		$	128,512		$	25,171,929		$	(70,000	)	$	(24,496,813	)	$	733,628

The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)


	For the
	Nine Months Ended January 31,
	2016			2015

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$	(2,138,091	)	$	(3,239,731	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Bad debt expense		170,677			117,739
Amortization of debt issuance costs		—			75,458
Amortization of debt discount		—			166,241
Extinguishment of debentures		—			416,587
Depreciation and amortization		443,314			389,706
Stock-based compensation		223,657			334,723
Warrant modification expense		6,000			—
Amortization of prepaid shares for services		50,400			—
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		(1,168,549	)		(356,348	)
Prepaid expenses		771			(20,135	)
Other assets		(18,407	)		(1,497	)
Accounts payable		406,116			4,214
Accrued expenses		107,874			111,238
Deferred rent		(7,751	)		(9,700	)
Refunds due students		219,003			85,040
Deferred revenue		345,185			63,124
Net cash used in operating activities		(1,359,801	)		(1,863,341	)

Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment		(317,068	)		(277,133	)
Purchases of courseware		(81,634	)		(109,305	)
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash		1,122,485			(19,927	)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities		723,783			(406,365	)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from (repayments on) line of credit, net		5,794			(186	)
Proceeds from issuance of common shares and warrants, net		—			5,547,826
Proceeds from (retirement of) convertible notes and warrants, net of costs		—			(2,240,000	)
Retirement of convertible notes payable		—			(25,000	)
Repurchase of shares under settlement agreement		(5,838	)		—
Offering costs associated with private placement		(679	)		(107,225	)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(723	)		3,175,415

Cash flows from discontinued operations:
Cash flows from operating activities		—			5,250
Net cash provided by discontinued operations		—			5,250

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(636,741	)		910,959

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		2,159,463			247,380

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	1,522,722		$	1,158,339

(Continued)

The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)

(Unaudited)


	For the
	Nine Months Ended January 31,
	2016		2015

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	$	87,787	$	212,955
Cash paid for income taxes	$	—	$	—

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities
Common stock issued for services	$	50,400	$	32,632
Common stock issued from conversion of notes	$	—	$	100,000

The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

January 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

Note 1. Nature of Operations and Liquidity

Overview

Aspen Group, Inc. (together with its subsidiary, the “Company” or “Aspen”) is a holding company. Its subsidiary Aspen University Inc. was founded in Colorado in 1987 as the International School of Information Management. On September 30, 2004, it changed its name to Aspen University Inc. (“Aspen University”). On March 13, 2012, the Company was recapitalized in a reverse merger. All references to the Company or Aspen before March 13, 2012 are to Aspen University.

Aspen’s mission is to offer any motivated college-worthy student the opportunity to receive a high quality, responsibly priced distance-learning education for the purpose of achieving sustainable economic and social benefits for themselves and their families. Aspen is dedicated to providing the highest quality education experiences taught by top-tier professors - 56% of our adjunct professors hold doctorate degrees.

Because we believe higher education should be a catalyst to our students’ long-term economic success, we exert financial prudence by offering affordable tuition that is one of the greatest values in online higher education. In March 2014, Aspen University unveiled a monthly payment plan aimed at reversing the college-debt sentence plaguing working-class Americans. The monthly payment plan offers bachelor students (except RN to BSN) the opportunity to pay $250/month for 72 months ($18,000), nursing bachelor students (RN to BSN) $250/month for 39 months ($9,750), master students $325/month for 36 months ($11,700) and doctoral students $375 per month for 72 months ($27,000), interest free, thereby giving students the ability to earn a degree debt free.

On November 10, 2014, Aspen University announced the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (“CCNE”) has granted accreditation to its Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (RN to BSN) until December 31, 2019.

Since 1993, we have been nationally accredited by the Distance Education and Accrediting Council (“DEAC”), a national accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (the “DOE”). On February 25, 2015, the DEAC informed Aspen University that it had renewed its accreditation for five years to January, 2019.

Basis of Presentation

A. Interim Financial Statements

The interim consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). In the opinion of the Company’s management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments and reclassifications and non-recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly our results of operations for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2016 and 2015, our cash flows for the nine months ended January 31, 2016 and 2015, and our financial position as of January 31, 2016 have been made. The results of operations for such interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the operating results to be expected for the full year.

Certain information and disclosures normally included in the notes to the annual consolidated financial statements have been condensed or omitted from these interim consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, these interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Report on Form 10-K for the period ended April 30, 2015 as filed with the SEC on July 29, 2015. The April 30, 2015 balance sheet is derived from those statements.

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

January 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

B. Liquidity

At January 31, 2016, the Company had a cash balance of approximately $1.5 million. In April 2015, the Company offered a warrant conversion, through which the Company issued 14,747,116 shares, raising $2,268,670. In fiscal 2015, the Company completed an equity financing of $5,547,826. In November of 2015, our letter of credit with Department Of Education was released freeing up approximately $1.1 million of cash. With the additional cash raised in the financings, the growth in revenues and improving operating margins, the Company believes that it has sufficient cash to allow the Company to implement its long-term business plan.

Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Aspen Group, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the unaudited consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the unaudited consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates in the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the allowance for doubtful accounts and other receivables, the valuation of collateral on certain receivables, amortization periods and valuation of courseware and software development costs, valuation of beneficial conversion features in convertible debt, valuation of stock-based compensation and the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For the purposes of the unaudited consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. There were no cash equivalents at January 31, 2016 and April 30, 2015. The Company maintains its cash in bank and financial institution deposits that at times may exceed federally insured limits of $250,000 per financial institution. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts from inception through January 31, 2016. As of January 31, 2016, there were deposits of $943,975 in one institution greater than the federally insured limits.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash represents amounts pledged as security for letters of credit for transactions involving Title IV programs. The Company considered $1,122,485, as restricted cash at April 30, 2015. No cash was considered restricted at January 31, 2016. (See Note 8)

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The Company classifies assets and liabilities recorded at fair value under the fair value hierarchy based upon the observability of inputs used in valuation techniques. Observable inputs (highest level) reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs (lowest level) reflect internally developed market assumptions. The fair value measurements are classified under the following hierarchy:

Level 1—Observable inputs that reflect quoted market prices (unadjusted) for identical assets and liabilities in active markets;

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

January 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

Level 2—Observable inputs, other than quoted market prices, that are either directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace for identical or similar assets and liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets and liabilities; and

Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity that are significant to the fair value of assets or liabilities.

The estimated fair value of certain financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses are carried at historical cost basis, which approximates their fair values because of the short-term nature of these instruments.

Refunds Due Students

The Company receives Title IV funds from the Department of Education to cover tuition and living expenses. Until forwarded to the student, this amount is recorded in a current liability account called Refunds Due Students. Typically, the funds are paid to the students within two weeks.

Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue

Revenues consist primarily of tuition and fees derived from courses taught by the Company online as well as from related educational resources that the Company provides to its students, such as access to our online materials and learning management system. Tuition revenue is recognized pro-rata over the applicable period of instruction. The Company allows a student to make three monthly tuition payments during each 10-week class. The Company maintains an institutional tuition refund policy, which provides for all or a portion of tuition to be refunded if a student withdraws during stated refund periods. Certain states in which students reside impose separate, mandatory refund policies, which override the Company’s policy to the extent in conflict. If a student withdraws at a time when a portion or none of the tuition is refundable, then in accordance with its revenue recognition policy, the Company recognizes as revenue the tuition that was not refunded. Since the Company recognizes revenue pro-rata over the term of the course and because, under its institutional refund policy, the amount subject to refund is never greater than the amount of the revenue that has been deferred, under the Company’s accounting policies revenue is not recognized with respect to amounts that could potentially be refunded. The Company’s educational programs have starting and ending dates that differ from its fiscal quarters. Therefore, at the end of each fiscal quarter, a portion of revenue from these programs is not yet earned and is therefore deferred. The Company also charges students annual fees for library, technology and other services, which are recognized over the related service period. Deferred revenue represents the amount of tuition, fees, and other student payments received in excess of the portion recognized as revenue and it is included in current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Other revenues may be recognized as sales occur or services are performed.

Net Loss Per Share

Net loss per common share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Options to purchase 19,107,313 and 14,576,412 common shares, warrants to purchase 28,871,757 and 44,007,963 common shares, and $650,000 and $650,000 of convertible debt (convertible into 1,207,143 and 1,207,143 common shares, respectively) were outstanding during the nine months ended January 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted loss per share because the effects would have been anti-dilutive. The options, warrants and convertible debt are considered to be common stock equivalents and are only included in the calculation of diluted earnings per common share when their effect is dilutive.

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

January 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

Reclassifications

The Company discovered that an internet advertising publishing invoice was entered into the incorrect month. The effect of this was that marketing expense for the three and six months ended October 31, 2014, were understated by $29,371 and the marketing expense for the three months ended January 31, 2015, was overstated by the same amount. This error carries through to Cost of Revenues on our Consolidated Statement of Operations. The issue has been corrected and does not affect the results reported for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2015. The Company evaluated SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin #108, and applied a dual method to evaluate if the adjustment was material. Under the dual method, both a “rollover” method and an “iron curtain” method were applied. In both methods, the adjustment was not material to the comparative three month period ended October 31, 2014 and therefore, no restatement of the October 31, 2014 or January 31, 2015 consolidated financial statements was deemed necessary. As a result, the following reclassification between periods was made for the quarter ended January 31, 2015:


	For the
	Three Months Ended
	January 31, 2015
	Originally Reported			Adjustment			As Adjusted

Marketing Expense		364,219			(29,371	)		334,848
Cost of revenues		662,368			(29,371	)		632,997
Total operating expenses		2,498,205			(29,371	)		2,468,834
Operating loss from operations		(1,212,067	)		29,371			(1,182,696	)
Loss from operations before income taxes		(1,244,322	)		29,371			(1,214,951	)
Net loss		(1,244,322	)		29,371			(1,214,951	)

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Financial Accounting Standards Board, Accounting Standard Updates which are not effective until after January 31, 2016, are not expected to have a significant effect on the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Note 3. Secured Note and Accounts Receivable – Related Parties

On March 30, 2008 and December 1, 2008, the Aspen University sold courseware pursuant to marketing agreements to Higher Education Management Group, Inc. (“HEMG”,) which was then a related party and principal stockholder of the Company. HEMG’s president is Mr. Patrick Spada, the former Chairman of the Company, the sold courseware amounts were $455,000 and $600,000, respectively; UCC filings were filed accordingly. HEMG’s president is Mr. Patrick Spada, the former Chairman of the Company. Under the marketing agreements, the receivables were due net 60 months. On September 16, 2011, HEMG pledged 772,793 Series C preferred shares (automatically converted to 654,850 common shares on March 13, 2012) of the Company as collateral for this account receivable which at that time had a remaining balance of $772,793. Based on the reduction in value of the collateral to $0.19 based on the then current price of the Company’s common stock, the Company recognized an expense of $123,647 during the year ended April 30, 2014 as an additional allowance. As of January 31, 2016 and April 30, 2015, the balance of the account receivable, net of allowance, was $45,329.

HEMG has failed to pay to Aspen University any portion of the $772,793 amount due as of September 30, 2014, despite due demand for same. Consequently, on November 18, 2014 Aspen University filed a complaint vs. HEMG in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, to collect the full amount due to the Company. HEMG defaulted and Aspen University obtained a default judgment. In addition, Aspen University gave notice to HEMG that it intended to privately sell the 654,850 shares after March 10, 2015. On April 29, 2015, the Company sold those shares to a private investor for $0.155 per share or $101,502, which proceeds reduced the receivable balance to $671,291 with a remaining allowance of $625,963, resulting in a net receivable of $45,329. (See Notes 8 and 10)

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

January 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

Note 4. Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consisted of the following at January 31, 2016 and April 30, 2015:


	January 31,			April 30,
	2016			2015
Call center hardware	$	133,965		$	132,798
Computer and office equipment		69,772			78,626
Furniture and fixtures		70,021			42,698
Library (online)		—			100,000
Software		2,515,703			2,244,802
		2,789,461			2,598,924
Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(1,651,352	)		(1,387,876	)
Property and equipment, net	$	1,138,109		$	1,211,048

Software consisted of the following at January 31, 2016 and April 30, 2015:


	January 31,			April 30,
	2016			2015
Software	$	2,515,703		$	2,244,802
Accumulated amortization		(1,485,141	)		(1,130,453	)
Software, net	$	1,030,562		$	1,114,349

Amortization expense for all Property and Equipment as well as the portion for just software is presented below for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2016 and 2015:


	For the				For the
	Three Months Ended January 31,				Nine Months Ended January 31,
	2016		2015		2016		2015

Depreciation and Amortization Expense		135,084		114,559		390,010		329,799

Software Amortization Expense		122,619		104,441		354,688		300,642

The following is a schedule of estimated future amortization expense of software at January 31, 2016:


Year Ending April 30,
2016	$	124,939
2017		379,563
2018		246,527
2019		163,354
2020		116,179
Total	$	1,030,562

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

January 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

Note 5. Courseware

Courseware costs capitalized were $81,634 and $109,305 for the nine months ended January 31, 2016 and 2015 respectively. During September 2015, $1,970,670 of fully amortized courseware was written off against the accumulated amortization. There was no expense impact to this write-off.

Courseware consisted of the following at January 31, 2016 and April 30, 2015:


	January 31,			April 30,
	2016			2015
Courseware	$	358,754		$	2,247,790
Accumulated amortization		(157,114	)		(2,074,479	)
Courseware, net	$	201,640		$	173,311

Amortization expense of courseware for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2016 and 2015:

For the

Three Months Ended

January 31,

Nine Months Ended

January 31,

2016

2015

2016

2015

Amortization Expense

16,513

19,407

53,304

59,907

The following is a schedule of estimated future amortization expense of courseware at January 31, 2016:


Year Ending April 30,
2016	$	15,547
2017		55,473
2018		47,384
2019		45,911
2020		37,325
Total	$	201,640

Note 6. Loan Payable Officer – Related Party

On June 28, 2013, the Company received $1,000,000 as a loan from the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. This loan was for a term of 6 months with an annual interest rate of 10%, payable monthly. Through various note extensions, the debt was extended to May 31, 2017. There was no accounting effect for these extensions.

Note 7. Convertible Notes, Convertible Notes – Related Party and Debenture Payable

On February 29, 2012, a loan payable of $50,000 was converted into a two-year convertible promissory note, bearing interest of 0.19% per annum. Beginning March 31, 2012, the note was convertible into common shares of the Company at the rate of $1.00 per share. The Company evaluated the convertible note and determined that, for the embedded conversion option, there was no beneficial conversion value to record as the conversion price is considered to be the fair market value of the common shares on the note issue date. The loan (now convertible promissory note) was originally due in February 2014. The amount due under this note has been reserved for payment upon the note being tendered to the Company by the note holder.

On March 13, 2012, the Company’s CEO loaned the Company $300,000 and received a convertible promissory note due March 31, 2013, bearing interest at 0.19% per annum. The note is convertible into common shares of the Company at the rate of $1.00 per share upon five days written notice to the Company. The Company evaluated the convertible note and determined that, for the embedded conversion option, there was no beneficial conversion value to record as the conversion price is considered to be the fair market value of the common shares on the note issue date. Through various note extensions, the debt was extended to May 31, 2017. There was no accounting effect for these modifications.

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

January 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

On August 14, 2012, the Company’s CEO loaned the Company $300,000 and received a convertible promissory note, payable on demand, bearing interest at 5% per annum. The note is convertible into shares of common stock of the Company at a rate of $0.35 per share (based on proceeds received on September 28, 2012 under a private placement at $0.35 per unit). The Company evaluated the convertible notes and determined that, for the embedded conversion option, there was no beneficial conversion value to record as the conversion price is considered to be the fair market value of the shares of common stock on the note issue date. Through various note extensions, the debt was extended to May 31, 2017. There was no accounting effect for these modifications.

Note 8. Commitments and Contingencies

Line of Credit

The Company maintains a line of credit with a bank, up to a maximum credit line of $250,000. The line of credit bears interest equal to the prime rate plus 0.50% (overall interest rate of 4.00% at January 31, 2016). The line of credit requires minimum monthly payments consisting of interest only. The line of credit is secured by all business assets, inventory, equipment, accounts, general intangibles, chattel paper, documents, instruments and letter of credit rights of the Company. The line of credit is for an unspecified time until the bank notifies the Company of the Final Availability Date, at which time monthly payments on the line of credit become the sum of: (a) accrued interest and (b) 1/60th of the unpaid principal balance immediately following the Final Availability Date, which equates to a five-year payment period. The balance due on the line of credit as of January 31, 2016 was $249,783. Since the earliest the line of credit is due and payable is over a five year period and the Company believes that it could obtain a comparable replacement line of credit elsewhere, the entire line of credit is included in long-term liabilities. The unused amount under the line of credit available to the Company at January 31, 2016 was $217.

Employment Agreements

From time to time, the Company enters into employment agreements with certain of its employees. These agreements typically include bonuses, some of which are performance-based in nature. As of January 31, 2016, no performance bonuses have been earned.

Legal Matters

From time to time, we may be involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of business. As of January 31, 2016, except as discussed below, there were no other pending or threatened lawsuits that could reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the results of our operations and there are no proceedings in which any of our directors, officers or affiliates, or any registered or beneficial shareholder, is an adverse party or has a material interest adverse to our interest.

On February 11, 2013, HEMG and Mr. Spada sued the Company, certain senior management members and our directors in state court in New York seeking damages arising principally from (i) allegedly false and misleading statements in the filings with the SEC and the DOE where the Company disclosed that HEMG and Mr. Spada borrowed $2.2 million without board authority, (ii) the alleged breach of an April 2012 agreement whereby the Company had agreed, subject to numerous conditions and time limitations, to purchase certain shares of the Company from HEMG, and (iii) alleged diminution to the value of HEMG’s shares of the Company due to Mr. Spada’s disagreement with certain business transactions the Company engaged in, all with Board approval. On November 8, 2013, the state court in New York granted the Company’s motion to dismiss all of the claims. On December 10, 2013, the Company filed a series of counterclaims against HEMG and Mr. Spada in state court of New York. By decision and order dated August 4, 2014, the New York court denied HEMG and Spada’s motion to dismiss the fraud counterclaim the Company asserted against them.

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

January 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

While the Company has been advised by its counsel that HEMG’s and Spada’s claims in the New York lawsuit is baseless, the Company cannot provide any assurance as to the ultimate outcome of the case. Defending the lawsuit will be expensive and will require the expenditure of time which could otherwise be spent on the Company’s business. While unlikely, if Mr. Spada’s and HEMG’s claims in the New York litigation were to be successful, the damages the Company could pay could potentially be material.

On October 15, 2015, HEMG filed bankruptcy pursuant to Chapter 7. As a result, the remaining claims and Aspen’s counterclaims in the New York lawsuit are currently stayed.

On August 13, 2015, a former employee filed a complaint against the Company in the United States District Court, District of Arizona, for breach of contract claiming that Plaintiff was terminated for “Cause” when no cause existed. Plaintiff is seeking the remaining amounts under her employment agreement, severance pay, bonuses, value of lost benefits, and the loss of the value of her stock options. The Company filed an answer to the complaint by the September 8, 2015 deadline. That matter is currently in the discovery stages, and the Company intends to defend the claims asserted by the former employee.

Regulatory Matters

The Company’s subsidiary, Aspen University, is subject to extensive regulation by Federal and State governmental agencies and accrediting bodies. In particular, the Higher Education Act (the “HEA”) and the regulations promulgated thereunder by the DOE subject Aspen University to significant regulatory scrutiny on the basis of numerous standards that schools must satisfy to participate in the various types of federal student financial assistance programs authorized under Title IV of the HEA. Aspen University has had provisional certification to participate in the Title IV programs. That provisional certification imposes certain regulatory restrictions including, but not limited to, a limit of 1,200 student recipients for Title IV funding for the duration of the provisional certification. The provisional certification restrictions continue with regard to Aspen University’s participation in Title IV programs.

To participate in the Title IV programs, an institution must be authorized to offer its programs of instruction by the relevant agencies of the State in which it is located. An institution must also be authorized to offer its programs in the States where the institution offers postsecondary education through distance education. In addition, an institution must be accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the DOE and certified as eligible by the DOE. The DOE will certify an institution to participate in the Title IV programs only after the institution has demonstrated compliance with the HEA and the DOE’s extensive academic, administrative, and financial regulations regarding institutional eligibility and certification. An institution must also demonstrate its compliance with these requirements to the DOE on an ongoing basis. Aspen University performs periodic reviews of its compliance with the various applicable regulatory requirements. As Title IV funds received in fiscal 2015 represented approximately 33% of the Company's cash basis revenues (including revenues from discontinued operations), as calculated in accordance with Department of Education guidelines, the loss of Title IV funding would have a material effect on the Company's future financial performance.

On March 27, 2012 and on August 31, 2012, Aspen University provided the DOE with letters of credit for which the due date was extended to December 31, 2013. On January 30, 2014, the DOE provided Aspen University with an option to become permanently certified by increasing the letter of credit to 50% of all Title IV funds received in the last program year, equaling $1,696,445, or to remain provisionally certified by increasing the 25% letter of credit to $848,225. Aspen informed the DOE of its desire to remain provisionally certified and posted the $848,225 letter of credit for the DOE on April 14, 2014. On February 26, 2015, Aspen University was informed by the DOE that it again had the option to become permanently certified by increasing the letter of credit to 50% of all Title IV funds received in the last program year, equaling $2,244,971, or to remain provisionally certified by increasing the existing 25% letter of credit to $1,122,485. Aspen informed the DOE on March 3, 2015 of its desire to remain provisionally certified and post the $1,122,485 letter of credit for the DOE by April 30, 2015. In November of 2015, the DOE informed Aspen that they no longer need to post a letter of credit. It was subsequently released. The DOE may impose additional or different terms and conditions in any final provisional program participation agreement that it may issue (See Note 2 “Restricted Cash”).

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

January 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

The HEA requires accrediting agencies to review many aspects of an institution's operations in order to ensure that the education offered is of sufficiently high quality to achieve satisfactory outcomes and that the institution is complying with accrediting standards. Failure to demonstrate compliance with accrediting standards may result in the imposition of probation, the requirements to provide periodic reports, the loss of accreditation or other penalties if deficiencies are not remediated.

Because Aspen University operates in a highly regulated industry, it may be subject from time to time to audits, investigations, claims of noncompliance or lawsuits by governmental agencies or third parties, which allege statutory violations, regulatory infractions or common law causes of action.

On February 25, 2015, the DEAC informed Aspen University that it had renewed its accreditation for five years to January, 2019.

Return of Title IV Funds

An institution participating in Title IV programs must correctly calculate the amount of unearned Title IV program funds that have been disbursed to students who withdraw from their educational programs before completion and must return those unearned funds in a timely manner, no later than 45 days of the date the school determines that the student has withdrawn. Under Department regulations, failure to make timely returns of Title IV program funds for 5% or more of students sampled on the institution's annual compliance audit in either of its two most recently completed fiscal years can result in the institution having to post a letter of credit in an amount equal to 25% of its required Title IV returns during its most recently completed fiscal year. If unearned funds are not properly calculated and returned in a timely manner, an institution is also subject to monetary liabilities or an action to impose a fine or to limit, suspend or terminate its participation in Title IV programs.

Subsequent to a program review by the Department of Education, the Company recognized that it had not fully complied with all requirements for calculating and making timely returns of Title IV funds (R2T4). In November 2013, the Company returned a total of $102,810 of Title IV funds to the Department of Education.

Delaware Approval to Confer Degrees

Aspen University is a Delaware corporation. Delaware law requires an institution to obtain approval from the Delaware Department of Education (“Delaware DOE”) before it may incorporate with the power to confer degrees. In July 2012, Aspen received notice from the Delaware DOE that it was granted provisional approval status effective until June 30, 2015. Aspen applied for either an extension of its provisional approval status or obtain permanent approval status and is waiting for a response from Delaware. Aspen University is authorized by the Colorado Commission on Education to operate in Colorado as a degree granting institution.

Letter of Credit

The Company had maintained a letter of credit under a DOE requirement, and this requirement was lifted in November of 2015 (See Note 2 “Restricted Cash”).

Note 9. Stockholders’ Equity

Common Stock

On June 8, 2015, in exchange for the termination of a consulting agreement with a Director, the Company issued 300,000 restricted stock units (with the value of $50,400 based on the market value on the grant date). Two-thirds are fully vested and the remaining balance vests in six equal monthly installments commencing on June 30, 2015. At January 31, 2016, the Company has recorded consulting expense of $50,400 and it was fully vested.

On January 19, 2016, the Company paid $29,500 as part of settlement to repurchase 42,000 shares. After adjusting for the shares, the Company recorded an expense of $23,662.

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

January 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

Warrants

A summary of the Company’s warrant activity during the nine months ended January 31, 2016 is presented below:


					Weighted
			Weighted		Average
			Average		Remaining		Aggregate
	Number of		Exercise		Contractual		Intrinsic
Warrants	Shares		Price		Term		Value
Balance Outstanding, April 30, 2015		28,871,757	$	0.26		—		—
Granted		—		—		—		—
Exercised		—		—		—		—
Forfeited		—		—		—		—
Expired		—		—		—		—
Balance Outstanding, January 31, 2016		28,871,757	$	0.26		3.0	$	—

Exercisable, January 31, 2016		28,871,757	$	0.26		3.0	$	—

Certain of the Company’s warrants contain price protection. The Company evaluated whether the price protection provision of the warrant would cause derivative treatment. In its assessment, the Company determined that since its shares are not readily convertible to cash due to an inactive trading market, through January 31, 2016 the warrants are excluded from derivative treatment.

Stock Incentive Plan and Stock Option Grants to Employees and Directors

Immediately following the closing of the Reverse Merger, on March 13, 2012, the Company adopted the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) that provides for the grant of 9,300,000 shares, 14,300,000 effective July 2014, 16,300,000 effective September 2014 and 20,300,000 effective November 2015, in the form of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, restricted shares, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock units to employees, consultants, officers and directors. As of January 31, 2016, there were 1,192,687 shares remaining under the Plan for future issuance.

The Company estimates the fair value of share-based compensation utilizing the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which is dependent upon several variables such as the expected option term, expected volatility of the Company’s stock price over the expected term, expected risk-free interest rate over the expected option term, expected dividend yield rate over the expected option term, and an estimate of expected forfeiture rates. The Company believes this valuation methodology is appropriate for estimating the fair value of stock options granted to employees and directors which are subject to ASC Topic 718 requirements. These amounts are estimates and thus may not be reflective of actual future results, nor amounts ultimately realized by recipients of these grants. The Company recognizes compensation on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each award.

A summary of the Company’s stock option activity for employees and directors during the nine months ended January 31, 2016 is presented below:


						Weighted
				Weighted		Average
				Average		Remaining		Aggregate
	Number of			Exercise		Contractual		Intrinsic
Options	Shares			Price		Term		Value
Balance Outstanding, April 30, 2015		14,206,412		$	0.21		3.5		103,000
Granted		5,215,000		$	0.17		6.0		—
Exercised		—			—		—		—
Forfeited		(509,099	)	$	0.44		2.3		—
Expired		—			—		—		—
Balance Outstanding, January 31, 2016		18,912,313		$	0.20		3.4	$	8,835

Exercisable, January 31, 2016		7,234,131		$	0.22		2.2	$	—

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

January 31, 2016

(Unaudited)

On June 8, 2015, the Chief Academic Officer received a grant of 1,000,000 options which has a fair value of $60,000, the Chief Operating Officer received a grant of 700,000 options which has a fair value of $42,000 and the Chief Financial Officer received a grant of 300,000 options which has a fair value of $18,000. All of these options have an exercise price of $0.168 per share.

On August 5, 2015, 500,000 options were granted to the Senior Vice President of Compliance. The exercise price was $0.18 and the fair value was $30,000. The options vest over 3 years.

On September 23, 2015, 465,000 options were granted to a total of 39 employees. The exercise prices were $0.131 and the fair value of the total grant was $48,600. The options vest over 3 years.

On November 20, 2015, three directors were each awarded 250,000 five- year options. The options vest over three years, the exercise prices were $0.165 and the fair value of the total grant of 750,000 options is $37,500.

On December 11, 2015, the Chief Executive Officer was granted 1,500,000 options that vest over three years. The exercise price is $0.175, the life of the options is ten years and the fair value of the grant is $105,000.

As of January 31, 2016, there was approximately $528,000 of unrecognized compensation costs related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.5 years.

The Company recorded compensation expense of $223,657 for the nine months ended January 31, 2016 in connection with employee stock options. The Company recorded compensation expense of $334,723 for the nine months ended January 31, 2015 in connection with employee stock options.

Stock Option Grants to Non-Employees

There were no stock options granted to non-employees during the nine months ended January 31, 2016. The Company recorded no compensation expense for the nine months ended January 31, 2016 in connection with non-employee stock options. There was no unrecognized compensation cost at January 31, 2016.

A summary of the Company's stock option activity for non-employees during the nine months ended January 31, 2016 is presented below:


				Weighted		Average
				Average		Remaining		Aggregate
	Number of			Exercise		Contractual		Intrinsic
Options	Shares			Price		Term		Value
Balance Outstanding, April 30, 2015		220,000		$	0.30		2.1	$	—
Granted		—			—		—		—
Exercised		—			—		—		—
Forfeited		(25,000	)	$	0.19		3.0		—
Expired		—			—		—		—
Balance Outstanding, January 31, 2016		195,000		$	0.31		1.4		—

Exercisable, January 31, 2016		195,000		$	0.31		1.4		—

Note 10. Related Party Transactions

See Note 3 for discussion of secured note and account receivable to related parties and see Notes 6 and 7 for discussion of loans payable and convertible notes payable to related parties.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

You should read the following discussion in conjunction with our unaudited consolidated financial statements, which are included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contain forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates, and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include those discussed in the Risk Factors contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on July 28, 2015 with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC.

All references to “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Aspen Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries (including Aspen), unless the context otherwise indicates. In referring to academic matters, these words refer solely to Aspen University.

Company Overview

Founded in 1987, Aspen’s mission is to offer any motivated college-worthy student the opportunity to receive a high quality, responsibly priced distance-learning education for the purpose of achieving sustainable economic and social benefits for themselves and their families. Aspen is dedicated to providing the highest quality education experiences taught by top-tier professors - 56% of our adjunct professors hold doctorate degrees.

Because we believe higher education should be a catalyst to our students’ long-term economic success, we exert financial prudence by offering affordable tuition that is one of the greatest values in online higher education. Last year, Aspen University unveiled a monthly payment plan aimed at reversing the college-debt sentence plaguing working-class Americans. The monthly payment plan offers bachelor students (except RN to BSN) the opportunity to pay $250/month for 72 months ($18,000), nursing bachelor students (RN to BSN) $250/month for 39 months ($9,750), master students $325/month for 36 months ($11,700) and doctoral students $375 per month for 72 months ($27,000), interest free, thereby giving students the ability to earn a degree debt free.

Since launching the debtless education solution in March 2014, Aspen University has become one of the fastest growing universities in the United States with record new student enrollments and record revenue acceleration in fiscal year 2016. Below is a chart reflecting the year-over-year percentage of new student enrollment growth and revenue growth during Aspen’s previous four fiscal quarters:

Aspen University’s Record Growth in Fiscal Year 2016


	New Student Enrollment Growth	Revenue Growth
	(y/o/y growth %)	(y/o/y growth %)
Fiscal Quarter Ended April 30, 2015	89%	34%
Fiscal Quarter Ended July 31, 2015	81%	46%
Fiscal Quarter Ended October 31, 2015	110%	58%
Fiscal Quarter Ended January 31, 2016	75%	68%

Student Population

Aspen’s full-time degree-seeking student body increased year-over-year by 47% during the quarter ended January 31, 2016, from 3,011 to 4,412 students.

Our most popular school is our School of Nursing. Aspen’s School of Nursing has grown from 38% of our full-time, degree-seeking student body at January 31, 2015, to 52% of our full-time, degree-seeking student body at January 31, 2016. Aspen’s School of Nursing grew from 1,151 to 2,307 student’s year-over-year, which represented 83% of Aspen’s full-time degree-seeking student body growth. At January 31, 2016, Aspen’s School of Nursing included 975 students in the RN to BSN program and 1,332 students in the RN to MSN Bridge program or MSN program.

New Student Enrollment and Total Degree-Seeking Student Body Overview

Since the launch of the BSN marketing campaign in mid-November, 2014, Aspen’s growth rate of new student enrollments has accelerated significantly.

Aspen has updated its definition of a new student enrollment to only report those new students that complete their first seven day assignment of their first course in their degree program. Based on that definition, below is a quarterly analysis of new student enrollments for the past six quarters, including the recent quarter ending January 31, 2016. Note that in the recent quarter ending January 31, 2016, new student enrollments were up 75% year-over-year, from 315 to 550.


	New Student Enrollments	Degree Seeking Student Body
Fiscal Quarter End October 31, 2014	265	2,811
Fiscal Quarter End January 31, 2015	315	3,011
Fiscal Quarter End April 30, 2015	444	3,309
Fiscal Quarter End July 31, 2015	410	3,609
Fiscal Quarter End October 31, 2015	557	4,015
Fiscal Quarter End January 31, 2016	550	4,412

Aspen’s School of Nursing is responsible for the vast majority of the new student enrollment and overall student body growth. Specifically, Aspen’s School of Nursing is now on pace to grow on an annualized basis by 1,500 Nursing students – net of student graduations and withdrawals (or 125/month). Aspen’s BSN program accounts for 72% of that growth, as that program is on pace to increase on an annualized basis by 1,080 students – net (or 90/month).

Aspen University expects its total degree-seeking student body to continue its rapid growth and reach approximately 4,800 students by the end of the fiscal year, April 30, 2016. Therefore, the university is on pace to increase its student body by 1,600 students on an annualized basis versus the previous pace of 800 students a year ago.

Monthly Payment Programs Overview

Aspen offers two monthly payment programs, a monthly payment plan in which students make payments every month over a fixed period (36, 39 or 72 months depending on the degree program), and a monthly installment plan in which students pay three monthly installments only while active in a 10-week course. As of January 31, 2016, Aspen had 1,185 students paying through a monthly payment plan, and 410 students paying through the monthly installment plan, for a total of 1,595 students on a monthly payment program. Moreover, Aspen is currently adding 90 students/month net to its monthly payment program student total.

The total value of the 1,185 student monthly payment plan contracts exceeds $11 million, and is currently increasing in total value by approximately $900,000 each month.

Finally, during the month of January 2016, Aspen processed $381,002 in credit card payments for students on monthly payment programs.

Results of Operations

For the Three Months Ended January 31, 2016 Compared with the Three Months Ended January 31, 2015

Revenue

Revenue from operations for the three months ended January 31, 2016 (“2016 Quarter”) increased to $2,164,031 from $1,286,138 for the three months ended January 31, 2015 (“2015 Quarter”), an increase of 68%. The increase is primarily attributable to the growth in Aspen’s School of Nursing student enrollments and Nursing student class starts. Specifically, revenues from Aspen’s School of Nursing increased to $1,873,210 during the 2016 Quarter from $541,865 during the 2015 Quarter, an increase of 246%. Aspen’s School of Nursing represents the majority of Aspen’s revenues at 87%.

Cost of Revenues (exclusive of amortization)

The Company’s cost of revenues consist of instructional costs and services and marketing and promotional costs.

Instructional Costs and Services

Instructional costs and services for the 2016 Quarter rose to $505,205 from $298,149 for the 2015 Quarter, an increase of $207,056 or 69%.

Starting in November 2015, Aspen began the implementation of a newly devised long-term faculty organization and compensation strategic plan. The plan features a graduated full-time faculty model, meaning as course loads hit certain volume levels, faculty members will be hired on a full-time basis. This will achieve annualized cost savings of over 50% for each full-time faculty member hire.

As a result of this new faculty strategic plan, in the upcoming quarter ending April 30, 2016, Aspen is forecasting its Instructional Costs and Services to remain relatively flat quarter-over-quarter even though course starts are expected to rise sequentially by approximately 15%. Should this result occur as forecasted, Instructional Costs and Services as a percentage of revenue would drop sequentially from 23% of revenue to 21% of revenue.

Marketing and Promotional

Marketing and promotional costs for the 2016 Quarter were $490,321 compared to $334,848 for the 2015 Quarter, an increase of $155,473 or 46%.

Gross Profit was 48% of revenues or $1,029,373 for the 2016 Quarter compared to 41% of revenues or $529,293 for the 2015 Quarter. The increase of Gross Profit from $529,293 to $1,029,373 is an increase of $500,080 or 94% year-over-year. Gross Profit (exclusive of amortization), a non-GAAP financial measure, was 54% of revenues or $1,168,505 for the 2016 Quarter from 51% of revenues or $653,141 for the 2015 Quarter. The increase of Gross Profit (exclusive of amortization) from $653,141 to $1,168,505 is an increase of $513,364 or 79% year-over-year.

Costs and Expenses

General and Administrative

General and administrative costs for the 2016 Quarter were $1,659,133 compared to $1,701,871 during the 2015 Quarter, a decrease of $42,738 or 3%. The decrease is primarily attributed to lower legal costs associated with the legacy HEMG litigation.

Note: As previously disclosed, HEMG filed bankruptcy pursuant to Chapter 7 on October 15, 2015. As a result, HEMG’s remaining claims and Aspen’s counterclaims in the New York lawsuit are currently stayed.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization costs for the 2016 Quarter rose to $151,597 from $133,966 for the 2015 Quarter, an increase of $17,631 or 13%. The increase is primarily attributable to higher levels of capitalized technology costs.

Other Income (Expense)

Other income for the 2016 Quarter decreased to $1,414 from $2,277 in the 2015 Quarter, a decrease of $863 or 38%. Interest expense decreased from $34,532 to $34,153, a decrease of $379 or 1%.

Income Taxes

There was no income tax expense (benefit) for the 2016 Quarter and 2015 Quarter as Aspen Group experienced operating losses in both periods. As management made a full valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets stemming from these losses, there was no tax benefit recorded in the statement of operations in both periods.

Net Loss

Net loss for the 2016 Quarter was ($674,964) as compared to ($1,214,951) for the 2016 Quarter, a decrease in the loss of $539,987 or approximately 44%. Contributing to this lower loss was the increase in revenues and gross profits in the 2016 Quarter.

For the Nine Months Ended January 31, 2016 Compared with the Nine Months Ended January 31, 2015

Revenue

Revenue from operations for the nine months ended January 31, 2016 (“2016 Period”) increased to $5,783,053 from $3,670,245 for the nine months ended January 31, 2015 (“2015 Period”), an increase of 58%. The increase is primarily attributable to the growth in Aspen’s School of Nursing student enrollments and Nursing student class starts. Specifically, revenues from Aspen’s School of Nursing increased to $4,030,951 during the 2016 Period from $1,419,990 during the 2015 Period, an increase of 184%. Aspen’s School of Nursing represented the majority of Aspen’s revenues for the nine month period at 70%.

Cost of Revenues (exclusive of amortization)

The Company’s cost of revenues consist of instructional costs and services and marketing and promotional costs.

Instructional Costs and Services

Instructional costs and services for the 2016 Period rose to $1,276,125 from $816,681 for the 2015 Period, an increase of $459,444 or 56%. As Aspen increases its degree-seeking Nursing student enrollments and related class starts, the higher gross margins associated with such students should lead to the growth rate in instructional costs and services to lag that of overall revenue growth.

Marketing and Promotional

Marketing and promotional costs for the 2016 Period were $1,361,311 compared to $708,112 for the 2015 Period, an increase of $653,199 or 92%. This increase reflects an increased monthly internet advertising budget to $150,000, starting in August, 2015.

As a result of the planned marketing spending increase in the 2016 Period, Gross Profit was 47% of revenues or $2,737,625 for the 2016 Period compared to 49% of revenues or $1,784,903 for the 2015 Period. The increase of Gross Profit to $2,737,625 from $1,784,903 is an increase of $952,722 or 53% year-over-year. Gross Profit (exclusive of amortization), a non-GAAP financial measure, was 54% of revenues or $3,145,617 for the 2016 Period from 58% of revenues or $2,145,452 for the 2015 Period. The increase of Gross Profit (exclusive of amortization) to $3,145,617 from $2,145,452 is an increase of $1,000,165 or 46% year-over-year.

Costs and Expenses

General and Administrative

General and administrative costs for the 2016 Period were $4,746,953 compared to $4,160,978 during the 2016 Period, an increase of $585,975 or 14%. The increase is attributable primarily to higher payroll costs, primarily due to the staffing increase in the enrollment call center.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization costs for the 2016 Period rose to $443,314 from $389,706 for the 2015 Period, an increase of $53,608 or 14%. The increase is primarily attributable to higher levels of capitalized technology costs.

Other Income (Expense)

Other income for the 2016 Period increased to $8,077 from $7,157 in the 2015 Period, an increase of $920 or 13%. The increase is primarily due to favorable foreign exchange. Interest expense decreased from $389,153 to $101,518, a decrease of $287,635 or 74%. The decrease is due to the elimination of the monthly interest to the Institutional Investor along with the amortization of the debt discount and the debt issuance costs.

Loss from Debt Extinguishment

In the 2015 Period, there is a $452,503 loss from the extinguishment of the debenture. Included in this loss is the final interest payment of $70,000, offset by an interest accrual of $34,084, along with the writeoff of $130,057 of remaining debt issuance costs and $286,530 of remaining original issue discount.

Income Taxes

There was no income tax expense (benefit) for the 2015 Period and 2014 Period as Aspen Group experienced operating losses in both periods. As management made a full valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets stemming from these losses, there was no tax benefit recorded in the statement of operations in both periods.

Net Loss

Net loss for the 2016 Period was ($2,138,091) as compared to ($3,239,731) for the 2015 Period, a decrease in the loss of $1,101,640, or approximately 34%. Contributing to this lower loss was the increase in revenues and gross profits in the 2016 Period, as well as lower interest expense and no loss on debt extinguishment charge in the 2016 Period.

Non-GAAP – Financial Measures

The following discussion and analysis includes both financial measures in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, or GAAP, as well as non-GAAP financial measures. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s performance, financial position or cash flows that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally included or excluded in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed as supplemental to, and should not be considered as alternatives to net income, operating income, and cash flow from operating activities, liquidity or any other financial measures. They may not be indicative of the historical operating results of Aspen Group nor are they intended to be predictive of potential future results. Investors should not consider non-GAAP financial measures in isolation or as substitutes for performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.

Our management uses and relies on Adjusted EBITDA and Gross Profit (exclusive of depreciation and amortization), which are non-GAAP financial measures. We believe that both management and shareholders benefit from referring to the following non-GAAP financial measures in planning, forecasting and analyzing future periods. Our management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in evaluating its financial and operational decision making and as a means to evaluate period-to-period comparison. Our management recognizes that the non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations because of the described excluded items.

Aspen Group defines Adjusted EBITDA as earnings (or loss) from continuing operations before the items in the table below. Adjusted EBITDA is an important measure of our operating performance because it allows management, investors and analysts to evaluate and assess our core operating results from period-to-period after removing the impact of items of a non-operational nature that affect comparability.

We have included a reconciliation of our non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. We believe that providing the non-GAAP financial measures, together with the reconciliation to GAAP, helps investors make comparisons between Aspen Group and other companies. In making any comparisons to other companies, investors need to be aware that companies use different non-GAAP measures to evaluate their financial performance. Investors should pay close attention to the specific definition being used and to the reconciliation between such measure and the corresponding GAAP measure provided by each company under applicable SEC rules.

The following table presents a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net loss allocable to common shareholders, a GAAP financial measure:


	Three Months Ended 01/31/16			Three Months Ended 01/31/15
Net loss allocable to common shareholders	$	(674,964	)	$	(1,214,951	)
Interest Expense, net of interest income		32,739			34,532
Bad Debt Expense		71,489			12,228
Depreciation & Amortization		151,597			133,966
Stock-based compensation		94,670			123,085
Non-recurring charges		147,681			339,522
Adjusted EBITDA (Loss)	$	(176,788	)	$	(571,618	)

The following table presents a reconciliation of adjusted Gross Profit (exclusive of amortization), a non-GAAP financial measure, to gross profit calculated in accordance with GAAP:


	For the				For the
	Three Months Ended January,				Nine Months Ended January 31,
	2016		2015		2016		2015

Revenues	$	2,164,031	$	1,286,138	$	5,783,053	$	3,670,245

Costs of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately)		995,526		632,997		2,637,436		1,524,793

Gross profit (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)		1,168,505		653,141		3,145,617		2,145,452

Depreciation and amortization expenses excluded from cost of revenues		139,132		123,848		407,992		360,549

GAAP gross profit	$	1,029,373	$	529,293	$	2,737,625	$	1,784,903

Liquidity and Capital Resources

A summary of our cash flows is as follows:


	For the Nine Months Ended
	January 31,
	2016			2015

Net cash used in operating activities	$	(1,359,801	)	$	(1,863,341	)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities		723,783			(406,365	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(723)			3,175,415
Net cash provided by discontinued operations		—			5,250
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	$	(636,741	)	$	910,959

Net Cash Used in Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities during the 2016 Period totaled ($1,359,801) and resulted primarily from a net loss from continuing operations of ($2,138,091) offset by non-cash items of $894,048, comprised of $443,314 in depreciation and amortization, $223,657 of stock compensation expense, $170,677 of bad debt expense, $50,400 for amortization of prepaid services and $6,000 for warrant conversion expense, as well as a net change in operating assets and liabilities of ($115,758), of which the $1,168,549 increase in accounts receivable was the most significant.

Net cash used in operating activities during the 2015 Period totaled ($1,863,341) and resulted primarily from a net loss from continuing operations of $(3,239,731) offset by non-cash items of $1,500,454 and a net change in operating assets and liabilities of $(124,064).

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

Net cash provided by investing activities during the 2016 Period totaled $723,783 and resulted primarily from the release of the DOE letter of credit offset by capitalized technology expenditures included in property and equipment.

Net cash used in investing activities during the 2015 Period totaled ($406,365), resulting primarily from capitalized technology expenditures included in property and equipment.

Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities during the 2016 Period totaled ($723) which resulted primarily from a net increase in the line of credit at our bank offset by the repurchase of shares under a settlement agreement.

Net cash provided by financing activities during the 2015 Period totaled $3,175,415 which resulted primarily from proceeds from the issuance of common shares and warrants of $5,547,826, offset by the retirement of convertible notes of $2,240,000.

Historical Financings

Historically, our primary source of liquidity is cash receipts from tuition and the issuances of debt and equity securities. The primary uses of cash are payroll related expenses, professional expenses and instructional and marketing expenses.

On July 1, 2013, Mr. Michael Mathews, our Chief Executive Officer, loaned Aspen Group $1 million and was issued a $1 million promissory note. The promissory note bears 10% interest per annum, payable monthly in arrears. Mr. Mathews also holds two $300,000 convertible notes, one of which is convertible at $0.35 per share and the other at $1.00 per share. The due dates of all three notes held by Mr. Mathews were recently extended to May 31, 2017.

In September 2013, the Company sold a $2,240,000 Original Issue Discount Secured Convertible Debenture (the “Debenture”) and 6,736,842 five-year warrants (exercisable at $0.3325) in a private placement offering to an institutional investor. The Company received net proceeds of approximately $1.7 million from this offering.

On January 15, 2014, a warrant exercise offering was completed whereby 4,231,840 warrants were exercised at an exercise price of $0.19 per warrant. The total proceeds received were $804,049 and since the exercise price was discounted from the stated prices of either $0.50 or $0.3325. Related to this, additional 5,178,947 new warrants were issued at $0.19 per warrant as part of a price protection agreement with two investors.

On March 10, 2014, several members of the Board of Directors invested $600,000 in exchange for 3,157,895 shares of common stock and 3,157,895 warrants at $0.19 per share.

On July 29, 2014, in the first part of a two part private placement offering, seven accredited investors, including the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, paid a total of $1,631,500 in exchange for 10,525,809 shares of common stock and 5,262,907 five-year warrants exercisable at $0.19 per share. Aspen reimbursed expenses in total of $75,000 related to this offering. As a result of this private placement, on July 31, 2014, Aspen issued 3,473,259 shares of common stock to prior investors who had price protection on their investments, issued 2,662,139 warrants to a prior investor who had price protection on their investment and reduced the exercise and conversion price on 14,451,613 outstanding warrants and its outstanding Debenture to $0.155.

On September 4, 2014, Aspen raised $3,766,325 from the sale of 24,298,877 shares of common stock and 12,149,439 five-year warrants exercisable at $0.19 per share in the second part of a two part private placement offering to 15 accredited investors. The net proceeds to Aspen were approximately $3.7 million. With the proceeds from this offering, we pre-paid the full principal owed and interest due under the Debenture (described above).

In April 2015, Aspen raised $2,268,670 closed on its offering to warrant holders whereby it issued 14,747,116 shares of common stock to the holders in exchange for their early exercise of warrants at the reduced exercise price of $0.155. The Company received gross proceeds of $2,268,670, which included warrants exercised by the Company’s Chief Financial Officer.

Liquidity and Capital Resource Considerations

As of March 9, 2016, the Company had a cash balance of approximately $1.75 million. With the additional cash from the recently released DOE letter of credit, the growth in the Company revenues and improving operating margins, the Company believes that it has sufficient cash to allow the Company to implement its long-term business plan and meet its operations for at least the next 12 months.

Our cash balances are kept liquid to support our growing infrastructure needs. The majority of our cash is concentrated in large financial institutions.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

In response to financial reporting release FR-60, Cautionary Advice Regarding Disclosure About Critical Accounting Policies, from the SEC, we have selected our more subjective accounting estimation processes for purposes of explaining the methodology used in calculating the estimate, in addition to the inherent uncertainties pertaining to the estimate and the possible effects on the our financial condition. The accounting estimates are discussed below and involve certain assumptions that, if incorrect, could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue

Revenue consisting primarily of tuition and fees derived from courses taught by Aspen online as well as from related educational resources that Aspen provides to its students, such as access to our online materials and learning management system. Tuition revenue is recognized pro-rata over the applicable period of instruction. Aspen maintains an institutional tuition refund policy, which provides for all or a portion of tuition to be refunded if a student withdraws during stated refund periods. Certain states in which students reside impose separate, mandatory refund policies, which override Aspen’s policy to the extent in conflict. If a student withdraws at a time when a portion or none of the tuition is refundable, then in accordance with its revenue recognition policy, Aspen recognizes as revenue the tuition that was not refunded. Since Aspen recognizes revenue pro-rata over the term of the course and because, under its institutional refund policy, the amount subject to refund is never greater than the amount of the revenue that has been deferred, under Aspen’s accounting policies revenue is not recognized with respect to amounts that could potentially be refunded. Aspen’s educational programs have starting and ending dates that differ from its fiscal quarters. Therefore, at the end of each fiscal quarter, a portion of revenue from these programs is not yet earned and is therefore deferred. Aspen also charges students annual fees for library, technology and other services, which are recognized over the related service period. Deferred revenue represents the amount of tuition, fees, and other student payments received in excess of the portion recognized as revenue and it is included in current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Other revenue may be recognized as sales occur or services are performed.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable

All students are required to select both a primary and secondary payment option with respect to amounts due to Aspen for tuition, fees and other expenses. The most common payment option for Aspen’s students is personal funds or payment made on their behalf by an employer. In instances where a student selects financial aid as the primary payment option, he or she often selects personal cash as the secondary option. If a student who has selected financial aid as his or her primary payment option withdraws prior to the end of a course but after the date that Aspen’s institutional refund period has expired, the student will have incurred the obligation to pay the full cost of the course. If the withdrawal occurs before the date at which the student has earned 100% of his or her financial aid, Aspen will have to return all or a portion of the Title IV funds to the DOE and the student will owe Aspen all amounts incurred that are in excess of the amount of financial aid that the student earned and that Aspen is entitled to retain. In this case, Aspen must collect the receivable using the student’s second payment option.

For accounts receivable from students, Aspen records an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability, failure or refusal of its students to make required payments, which includes the recovery of financial aid funds advanced to a student for amounts in excess of the student’s cost of tuition and related fees. Aspen determines the adequacy of its allowance for doubtful accounts using a general reserve method based on an analysis of its historical bad debt experience, current economic trends, and the aging of the accounts receivable and student status. Aspen applies reserves to its receivables based upon an estimate of the risk presented by the age of the receivables and student status. Aspen writes off accounts receivable balances at the time the balances are deemed uncollectible. Aspen continues to reflect accounts receivable with an offsetting allowance as long as management believes there is a reasonable possibility of collection.

For accounts receivable from primary payors other than students, Aspen estimates its allowance for doubtful accounts by evaluating specific accounts where information indicates the customers may have an inability to meet financial obligations, such as bankruptcy proceedings and receivable amounts outstanding for an extended period beyond contractual terms. In these cases, Aspen uses assumptions and judgment, based on the best available facts and circumstances, to record a specific allowance for those customers against amounts due to reduce the receivable to the amount expected to be collected. These specific allowances are re-evaluated and adjusted as additional information is received. The amounts calculated are analyzed to determine the total amount of the allowance. Aspen may also record a general allowance as necessary.

Direct write-offs are taken in the period when Aspen has exhausted its efforts to collect overdue and unpaid receivables or otherwise evaluate other circumstances that indicate that Aspen should abandon such efforts.

Related Party Transactions

See Note 10 to our January 31, 2016 unaudited consolidated financial statements included herein for additional description of related party transactions that had a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not engage in any activities involving variable interest entities or off-balance sheet arrangements.

New Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2 to our January 31, 2016 unaudited consolidated financial statements included herein for discussion of recent accounting pronouncements.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This report contains forward-looking statements including statements regarding student growth, overall growth and liquidity. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this report, including statements regarding our future financial position, liquidity, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “could,” “target,” “potential,” “is likely,” “will,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs.

The results anticipated by any or all of these forward-looking statements might not occur. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include the failure to maintain regulatory approvals, competition, and ineffective media and/or marketing, failure to maintain growth in degree seeking students and the failure to generate sufficient revenue. Further information on our risk factors is contained in our filings with the SEC, including the Form 10-K filed on July 28, 2015. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this report speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as the result of new information, future events or otherwise.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Not applicable.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Our management carried out an evaluation, with the participation of our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, required by Rule 13a-15 or 15d-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based on their evaluation, our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the end of the period covered by this report to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, we may be involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of business. There were no material changes to our legal proceedings during the period covered by this report.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Not applicable to smaller reporting companies.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

See the Exhibit Index at the end of this report.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


	Aspen Group, Inc.

March 9, 2016	By:	/s/ Michael Mathews
		Michael Mathews
		Chief Executive Officer
		(Principal Executive Officer)


March 9, 2016	By:	/s/ Janet Gill
		Janet Gill
		Chief Financial Officer
		(Principal Financial Officer)

EXHIBIT INDEX

Incorporated by Reference

Filed or Furnished

Exhibit #

Exhibit Description

Form

Date

Number

Herewith

3.1

Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation, as amended

S-1

10/18/14

3.1

3.2

Bylaws

8-K

3/19/12

2.7

3.3

Amendment No. 1 to Bylaws

8-K

3/12/14

3.1

10.1

Amendment to the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan

8-K

11/27/15

10.1

31.1

Certification of Principal Executive Officer (302)

Filed

31.2

Certification of Principal Financial Officer (302)

Filed

32.1

Certification of Principal Executive and Principal Financial Officer (906)

Furnished**

101.INS

XBRL Instance Document

Filed

101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

Filed

101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

Filed

101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

Filed

101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

Filed

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

Filed

———————

This exhibit is being furnished rather than filed and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing, in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

Copies of this report (including the financial statements) and any of the exhibits referred to above will be furnished at no cost to our shareholders who make a written request to Aspen Group, Inc., at the address on the cover page of this report, Attention: Corporate Secretary.