ASPEN GROUP, INC. - Quarter Report: 2020 January (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
☑ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended January 31, 2020
or
☐ | 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 001-38175
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. | |||||||||||||
276 Fifth Avenue, Suite 505, New York, New York | 10001 | |||||||||||||
Address of Principal Executive Offices | Zip Code |
(480) 407-7365
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||
Common Stock, par value $0.001 | ASPU | The Nasdaq Stock Market (The Nasdaq Global Market) |
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 ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes þ No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ¨ | Accelerated filer þ | |||||||
Non-accelerated filer ¨ | Smaller reporting company ☑ | |||||||
Emerging growth company ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No þ
Class | Outstanding as of March 6, 2020 | |||||||
Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share | 21,740,741 shares |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page Number | ||||||||
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
January 31, 2020 | April 30, 2019 | ||||||||||
(Unaudited) | |||||||||||
Assets | |||||||||||
Current assets: | |||||||||||
Cash | $ | 20,512,808 | $ | 9,519,352 | |||||||
Restricted cash | 456,211 | 448,400 | |||||||||
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,759,824 and $1,247,031, respectively | 14,128,185 | 10,656,470 | |||||||||
Prepaid expenses | 977,937 | 410,745 | |||||||||
Other receivables | 1,750 | 2,145 | |||||||||
Other current assets | 173,090 | — | |||||||||
Total current assets | 36,249,981 | 21,037,112 | |||||||||
Property and equipment: | |||||||||||
Call center equipment | 305,766 | 193,774 | |||||||||
Computer and office equipment | 396,898 | 327,621 | |||||||||
Furniture and fixtures | 1,550,520 | 1,381,271 | |||||||||
Software | 5,725,500 | 4,314,198 | |||||||||
7,978,684 | 6,216,864 | ||||||||||
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization | (2,662,273) | (1,825,524) | |||||||||
Total property and equipment, net | 5,316,411 | 4,391,340 | |||||||||
Goodwill | 5,011,432 | 5,011,432 | |||||||||
Intangible assets, net | 7,900,000 | 8,541,667 | |||||||||
Courseware, net | 121,235 | 161,930 | |||||||||
Accounts receivable, secured - net of allowance of $625,963 and $625,963, respectively | 45,329 | 45,329 | |||||||||
Long term contractual accounts receivable | 6,067,234 | 3,085,243 | |||||||||
Debt issue cost, net | 211,999 | 300,824 | |||||||||
Right of use lease asset | 7,693,268 | — | |||||||||
Deposits and other assets | 349,535 | 629,626 | |||||||||
Total assets | $ | 68,966,424 | $ | 43,204,503 |
(Continued)
The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements
1
ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (CONTINUED)
January 31, 2020 | April 30, 2019 | ||||||||||
(Unaudited) | |||||||||||
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | |||||||||||
Current liabilities: | |||||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | 791,138 | $ | 1,699,221 | |||||||
Accrued expenses | 1,077,985 | 651,418 | |||||||||
Deferred revenue | 5,694,743 | 2,456,865 | |||||||||
Refunds due students | 2,311,745 | 1,174,501 | |||||||||
Deferred rent, current portion | — | 47,436 | |||||||||
Convertible note payable | 50,000 | 50,000 | |||||||||
Operating lease obligations, current portion | 1,649,934 | — | |||||||||
Other current liabilities | 584,659 | 270,786 | |||||||||
Total current liabilities | 12,160,204 | 6,350,227 | |||||||||
Convertible notes, net of discount of $1,692,309 at January 31, 2020 | 8,307,691 | — | |||||||||
Senior secured loan payable, net of discount of $353,328 at April 30, 2019 | — | 9,646,672 | |||||||||
Operating lease obligations | 6,043,334 | — | |||||||||
Deferred rent | 775,807 | 746,176 | |||||||||
Total liabilities | 27,287,036 | 16,743,075 | |||||||||
Commitments and contingencies – see Note 10 | |||||||||||
Stockholders’ equity: | |||||||||||
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized, | |||||||||||
0 issued and outstanding at January 31, 2020 and April 30, 2019 | — | — | |||||||||
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 40,000,000 shares authorized | |||||||||||
21,727,075 issued and 21,710,408 outstanding at January 31, 2020 | |||||||||||
18,665,551 issued and 18,648,884 outstanding at April 30, 2019 | 21,727 | 18,666 | |||||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 88,772,128 | 68,562,727 | |||||||||
Treasury stock (16,667 shares) | (70,000) | (70,000) | |||||||||
Accumulated deficit | (47,044,467) | (42,049,965) | |||||||||
Total stockholders’ equity | 41,679,388 | 26,461,428 | |||||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 68,966,424 | $ | 43,204,503 | |||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.
2
ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended January 31, | Nine Months Ended January 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Revenues | $ | 12,537,940 | $ | 8,494,627 | $ | 34,981,887 | $ | 23,811,275 | |||||||||||||||
Operating expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below) | 5,163,007 | 4,076,980 | 13,704,121 | 11,664,887 | |||||||||||||||||||
General and administrative | 8,627,588 | 6,284,041 | 23,264,447 | 18,318,061 | |||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 475,393 | 555,292 | 1,710,192 | 1,577,464 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 14,265,988 | 10,916,313 | 38,678,760 | 31,560,412 | |||||||||||||||||||
Operating loss | (1,728,048) | (2,421,686) | (3,696,873) | (7,749,137) | |||||||||||||||||||
Other income (expense) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Other income | 34,117 | 142,180 | 189,486 | 240,074 | |||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | (571,958) | (76,434) | (1,424,607) | (159,232) | |||||||||||||||||||
Total other income/(expense), net | (537,841) | 65,746 | (1,235,121) | 80,842 | |||||||||||||||||||
Loss before income taxes | (2,265,889) | (2,355,940) | (4,931,994) | (7,668,295) | |||||||||||||||||||
Income tax expense | 15,163 | — | 62,508 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (2,281,052) | $ | (2,355,940) | $ | (4,994,502) | $ | (7,668,295) | |||||||||||||||
Net loss per share allocable to common stockholders - basic | $ | (0.12) | $ | (0.13) | $ | (0.26) | $ | (0.42) | |||||||||||||||
Weighted average number of common stock outstanding - basic | 19,420,987 | 18,398,095 | 19,046,558 | 18,350,360 |
The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.
3
ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Three Months Ended January 31, 2020 and 2019
(Unaudited)
Common Stock | Additional Paid-In Capital | Treasury Stock | Accumulated Deficit | Total Stockholders’ Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at October 31, 2019 | 19,142,316 | $ | 19,142 | $ | 69,781,363 | $ | (70,000) | $ | (44,763,415) | $ | 24,967,090 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | — | — | 737,820 | — | — | 737,820 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock issued for cashless stock options exercised | 8,352 | 9 | (9) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock issued for stock options exercised for cash | 121,407 | 121 | 530,547 | — | — | 530,668 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of warrant based cost | — | — | 9,125 | — | — | 9,125 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of restricted stock issued for services | — | — | 24,398 | — | — | 24,398 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Restricted Stock Issued for Services, subject to vesting | 40,000 | 40 | (40) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock issued for equity raise, net of underwriter costs of $1,222,371 | 2,415,000 | 2,415 | 16,042,464 | — | — | 16,044,879 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other offering costs | — | — | (51,282) | — | — | (51,282) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Beneficial conversion feature on convertible debt | — | — | 1,692,309 | — | — | 1,692,309 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock short swing reclamation | — | — | 5,433 | — | — | 5,433 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | — | — | — | — | (2,281,052) | (2,281,052) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at January 31, 2020 | 21,727,075 | $ | 21,727 | $ | 88,772,128 | $ | (70,000) | $ | (47,044,467) | $ | 41,679,388 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common Stock | Additional Paid-In Capital | Treasury Stock | Accumulated Deficit | Total Stockholders’ Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at October 31, 2018 | 18,391,092 | $ | 18,391 | $ | 67,102,509 | $ | (70,000) | $ | (38,084,103) | $ | 28,966,797 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | — | — | 350,838 | — | — | 350,838 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock issued for cashless stock options exercised | 55,871 | 56 | (56) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock issued for stock options exercised for cash | 22,985 | 23 | 50,018 | — | — | 50,041 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock issued for cashless warrant exercise | 35,921 | 36 | (36) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Relative fair value of warrants issued with debt | — | — | 255,071 | — | — | 255,071 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | — | — | — | — | (2,355,940) | (2,355,940) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at January 31, 2019 | 18,505,869 | $ | 18,506 | $ | 67,758,344 | $ | (70,000) | $ | (40,440,043) | $ | 27,266,807 |
The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.
4
ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (CONTINUED)
Nine Months Ended January 31, 2020 and 2019
(Unaudited)
Common Stock | Additional Paid-In Capital | Treasury Stock | Accumulated Deficit | Total Stockholders’ Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at April 30, 2019 | 18,665,551 | $ | 18,666 | $ | 68,562,727 | $ | (70,000) | $ | (42,049,965) | $ | 26,461,428 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | — | — | 1,627,304 | — | — | 1,627,304 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock issued for cashless stock options exercised | 190,559 | 191 | (191) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock issued for stock options exercised for cash | 234,233 | 234 | 768,147 | — | — | 768,381 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock issued for cashless warrant exercise | 76,929 | 77 | (77) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of warrant based cost | — | — | 27,690 | — | — | 27,690 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization of restricted stock issued for services | — | — | 97,748 | — | — | 97,748 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Restricted Stock Issued for Services, subject to vesting | 144,803 | 144 | (144) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock issued for equity raise, net of underwriter costs of $1,222,371 | 2,415,000 | 2,415 | 16,042,464 | — | — | 16,044,879 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other offerings costs | — | — | (51,282) | — | — | (51,282) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Beneficial conversion feature on convertible debt | — | — | 1,692,309 | — | — | 1,692,309 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock short swing reclamation | — | — | 5,433 | — | — | 5,433 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | — | — | — | — | (4,994,502) | (4,994,502) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at January 31, 2020 | 21,727,075 | $ | 21,727 | $ | 88,772,128 | $ | (70,000) | $ | (47,044,467) | $ | 41,679,388 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common Stock | Additional Paid-In Capital | Treasury Stock | Accumulated Deficit | Total Stockholders’ Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at April 30, 2018 | 18,333,521 | $ | 18,334 | $ | 66,557,005 | $ | (70,000) | $ | (32,771,748) | $ | 33,733,591 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | — | — | 866,129 | — | — | 866,129 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock issued for cashless stock options exercised | 86,635 | 87 | (87) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock issued for stock options exercised for cash | 49,792 | 49 | 110,094 | — | — | 110,143 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock issued for cashless warrant exercise | 35,921 | 36 | (36) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Relative fair value of warrants issued with debt | — | — | 255,071 | — | — | 255,071 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchase of treasury stock, net of broker fees | — | — | — | (7,370,000) | — | (7,370,000) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Re-sale of treasury stock, net of broker fees | — | — | — | 7,370,000 | — | 7,370,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Fees associated with equity raise | — | — | (29,832) | — | — | (29,832) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | — | — | — | — | (7,668,295) | (7,668,295) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at January 31, 2019 | 18,505,869 | $ | 18,506 | $ | 67,758,344 | $ | (70,000) | $ | (40,440,043) | $ | 27,266,807 |
The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.
5
ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended January 31, | |||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | |||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (4,994,502) | $ | (7,668,295) | |||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | |||||||||||
Bad debt expense | 651,205 | 480,066 | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 1,710,192 | 1,577,464 | |||||||||
Stock-based compensation | 1,782,472 | 866,129 | |||||||||
Warrants issued for services | 27,690 | — | |||||||||
Loss on asset disposition | 3,918 | — | |||||||||
Amortization of debt discounts | 182,218 | — | |||||||||
Amortization of debt issue costs | 88,825 | 24,657 | |||||||||
Amortization of prepaid shares for services | — | 8,285 | |||||||||
Non-cash payments to investor relations firm | 97,748 | — | |||||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||||||
Accounts receivable | (7,104,911) | (4,209,576) | |||||||||
Prepaid expenses | (567,192) | (152,094) | |||||||||
Other receivables | 395 | 105,334 | |||||||||
Other current assets | (173,090) | — | |||||||||
Other assets | 280,091 | (22,846) | |||||||||
Accounts payable | (908,083) | (517,981) | |||||||||
Accrued expenses | 426,567 | (88,048) | |||||||||
Deferred rent | (17,805) | 638,713 | |||||||||
Refunds due students | 1,137,244 | 554,219 | |||||||||
Deferred revenue | 3,237,878 | 885,091 | |||||||||
Other liabilities | 313,875 | 88,332 | |||||||||
Net cash used in operating activities | (3,825,265) | (7,430,550) | |||||||||
Cash flows from investing activities: | |||||||||||
Purchases of courseware and accreditation | (11,001) | (89,573) | |||||||||
Purchases of property and equipment | (1,929,878) | (1,873,326) | |||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (1,940,879) | (1,962,899) | |||||||||
Cash flows from financing activities: | |||||||||||
Proceeds from sale of common stock net of underwriter costs | 16,044,879 | — | |||||||||
Disbursements for equity offering costs | (51,282) | (29,832) | |||||||||
Common stock short swing reclamation | 5,433 | — | |||||||||
Proceeds of stock options exercised and warrants exercised | 768,381 | 110,143 | |||||||||
Repayment of convertible note payable | — | (1,000,000) | |||||||||
Offering costs paid on debt financing | — | (100,000) | |||||||||
Purchase of treasury stock, net of broker fees | — | (7,370,000) | |||||||||
Re-sale of treasury stock, net of broker fees | — | 7,370,000 | |||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 16,767,411 | (1,019,689) |
(Continued)
The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements
6
ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED
(Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended January 31, | |||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | $ | 11,001,267 | $ | (10,413,138) | |||||||
Cash, restricted cash, and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 9,967,752 | 14,803,065 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 20,969,019 | $ | 4,389,927 | |||||||
Supplemental disclosure cash flow information | |||||||||||
Cash paid for interest | $ | 979,792 | $ | 163,139 | |||||||
Cash paid for income taxes | $ | 110,307 | $ | — | |||||||
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities | |||||||||||
Common stock issued for services | $ | 178,447 | $ | — | |||||||
Right-of-use lease asset offset against operating lease obligations | $ | 7,693,268 | $ | — | |||||||
Beneficial conversion feature on convertible debt | $ | 1,692,309 | $ | — | |||||||
Warrants issued as part of revolving credit facility | $ | — | $ | 255,071 |
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and restricted cash reported within the unaudited consolidated balance sheets that sum to the same such amounts shown in the unaudited consolidated statements of cash flows:
Nine Months Ended January 31, | |||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||
Cash | $ | 20,512,808 | $ | 4,197,235 | |||||||
Restricted cash | 456,211 | 192,692 | |||||||||
Total cash and restricted cash | $ | 20,969,019 | $ | 4,389,927 |
The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.
7
ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
January 31, 2020
(Unaudited)
Note 1. Nature of Operations and Liquidity
Overview
Aspen Group, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company,” “Aspen,” or “AGI”) is a holding company, which has three subsidiaries. They are Aspen University Inc. (“Aspen University”) organized in 1987, Aspen Nursing, Inc. (“ANI”) (a subsidiary of Aspen University) formed in October 2018 and United States University, Inc. (“USU”) formed in May 2017. USU was the vehicle we used to acquire United States University on December 1, 2017. (See Note 4). When we refer to USU in this Report, we refer to either the online university which has operated under the name United States University or our subsidiary which operates this university, as the context implies.
AGI is an education technology holding company that leverages its infrastructure and expertise to allow its two universities, Aspen University and United States University, to deliver on the vision of making college affordable again. 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 higher education. AGI’s primary focus relative to future growth is to target the high growth nursing profession, currently 84% of all students across both universities are degree-seeking nursing students.
Since 1993, Aspen University has 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”). In February 2019, the DEAC informed Aspen University that it had renewed its accreditation for five years through January 2024.
Since 2009, USU has been regionally accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission. (“WSCUC”).
Both universities are qualified to participate under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA) and the Federal student financial assistance programs (Title IV, HEA programs). USU has a provisional certification resulting from the ownership change of control in connection with the acquisition by AGI on December 1, 2017.
Basis of Presentation
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, 2020 and 2019, our cash flows for the nine months ended January 31, 2020 and 2019, and our financial position as of January 31, 2020 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 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2019 as filed with the SEC on July 9, 2019. The April 30, 2019 balance sheet is derived from those statements.
Liquidity
At January 31, 2020, the Company had a cash balance of $20,512,808 with an additional $456,211 in restricted cash.
On November 5, 2018 the Company entered into a year, $5,000,000 senior revolving credit facility. There is currently no outstanding balance under that facility. (See Note 6)
8
ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
January 31, 2020
(Unaudited)
In March 2019, the Company entered into two loan agreements for a principal amount of $5 million each and received total proceeds of $10 million. In connection with the loan agreements, the Company issued 18 month senior secured promissory notes, with the right to extend the term of the loans for an additional 12 months subject to paying a 1% one-time extension fee. On January 23, 2020, the Term Loans were exchanged for convertible notes maturing January 22, 2023. (See Note 6)
On January 22, 2020, the Company closed on an underwritten offering under which the net proceeds were approximately $16 million and the condition precedent to the closing of the refinancing was satisfied. (See Note 6)
During the nine months ended January 31, 2020 the Company provided net cash of $11,001,267, which included using $3,825,265 in operating activities.
Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation
The unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AGI 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 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, estimates of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination, amortization periods and valuation of courseware, intangibles and software development costs, estimates of the valuation of initial right of use ("ROU") assets and corresponding lease liabilities, valuation of beneficial conversion features in convertible debt, valuation of goodwill, valuation of loss contingencies, valuation of stock-based compensation and the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets.
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash
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, 2020 and April 30, 2019. 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, 2020.
As of January 31, 2020 and April 30, 2019, the Company maintained deposits totaling $22,318,390 and $9,359,208, respectively, held in two separate institutions.
Restricted cash was $456,211 as of January 31, 2020 and consisted of $123,132 which is collateral for a letter of credit issued by the bank and required under the USU facility operating lease. Also, included was $72,022 and an additional $261,057, which was collateral for a letter of credit issued by the bank and related to USU’s receipt of Title IV funds as required by DOE in connection with the change of control of USU. Restricted cash as of April 30, 2019 was $448,400. See Note 11. Subsequent Events for information on the release of a portion of USU's restricted cash.
Goodwill and Intangibles
Goodwill currently represents the excess of the purchase price of USU over the fair market value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed from Educacion Significativa, LLC. Goodwill has an indefinite life and is not amortized. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment.
9
ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
January 31, 2020
(Unaudited)
Intangible assets represent both indefinite lived and definite lived assets. Accreditation, regulatory approvals, trade name and trademarks are deemed to have indefinite useful lives and accordingly are not amortized but are tested annually for impairment. Student relationships and curriculums are deemed to have definite lives and are amortized accordingly.
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;
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.
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 monthly payment plan represents approximately 65% of the payments that are made by students, making it the most common payment type. 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 may 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 an allowance method based on an analysis of its historical bad debt experience, current economic trends, and the aging of the accounts receivable and each student’s status. Aspen estimates the amounts to increase the allowance based upon 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
10
ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
January 31, 2020
(Unaudited)
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. (See Note 8)
When a student signs up for the monthly payment plan, there is a contractual amount that the Company can expect to earn over the life of the student’s program. This contractual amount cannot be recorded as an accounts receivable because, the student does have the option to stop attending. As a student takes a class, revenue is earned over the class term. Some students accelerate their program, taking two or more classes every eight week period, which increases the student’s accounts receivable balance. If any portion of that balance will be paid in a period greater than 12 months, that portion is reflected as long-term accounts receivable. At January 31, 2020 and April 30, 2019, those balances were $6,067,234 and $3,085,243, respectively. The Company has determined that the long term accounts receivable do not constitute a significant financing component as the list price, cash selling price and promised consideration are equal. Further, the interest free financing portion of the monthly payment plans are not considered significant to the contract.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets per the following table.
Category | Useful Life | |||||||
Call center equipment | 5 years | |||||||
Computer and office equipment | 5 years | |||||||
Furniture and fixtures | 7 years | |||||||
Library (online) | 3 years | |||||||
Software | 5 years |
Costs incurred to develop internal-use software during the preliminary project stage are expensed as incurred. Internal-use software development costs are capitalized during the application development stage, which is after: (i) the preliminary project stage is completed; and (ii) management authorizes and commits to funding the project and it is probable the project will be completed and used to perform the function intended. Capitalization ceases at the point the software project is substantially complete and ready for its intended use, and after all substantial testing is completed. Upgrades and enhancements are capitalized if it is probable that those expenditures will result in additional functionality. Depreciation is provided for on a straight-line basis over the expected useful life of five years of the internal-use software development costs and related upgrades and enhancements. When existing software is replaced with new software, the unamortized costs of the old software are expensed when the new software is ready for its intended use.
Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful lives of the leasehold improvements.
Upon the retirement or disposition of property and equipment, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed and a gain or loss is recorded in the consolidated statements of operations. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed in the period incurred.
Courseware and Accreditation
The Company records the costs of courseware and accreditation in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 350 “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other”.
Generally, costs of courseware creation and enhancement are capitalized. Accreditation renewal or extension costs related to intangible assets are capitalized as incurred. Courseware is stated at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is provided for on a straight-line basis over the expected useful life of five years.
11
ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
January 31, 2020
(Unaudited)
Long-Lived Assets
The Company assesses potential impairment to its long-lived assets when there is evidence that events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Events and circumstances considered by the Company in determining whether the carrying value of identifiable intangible assets and other long-lived assets may not be recoverable include, but are not limited to: significant changes in performance relative to expected operating results, significant changes in the use of the assets, significant negative industry or economic trends, a significant decline in the Company’s stock price for a sustained period of time, and changes in the Company’s business strategy. An impairment loss is recorded when the carrying amount of the long-lived asset is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. Any required impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a long-lived asset exceeds fair value and is recorded as a reduction in the carrying value of the related asset and an expense to operating results.
Refunds Due Students
The Company receives Title IV funds from the Department of Education to cover tuition and living expenses. After deducting tuition and fees, the Company sends checks for the remaining balances to the students.
Leases
The Company enters into various lease agreements in conducting its business. At the inception of each lease, the Company evaluates the lease agreement to determine whether the lease is an operating or capital lease. Leases may contain initial periods of free rent and/or periodic escalations. When such items are included in a lease agreement, the Company records rent expense on a straight-line basis over the initial term of a lease. The difference between the rent payment and the straight-line rent expense is recorded as additional amortization. The Company expenses any additional payments under its operating leases for taxes, insurance or other operating expenses as incurred.
The Company implemented ASU 2016-2 as of May 1, 2019. There were no material changes to our unaudited consolidated financial statements other than additional assets and off-setting liabilities.
In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, of FASB, issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, No. 2016-2, Leases (Topic 842). This standard requires entities to recognize most operating leases on their balance sheets as right-of-use assets with a corresponding lease liability, along with disclosing certain key information about leasing arrangements. The Company adopted the standard effective May 1, 2019 using the cumulative effect adjustment transition method, which applies the provisions of the standard at the effective date without adjusting the comparative periods presented. The Company adopted the following practical expedients and elected the following accounting policies related to this standard:
•Carry forward of historical lease classification;
•Short-term lease accounting policy election allowing lessees to not recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for leases with a term of 12 months or less; and
•Not separate lease and non-lease components for office space and campus leases.
The adoption of this standard resulted in the recognition of an initial operating lease right-of-use assets (“ROU’s”) and corresponding lease liabilities of approximately $8.8 million, on the unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet as of May 1, 2019. There was no impact to the Company’s net income or liquidity as a result of the adoption of this ASU. Additionally, the standard did not materially impact the Company's unaudited consolidated statements of cash flows.
Disclosures related to the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases are included in Note 9.
Treasury Stock
Purchases and sales of treasury stock are accounted for using the cost method. Under this method, shares acquired are recorded at the acquisition price directly to the treasury stock account. Upon sale, the treasury stock account is reduced by the original
12
ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
January 31, 2020
(Unaudited)
acquisition price of the shares and any difference is recorded in equity. This method does not allow the company to recognize a gain or loss to income from the purchase and sale of treasury stock.
Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue
On May 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification 606 (ASC 606). ASC 606 is based on the principle that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This ASC also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer purchase orders, including significant judgments. Our adoption of this ASC, resulted in no change to our results of operations or our balance sheet.
Revenues consist primarily of tuition and course fees derived from courses taught by the Company online as well as from related educational resources and services that the Company provides to its students. Under ASC 606, the tuition and course fee revenue is recognized pro-rata over the applicable period of instruction and are not considered separate performance obligations. Non-tuition related revenue and fees are recognized as services are provided or when the goods are received by the student. (See Note 8)
Cost of Revenues
Cost of revenues consists of two categories, instructional costs and services, and marketing and promotional costs.
Instructional Costs and Services
Instructional costs and services consist primarily of costs related to the administration and delivery of the Company's educational programs. This expense category includes compensation costs associated with online faculty, technology license costs and costs associated with other support groups that provide services directly to the students and are included in cost of revenues.
Marketing and Promotional Costs
Marketing and promotional costs include costs associated with producing marketing materials and advertising. Such costs are generally affected by the cost of advertising media, the efficiency of the Company's marketing and recruiting efforts, and expenditures on advertising initiatives for new and existing academic programs. Non-direct response advertising activities are expensed as incurred, or the first time the advertising takes place, depending on the type of advertising activity. For the three and nine months ended January 31, 2020, total marketing and promotional costs was $2,539,755 and $6,755,983, respectively. For the three and nine months ended January 31, 2019, total marketing and promotional costs was $2,322,998 and $6,759,065, respectively.
General and Administrative
General and administrative expenses include compensation of employees engaged in corporate management, finance, human resources, information technology, academic operations, compliance and other corporate functions. General and administrative expenses also include professional services fees, bad debt expense related to accounts receivable, financial aid processing costs, non-capitalizable courseware and software costs, travel and entertainment expenses and facility costs.
Legal Expenses
All legal costs for litigation are charged to expense as incurred.
Income Tax
The Company uses the asset and liability method to compute the differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and the related financial statement amounts. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that more likely than not will be realized. The Company has deferred tax assets and liabilities that reflect the net tax
13
ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
January 31, 2020
(Unaudited)
effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Deferred tax assets are subject to periodic recoverability assessments. Realization of the deferred tax assets, net of deferred tax liabilities, is principally dependent upon achievement of projected future taxable income.
The Company records a liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes using a two-step approach for evaluating tax positions. Step one, recognition, occurs when the Company concludes that a tax position, based solely on its technical merits, is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination. Step two, measurement, is only addressed if the position is more likely than not to be sustained. Under step two, the tax benefit is measured as the largest amount of benefit, determined on a cumulative probability basis, which is more likely than not to be realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation expense is measured at the grant date of the award and is expensed over the requisite service period. For employee stock-based awards, the Company calculates the fair value of the award on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Determining the fair value of stock-based awards at the grant date under this model requires judgment, including estimating volatility, employee stock option exercise behaviors and forfeiture rates. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based awards represent the Company's best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. For non-employee stock-based awards, the Company has early adopted ASU 2018-7, which substantially aligns share based compensation for employees and non-employees.
Business Combinations
We include the results of operations of businesses we acquire from the date of the respective acquisition. We allocate the purchase price of acquisitions to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at fair value. The excess of the purchase price of an acquired business over the amount assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. We expense transaction costs associated with business combinations as incurred.
Net Loss Per Share
Net loss per share of common stock is based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each period. Options to purchase 2,776,778 and 3,651,448 shares of common stock, warrants to purchase 566,223 and 678,521 shares of common stock, unvested restricted stock of 226,922 and 0, and 50,000 and 50,000 of convertible debt (convertible into 4,167 and 4,167 shares of common stock) were outstanding at January 31, 2020 and January 31, 2019, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted net 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 share of common stock when their effect is dilutive.
Segment Information
The Company operates in one reportable segment as a single educational delivery operation using a core infrastructure that serves the curriculum and educational delivery needs of its online students regardless of geography. The Company's chief operating decision makers, its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Academic Officer, manage the Company's operations as a whole, and no revenue, expense or operating income information is evaluated by the chief operating decision makers on any component level.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Financial Accounting Standards Board, Accounting Standard Updates which are not effective until after January 31, 2020, are not expected to have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.
14
ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
January 31, 2020
(Unaudited)
Note 3. Property and Equipment
As property and equipment reach the end of their useful lives, the fully expired asset is written off against the associated accumulated depreciation. There is no expense impact for such write offs. Property and equipment consisted of the following at January 31, 2020 and April 30, 2019:
January 31, 2020 | April 30, 2019 | ||||||||||
Call center hardware | $ | 305,766 | $ | 193,774 | |||||||
Computer and office equipment | 396,898 | 327,621 | |||||||||
Furniture and fixtures | 1,550,520 | 1,381,271 | |||||||||
Software | 5,725,500 | 4,314,198 | |||||||||
7,978,684 | 6,216,864 | ||||||||||
Accumulated depreciation | (2,662,273) | (1,825,524) | |||||||||
Property and equipment, net | $ | 5,316,411 | $ | 4,391,340 |
Software consisted of the following at January 31, 2020 and April 30, 2019:
January 31, 2020 | April 30, 2019 | ||||||||||
Software | $ | 5,725,500 | $ | 4,314,198 | |||||||
Accumulated depreciation | (1,911,096) | (1,351,193) | |||||||||
Software, net | $ | 3,814,404 | $ | 2,963,005 |
Depreciation expense and amortization 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, 2020 and 2019:
Three Months Ended January 31, | Nine Months Ended January 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization expense | $ | 364,504 | $ | 263,045 | $ | 1,012,548 | $ | 703,886 | |||||||||||||||
Software amortization expense | $ | 265,146 | $ | 178,459 | $ | 728,395 | $ | 482,153 |
The following is a schedule of estimated future amortization expense of software at January 31, 2020:
Future Expense | ||||||||
Remainder of 2020 | $ | 278,959 | ||||||
2021 | 1,069,707 | |||||||
2022 | 980,233 | |||||||
2023 | 819,994 | |||||||
2024 | 530,712 | |||||||
Thereafter | 134,799 | |||||||
Total | $ | 3,814,404 |
Note 4. USU Goodwill and Intangibles
On December 1, 2017, USU acquired United States University and assumed certain liabilities from Educacion Significativa, LLC (“ESL”). USU is a wholly owned subsidiary of AGI and was formed for the purpose of completing the asset purchase transaction. For purposes of purchase accounting, AGI is referred to as the acquirer. AGI acquired the assets and assumed certain liabilities of ESL.
15
ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
January 31, 2020
(Unaudited)
The acquisition was accounted for by AGI in accordance with the acquisition method of accounting pursuant to ASC 805 “Business Combinations” and pushdown accounting was applied to record the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed on United States University, Inc. Under this method, the purchase price is allocated to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The excess of the amount paid over the estimated fair values of the identifiable net assets was $5,011,432 which has been reflected in the consolidated balance sheet as goodwill.
The goodwill resulting from the acquisition may become deductible for tax purposes in the future. The goodwill resulting from the acquisition is principally attributable to the future earnings potential associated with enrollment growth and other intangibles that do not qualify for separate recognition such as the assembled workforce.
We have selected an April 30th annual goodwill impairment test date.
We assigned an indefinite useful life to the accreditation and regulatory approvals and the trade name and trademarks as we believe they have the ability to generate cash flows indefinitely. In addition, there are no legal, regulatory, contractual, economic or other factors to limit the intangibles’ useful life and we intend to renew the intangibles, as applicable, and renewal can be accomplished at little cost. We determined all other acquired intangibles are finite-lived and we are amortizing them on either a straight-line basis or using an accelerated method to reflect the pattern in which the economic benefits of the assets are expected to be consumed. Amortization expense for nine months ended January 31, 2020 and for the year ended April 30, 2019 were $641,667 and $1,100,000, respectively.
Intangible assets consisted of the following at January 31, 2020 and April 30, 2019:
January 31, 2020 | April 30, 2019 | ||||||||||
Intangible assets | $ | 10,100,000 | $ | 10,100,000 | |||||||
Accumulated amortization | (2,200,000) | (1,558,333) | |||||||||
Net intangible assets | $ | 7,900,000 | $ | 8,541,667 |
Note 5. Courseware and Accreditation
Courseware costs capitalized were $11,001 for the nine months ended January 31, 2020 and $34,422 for the year ended April 30, 2019. As courseware reaches the end of its useful life, it is written off against the accumulated amortization. There is no expense impact for such write-offs.
Courseware consisted of the following at January 31, 2020 and April 30, 2019:
January 31, 2020 | April 30, 2019 | ||||||||||
Courseware | $ | 284,964 | $ | 325,987 | |||||||
Accreditation | 59,350 | 57,100 | |||||||||
Accumulated amortization | (223,079) | (221,157) | |||||||||
Courseware, net | $ | 121,235 | $ | 161,930 |
The Company had capitalized accreditation costs of $2,250 and $57,100 for the nine months ended January 31, 2020 and year ended April 30, 2019, respectively.
Amortization expense of courseware for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2020 and 2019:
Three Months Ended January 31, | Nine Months Ended January 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization expense | $ | 15,637 | $ | 17,249 | $ | 53,415 | $ | 48,578 |
16
ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
January 31, 2020
(Unaudited)
The following is a schedule of estimated future amortization expense of courseware at January 31, 2020:
Future Expense | ||||||||
2020 (remaining) | $ | 13,287 | ||||||
2021 | 38,845 | |||||||
2022 | 30,958 | |||||||
2023 | 25,419 | |||||||
2024 | 11,916 | |||||||
Thereafter | 810 | |||||||
Total | $ | 121,235 |
Note 6. Debt
Convertible Notes Due January 22, 2023
On January 23, 2020, Aspen Group, Inc. (the “Company”) issued $5 million convertible notes (“Convertible Notes”) to each of two lenders in exchange for the two $5 million notes due under senior secured term loans entered into in 2019 (the “Term Loans”). The Company recorded a beneficial conversion feature on these Convertible Notes of $1,692,309.
The closing of the refinancing was conditioned upon the Company conducting an equity financing resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of at least $10 million. On January 22, 2020, the Company closed on an underwritten offering under which the net proceeds were approximately $16 million and the condition precedent to the closing of the refinancing was satisfied. The key terms of the Convertible Notes are as follows:
•After six months from the issuance date, the lenders have the right to convert the principal into our shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $7.15 per share;
•The Convertible Notes automatically convert into shares of the Company’s common stock if the average closing price of our common stock is at least $10.725 over a 20 consecutive trading day period;
•The Convertible Notes are due January 22, 2023 or approximately three years from the closing;
•The interest rate of the Convertible Notes is 7% per annum (payable monthly in arrears); and
•The Convertible Notes are secured.
The former notes under the Term Loans were due in September 2020 and were subject to a -year extension and the payment of an extension fee for each note of $50,000 (total of $100,000). The Company also paid each lender $40,400 at closing of the Convertible Notes to cover taxes they will incur as part of the note exchange and will pay their legal fees arising from the re-financing. In connection with refinancing of the Term Loans, on January 22, 2020, the Company also entered into an Investors/Registration Rights Agreement with the lenders whereby, upon request of the lenders on or after June 22, 2020, the Company must file and obtain and maintain the effectiveness of a registration statement registering the shares of common stock issued or issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Notes.
The Company’s obligations under the Convertible Notes are secured by a first priority lien in certain deposit accounts of the Company, all current and future accounts receivable of Aspen University and USU, certain of the deposit accounts of Aspen University and USU, and all of the outstanding capital stock of Aspen University and USU (the “Collateral”).
On March 6, 2019, in connection with entering into the Loan Agreements, the Company also entered into an intercreditor agreement (the “Intercreditor Agreement”) among the Company, the Lenders and the Foundation, individually. The Intercreditor Agreement provides among other things that the Company’s obligations under this agreement, and the security interests in the Collateral granted pursuant to, the Loan Agreements and the Amended and Restated Facility Agreement shall rank pari passu to one another. The Security Agreement was amended on January 22, 2020 to give effect to the Convertible Note issuances.
17
ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
January 31, 2020
(Unaudited)
Convertible Note Payable
On February 29, 2012, a loan payable of $50,000 was converted into a two-year convertible promissory note, interest of 0.19% per annum. Beginning March 31, 2012, the note was convertible into shares of common stock of the Company at the conversion price of $12.00 per share (taking into account the one-for-12 reverse stock split of the Company’s common stock). 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 stock on the note issue date. This loan (now a convertible promissory note) was due in February 2014. See Note 11. Subsequent Events Note for additional information on this debt extinguishment in fiscal fourth quarter 2020.
Revolving Credit Facility
On November 5, 2018, the Company entered into a loan agreement (the “Credit Facility Agreement”) with the Leon and Toby Cooperman Family Foundation (the “Foundation”). The Credit Facility Agreement provides for a $5,000,000 revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) evidenced by a revolving promissory note (the “Revolving Note”). Borrowings under the Credit Facility Agreement will bear interest at 12% per annum. The Facility matures on November 4, 2021.
Pursuant to the terms of the Credit Facility Agreement, the Company paid to the Foundation a $100,000 one-time upfront Facility fee. The Company also is paying the Foundation a commitment fee, payable quarterly at the rate of 2% per annum on the undrawn portion of the Facility. As of January 31, 2020, the Company has not borrowed any sum under the Facility.
The Credit Facility Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, events of default and covenants. Pursuant to the Loan Agreement and the Revolving Note, all future or contemporaneous indebtedness incurred by the Company, other than indebtedness expressly permitted by the Credit Facility Agreement and the Revolving Note, and the senior term loans described below will be subordinated to the Facility.
Pursuant to the Credit Facility Agreement, on November 5, 2018 the Company issued to the Foundation warrants to purchase 92,049 shares of the Company’s common stock exercisable for five years from the date of issuance at the exercise price of $5.85 per share which were deemed to have a relative fair value of $255,071. The relative fair value of the warrants along with the Facility fee were treated as debt issue costs, as the facility has not been drawn on, assets to be amortized over the term of the loan.
On March 6, 2019, in connection with entering into the Senior Secured Loans, the Company amended and restated the Credit Facility Agreement (the “Amended and Restated Facility Agreement”) and the Revolving Note. The Amended and Restated Facility Agreement provides among other things that the Company’s obligations thereunder are secured by a first priority lien in the Collateral, on a pari passu basis with the Lenders.
Senior Secured Term Loans
On March 6, 2019, the Company entered into two loan agreements (each a “Loan Agreement” and together, the “Loan Agreements”) with the Foundation, of which Mr. Leon Cooperman, a stockholder of the Company, is the trustee, and another stockholder of the Company (each a “Lender” and together, the “Lenders”). Each Loan Agreement provides for a $5,000,000 term loan (each a “Loan” and together, the “Loans”), evidenced by a term promissory note and security agreement (each a “Term Note” and together, the “Term Notes”), for combined total proceeds of $10,000,000 million. The Company borrowed $5,000,000 from each Lender that day. The Term Notes bear interest at 12% per annum and mature on September 6, 2020, subject to one 12-month extension upon the Company’s option, and upon payment of a 1% one-time extension fee.
Pursuant to the Loan Agreements and the Term Notes, all future or contemporaneous indebtedness incurred by the Company, other than indebtedness expressly permitted by the Loan Agreements and the Term Notes, will be subordinated to the Loans.
Pursuant to the Loan Agreements, on March 6, 2019 the Company issued to each Lender warrants to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock exercisable for five years from the date of issuance at the exercise price of $6.00 per share. The two warrants were deemed to have a combined relative fair value of $360,516. The relative fair value along with closing costs of $33,693 were treated as debt discounts to be amortized over the term of the Loans.
18
ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
January 31, 2020
(Unaudited)
On January 23, 2020, the Term Loans were cancelled and exchanged for convertible notes as discussed above. In connection with this transaction, the Company wrote off approximately $182,000 of unamortized debt issuance costs as the transaction qualified as a debt extinguishment.
Note 7. Stockholders’ Equity
On June 28, 2019, the Company amended its Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, to reduce in the number of shares of common stock the Company is authorized to issue from 250,000,000 to 40,000,000 shares, and the number of shares of preferred stock the Company is authorized to issue from 10,000,000 to 1,000,000 shares. The stockholders of the Company had previously approved the Amendment at a special meeting of stockholders held on June 28, 2019.
Preferred Stock
The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of “blank check” preferred stock with designations, rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by our Board of Directors. As of January 31, 2020 and April 30, 2019, we had no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding.
Common Stock
The Company is authorized to issue 40,000,000 shares of common stock.
During the three months ended January 31, 2020, the Company issued 8,352 shares of common stock upon the cashless exercise of stock options.
During the three months ended January 31, 2020, the Company issued 121,407 shares of common stock upon the exercise of stock options for cash and received proceeds of $530,668.
During the three months ended January 31, 2020, the Company issued 25,000 shares of common stock for services in connection with the CFO transition which immediately vested. The total value of the grant was $177,500. The Company also issued 15,000 shares of common stock to its new Chief Financial Officer upon the vesting of RSUs previously granted to him for Audit Committee services. The total value of the grant was approximately $103,350.
On January 22, 2020 the Company raised $17,267,250 through the issuance of 2,415,000 common shares at a price of $7.15. The net proceeds were $16,044,879 after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions. The number of shares sold through this public offering includes 315,000 shares of common stock pursuant to an option granted to the underwriters to cover over allotments that were exercised in full.
During the three months ended October 31, 2019, the Company issued 80,313 shares of common stock upon the cashless exercise of stock options.
During the three months ended October 31, 2019, the Company issued 57,526 shares of common stock upon the cashless exercise of 121,070 warrants.
During the three months ended October 31, 2019, the Company issued 90,950 shares of common stock upon the exercise of stock options for cash and received proceeds of $192,522.
During the three months ended July 31, 2019, the Company issued 101,894 shares of common stock upon the cashless exercise of stock options.
During the three months ended July 31, 2019, the Company issued 19,403 shares of common stock upon the cashless exercise of 43,860 warrants.
During the three months ended July 31, 2019, the Company issued 21,876 shares of common stock upon the exercise of stock options for cash and received proceeds of $45,190.
19
ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
January 31, 2020
(Unaudited)
Restricted Stock
There were 226,922 unvested shares of restricted common stock outstanding at January 31, 2020. Total unrecognized compensation expense related to the unvested restricted stock as of January 31, 2020 amounted to $1,285,524 which will be amortized over the remaining vesting periods.
In December 2019, the CFO and CAO received grants of 100,000 and 20,000 RSU's, respectively, as part of their employment agreements. These grants will vest annually over years and had a combined fair value of $826,800.
In November 2019, the Chief Nursing Officer received a grant of 50,000 RSUs as part of her employment agreement. These grants will vest annually over years and had a combined fair value of $314,500. The Company also issued 17,250 RSUs to employees vesting over three years subject to continued employment and had a combined fair value of $108,500.
The Board approved a grant of 25,000 shares of restricted stock to the then Chief Financial Officer in September 2018. The stock price was $7.15 on the date of the grant and was to vest over a period of 36 months. The value of the compensation was approximately $180,000. Upon leaving the Company on November 30, 2019 the remaining two-thirds of restricted stock was immediately vested as part of the separation agreement resulting in accelerated amortization expense of approximately $108,000.
During the three months ended July 31, 2019, the Company issued 30,131 shares of restricted common stock to certain directors with a fair value of $122,332.
On June 18, 2019, in order to correct errors in a third party software system used to track stock options, the Company granted Andrew Kaplan, a current director, 5,131 shares of restricted common stock and two former directors (not recipients of the May 2019 stock options mentioned above) a total of 25,000 shares of restricted common stock.
During fiscal 2019, the Company granted 25,000 shares to its investor relations firm, of which 5,000 were vested with the balance vesting quarterly over one year, subject to continued service. The total value was $122,250 which is being recognized over the service period.
On December 24, 2018, the Company granted a total of 24,672 shares to certain directors with a value of $126,320 which is being recognized over 36 months.
Warrants
A summary of the Company’s warrant activity during the nine months ended January 31, 2020 is presented below:
Warrants | Number of Shares | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance Outstanding, April 30, 2019 | 731,152 | $ | 5.28 | 3.29 | $ | 413,296 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Granted | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Exercised | (164,929) | $ | 2.05 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
Surrendered | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Expired | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance Outstanding, January 31, 2020 | 566,223 | $ | 6.22 | 3.41 | $ | 1,425,727 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Exercisable, January 31, 2020 | 516,223 | $ | 6.35 | 3.34 | $ | 1,233,227 |
20
ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
January 31, 2020
(Unaudited)
ALL WARRANTS | EXERCISABLE WARRANTS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise Price | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Outstanding No. of Warrants | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Weighted Average Remaining Life In Years | Exercisable No. of Warrants | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 4.89 | $ | 4.89 | 50,000 | $ | 4.89 | 4.19 | 50,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 5.85 | $ | 5.85 | 92,049 | $ | 5.85 | 3.76 | 92,049 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 6.00 | $ | 6.00 | 200,000 | $ | 6.00 | 4.10 | 200,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 6.87 | $ | 6.87 | 224,174 | $ | 6.87 | 2.48 | 224,174 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
566,223 | 566,223 |
On August 17, 2019 an investor elected a cashless exercise of 13,542 warrants, receiving 6,271 shares. On August 20, 2019 two investors elected cashless exercises of 18,818 and 88,710 warrants, receiving 8,970 and 42,285 shares, respectively.
On June 3, 2019, a former director elected a cashless exercise of 21,930 warrants, receiving 9,806 shares. On June 7, 2019, the Chief Executive Officer elected a cashless exercise for the same amount receiving 9,597 shares.
Stock Incentive Plan and Stock Option Grants to Employees and Directors
On March 13, 2012, the Company adopted the Aspen Group, Inc. 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2012 Plan”) that provides for the grant of 3,500,000 shares in the form of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, restricted shares, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock units ("RSUs") to employees, consultants, officers and directors. As of January 31, 2020, there were 177,046 shares remaining available for future issuance under the 2012 Plan.
On December 13, 2018, the stockholders of the Company approved the Aspen Group, Inc. 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan”) that provides for the grant of 500,000 shares 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.
On December 30, 2019, the Company held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders and voted amend to the Company’s 2018 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the Plan from 500,000 to 1,100,000 shares. As of January 31, 2020, there were 109,352 shares remaining available for future issuance under the 2018 Plan.
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. The following table summarizes the assumptions the Company utilized to record compensation expense for stock options granted to employees during the period ended.
January 31, 2020 | April 30, 2019 | ||||||||||
Expected life (years) | 3.5 | 3.5 | |||||||||
Expected volatility | 47.4 | % | 50.1 | % | |||||||
Risk-free interest rate | 1.63 | % | 2.63 | % | |||||||
Dividend yield | 0.00 | % | 0.00 | % | |||||||
Expected forfeiture rate | n/a | n/a |
21
ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
January 31, 2020
(Unaudited)
The Company utilized the simplified method to estimate the expected life for stock options granted to employees. The simplified method was used as the Company does not have sufficient historical data regarding stock option exercises. The expected volatility is based on historical volatility. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yields with terms equivalent to the expected life of the related option at the time of the grant. Dividend yield is based on historical trends. While the Company believes these estimates are reasonable, the compensation expense recorded would increase if the expected life was increased, a higher expected volatility was used, or if the expected dividend yield increased.
A summary of the Company’s stock option activity for employees and directors during the nine months ended January 31, 2020, is presented below:
Options | Number of Shares | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance Outstanding, April 30, 2019 | 3,408,154 | $ | 4.44 | 2.90 | $ | 6,880,644 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Granted | 150,000 | 5.21 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Exercised | (580,901) | 2.72 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Forfeited | (200,475) | 7.44 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Expired | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance Outstanding, January 31, 2020 | 2,776,778 | $ | 4.61 | 2.21 | $ | 14,302,102 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Exercisable, January 31, 2020 | 1,824,684 | $ | 3.77 | 1.66 | $ | 11,808,246 |
ALL OPTIONS | EXERCISABLE OPTIONS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exercise Price | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Outstanding No. of Options | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Weighted Average Remaining Life In Years | Exercisable No. of Options | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
$1.57 to $2.10 | $ | 2.00 | 564,724 | $ | 2.00 | 0.96 | 564,723 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
$2.28 to $2.76 | $ | 2.30 | 382,780 | $ | 2.29 | 0.60 | 391,736 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
$3.24 to $4.38 | $ | 3.89 | 323,925 | $ | 3.91 | 1.73 | 215,817 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
$4.50 to $5.20 | $ | 4.93 | 708,960 | $ | 4.90 | 2.28 | 336,278 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
$5.95 to $6.28 | $ | 6.07 | 80,417 | $ | 6.13 | 2.43 | 36,806 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
$7.17 to $7.55 | $ | 7.41 | 551,639 | $ | 7.32 | 3.82 | 224,546 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
$8.57 to $9.07 | $ | 8.97 | 164,333 | $ | 8.97 | 2.94 | 54,778 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Options only | 2,776,778 | 1,824,684 |
On December 9, 2019, the Company granted 61,000 options to its directors with an exercise price of $6.92 for services performed for the calendar year 2019. The fair value of these options was approximately $116,000 and was fully recognized for the three months ended January 31, 2020.
22
ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
January 31, 2020
(Unaudited)
On August 1, 2019, the Company granted 59,000 options to 26 employees who had been hired during the first quarter ended July 31, 2019. The fair value of these options was approximately $83,000 and will be recognized over 36 month. The exercise price is $3.99.
Effective May 13, 2019, the Company granted a total of 30,000 five years non-qualified stock options which were immediately vested to certain former directors exercisable at $4.12 per share. The fair value of the options was $33,600 and expensed during the three months ended July 31, 2019.
For the three and nine months ended January 31, 2020, the Company recorded compensation expense of $805,405 and $1,721,293, respectively, in connection with stock options and restricted stock grants. For the three months ended January 31, 2020, the Company recorded stock based compensation expense related to the executive officer target bonus plan of $188,031.
As of January 31, 2020, there was approximately $930,000 of unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested share-based option arrangements. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.0 years.
Note 8. Revenues
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. 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 fees for library and technology costs, which are recognized over the related service period and are not considered separate performance obligations. Other services, books, and exam fees are recognized as services are provided or when goods are received by the student. The Company’s contract liabilities are reported as deferred revenue and refunds due students. Deferred revenue represents the amount of tuition, fees, and other student invoices in excess of the portion recognized as revenue and it is included in current liabilities in the accompanying unaudited consolidated balance sheets.
The following table represents our revenues disaggregated by the nature and timing of services:
Three Months Ended January 31, | Nine Months Ended January 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tuition - recognized over period of instruction | $ | 11,177,421 | $ | 7,732,600 | $ | 31,275,504 | $ | 21,808,832 | |||||||||||||||
Course fees - recognized over period of instruction | 1,194,947 | 634,013 | 3,240,160 | 1,634,889 | |||||||||||||||||||
Book fees - recognized at a point in time | 23,195 | 24,877 | 64,611 | 75,342 | |||||||||||||||||||
Exam fees - recognized at a point in time | 61,500 | 45,700 | 177,015 | 141,540 | |||||||||||||||||||
Service fees - recognized at a point in time | 80,877 | 57,437 | 224,597 | 150,672 | |||||||||||||||||||
$ | 12,537,940 | $ | 8,494,627 | $ | 34,981,887 | $ | 23,811,275 |
Contract Balances and Performance Obligations
The Company recognizes deferred revenue as a student participates in a course which continues past the balance sheet date. Deferred revenue at January 31, 2020 was $5,694,743 which is future revenue that has not yet been earned for courses in progress and courses which have not started, but where the Company has received payment and obtained appropriate authorization for such funds to be applied to future courses. The Company has $2,311,745 of refunds due students, which mainly represents Title IV funds due to students after deducting their tuition payments.
Of the total revenue earned during the three and nine months ended January 31, 2020, approximately $5.5 million and $2.5 million, respectively, came from revenues which were deferred at October 31, 2019 and April 30, 2019.
The Company begins providing the performance obligation by beginning instruction in a course, a contract receivable is created, resulting in accounts receivable. The Company accounts for receivables in accordance with ASC 310, Receivables. The Company uses the portfolio approach, as discussed below.
23
ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
January 31, 2020
(Unaudited)
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 an allowance 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 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.
Cash Receipts
Our students finance costs through a variety of funding sources, including, among others, monthly payment plans, installment plans, federal loan and grant programs (Title IV), employer reimbursement, and various veterans and military funding and grants, and cash payments. Most students elect to use our monthly payment plan. This plan allows them to make continuous monthly payments during the length of their program and through the length of their payment plan. Title IV and military funding typically arrives during the period of instruction. Students who receive reimbursement from employers typically do so after completion of a course. Students who choose to pay cash for a class typically do so before beginning the class.
Significant Judgments
We analyze revenue recognition on a portfolio approach under ASC 606-10-10-4. Significant judgment is utilized in determining the appropriate portfolios to assess for meeting the criteria to recognize revenue under ASC Topic 606. We have determined that all of our students can be grouped into one portfolio. Students behave similarly, regardless of their payment method or academic program. Enrollment agreements and refund policies are similar for all of our students. We do not expect that revenue earned for the portfolio is significantly different as compared to revenue that would be earned if we were to assess each student contract separately.
The Company maintains institutional tuition refund policies, 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 had revenues from students outside the United States representing 1.90% and 1.90% of the consolidated revenues for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2020, respectively. For the three and nine months ended January 31, 2019, revenues from students outside the United States represented 1.7% and 2.1% of the consolidated revenues.
Note 9. Leases
Operating lease assets are right of use assets ("ROU assets"), which represent the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term. Operating lease liabilities represent the obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating leases are included in the Operating Lease Assets, net, and Operating Lease Liabilities, Current and Long-term on the unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet at January 31, 2020. These assets and lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of remaining lease payments over the lease term. When the lease does not provide an implicit interest rate, the Company uses an incremental borrowing rate to determine the present value of the lease payments. The right-of-use asset includes all lease payments made and excludes lease incentives. Lease expense for operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. There are no variable lease payments. Lease expense for the three and nine month period ended January 31, 2020 was $632,212 and $1,869,093, respectively. These costs are primarily related to long-term operating leases, but also include amounts for short-term leases with terms greater than 30 days that are not material.
24
ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
January 31, 2020
(Unaudited)
The following is a schedule by years of future minimum rental payments required under operating leases that have initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of January 31, 2020 (a).
Maturity of Lease Obligations | Lease Payments | |||||||
2020 (remaining) | $ | 593,925 | ||||||
2021 | 2,383,783 | |||||||
2022 | 2,225,348 | |||||||
2023 | 1,663,434 | |||||||
2024 | 1,474,175 | |||||||
2025 | 1,134,718 | |||||||
2026 and beyond | 779,287 | |||||||
Total future minimum lease payments | 10,254,670 | |||||||
Less imputed interest | (2,561,402) | |||||||
Present value of operating lease obligations | $ | 7,693,268 |
_____________________
(a) Lease payments exclude $4.3 million of legally binding minimum lease payments for the new Aspen University BSN Pre-Licensure campus location in Austin, Texas lease signed but not yet commenced. Prior to commencing its Austin campus operations, Aspen is required to obtain approvals from the Texas Board of Nursing, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and the Texas Workforce Commission.
Balance Sheet Classification | ||||||||
Operating lease obligations, current | $ | 1,649,934 | ||||||
Operating lease obligations, long-term | 6,043,334 | |||||||
Total operating lease obligations | $ | 7,693,268 |
Other Information | |||||
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years) | 4.9 | ||||
Weighted average discount rate | 12.06 | % |
Cash Flows
An initial right of use asset of approximately $8.8 million was recognized as a non-cash asset addition with the adoption of the standard. During the three months ended January 31, 2020, there was additional right of use assets recognized as non-cash assets additions related to a one year lease extension. Cash paid for amounts included in the present value of operating lease obligations at adoption and for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2020 was $0.6 million and $1.7 million, respectively, and is included in operating cash flows.
Note 10. Commitments and Contingencies
Regulatory Matters
The Company’s subsidiaries, Aspen University and USU, are 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 the subsidiaries 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.
On August 22, 2017, the DOE informed Aspen University of its determination that the institution has qualified to participate under the HEA and the Federal student financial assistance programs (Title IV, HEA programs) and set a subsequent program participation agreement reapplication date of March 31, 2021.
25
ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
January 31, 2020
(Unaudited)
USU currently has provisional certification to participate in the Title IV Programs due to its acquisition by the Company. The provisional certification allows the school to continue to receive Title IV funding as it did prior to the change of ownership.
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 our subsidiaries operate in a highly regulated industry, each 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.
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 the DOE 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.
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. The Delaware DOE granted full approval to operate with degree-granting authority in the State of Delaware until July 1, 2020. Aspen University is authorized by the Colorado Commission on Education to operate in Colorado as a degree granting institution.
USU is also a Delaware corporation and received initial approval from the Delaware DOE to confer degrees through June 2023.
Note 11. Subsequent Events
In March 2020, USU received a letter from the DOE stating that it is releasing substantially all of its existing letter of credit of $261,057 in connection with USU's most recent Compliance Audit. USU is still required to maintain a letter of credit of approximately $10,000 as restricted cash.
On March 1, 2020, the statute of limitations expired to enforce payment on a $50,000 convertible note which matured on March 1, 2014. Therefore, the Company is not liable to pay this loan and will treat this as a debt extinguishment in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020.
On February 4, 2020, the Company approved the following grants of RSUs to the executive officers of the Company under the Company’s 2018 Equity Incentive Plan: 100,000 RSUs to the Chief Executive Officer, 75,000 RSUs to each of the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Academic Officer, and 50,000 to the Chief Nursing Officer.
Each RSU represents the right to receive one share of the Company’s common stock. The RSUs vest subject to the Company's common stock achieving certain price targets within four years of the grant date as described below. The price targets are: (i) if the closing price of the Company’s common stock is at least $9 for 20 consecutive trading days, 10% of the RSUs will vest immediately; (ii) if the closing price of the Company’s common stock is at least $10 for 20 consecutive trading days, 25% of the RSUs will vest immediately; and (iii) if the closing price of the Company’s common stock is at least $12 for 20 consecutive trading days, all of the unvested RSUs will vest immediately. On the grant date, the closing price of the Company’s common stock on The Nasdaq Global Market was $9.49 per share representing an estimated fair value of $3,559,000. As the RSUs vest, the Company will deliver the underlying shares.
26
ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
January 31, 2020
(Unaudited)
In February 2020, the Company signed a definitive lease agreement for a new Aspen University BSN Pre-Licensure campus location in Tampa, Florida. Prior to commencing its Tampa campus operations, Aspen is required to obtain approval by the Florida Board of Nursing and the Florida Commission on Independent Education. Initial required regulatory filings have been submitted.
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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
You should read the following discussion in conjunction with our 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 Prospectus Supplement dated January 17, 2020, the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2019 and the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended July 31, 2019 each as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
Company Overview
Aspen Group, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company” or “AGI”) is an education technology holding company. AGI has three subsidiaries, Aspen University Inc. organized in 1987, United States University, Inc. organized in May 2017 for the purposes of acquiring United States University in December 2017, and Aspen Nursing, Inc. (“ANI”) organized in 2018. ANI is a subsidiary of Aspen University Inc.
AGI leverages its education technology infrastructure and expertise to allow its two universities, Aspen University and United States University (“USU”), to deliver on the vision of making college affordable again. 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 higher education. AGI’s primary focus relative to future growth is to target the high growth nursing profession. As of January 31, 2020, 9,240 of 11,033 or 84% of all students across both universities are degree-seeking nursing students.
In March 2014, Aspen University unveiled a monthly payment plan available to all students across every online degree program offered by the university. The monthly payment plan is designed so that students will make one payment per month, and that monthly payment is applied towards the total cost of attendance (tuition and fees, excluding textbooks). Aspen University's monthly payment plan offers online associate and bachelor students the opportunity to pay their tuition and fees at $250/month, online master’s students $325/month, and online doctoral students $375/month, interest free, thereby giving students a monthly payment option versus taking out a federal financial aid loan.
USU began offering the monthly payment plan in the summer of 2017. Today, monthly payment plan is available for the online RN to BSN program ($250/month), online MBA/M.A. Ed/MSN programs ($325/month), and the online hybrid Masters of Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner (“FNP”) program ($375/month). Effective August 2019, new student enrollments for USU’s FNP monthly payment plan are offered a two-year payment plan ($375/month for 24 months) designed to pay for the first year’s pre-clinical courses only (approximate cost of $9,000). The second academic year in which students complete their clinical courses (approximate cost of $18,000) is required to be funded through conventional payment methods (either cash, private loans, corporate tuition reimbursement or federal financial aid).
Since 1993, Aspen University has been nationally accredited by the DEAC, a national accrediting agency recognized by the DOE. In February 2019, the DEAC informed Aspen University that it had renewed its accreditation for five years to January 2024.
Since 2009, USU has been regionally accredited by WSCUC.
Both universities are qualified to participate under the Higher Education Act and the Federal student financial assistance programs (Title IV, HEA programs).
Monthly Payment Programs Overview
AGI offers two monthly payment programs:
•a monthly payment plan in which students make payments every month over a fixed period depending on the degree program; and
•a monthly installment plan in which students pay three monthly installments (day 1, day 31 and day 61 after the start of each course).
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AU students paying tuition and fees through a monthly payment method grew by 13% year-over-year, from 5,259 to 5,966, representing 64% of AU’s total active student body. Aspen University’s monthly payment plan students currently deliver monthly recurring tuition cash payments exceeding $1.4 million.
Sequentially, USU students paying tuition and fees through a monthly payment method increased to 1,159, up from 1,101, representing 66% of USU’s total active student body. The total contractual value of USU’s monthly payment plan students currently deliver monthly recurring tuition cash payments exceeding $0.5 million.
Note that during fiscal Q2, Aspen University tested changing its monthly payment amounts for baccalaureate and master-level programs from $250 to $300 and $325 to $350, respectively. The cost per lead rose materially during the two week test period, so the Company reverted back to advertising the original payment amounts per month immediately thereafter and lead costs returned to their original levels. No changes to Aspen’s original payment amounts per month (first introduced in 2014) are planned in the future.
AGI Student Population Overview
AGI’s overall active student body (includes both Aspen University and USU) grew 32% year-over-year from 8,354 to 11,033 as of January 31, 2020 and students seeking nursing degrees were 9,240 or 84% of total students at both universities. Active student body is comprised of active degree-seeking students, enrolled in a course during the quarter covered by this Form 10-Q or are registered for an upcoming course.
Aspen University’s total active degree-seeking student body grew 25% year-over-year from 7,393 to 9,274. USU's total active student body grew year-over-year from 961 to 1,759 or 83%.
AGI New Student Enrollments
For the third quarter of fiscal year 2020, Aspen University accounted for 1,371 new student enrollments delivering overall enrollment growth at Aspen University of 23% year-over-year. Enrollment growth at Aspen University was driven primarily by the Pre-Licensure BSN program as a result of a full quarter of enrollments at both Phoenix, AZ campuses, as compared to the prior year with only one campus open.
USU accounted for 375 new student enrollments in the quarter driven primarily by MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner (“FNP”) enrollments, a 49% enrollment increase year-over-year.
Below is a table reflecting new student enrollments for the past five quarters:
New Student Enrollments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Q3 '19 | Q4'19 | Q1'20 | Q2'20 | Q3'20 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aspen University | 1,112 | 1,243 | 1,415 | 1,823 | 1,371 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
USU | 251 | 317 | 514 | 394 | 375 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 1,363 | 1,560 | 1,929 | 2,217 | 1,746 |
Marketing Efficiency Ratio (MER) Analysis
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AGI has developed a marketing efficiency ratio to continually monitor the performance of its business model.
Marketing Efficiency Ratio (MER) = | Revenue per Enrollment (RPE) | |||||||
Cost per Enrollment (CPE) |
Cost per Enrollment (CPE)
The Cost per Enrollment measures the advertising investment spent in a given nine month period, divided by the number of new student enrollments achieved in that given nine month period, in order to obtain an average CPE for the period measured.
Revenue per Enrollment (RPE)
The Revenue per Enrollment takes each quarterly cohort of new degree-seeking student enrollments, and measures the amount of earned revenue including tuition and fees to determine the average RPE for the cohort measured. For the later periods of a cohort, we have used reasonable projections based off of historical results to determine the amount of revenue we will earn in later periods of the cohort.
The current third quarter fiscal year 2020 Marketing Efficiency Ratio (MER), representing revenue-per-enrollment (LTV) over cost-per-enrollment (CAC), for our universities is reflected in the below table:
Marketing Efficiency Ratio | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Enrollments | Cost-of- Enrollment1 | LTV2 | MER | ||||||||||||||||||||
Aspen University | 1,371 | 961 | $14,4823 | 15.1X | |||||||||||||||||||
USU | 375 | 1,103 | $17,8204 | 16.2X |
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1Based on 6-month rolling weighted average CAC for each university’s enrollments
2Lifetime Value (LTV) of a new student enrollment
3Weighted average LTV for all Aspen University enrollments in the quarter
4LTV for USU’s MSN-FNP Program
Weighted Average Cost of Enrollment | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Q3 '19 Enrollments | Q3 ’19 CAC1 | Q3 ‘20 Enrollments | Q3 ’20 CAC1 | Percent Change CAC | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aspen University | 1,112 | $ | 1,320 | 1,371 | $ | 961 | (27) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
USU | 251 | $ | 1,620 | 375 | $ | 1,103 | (32) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted Average | $ | 1,373 | $ | 989 | (28) | % |
1Based on 6-month rolling average
Bookings Analysis
On a year-over-year basis, fiscal Q3’20 bookings increased 72%, from $15.5 million to $26.5 million, delivering a company-wide average revenue per enrollment (APRU) increase of 34%, from $11,352 to $15,199.
Total Bookings and Average Revenue Per Enrollment (ARPU) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Q3'19 Enrollments | Q3'19 Bookings 1 | Q3'20 Enrollments | Q3'20 Bookings 1 | Percent Change Total Bookings & ARPU 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aspen University | 1,112 | $ | 11,000,250 | 1,371 | $19,855,050 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
USU | 251 | $ | 4,472,820 | 375 | $6,682,500 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total | 1,363 | $ | 15,473,070 | 1,746 | $26,537,550 | 72 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
ARPU | $ | 11,352 | $15,199 | 34 | % |
_____________________
1 “Bookings” are defined by multiplying Lifetime Value (LTV) per enrollment by new student enrollments for each operating unit. “Average Revenue Per User” (ARPU) is defined by dividing total bookings by total enrollments.
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ASPEN UNIVERSITY’S PRE-LICENSURE BSN HYBRID (ONLINE/ON-CAMPUS) DEGREE PROGRAM
In July 2018, Aspen University through ANI began offering its Pre-Licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program at its initial campus in Phoenix, Arizona. As a result of overwhelming demand in the Phoenix metro area, in January 2019 Aspen University began offering both day (July, November, March semesters) and evening/weekend (January, May, September semesters) programs, equaling six semester starts per year. Moreover, in September 2018, AGI entered into a memorandum of understanding to open a second campus in the Phoenix metro area in partnership with HonorHealth. The initial semester at HonorHealth began in September 2019.
Aspen University’s innovative hybrid (online/on-campus) program allows most of the credits to be completed online (83 of 120 credits or 69%), with pricing offered at current low tuition rates of $150/credit hour for online general education courses and $325/credit hour for online core nursing courses. For students with no prior college credits, the total cost of attendance is less than $50,000.
Aspen University’s Pre-Licensure BSN program is offered as a full-time, three-year (nine semester) program that is specifically designed for students who do not currently hold a state nursing license and have no prior nursing experience. Aspen is admitting students into one of two program components: (1) a pre-professional nursing component for students that have less than the required 41 general education credits completed (Year 1), and (2) the nursing core component for students that are ready to participate in the competitive evaluation process for entry (Years 2-3).
Pre-Licensure BSN Program - Future Campus Expansion Plans
Aspen University announced in February 2020 the signing of definitive lease agreements for two new Aspen University Pre-Licensure BSN campus locations in Tampa, Florida and Austin, Texas.
Tampa, Florida Campus
Aspen University has executed a definitive lease agreement for ten years to occupy approximately 30,000 square feet (Suites 150 and 450) of the Tampa Oaks I property located at 12802 Tampa Oaks Boulevard. The building is visible from the intersection of Interstate 75 and East Fletcher Avenue, near the University of South Florida, providing visibility to approximately 126,500 cars per day. Aspen is targeting to begin its first semester at Tampa Oaks I in August 2020 in campus space formerly occupied by the University of Phoenix.
Aspen University has executed an agreement with Bayfront Health, a regional network of seven hospitals and over 1,900 medical professionals on staff serving the residents of Florida’s Gulf Coast to provide required clinical placements for Aspen’s nursing students. In addition, clinical affiliation agreements have been signed in the Tampa metro with John Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, Inc., Care Connections at Home, Global Nurse Network, LLC and The American National Red Cross.
Prior to commencing its campus operations, Aspen is required to obtain approval by the Florida Board of Nursing and the Florida Commission on Independent Education. Initial required regulatory filings have been submitted.
Austin, Texas Campus
Aspen University has executed a definitive lease agreement for eight years to occupy approximately 22,000 square feet in a portion of the first floor of the Frontera Crossing office building located at 101 W. Louis Henna Boulevard in the Austin suburb of Round Rock. The building is situated at the junction of Interstate 35 and State Highway 45, one of the most heavily trafficked freeway exchanges in the metro with visibility to approximately 143,362 cars per day. Aspen is targeting to begin its first semester at Frontera Crossing in November 2020 in campus space formerly occupied by The Art Institute.
Aspen has executed a clinical affiliation agreement with Baylor Scott & White Health – Central division, the largest not-for-profit healthcare system in Texas and one of the largest in the United States. Baylor Scott & White includes 48 hospitals, more than 800 patient care sites, more than 7,800 active physicians, over 47,000 employees and the Scott & White Health Plan.
Aspen is working with the Texas Board of Nursing, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and the Texas Workforce Commission to complete their respective regulatory approval processes and is required to obtain approval from all agencies prior to commencing its campus operations.
These new campuses will follow Aspen University’s existing Pre-Licensure BSN model being executed in the Phoenix, Arizona metro campuses. This model operates a stand-alone campus running six semester starts per annum (three weekday
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semesters, three weeknight/weekend semesters), implemented as an accelerated three-year program at a total cost of attendance less than $50,000.
AGI’s Plan for United States University (USU) to Implement MSN-FNP Weekend Immersions in Every Campus Metro:
AGI plans to build-out on average 10 exam rooms that will occupy approximately 3,000 square feet in each of its BSN pre-licensure metropolitan areas for United States University to implement weekend immersions for its MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program. As a result, following regulatory approvals, by the end of calendar year 2020, weekend immersions will be conducted in four metro areas for USU MSN-FNP students to select from; San Diego, Phoenix, Austin and Tampa.
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND MONTHLY PAYMENT PLAN
Since the inception of the monthly payment plan in the spring of 2014, the accounts receivable balance, both short-term and long-term, has grown from a net number of $649,890 at April 30, 2014 to a net number of $20,195,419 at January 31, 2020. This growth could be portrayed as the engine of the monthly payment plan. The attractive aspect of being able to pay for a degree over a fixed period of time has fueled the growth of this plan and, as a result, the increase of the accounts receivable balance.
Each student’s receivable account is different depending on how many classes a student takes each period. If a student takes two classes each eight-week period while paying $250, $325 or $375 a month as an example, that student’s account receivable balance will rise accordingly. The converse is true also. A student who takes courses at a slower pace, even taking time off between eight-week terms, could have a balance due to them. It is much more likely however that a student participating in the monthly payment plan will have an accounts receivable balance, as the majority of students complete their degree program of study prior to the completion of the fixed monthly payment plan.
The common thread is the actual monthly payment, which functions as a retail installment contract with no interest that each student commits to pay over a fixed number of months. If a student stops paying, that person can no longer register for a class. If a student decides to withdraw from the university, their account will be settled, either through collection of their balance or disbursement of the amount owed them. Aspen University students paying tuition and fees through a monthly payment method grew by 13% year-over-year, from 5,259 to 5,966, representing 64% of Aspen University’s total active student body.
USU students paying tuition and fees through a monthly payment method grew from 1,101 to 1,159 students sequentially representing 66% of USU’s total active student body.
Relationship Between Accounts Receivable and Revenue
The gross accounts receivable balance for any period is the net effect of the following three factors:
1.Cash Receipts
2.Revenue
3.The net change in deferred revenue
All three factors equally determine the gross accounts receivable. If one quarter experiences particularly high cash receipts, the gross accounts receivable will go down. The same effect if cash receipts are lower or if there are significant changes in either of the other factors.
Simply looking at the change in revenue does not translate into an equally similar change in gross accounts receivable. The relative change in cash and the deferral must also be considered. For net accounts receivable, the changes in the reserve must also be considered. Any additional reserve or write-offs will influence the balance.
As it is a straight mathematical formula for both gross accounts receivable and net accounts receivable, and most of the information is public, one can reasonably calculate the two non-public pieces of information, namely the cash receipts in gross accounts receivable and the write-offs in net accounts receivable.
For revenue, the quarterly change is primarily billings and the net impact of deferred revenue. The deferral from the prior quarter or year is added to the billings and the deferral at the end of the period is subtracted from the amount billed. The total deferred revenue at the end of every period is reflected in the liability section of the balance sheet. Deferred revenue can vary for many reasons, but seasonality and the timing of the class starts in relation to the end of the quarter will cause changes in the balance.
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As mentioned in the accounts receivable section, the change in revenue cannot be compared to the change in accounts receivable. Revenue does not have the impact of cash received whereas accounts receivable does. Depending on the month and the amount of cash received, it is likely that revenue or accounts receivable will increase at a rate different from the other. The impact of cash is easy to substantiate as it agrees to deposits in our bank accounts.
AGI 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. At January 31, 2020, the allowance for doubtful accounts was $1,759,824 which represents 8% of the gross accounts receivable balance of $21,955,243, the sum of both short-term and long-term receivables.
The Introduction of Long-Term Accounts Receivable
When a student signs up for the monthly payment plan, there is a contractual amount that the Company can expect to earn over the life of the student’s program. This contractual amount cannot be recorded as an account receivable as the student does have the option to stop attending. As a student takes a class, revenue is earned over that eight-week class. Some students accelerate their program, taking two classes every eight-week period, and as we discussed, that increases the student’s accounts receivable balance. If any portion of that balance will be paid in a period greater than 12 months, that portion is reflected as long-term accounts receivable.
As a result of the growing acceptance of our monthly payment plans, our long-term accounts receivable balance has grown from $3,085,243 at April 30, 2019 to $6,067,234 at January 31, 2020. The primary component consist of students who make monthly payments over 36 and 39 months. The average student completes their academic program in 24 months, therefore most of the Company’s accounts receivable are short-term.
Included below is a graphic of both short-term and long-term receivables, as well as contractual value:
A | B | C | ||||||
Classes Taken less monthly payments received | Payments for classes taken that are greater than 12 months | Expected classes to be taken over balance of program. | ||||||
Short-Term Accounts Receivable | Long-term Accounts Receivable | Not recorded in financial statements | ||||||
The Sum of A, B and C will equal the total cost of the program. |
Results of Operations
For the Three Months Ended January 31, 2020 (Fiscal 2020 Q3) Compared to the Three Months Ended January 31, 2019 (Fiscal 2019 Q3)
Revenues
Revenue from operations for the Fiscal 2020 Q3 increased to $12,537,940 from $8,494,627 for the Fiscal 2019 Q3, an increase of $4,043,313 or 48%. The increase was primarily due to enrollment growth in the degree programs with the highest lifetime value (LTV). By focusing our marketing spend on delivering enrollment growth in the degree programs with the highest LTV, we increased our average revenue per enrollment (or ARPU) by 34%. The Company expects revenue growth to continue in future periods as we continue prioritizing our highest LTV degree programs to achieve our long-term growth plans.
Aspen University’s revenues in the Fiscal 2020 Q3 increased 35% year-over-year. Aspen University's traditional post-licensure online nursing + other business unit contributed 59% of total Company revenue in the Fiscal 2020 Q3, while Aspen University’s Pre-Licensure BSN program delivered approximately 14.2% of the Company’s revenues in the Fiscal 2020 Q3. Finally, USU contributed approximately 27.3% of the total revenues for the Fiscal 2020 Q3.
The Company now expects annual revenue growth to meet or exceed 42% for the full fiscal year 2020.
Cost of Revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)
The Company’s cost of revenues consists of instructional costs and services and marketing and promotional costs.
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Instructional Costs and Services
Instructional costs and services for Fiscal 2020 Q3 increased to $2,623,252 or 21% of revenues from $1,753,982 or 21% of revenues for the Fiscal 2019 Q3, an increase of $869,270 or 50%. The increase was primarily due to the increase in the number of class starts year-over-year and additional full-time faculty staffing in the USU MSN-FNP program and the pre-licensure BSN campuses in Phoenix.
Aspen University instructional costs and services represented 19% of Aspen University revenues for the Fiscal 2020 Q3, while USU instructional costs and services equaled 25% of USU revenues during the Fiscal 2020 Q3.
Marketing and Promotional
Marketing and promotional costs for the Fiscal 2020 Q3 were $2,539,755 or 20% of revenues compared to $2,322,998 or 27% of revenues for the Fiscal 2019 Q3, an increase of $216,757 or 9%.
Aspen University marketing and promotional costs represented 20% of Aspen University revenues for the Fiscal 2020 Q3, while USU marketing and promotional costs equaled 15% of USU revenues for the Fiscal 2020 Q3.
AGI corporate marketing expenses equaled $252,602 for the Fiscal 2020 Q3 compared to $219,660 for the Fiscal 2019 Q3, an increase of $32,942 or 15%.
Gross profit rose to 57% of revenues or $7,094,150 for the Fiscal 2020 Q3, or $4,221,939 for the Fiscal 2019 Q3, an increase of 68% year over year.
Aspen University gross profit represented 58% of Aspen University revenues for the Fiscal 2020 Q3, while USU gross profit equaled 60% of USU revenues during the Fiscal 2020 Q3.
Costs and Expenses
General and Administrative
General and administrative costs for the Fiscal 2020 Q3 were $8,627,588 or 69% of revenues compared to $6,284,041 or 74% of revenues during the Fiscal 2019 Q3, an increase of $2,343,547 or 37%.
General and administrative expense in Fiscal 2020 Q3 includes $0.8 million of one-time expense items primarily related to the January 2020 equity financing and the CFO transition. Excluding these one-time expense items, general and administrative expense would have increased year-over-year by $1,598,545, meaning that G&A would have grown at 26% year-over-year.
Aspen University general and administrative costs which are included in the above amount represented 43% of Aspen University revenues for the Fiscal 2020 Q3, while USU general and administrative costs equaled 56% of USU revenues for the Fiscal 2020 Q3.
AGI’s general and administrative costs for the Fiscal 2020 Q3 and Fiscal 2019 Q3 are included in the above amounts equaled $2.8 million and $1.5 million, respectively, include corporate employees in the NY corporate office, IT, rent, non-cash AGI stock based compensation, and professional fees (legal, accounting, and IR), as well as one-time expense items in the quarter, primarily related to the January 2020 equity financing and the CFO transition.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization costs for the Fiscal 2020 Q3 decreased to $475,393 from $555,292 for the Fiscal 2019 Q3, a decrease of $(79,899), or 14%. The decrease in depreciation and amortization expense is mainly due to a 60% decrease in amortization expense at USU from the AGI acquisition back in late 2017.
Operating Income and Loss
The Company reported an operating loss of $(1,728,048) during the Fiscal 2020 Q3 as compared to $(2,421,686) for the Fiscal 2019 Q3, a decrease in the loss of $693,638, or 29% improvement.
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Aspen University generated approximately $1.3 million of operating income for the Fiscal 2020 Q3. Note that Aspen’s Pre-Licensure BSN program accounted for $0.5 million of the $1.3 million operating income generated at Aspen University, remaining the highest margin unit of the Company at 30%. USU generated $44,755 of operating income during the Fiscal 2020 Q3, which was the second consecutive quarter of generating operating income, while AGI corporate incurred approximately $(3.1) million of operating expenses for the Fiscal 2020 Q3.
Other Income (Expense)
Other income/(expense), net for the Fiscal 2020 Q3 decreased to $(537,841) from $65,746 in the Fiscal 2019 Q3, a decrease of $(603,587). The other expense in 2020 is primarily due to interest expense and the write-off of debt discount in connection with a debt extinguishment related to issued Convertible Debt on January 22, 2020. The write-off was approximately $200,000 and included in one-time expense items.
Income Taxes
Income taxes expense for the Fiscal 2020 Q3 was $15,163 compared to $0 in the Fiscal 2019 Q3. 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 either quarter.
Net Loss
Net loss applicable to stockholders was $(2,281,052), or net loss per basic share of $(0.12) for the Fiscal 2020 Q3 as compared to $(2,355,940) for the Fiscal 2019 Q3, a decrease in the loss of $74,888, or 3% improvement.
For the Nine Months Ended January 31, 2020 (Fiscal Year 2020 Q3) Compared to the Nine Months Ended January 31, 2019 (Fiscal Year 2019 Q3)
Revenues
Revenues from operations for the nine months ended January 31, 2020 increased to $34,981,887 from $23,811,275 for the nine months ended January 31, 2019, an increase of $11,170,612 or 47%.
Aspen University’s revenues contributed 73% to total revenue and increased $6,414,334 to $25,660,184 from $19,245,850. USU revenues increased $4,756,277 or 104% from $4,565,426 to $9,321,703.
Cost of Revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)
The Company’s cost of revenues consists of instructional costs and services and marketing and promotional costs.
Instructional Costs and Services
Instructional costs and services for nine months ended January 31, 2020 increased to $6,948,138 or 20% of revenues from $4,905,822 or 21% of revenues for the nine months ended January 31, 2019, an increase of $2,042,316 or 42%. The increase was primarily due to the increase in the number of class starts year-over-year.
Aspen University instructional costs and services represented 18% of Aspen University revenues for the nine months ended January 31, 2020, while USU instructional costs and services equaled 25% of USU revenues over the same period.
Marketing and Promotional
Marketing and promotional costs for the nine months ended January 31, 2020 were $6,755,983 or 19% of revenues compared to $6,759,065 or 28% of revenues for the nine months ended January 31, 2019, a decrease of $3,082 or 0%.
Aspen University marketing and promotional costs represented 18% of Aspen University revenues for the nine months ended January 31, 2020, while USU marketing and promotional costs equaled 14% of USU revenues for the same period.
AGI corporate marketing expenses equaled $728,738 for the nine months ended January 31, 2020 compared to $651,715 for the nine months ended January 31, 2019, an increase of $77,024 or 12%.
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Gross profit rose to 59% of revenues or $20,497,673 for the nine months ended January 31, 2020, or $11,615,655 for the nine months ended January 31, 2019, an increase of 76% year over year.
Aspen University gross profit represented 61% of Aspen University revenues for the nine months ended January 31, 2020, and USU gross profit equaled 61% of USU revenues during the same period.
Costs and Expenses
General and Administrative
General and administrative costs for the nine months ended January 31, 2020 were $23,264,447 or 67% of revenues compared to $18,318,061 or 77% of revenues during the nine months ended January 31, 2019, an increase of $4,946,386, or 27%. The increase in expense is consistent with our long term expectations that general and administrative costs will grow at approximately half the rate of revenues. There is a portion of these costs that are variable which increased as our revenues increased; but there also is a fixed cost component that tends to grow at a slower rate.
Note that AGI recorded $0.8 million of one-time G&A expense items in the quarter, primarily related to the January 2020 equity financing and the CFO transition. Excluding those one-time items, G&A would have increased year-over-year by only $4,508,948, meaning that G&A would have grown at 25% year-over-year.
Aspen University general and administrative costs which are included in the above amount represented 44% of Aspen University revenues for the nine months ended January 31, 2020, while USU general and administrative costs equaled 57% of USU revenues for the same period.
AGI’s general and administrative costs for the nine months ended January 31, 2020 and January 31, 2019 are included in the above amounts equaled $6,665,521 and $4,409,628, respectively, include corporate employees in the NY corporate office, IT, rent, non-cash AGI stock based compensation, and professional fees (legal, accounting, and IR), as well as one-time expense items in the quarter, primarily related to the January 2020 equity financing and the CFO transition.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization costs for the nine months ended January 31, 2020 increased to $1,710,192 from $1,577,464 for the nine months ended January 31, 2019, an increase of $132,728, or 8%. The increase in depreciation expense is mainly due to additional investment in company developed software, partially offset by a decrease in amortization expense at USU from the AGI acquisition back in late 2017. Moreover, AGI has made capital investments in the Phoenix campuses and will invest in other campus locations that will cause depreciation expense to continue to increase in the near future.
Operating Income and Loss
The Company reported an operating loss of $(3,696,873) during the nine months ended January 31, 2020 as compared to $(7,749,137) for the nine months ended January 31, 2019, a decrease in the loss of $4,052,264, or 52% improvement.
Aspen University generated approximately $4.1 million of operating income for the nine months ended January 31, 2020. Note that Aspen’s Pre-Licensure BSN program accounted for $1.1 million of the $4.1 million operating income generated at Aspen University (including $0.5 million in Q3), becoming the highest margin unit of the Company. USU incurred $(340,114) of operating loss during the nine months ended January 31, 2020, while AGI corporate incurred approximately $(7.4) million of operating expenses for the nine months ended January 31, 2020.
Other Income (Expense)
Other income/(expense), net for the nine months ended January 31, 2020 decreased to $(1,235,121) from $80,842 for the nine months ended January 31, 2019, a decrease of $(1,315,963). The other expense in 2020 is primarily due to interest expense and the write-off of debt discount in connection with a debt extinguishment related to issued Convertible Debt on January 22, 2020. The write-off was approximately $200,000 and included in one-time expense items.
Income Taxes
Income taxes expense for the nine months ended January 31, 2020 were $62,508 compared to $0 in for the nine months ended January 31, 2019. Aspen Group experienced operating losses in both periods. As management made a full valuation allowance
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against the deferred tax assets stemming from these losses, there was no tax benefit recorded in the statement of operations in either period.
Net Loss
Net loss applicable to stockholders was $(4,994,502), or net loss per basic share of $(0.26) for the nine months ended January 31, 2020 as compared to $(7,668,295), or net loss per basic share of $(0.42) for the nine months ended January 31, 2019, a decrease in loss of $2,673,793, or 35% improvement.
Definition of 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 EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, 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. It is important to note that there were $1,010,124 of non-recurring charges for the fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2020 compared to $83,174 in the fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2019, and $1,143,072 of non-recurring charges for the nine months ended January 31, 2020 compared to $390,711 for the nine months ended January 31, 2019. These non-recurring charges, included non-cash stock based compensation that were one-time charges and are not included in stock-based compensation, cash based compensation and amortization expense from writing off debt that were one-time charges. 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 the Company 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 Net loss allocable to common shareholders to Adjusted EBITDA:
Three Months Ended January 31, | Nine Months Ended January 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net loss | $ | (2,281,052) | $ | (2,355,940) | $ | (4,994,502) | $ | (7,668,295) | |||||||||||||||
Interest income (expense), net | 570,020 | (241,607) | 1,416,784 | (159,332) | |||||||||||||||||||
Taxes | 98,173 | 315,856 | 243,035 | 325,132 | |||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 475,393 | 555,292 | 1,710,192 | 1,577,464 | |||||||||||||||||||
EBITDA (loss) | (1,137,466) | (1,726,399) | (1,624,491) | (5,925,031) | |||||||||||||||||||
Bad debt expense | 2,547 | 187,178 | 651,205 | 480,067 | |||||||||||||||||||
Non-recurring charges* | 1,010,124 | 83,174 | 1,143,072 | 390,711 | |||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | 347,210 | 350,838 | 1,341,245 | 866,129 | |||||||||||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA Profit/(Loss) | $ | 222,415 | $ | (1,105,209) | $ | 1,511,031 | $ | (4,188,124) |
_____________________
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*Non-recurring charges include one-time expenses related to stock-based compensation for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2020.
For the Three Months Ended January 31, 2020 (Fiscal 2020 Q3) Compared to the Three Months Ended January 31, 2019 (Fiscal 2019 Q3)
The Company reported Adjusted EBITDA of $222,415 for the Fiscal 2020 Q3 as compared to an Adjusted EBITDA loss of $(1,105,209) for the Fiscal 2019 Q3, an improvement of >100%.
Aspen University generated $1.3 million of net income and $1.9 million of Adjusted EBITDA for the Fiscal 2020 Q3 as compared to approximately net income of $0.4 million and $0.9 million of Adjusted EBITDA for the Fiscal 2019 Q3.
USU generated net income of $40,028 and $0.25 million of Adjusted EBITDA for the Fiscal 2020 Q3 as compared to a net loss of $(0.9) million and an Adjusted EBITDA loss of approximately $(0.5) million during the Fiscal 2019 Q3.
Aspen Group corporate incurred an Adjusted EBITDA loss of ($1.9) million during the Fiscal 2020 Q3, which reflects $1.0 million of one-time expense items, as compared to an Adjusted EBITDA loss of ($1.5) million during the Fiscal 2019 Q3, which reflected $0.4 million of one-time expenses.
For the Nine Months Ended January 31, 2020 (Fiscal Year 2020 Q3) Compared to the Nine Months Ended January 31, 2019 (Fiscal Year 2019 Q3)
The Company reported Adjusted EBITDA of $1,511,031 for the nine months ended January 31, 2020 as compared to an Adjusted EBITDA loss of $(4,188,124) for the nine months ended January 31, 2019, an improvement of >100%.
Aspen University generated $4.0 million of net income and $6.0 million of Adjusted EBITDA for the nine months ended January 31, 2020 as compared to approximately net income of $0.8 million and $2.1 million of Adjusted EBITDA for the nine months ended January 31, 2019.
USU incurred a net loss of $(0.2) million and $(0.8) million of Adjusted EBITDA for the nine months ended January 31, 2020 as compared to a net loss of $(3.3) million and an Adjusted EBITDA loss of approximately $(2.1) million for the nine months ended January 31, 2019.
Aspen Group corporate incurred an Adjusted EBITDA loss of ($5.2) million for the nine months ended January 31, 2020, which reflects $1.1 million of one-time expense items, as compared to an Adjusted EBITDA loss of ($4.2) million for the nine months ended January 31, 2019 ,which reflected $0.4 million of one-time expenses.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
A summary of the Company's cash flows is as follows:
Nine Months Ended January 31, | |||||||||||
2020 | 2019 | ||||||||||
Net cash used in operating activities | $ | (3,825,265) | $ | (7,430,550) | |||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (1,940,879) | (1,962,899) | |||||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 16,767,411 | (1,019,689) | |||||||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash | $ | 11,001,267 | $ | (10,413,138) |
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities
Net cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended January 31, 2020 totaled $(3,825,265) and resulted primarily from the net loss of $(4,994,502) and a net change in operating assets and liabilities of $(3,375,031), partially offset by $4,544,268 in non-cash items. The net loss included $1,424,607 for interest expense. The most significant changes in operating assets and liabilities was an increase in gross accounts receivable (both short and long term accounts receivable, before allowance for doubtful accounts) of approximately $7.1 million which is primarily attributed to the growth in revenues from students paying through the monthly payment plan and an increase in deferred revenue related to the timing of class starts. The most significant non-cash items were depreciation and amortization expense of approximately $1.7 million and stock-based compensation expense of approximately $1.8 million.
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Cash used in operations is also affected by changes in working capital. The Company expects a favorable trend in working capital over time, but there may be volatility from quarter to quarter. So, in aggregate the Company expects a general trend toward lower cash used in operations in future quarters; however, some quarters could have higher cash used in operations as a result of more cash used to support changes in working capital. Program start timings and the related federal financial aid drawdowns also impact cash timing.
Net cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended January 31, 2019 totaled $(7,430,550) and resulted primarily from the net loss of $(7,668,295), partially offset by $2,956,601 in non-cash items and $2,718,856 decrease in operating assets and liabilities. The most significant item change in operating assets and liabilities was an increase in accounts receivable of $4,209,576 which is primarily attributed to the growth in revenues from students paying through the monthly payment plan. The most significant non-cash items were depreciation and amortization expense of $1,577,464 and stock-based compensation expense of $866,129.
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended January 31, 2020 totaled $(1,940,879) mostly attributed to investments in Company developed software, instructional and computer equipment.
Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended January 31, 2019 totaled $(1,962,899) mostly attributed to investments in the purchase of property and equipment as we build up our campus.
Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended January 31, 2020 totaled $16,767,411 which reflects $16,044,879 of proceeds from the sale of common stock, net of under writer costs and $768,381 of proceeds from the exercise of stock options and warrants, partially offset by $(51,282) of disbursements for equity offering costs.
Net cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended January 31, 2019 totaled $(1,019,689), which reflects the repayment of a portion of the Convertible Note, partially offset by stock option exercise proceeds net of payment of offering costs.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
On January 23, 2020, the Company issued $5 million convertible notes to each of two lenders in exchange for the two $5 million notes due under term loans entered into in 2019. The closing of the refinancing was conditioned upon the Company conducting an equity financing resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of at least $10 million. On January 22, 2020, the Company closed on an underwritten offering under which the net proceeds were approximately $16 million and the condition precedent to the closing of the refinancing was satisfied.
The Company had cash deposits of approximately $19.1 million on March 6, 2020, excluding $456,211 of restricted cash. Following quarter end, the Company made payments totaling approximately $1.1 million for capital expenditures related to our campus expansion strategy. In addition to its cash, the Company also has access to the $5 million Revolving Credit Facility, which is unused. The Company expects that its cash resources will be sufficient to meet its working capital needs for the foreseeable feature.
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 our financial condition. There were no material changes to our principal accounting estimates during the period covered by this report.
Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue
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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 payers 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.
Business Combinations
We include the results of operations of businesses we acquire from the date of the respective acquisition. We allocate the purchase price of acquisitions to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at fair value. The excess of the purchase price of an acquired business over the amount assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. We expense transaction costs associated with business combinations as incurred.
Goodwill and Intangibles
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Goodwill currently represents the excess of purchase price over the fair market value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed from Educacion Significativa, LLC. Goodwill has an indefinite life and is not amortized. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment.
Intangible assets represent both indefinite lived and definite lived assets. Accreditation and regulatory approvals and Trade name and trademarks are deemed to have indefinite useful lives and accordingly are not amortized but are tested annually for impairment. Student relationships and curriculums are deemed to have definite lives and are amortized accordingly.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not engage in any activities involving variable interest entities or off-balance sheet arrangements.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding future revenue growth, the expectations from highest LTV programs, the impact of bookings, the expected future effect of seasonality on our operating results, the Pre-Licensure BSN program campus expansion plans, the expected timing of launching of, and anticipated capital expenditures and other costs related to, new campuses, and collection of our accounts receivable. 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, uncertainties and risks that may cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include continued high demand for nurses, the continued effectiveness of our marketing efforts, unanticipated issues with, and delays in, launching our third and fourth campuses, future U.S. economic conditions and the impact on our enrollments and our students ability to make monthly payment plan payments, the failure of our students to meet minimum NCLEX scores required by applicable states, and our failure to continue obtaining enrollments at low acquisition costs and keeping teaching costs down. Further information on the risk factors affecting our business is contained in our filings with the SEC, including our Prospectus Supplement dated January 17, 2020 and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2019, as updated by the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended July 31, 2019. 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 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q 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
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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 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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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. As of the date of this report, we are not aware of any 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.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Not applicable to smaller reporting companies. However, the Company did add a risk factor in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended July 31, 2019 and included certain risk factors in its Prospectus Supplement dated January 17, 2020.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
On January 23, 2020, the Company issued $5 million convertible notes to each of two accredited investors in exchange for the two $5 million notes due under term loans entered into in 2019. The closing of the refinancing was conditioned upon the Company conducting an equity financing resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of at least $10 million which was satisfied on January 22, 2020, when the Company closed on an underwritten offering under which the net proceeds were approximately $16 million.
The key terms of these convertible notes are as follows:
•After six months from the issuance date, the lenders have the right to convert the principal into our shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $7.15 per share;
•The convertible notes automatically convert into shares of the Company’s common stock if the average closing price of our common stock is at least $10.725 over a 20 consecutive trading day period;
•The convertible notes are due January 23, 2023;
•The interest rate of the convertible notes is 7% per annum (payable monthly in arrears) compared to 12% under the term loans; and
•The convertible notes are secured.
The former notes under the term loans were due in September 2020 and were subject to a one-year extension and the payment of an extension fee for each note of $50,000 (total of $100,000). The Company also paid each lender $40,400 at closing of the convertible notes to cover taxes they will incur as part of the note exchange and agreed to pay their legal fees arising from the re-financing. Effective upon issuance of the convertible notes, the existing notes under the term loans were cancelled and no amounts remain outstanding under the term loans.
In connection with refinancing of the term loans, on January 23, 2020, the Company also entered into an Investors/Registration Rights Agreement with the lenders whereby, upon request of the lenders on or after June 22, 2020, the Company must file and obtain and maintain the effectiveness of a registration statement registering the shares of common stock issued or issuable upon conversion of the convertible notes.
The convertible note exchange and refinancing was exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 506(b) promulgated thereunder.
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
None.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
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None.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
See the Exhibit Index at the end of this report.
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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 10, 2020 | By: | /s/ Michael Mathews | |||||||||
Michael Mathews Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) |
March 10, 2020 | By: | /s/ Frank J. Cotroneo | |||||||||
Frank J. Cotroneo Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) |
March 10, 2020 | By: | /s/ Robert Alessi | |||||||||
Robert Alessi Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer) |
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Incorporated by Reference | Filed or Furnished Herewith | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exhibit # | Exhibit Description | Form | Date | Number | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Certificate of Incorporation, as amended | 10-K | 7/9/19 | 3.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bylaws, as amended | 10-Q | 3/15/18 | 3.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 19, 2018, by and between Aspen Group, Inc. and ESL | 8-K | 7/19/18 | 10.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Form of Term Promissory Note and Security Agreement, dated March 6, 2019 | 10-Q | 3/11/19 | 10.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Form of Loan Agreement, dated March 6, 2019 | 10-Q | 3/11/19 | 10.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Form of Intercreditor Agreement, dated March 6, 2019 | 10-Q | 3/11/19 | 10.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Form of Warrant for the Purchase of 100,000 shares of common stock, dated March 6, 2019 | 10-Q | 3/11/19 | 10.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Amended and Restated Revolving Promissory Note and Security Agreement, dated March 6, 2019 | 10-Q | 3/11/19 | 10.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Form of Loan Agreement dated January 15, 2020 | Filed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Underwriting Agreement between Aspen Group, Inc. and Canaccord Genuity LLC, dated January 17, 2020 | 8-K | 1/17/20 | 1.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Form of Amended and Restated Convertible Promissory Note and Security Agreement dated January 22, 2020 | 8-K | 1/23/20 | 10.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Form of Amended and Restated Revolving Promissory Note and Security Agreement dated January 22, 2020 | 8-K | 1/23/20 | 10.2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Form of Investors/Registration Rights Agreement dated January 22, 2020 | 8-K | 1/23/20 | 10.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Aspen Group, Inc. 2018 Equity Incentive Plan* | DEF14A | 10/31/18 | Annex A | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Certification of Principal Executive Officer (302) | Filed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Certification of Principal Financial Officer (302) | Filed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Certification of Principal Executive and Principal Financial Officer (906) | Furnished** | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
101.INS | Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
101.SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document | Filed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
101.CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document | Filed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
101.DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document | Filed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
101.LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document | Filed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
101.PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document | Filed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) |
_____________________
* Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
** 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.
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