LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP - Quarter Report: 2021 June (Form 10-Q)

Business Activities— Lincoln Educational Services Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”, “we”, “our” and “us”, as applicable) provide diversified career-oriented post-secondary education to recent high school graduates and working adults.  The Company, which currently operates 22 schools in 14 states, offers programs in automotive technology, skilled trades (which include HVAC, welding and computerized numerical control and electronic systems technology, among other programs), healthcare services (which include nursing, dental assistant and medical administrative assistant, among other programs), hospitality services (which include culinary, therapeutic massage, cosmetology and aesthetics) and information technology.  The schools operate under Lincoln Technical Institute, Lincoln College of Technology, Lincoln Culinary Institute, and Euphoria Institute of Beauty Arts and Sciences and associated brand names.  Most of the campuses serve major metropolitan markets and each typically offers courses in multiple areas of study.  Five of the campuses are destination schools, which attract students from across the United States and, in some cases, from abroad. The Company’s other campuses primarily attract students from their local communities and surrounding areas.  All of the campuses are nationally or regionally accredited and are eligible to participate in federal financial aid programs by the U.S. Department of Education (the “DOE” or the “Department”) and applicable state education agencies and accrediting commissions which allow students to apply for and access federal student loans as well as other forms of financial aid.

The Company’s business is organized into two reportable business segments: (a) Transportation and Skilled Trades, and (b) Healthcare and Other Professions (“HOPS”).

Liquidity—As of June 30, 2021, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $33.0 million and a net cash balance of $16.7 million calculated as cash and cash equivalents, less both the short-term and long-term portions of the Company’s Credit Facility (defined below) and can borrow an additional $21.0 million under its Credit Facility.  As of December 31, 2020, the Company had a net cash balance of $20.8 million.  The Company believes that its likely sources of cash will be sufficient to fund operations for the next twelve months and thereafter for the foreseeable future. However, the circumstances relating to COVID-19 and its evolution are unpredictable and, if circumstances surrounding COVID-19 should evolve in a significantly adverse manner, it is possible our liquidity could be materially and adversely affected.

Basis of Presentation – The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial statements.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements have been omitted or condensed pursuant to such regulations.  These financial statements, which should be read in conjunction with the December 31, 2020 audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and related disclosures of the Company included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for such periods.  The results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year ending December 31, 2021.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period.  On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates the estimates and assumptions, including those used to determine the incremental borrowing rate to calculate lease liabilities and right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, lease term to calculate lease cost, revenue recognition, bad debts, impairments, useful lives of fixed assets, income taxes, benefit plans and certain accruals.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

New Accounting Pronouncements – In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” These amendments provide temporary optional guidance to ease the potential burden in accounting for reference rate reform. The ASU provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contract modifications and hedging relationships, subject to meeting certain criteria, that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued. It is intended to help stakeholders during the global market-wide reference rate transition period. In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope” which clarifies that certain optional expedients and exceptions in Topic 848 for contract modifications and hedge accounting apply to derivatives that are affected by the discounting transition. The guidance is effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. The Company is implementing a transition plan to identify and modify its loans and other financial instruments with attributes that are either directly or indirectly influenced by LIBOR. The Company is continuing to assess ASU 2020-04 and its impact on the Company’s transition away from LIBOR for its loan and other financial instruments.

In October 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-10, “Codification Improvements”, which makes minor technical corrections and clarifications to the ASU. The amendments in Sections B and C of the ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020, for public business entities. For all other entities, the amendments are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2021, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2022. This update did not have an impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, “Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity”. This ASU simplifies the accounting for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity, including convertible instruments and contracts on an entity’s own equity. The ASU removes separation models for (1) convertible debt with a cash conversion feature and (2) convertible instruments with a beneficial conversion feature and hence most of the instruments will be accounted for as a single model (either debt or equity). The ASU also states that entities must apply the if-converted method to all convertible instruments for calculation of diluted EPS and the treasury stock method is no longer available. An entity can use either a full or modified retrospective approach to adopt the ASU’s guidance. ASU No. 2020-06 is effective for the Company as a smaller reporting company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within those fiscal years. For convertible instruments that include a down-round feature, entities may early adopt the amendments that apply to the down-round features if they have not yet adopted the amendments in ASU 2017-11. The Company is currently assessing the impact that this ASU will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-03, “Codification Improvements to Financial Instruments” (“ASU 2020-03”). ASU 2020-03 improves and clarifies various financial instruments topics. ASU 2020-03 includes seven different issues that describe the areas of improvement and the related amendments to GAAP. The Company adopted ASU 2020-03 upon issuance, which did not have a material effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, “Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes”, which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles of ASC 740, “Income Taxes”. ASU 2019-12 also clarifies and amends GAAP for other areas of Topic 740. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 and early adoption is permitted. Depending on the amendment, adoption may be applied on a retrospective, modified retrospective or prospective basis. This ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU  2018-14, “Compensation – Retirement Benefits – Defined Benefit Plans – General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans”. This ASU adds, modifies and clarifies several disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. This guidance is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2018-14 on January 1, 2020, which did not have a material effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” and subsequently issued additional guidance that modified ASU 2016-13. The ASU and the subsequent modifications are identified as Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 326. The standard requires an entity to change its accounting approach in determining impairment of certain financial instruments, including trade receivables, from an “incurred loss” to a “current expected credit loss” model. Further, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-04, ASU No. 2019-05 and ASU 2019-11 to provide additional guidance on the credit losses standard. In November 2019, FASB issued ASU No. 2019-10, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Leases (Topic 842)”.  This ASU defers the effective date of ASU 2016-13 for public companies that are considered smaller reporting companies as defined by the SEC to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years.  Additionally, in February and March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-02, “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326) and Leases (Topic 842): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 119 and Update to SEC Section on Effective Date Related to Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842)” ASU 2020-02 adds a SEC paragraph pursuant to the issuance of SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 119 on loan losses to FASB Codification Topic 326 and also updates the SEC section of the Codification for the change in the effective date of Topic 842. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently assessing the impact that these ASUs will have on our condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Income Taxes – The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes”. This statement requires an asset and a liability approach for measuring deferred taxes based on temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities existing at each balance sheet date using enacted tax rates for years in which taxes are expected to be paid or recovered.

In accordance with ASC 740, the Company assesses our deferred tax asset to determine whether all or any portion of the asset is more likely than not unrealizable.  A valuation allowance is required to be established or maintained when, based on currently available information, it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. In accordance with ASC 740, our assessment considers whether there has been sufficient income in recent years and whether sufficient income is expected in future years in order to utilize the deferred tax asset. In evaluating the realizability of deferred income tax assets, the Company considers, among other things, historical levels of income, expected future income, the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary reporting differences, and the expected impact of tax planning strategies that may be implemented to prevent the potential loss of future income tax benefits. Significant judgment is required in determining the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our consolidated financial statements and/or tax returns.  Differences between anticipated and actual outcomes of these future tax consequences could have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.  Changes in, among other things, income tax legislation, statutory income tax rates, or future income levels could materially impact the Company’s valuation of income tax assets and liabilities and could cause our income tax provision to vary significantly among financial reporting periods.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company did not recognize any interest and penalties expense associated with uncertain tax positions.

Derivative Instruments—The Company records the fair value of derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet. The accounting for gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value is dependent on the use of the derivative and whether it is designated and qualifies for hedge accounting.

All qualifying hedging activities are documented at the inception of the hedge and must meet the definition of highly effective in offsetting changes to future cash. The Company utilizes the change in variable cash flows method to evaluate hedge effectiveness quarterly. We record the fair value of the qualifying hedges in other long-term liabilities (for derivative liabilities) and other assets (for derivative assets). All unrealized gains and losses on derivatives that are designated and qualify for hedge accounting are reported in other comprehensive income (loss) and recognized when the underlying hedged transaction affects earnings. Changes in the fair value of these derivatives are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss).  The Company classifies the cash flows from a cash flow hedge within the same category as the cash flows from the items being hedged.

The Company presents basic and diluted income (loss) per common share using the two-class method which requires all outstanding Series A Preferred Stock and unvested restricted common stock that include rights to non-forfeitable dividends (and, therefore, participate in undistributed income with common shareholders) to be included in computing income (loss) per common share. Under the two-class method, net income is reduced by the amount of dividends declared in the period for each class of common stock and participating security. The remaining undistributed income is then allocated to common stock and participating securities, based on their respective rights to receive dividends. Series A Preferred Stock and unvested restricted common stock contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends on an if-converted basis and on the same basis as common shares, respectively, and are considered participating securities. The Series A Preferred Stock and unvested restricted common stock are not included in the computation of basic income (loss) per common share in periods in which we have a net loss, as the Series A Preferred Stock and unvested restricted common stock are not contractually obligated to share in our net losses. However, the cumulative dividends on preferred stock for the period decreases the income or increases the net loss allocated to common shareholders unless the dividend is paid in the period. Basic income (loss) per common share has been computed by dividing net income (loss) allocated to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. The basic and diluted net income amounts are the same for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and three months ended June 30, 2020 as a result of the anti-dilutive impact of the potentially dilutive securities.  The basic and diluted net loss amounts are the same for the six months ended June 30, 2020 as a result of the net loss and anti-dilutive impact of the potentially dilutive securities.

The Company uses the more dilutive method of calculating the diluted income per share by applying the more dilutive of either (a) the treasury stock method, if-converted method, or (b) the two-class method in its diluted income (loss) per common share calculation. Potentially dilutive shares are determined by applying the treasury stock method to the assumed exercise of outstanding stock options and the assumed vesting of restricted stock. Potentially dilutive shares issuable upon conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock are calculated using the if-converted method.

The following is a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the diluted net income (loss) per share computations for the periods presented below:

The following table summarizes the potential weighted average shares of common stock that were excluded from the determination of our diluted shares outstanding as they were anti-dilutive:

Substantially all of our revenues are considered to be revenues from our contracts with students.  The related accounts receivable balances are recorded in our balance sheets as student accounts receivable.  We do not have significant revenue recognized from performance obligations that were satisfied in prior periods, and we do not have any transaction price allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations other than in our unearned tuition.  We record revenue for students who withdraw from our schools only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur.  Unearned tuition represents contract liabilities primarily related to our tuition revenue. We have elected not to provide disclosure about transaction prices allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations if original contract durations are less than one-year, or if we have the right to consideration from a student in an amount that corresponds directly with the value provided to the student for performance obligations completed to date in accordance with ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)”. We have assessed the costs incurred to obtain a contract with a student and determined them to be immaterial.

Unearned tuition in the amount of $22.2 million and $23.5 million is recorded in the current liabilities section of the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The change in this contract liability balance during the six-month period ended June 30, 2021 is the result of payments received in advance of satisfying performance obligations, offset by revenue recognized during that period. Revenue recognized for the six-month period ended June 30, 2021 that was included in the contract liability balance at the beginning of the year was $22.4 million.

The following table depicts the timing of revenue recognition:

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. The Company considers any contract where there is an identified asset and the Company has the right to control the use of such asset as a lease.  An operating lease ROU asset represents the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent its obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As all of the Company’s operating leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available on the adoption date in determining the present value of lease payments. We estimate the incremental borrowing rate based on a yield curve analysis, utilizing the interest rate derived from the fair value analysis of our credit facility and adjusting it for factors that appropriately reflect the profile of secured borrowing over the expected term of the lease. The operating lease ROU assets include any lease payments made prior to the rent commencement date and exclude lease incentives. Our leases have remaining lease terms of one year to 11 years. Lease terms may include options to extend the lease term used in determining the lease obligation when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option.  Lease expense for lease payments are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term for operating leases.

Our operating lease cost for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 was $3.8 million and $3.7 million, respectively.  Our operating lease cost for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 was $7.6 million and $7.4 million, respectively. Our variable lease cost for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 was less than $0.1 million.  The net change in the ROU asset and lease liability are included in other assets in the condensed consolidated cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020.

Supplemental cash flow information and non-cash activity related to our operating leases are as follows:

Weighted-average remaining lease term and discount rate for our operating leases is as follows:

Maturities of lease liabilities by fiscal year for our operating leases as of June 30, 2021 are as follows:

The Company reviews long-lived assets for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable.  There were no long-lived asset impairments during the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020.

The Company reviews goodwill for impairment when indicators of impairment exist.  Annually, or more frequently if necessary, the Company evaluates goodwill for impairment, with any resulting impairment reflected as an operating expense. The Company has concluded that, as of June 30, 2021, there were no indicators of potential impairment and, accordingly, the Company did not test goodwill for impairment.

The carrying amount of goodwill at June 30, 2021 and 2020 is as follows:

As of June 30, 2021 and 2020, the goodwill balance is related to the Transportation and Skilled Trades segment.

Long-term debt consists of the following:

Credit Facility with Sterling National Bank

On November 14, 2019, the Company entered into a new senior secured credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with its lender, Sterling National Bank (the “Lender”), providing for borrowing in the aggregate principal amount of up to $60 million (the “Credit Facility”).

The Credit Facility is comprised of four facilities: (1) a $20 million senior secured term loan maturing on December 1, 2024 (the “Term Loan”), with monthly interest and principal payments based on 120-month amortization with the outstanding balance due on the maturity date; (2) a $10 million senior secured delayed draw term loan maturing on December 1, 2024 (the “Delayed Draw Term Loan”), with monthly interest payments for the first 18 months and thereafter monthly payments of interest and principal based on 120-month amortization and all balances due on the maturity date; (3) a $15 million senior secured committed revolving line of credit providing a sublimit of up to $10 million for standby letters of credit maturing on November 13, 2022 (the “Revolving Loan”), with monthly payments of interest only; and (4) a $15 million senior secured non-restoring line of credit maturing on January 31, 2021 (the “Line of Credit Loan”). The Credit Agreement gives the Company the right to permanently terminate, in its entirety, the Revolving Loan or the Line of Credit Loan or permanently reduce the amount available for borrowing under the Revolving Loan or the Line of Credit Loan.  In April 2020, the Company terminated the Line of Credit Loan. On November 10, 2020, the Company entered into an amendment to its Credit Agreement to extend the Delayed Draw Availability Period by one year to May 31, 2022 and to increase the amount of permitted cash dividends that the Company can pay on its Series A Preferred Stock during the first twenty-four months of the Credit Agreement from $1.7 million to $2.3 million.

The Credit Facility is secured by a first priority lien in favor of the Lender on substantially all of the personal property owned by the Company, as well as a pledge of the stock and other equity in the Company’s subsidiaries and mortgages on parcels of real property owned by the Company in Colorado, Tennessee and Texas, at which three of the Company’s schools are located, as well as a former school property owned by the Company located in Connecticut.

At the closing of the Credit Facility, the Lender advanced the Term Loan to the Company, the net proceeds of which were $19.7 million after deduction of the Lender’s origination fee in the amount of $0.3 million and other Lender fees and reimbursements to the Lender that are customary for facilities of this type.  The Company used the net proceeds of the Term Loan, together with cash on hand, to repay the existing credit facility and transaction expenses.

Pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, letters of credit issued under the Revolving Loan reduce dollar for dollar the availability of borrowings under the Revolving Loan.

Accrued interest on each loan under the Credit Facility is payable monthly in arrears.  The Term Loan and the Delayed Draw Term Loan bear interest at a floating interest rate based on the then one month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 3.50%.  At the closing of the Credit Facility, the Company entered into a swap transaction with the Lender for 100% of the principal balance of the Term Loan, which matures on the same date as the Term Loan.  At the end of the borrowing availability period for the Delayed Draw Term Loan, the Company is required to enter into a swap transaction with the Lender for 100% of the principal balance of the Delayed Draw Term Loan, which will mature on the same date as the Delayed Draw Term Loan, pursuant to a swap agreement between the Company and the Lender or the Lender’s affiliate.  The Term Loan and Delayed Draw Term Loan are subject to a LIBOR interest rate floor of 0.25% if there is no swap agreement.

Revolving Loans bear interest at a floating interest rate based on the then LIBOR plus an indicative spread determined by the Company’s leverage as defined in the Credit Agreement or, if the borrowing of a Revolving Loan is to be repaid within 30 days of such borrowing, the Revolving Loan will accrue interest at the Lender’s prime rate plus 0.50% with a floor of 4.0%. Revolving Loans are subject to a LIBOR interest rate floor of 0.00%.

Letters of credit are charged an annual fee equal to (i) an applicable margin determined by the leverage ratio of the Company less (ii) 0.25%, paid quarterly in arrears, in addition to the Lender’s customary fees for issuance, amendment and other standard fees.  Letters of credit totaling $4 million that were outstanding under the existing credit facility are treated as letters of credit under the Revolving Loan.

Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Company may prepay the Term Loan and/or the Delayed Draw Term Loan in full or in part without penalty except for any amount required to compensate the Lender for any swap breakage or other costs incurred in connection with such prepayment.  The Lender receives an unused facility fee of 0.50% per annum payable quarterly in arrears on the unused portions of the Revolving Loan.

In addition to the foregoing, the Credit Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and affirmative and negative covenants (including financial covenants that (i) restrict capital expenditures, (ii) restrict leverage, (iii) require maintaining minimum tangible net worth, (iv) require maintaining a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and (v) require the maintenance of a minimum of $5 million in quarterly average aggregate balances on deposit with the Lender, which, if not maintained, will result in the assessment of a quarterly fee of $12,500), as well as events of default customary for facilities of this type. As of June 30, 2021, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.  The Credit Agreement also limited the payment of cash dividends during the first twenty-four months of the agreement to $1.7 million but an amendment to the Credit Agreement entered into on November 10, 2020 raised the cash dividend limit to $2.3 million in such twenty-four-month period.

As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Company had $16.8 million and $17.8 million, respectively, outstanding under the Credit Facility offset by $0.5 million and $0.6 million of deferred finance fees, respectively. As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, letters of credit in the aggregate outstanding principal amount of $4.0 million were outstanding under the Credit Facility.

Scheduled maturities of long-term debt at June 30, 2021 are as follows:

7.          STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Common Stock

Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends when and as declared by our Board of Directors and have the right to one vote per share on all matters requiring shareholder approval. The Company has not declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock since the Company’s Board of Directors discontinued our quarterly cash dividend program in February 2015.  The Company has no current intentions to resume the payment of cash dividends to holders of common stock in the foreseeable future.

Preferred Stock

On November 14, 2019, the Company raised gross proceeds of $12.7 million from the sale of 12,700 shares of its newly designated Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, no par value per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”).  The Series A Preferred Stock was designated by the Company’s Board of Directors pursuant to a certificate of amendment to the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation (the “Charter Amendment”). The liquidation preference associated with the Series A Preferred Stock was $1,000 per share at December 31, 2020.  Upon issuance each share of Series A Preferred Stock was convertible at $2.36 per share of common stock (as may be adjusted pursuant to the Charter Amendment, the “Conversion Price”) into 423,729 shares of common stock (the number of shares into which the Series A Preferred Stock is convertible at any time, the “Conversion Shares”).  The Company incurred issuance costs of $0.7 million as part of this transaction.

The description below provides a summary of certain material terms of the Series A Preferred Stock:

Securities Purchase Agreement.

The Series A Preferred Stock was sold by the Company pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of November 14, 2019 (the “SPA”) among the Company, Juniper Targeted Opportunity Fund, L.P. and Juniper Targeted Opportunities, L.P. (together, “Juniper Purchasers”) and Talanta Investment, Inc. (“Talanta,” together with Juniper Purchasers, the “Investors”). Among other things, the SPA includes covenants relating to the appointment of a director to the Company’s Board of Directors to be selected solely by the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock.

Dividends. Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock (“Series A Dividends”), at the initial annual rate of 9.6% is to be paid, in arrears, from the date of issuance quarterly on each December 31, March 31, June 30 and September 30 with September 30, 2020 being the first dividend payment date.  The Company, at its option, may pay dividends either (a) in cash or (b) by increasing the number of Conversion Shares by the dollar amount of the dividend divided by the Conversion Price.  The dividend rate is subject to increase (a) 2.4% per annum on the fifth anniversary of the issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock and (b) by 2% per annum but in no event above 14% per annum should the Company fail to perform certain obligations under the Charter Amendment.  The Series A Preferred Stock is not currently redeemable and may not become redeemable in the future. As a result, the Company is not required to re-measure the Series A Preferred Stock and does not accrete changes in the redemption value. As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we paid a $0.6 million and $1.4 million, respectively, cash dividend on the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock rather than increasing the number of Conversion Shares. Dividends are included in the consolidated balance sheets within additional paid-in-capital when the Company maintains an accumulated deficit.

Holders of Series A Preferred Stock Right to Convert into Common Stock. Each share of Series A Preferred Stock, at any time, is convertible into a number of shares of common stock equal to (i) the sum of (A) $1,000 (subject to adjustment as provided in the Charter Amendment) plus (B) the dollar amount of any declared Series A Dividends not paid in cash divided by (ii) the Conversion Price ($2.36 per share subject to anti-dilution adjustments) as of the applicable Conversion Date (as defined in the Charter Amendment). At all times, however, the number of Conversion Shares that can be issued to any holder of Series A Preferred Stock may not result in such holder and its affiliates owning more than 19.99% of the total number of shares of common stock outstanding after giving effect to the conversion (the “Hard Cap”), unless prior shareholder approval is obtained or no longer required by the rules of the principal stock exchange on which the Company’s common stock trades.

Mandatory Conversion. If, at any time following November 14, 2022, the volume weighted average price of the Company’s common stock equals or exceeds 2.25 times the Conversion Price (currently $5.31 per share) for a period of 20 consecutive trading days and on each such trading day at least 20,000 shares of common stock was traded, the Company may, at its option and subject to the Hard Cap, require that any or all of the then outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock be automatically converted into Conversion Shares.

Redemption. Beginning November 14, 2024, the Company may redeem all or any of the Series A Preferred Stock for a cash price equal to the greater of (“Liquidation Preference”) (i) the sum of $1,000 (subject to adjustment as provided in the Charter Amendment) plus the dollar amount of any declared Series A Dividends not paid in cash and (ii) the value of the Conversion Shares were such Series A Preferred Stock converted (as determined in the Charter Amendment) without regard to the Hard Cap.

Change of Control.  In the event of certain changes of control, some of which are not in the Company’s control, as defined in the Charter Amendment as a “Fundamental Change” or a “Liquidation” (as defined in the Charter Amendment), the holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive the Liquidation Preference, unless such Fundamental Change is a stock merger in which certain value and volume requirements are met, in which case the Series A Preferred Stock will be converted into common stock in connection with such stock merger.  The Company has classified the Series A Preferred Stock as mezzanine equity on the Consolidated Balance Sheet based upon the terms of a change of control which could be outside the Company’s control.

Voting. Holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote with the holders of shares of common stock and not as a separate class, at any annual or special meeting of shareholders of the Company, on an as-converted basis, in all cases subject to the Hard Cap.  In addition, a majority of the voting power of the Series A Preferred Stock must approve certain significant actions of the Company, including (i) declaring a dividend or otherwise redeeming or repurchasing any shares of common stock and other junior securities, if any, subject to certain exceptions, (ii) incurring indebtedness, except for certain permitted indebtedness and (iii) creating a subsidiary other than a wholly-owned subsidiary.

Additional Provisions.  The Series A Preferred Stock is perpetual and, therefore, does not have a maturity date.  The conversion price of the Series A Preferred Stock is subject to anti-dilution protections if the Company affects a stock split, stock dividend, subdivision, reclassification or combination of its common stock and certain other economically dilutive events.

Registration Rights Agreement. The Company also is a party to a Registration Rights Agreement (“RRA”) with the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock.  The RRA provides for unlimited demand registration rights, of which there can be two underwritten offerings each for at least $5 million in gross proceeds, and piggyback registration rights, with respect to the Conversion Shares. In addition, the RRA obligated the Company to register “for the shelf” the resale of the Conversion Shares through the filing of a registration statement to such effect (the “Resale Shelf Registration Statement”) and have such Resale Shelf Registration Statement declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The SEC declared the Resale Shelf Registration Statement effective on October 16, 2020.

Restricted Stock

The Company currently issues restricted stock awards under the Lincoln Educational Services Corporation 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2020 Plan”).  As more fully described below,  the Company continues to maintain the Lincoln Educational Services Corporation 2005 Long Term Incentive Plan, as amended and amended and restated (the “Prior Plan”) only with respect to awards made thereunder, but, as no shares remain available under the Prior Plan, the Company no longer makes grants under such plan.

On March 26, 2020, the Board adopted the 2020 Plan to provide an incentive to certain directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company to align their interests in the Company’s success with those of its shareholders through the grant of equity-based awards. On June 16, 2020, the shareholders of the Company approved the 2020 Plan.  The 2020 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board, or such other qualified committee appointed by the Board, who will, among other duties, have full power and authority to take all actions and to make all determinations required or provided for under the 2020 Plan. Pursuant to the 2020 Plan, the Company may grant options, share appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted share units, incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options.  The 2020 Plan has a duration of 10 years.

Subject to adjustment as described in the 2020 Plan, the aggregate number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2020 Plan is 2,000,000 shares.

On May 6, 2021, 76,195 restricted shares of common stock were issued to non-employee directors which vest on the first anniversary of the grant date.

On June 16, 2020, 111,376 restricted shares of common stock were issued to non-employee directors which are fully vested on June 16, 2021.

On August 7, 2020, two non-employee directors were appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors and 17,096 restricted shares of common stock were granted to each of those individuals.  These shares vested on June 16, 2021.

Also on August 7, 2020, a non-employee director retired from his position on the Company’s Board of Directors and 12,762 restricted shares of common stock held by him which were unvested were accelerated to vest effective August 7, 2020.

On February 25, 2021, performance-based restricted shares were granted to certain employees of the Company. The shares vest ratably on the first, second and third anniversary dates of the grant based upon the attainment of a financial target during each of the fiscal years ending December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively, except in extraordinary circumstances.  There is no restriction on the right to vote or the right to receive dividends with respect to any of such restricted shares. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, the Company recorded expense of $0.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively, as the expectation of attainment of the target is probable.

On February 20, 2020, performance-based restricted shares were granted to certain employees of the Company.  The shares vest 20%, 30% and 50% on the first, second and third anniversary dates of the grant, respectively, based upon the attainment of a financial target during each fiscal years ending December 31, 2020, 2021 and 2022, respectively, except in extraordinary circumstances.  There is no restriction on the right to vote or the right to receive dividends with respect to any of such restricted shares.  For the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company recorded expense of $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively, as the expectation of attainment of the target is probable.  For the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company recorded expense of $0.4 million and $0.2 million, respectively, as the expectation of attainment of the target is probable.

Under the Prior Plan, certain employees received awards of restricted shares of common stock based on service and performance.  The number of shares granted to each employee was based on the amount of the award and the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of grant. The 2020 Plan provides that there will be no new grants under the Prior Plan effective as of the date of shareholder approval, June 16, 2020, of the 2020 Plan. The 2020 Plan also states that the shares available under the 2020 Plan will be two million shares plus the number of shares remaining available under the Prior Plan.  As no shares remain available under the Prior Plan, there can be no additional grants thereunder. Outstanding grants under the Prior Plan remain in effect according to their terms.  Therefore, those grants are subject to the particular award agreement relating thereto and to the Prior Plan to the extent that the plan addresses those grants. The Prior Plan remains in effect only to that extent.

On February 28, 2019, restricted shares were granted to certain employees of the Company under the Prior Plan, which shares ratably vest over three years.  There is no restriction on the right to vote or the right to receive dividends with respect to any of such restricted shares. For each of the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company recorded expense of $0.1 million in connection with that grant. For the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company recorded expense of $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively, in connection with that grant.

For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, the Company completed a net share settlement for 154,973 and 58,451 restricted shares, respectively, on behalf of certain employees who participate in the Prior Plan upon the vesting of the restricted shares pursuant to the terms of the Prior Plan.  The net share settlement was in connection with income taxes incurred on restricted shares that vested and were transferred to the employees during 2021 and/or 2020, creating taxable income for the employees.  At the employees’ request, the Company will pay those taxes on behalf of the employees in exchange for the employees’ returning an equivalent value of restricted shares to the Company.  Those transactions resulted in a decrease of $1.0 million and $0.2 million for each of the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, to equity on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, as the cash payment of the taxes effectively was a repurchase of the restricted shares granted in previous years.

The following is a summary of transactions pertaining to restricted stock:

The restricted stock expense for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 was $0.8 million and $0.3 million, respectively.  The restricted stock expense for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 was $1.3 million and $0.6 million, respectively. The unrecognized restricted stock expense as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was $6.7 million and $3.2 million, respectively.  As of June 30, 2021, outstanding restricted shares under the Prior Plan had aggregate intrinsic value of $13.4 million.

Stock Options

The fair value of the stock options used to compute stock-based compensation is the estimated present value at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.  The following is a summary of transactions pertaining to stock options:

As of June 30, 2021, there was no unrecognized pre-tax compensation expense.

The provision for income taxes for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 was $0.7 million, or 23.1% of pretax income, and approximately $0.1 million, or 6.0% of pretax income, respectively.  The provision for income taxes for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 was $2.0 million, or 22.2% of pretax income, and approximately $0.1 million, or 11.5% of pretax loss, respectively.  The increase for the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2020 was due to the reversal of a full valuation allowance at December 31, 2020, resulting in an effective tax rate of 22.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2021.

In the ordinary conduct of its business, the Company is subject to certain lawsuits, investigations and claims, including, but not limited to, claims involving students or graduates and routine employment matters. Although the Company cannot predict with certainty the ultimate resolution of lawsuits, investigations and claims asserted against it, the Company does not believe that any currently pending legal proceedings to which it is a party will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations or cash flows.

Information regarding certain specific legal proceedings in which the Company is involved is contained in Part II, Item 1 hereof as well as in Part I, Item 3, and in Note 15 to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020.  Unless otherwise indicated in this report, all proceedings discussed in the earlier report which are not indicated therein as having been concluded, remain outstanding as of June 30, 2021.

We operate our business in two reportable segments: (a) the Transportation and Skilled Trades segment; and (b) the Healthcare and Other Professions segment.  Our reportable segments have been determined based on a method by which we now evaluate performance and allocate resources.  Each reportable segment represents a group of post-secondary education providers that offer a variety of degree and non-degree academic programs.  These segments are organized by key market segments to enhance operational alignment within each segment to more effectively execute our strategic plan.  Each of the Company’s schools is a reporting unit and an operating segment.  Our operating segments are described below.

Transportation and Skilled Trades – The Transportation and Skilled Trades segment offers academic programs mainly in the career-oriented disciplines of transportation and skilled trades (e.g. automotive, diesel, HVAC, welding and manufacturing).

Healthcare and Other Professions – The Healthcare and Other Professions segment offers academic programs in the career-oriented disciplines of health sciences, hospitality and business and information technology (e.g. dental assistant, medical assistant, practical nursing, culinary arts and cosmetology).

The Company also utilizes the Transitional segment on a limited basis solely when and if it closes a school.

We evaluate segment performance based on operating results.  Adjustments to reconcile segment results to consolidated results are included under the caption “Corporate,” which primarily includes unallocated corporate activity.

Summary financial information by reporting segment is as follows:

11.          FAIR VALUE

The carrying amount and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instrument assets and liabilities, which are not measured at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, are listed in the table below:

As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we estimated the fair value of the Credit Facility based on a present value analysis utilizing aggregate market yields obtained from independent pricing sources for similar financial instruments.

The carrying amounts reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets for Cash and cash equivalents, Restricted cash and Noncurrent restricted cash approximate fair value because they are highly liquid.

The carrying amounts reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets for Prepaid expenses and other current assets, Accrued expenses and Other short term liabilities approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these items.

Qualifying Hedge Derivative

On November 14, 2019, in connection with its Credit Facility, the Company entered into an interest rate swap for the Term Loan with a notional amount of $20 million which expires on December 1, 2024.  The loan has a 10-year straight line amortization.  A principal amount of $0.2 million is paid monthly.  This interest rate swap converts the floating interest rate Term Loan to a fixed rate, plus a borrowing spread.  The interest rate is variable based on LIBOR plus 3.50% and the Company’s fixed rate is 5.36%. The Company designated this interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge.

The Company entered into this interest rate swap to hedge exposure resulting from the interest rate risk. The purpose of this hedge is to reduce the variability of the interest rate based on LIBOR.  The Company manages these exposures within specified guidelines through the use of derivatives. All of our derivative instruments are utilized for risk management purposes, and the Company does not use derivatives for speculative trading purposes.

The following summarizes the fair value of the outstanding derivative:

The following summarizes the financial statement classification and amount of interest expense recognized on hedging instruments: