UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON,Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q


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

For the quarterly period endedJanuary 31, 2018

OR

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

For the transition period from ________ to ________

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

 

For the quarterly period endedJuly 31, 2019


or


¨

TRANSITIONREPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ___________ to ___________

Commission file number: number001-38175

Aspen Group, Inc.ASPEN GROUP, INC.

(Exact nameName of registrantRegistrant as specifiedSpecified in its charter)Its Charter)

Delaware

27-1933597

(State or other jurisdictionOther Jurisdiction of incorporationIncorporation or organization)Organization

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

1660 S Albion Street,276 Fifth Avenue, Suite 525

Denver, CO505, New York, New York

 

8022210001

(Address of principal executive offices)Principal Executive Offices

(Zip Code)Code


Registrants(646) 448-5144

(Registrant’s telephone number: (303) 333-4224number, 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 if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes ¨    No þ

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.  Yes ¨    No þ 

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 daysdays.  Yes þ     No o¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes þ    No o¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, 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 ¨

(Do not check if a smaller

Smaller reporting company þ

reporting company)

Emerging growth company ¨


If an emerging growth company, indicate by checkmarkcheck 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 Exchange Act).  Yes o¨    No þ


Class

 

Outstanding as of March 15, 2018September 5, 2019

Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share

 

15,072,33218,914,242 shares


 





 


INDEX


 

PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

                      

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements.

1

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

1

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

3

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited)

4

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

5

 

 

 

 

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

7

 

 

 

Item 2.

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

1926

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

2637

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures.

2638

 

 

 

 

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings.

2739

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors.

2739

 

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

2739

 

 

 

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

2739

 

 

 

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures.

2739

 

 

 

Item 5.

Other Information.

2739

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits.

2739


SIGNATURES

2840










 


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION


ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


 

January 31,

 

April 30,

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

 

July 31, 2019

 

April 30, 2019

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

  

                    

  

 

                    

  

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

3,803,080

 

$

2,756,217

 

Cash

 

$

7,243,580

 

$

9,519,352

 

Restricted cash

 

190,506

 

 

 

452,021

 

448,400

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $544,492 and $328,864, respectively

 

8,592,958

 

4,434,862

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,484,559 and $1,247,031, respectively

 

10,786,265

 

10,656,470

 

Prepaid expenses

 

288,640

 

133,531

 

 

546,767

 

410,745

 

Promissory note receivable

 

 

900,000

 

Other receivables

 

233,862

 

81,464

 

 

 

1,435

 

 

 

2,145

 

Accrued interest receivable

 

 

 

 

8,000

 

Total current assets

 

 

13,109,046

 

 

 

8,314,074

 

 

 

19,030,068

 

 

 

21,037,112

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Call center equipment

 

96,305

 

53,748

 

 

245,715

 

193,774

 

Computer and office equipment

 

130,137

 

103,649

 

 

330,267

 

327,621

 

Furniture and fixtures

 

712,209

 

255,984

 

 

1,430,349

 

1,381,271

 

Software

 

 

2,590,297

 

 

 

2,131,344

 

 

 

4,765,597

 

 

 

4,314,198

 

 

3,528,948

 

2,544,725

 

 

6,771,928

 

6,216,864

 

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

 

(1,161,030

)

 

 

(1,090,010

)

 

 

(2,083,277

)

 

 

(1,825,524

)

Total property and equipment, net

 

2,367,918

 

1,454,715

 

 

4,688,651

 

4,391,340

 

Goodwill

 

5,011,432

 

 

 

5,011,432

 

5,011,432

 

Intangible assets, net

 

9,916,667

 

 

 

8,266,667

 

8,541,667

 

Courseware, net

 

137,557

 

145,477

 

 

145,063

 

161,930

 

Accounts receivable, secured - related party, net of allowance of $625,963, and $625,963, respectively

 

45,329

 

45,329

 

Long term contractual receivable

 

935,878

 

657,542

 

Other assets

 

 

585,206

 

 

 

56,417

 

Accounts receivable, secured - net of allowance of $625,963 and $625,963, respectively

 

45,329

 

45,329

 

Long term contractual accounts receivable

 

4,249,969

 

3,085,243

 

Debt issue cost, net

 

271,162

 

300,824

 

Right of use lease asset

 

7,996,585

 

 

Deposits and other assets

 

 

562,594

 

 

 

629,626

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

32,109,033

 

 

$

10,673,554

 

 

$

50,267,520

 

 

$

43,204,503

 



(Continued)



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






ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (CONTINUED)


 

 

January 31,

 

 

April 30,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

1,273,990

 

 

$

756,701

 

Accrued expenses

 

 

596,633

 

 

 

262,911

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

4,156,550

 

 

 

1,354,989

 

Refunds due students

 

 

730,722

 

 

 

310,576

 

Deferred rent, current portion

 

 

7,429

 

 

 

11,200

 

Convertible notes payable- related party, current portion

 

 

1,000,000

 

 

 

 

Convertible notes payable, current portion

 

 

50,000

 

 

 

50,000

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

186,134

 

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

8,001,458

 

 

 

2,746,377

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Convertible note payable - related party

 

 

1,000,000

 

 

 

 

Senior secured term loan, net of discount

 

 

6,769,932

 

 

 

 

Warrant Liability

 

 

 

 

 

52,500

 

Deferred rent

 

 

60,295

 

 

 

34,437

 

Total liabilities

 

 

15,831,685

 

 

 

2,833,314

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies - See Note 7

 

 

— 

 

 

 

— 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.001 par value; 250,000,000 shares authorized,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,072,332 issued and 15,055,665 outstanding at January 31, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,504,012 issued and 13,487,345 outstanding at April 30, 2017

 

 

15,072

 

 

 

13,504

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

45,439,538

 

 

 

33,607,423

 

Treasury stock (16,667 shares)

 

 

(70,000

)

 

 

(70,000

)

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(29,107,262

)

 

 

(25,710,687

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

16,277,348

 

 

 

7,840,240

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

32,109,033

 

 

$

10,673,554

 


 

 

July 31, 2019

 

 

April 30, 2019

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

  

  

                    

  

  

 

                    

  

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

1,588,331

 

 

$

1,699,221

 

Accrued expenses

 

 

577,755

 

 

 

651,418

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

2,681,037

 

 

 

2,456,865

 

Refunds due students

 

 

1,591,632

 

 

 

1,174,501

 

Deferred rent, current portion

 

 

53,140

 

 

 

47,436

 

Convertible notes payable

 

 

50,000

 

 

 

50,000

 

Right of use lease liability, current portion

 

 

1,100,411

 

 

 

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

279,411

 

 

 

270,786

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

7,921,717

 

 

 

6,350,227

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior secured loan payable, net of discount of $287,626 and $353,328 respectively

 

 

9,712,374

 

 

 

9,646,672

 

Right of use lease liability

 

 

7,095,695

 

 

 

 

Deferred rent

 

 

704,689

 

 

 

746,176

 

Total liabilities

 

 

25,434,475

 

 

 

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 July 31, 2019 and April 30, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.001 par value; 40,000,000 shares authorized

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,913,527 issued and 18,896,443 outstanding at July 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,665,551 issued and 18,648,884 outstanding at April 30, 2019

 

 

18,914

 

 

 

18,666

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

69,146,123

 

 

 

68,562,727

 

Treasury stock (16,667 shares)

 

 

(70,000

)

 

 

(70,000

)

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(44,261,992

)

 

 

(42,049,965

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

24,833,045

 

 

 

26,461,428

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

50,267,520

 

 

$

43,204,503

 



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







ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)


 

 

For the

 

 

For the

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

January 31,

 

 

January 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

  

                     

  

  

                     

  

  

                     

  

  

                     

  

Revenues

 

$

5,701,958

 

 

$

3,735,626

 

 

$

14,796,483

 

 

$

9,957,467

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)

 

 

2,665,664

 

 

 

1,359,131

 

 

 

6,282,814

 

 

 

3,490,046

 

General and administrative

 

 

4,677,359

 

 

 

2,133,074

 

 

 

10,975,085

 

 

 

6,228,554

 

Program review settlement expense

 

 

 

 

 

25,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

25,000

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

347,894

 

 

 

132,727

 

 

 

631,969

 

 

 

422,782

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

7,690,917

 

 

 

3,649,932

 

 

 

17,889,868

 

 

 

10,166,382

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating (loss) income

 

 

(1,988,959

)

 

 

85,694

 

 

 

(3,093,385

)

 

 

(208,915

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income

 

 

46,179

 

 

 

1,684

 

 

 

88,067

 

 

 

3,047

 

Gain on extinguishment of warrant liability

 

 

52,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

52,500

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

(257,665

)

 

 

(80,001

)

 

 

(443,757

)

 

 

(175,662

)

Total other expense, net

 

 

(158,986

)

 

 

(78,317

)

 

 

(303,190

)

 

 

(172,615

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Loss) income before income taxes

 

 

(2,147,945

)

 

 

7,377

 

 

 

(3,396,575

)

 

 

(381,530

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income

 

$

(2,147,945

)

 

$

7,377

 

 

$

(3,396,575

)

 

$

(381,530

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income per share allocable to common stockholders - basic

 

$

(0.15

)

 

$

0.00

 

 

$

(0.25

)

 

$

(0.03

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) income per share allocable to common stockholders - diluted

 

$

(0.15

)

 

$

0.00

 

 

$

(0.25

)

 

$

(0.03

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: basic

 

 

14,491,634

 

 

 

11,467,345

 

 

 

13,862,992

 

 

 

11,419,270

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: diluted

 

 

14,491,634

 

 

 

13,040,970

 

 

 

13,862,992

 

 

 

11,419,270

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

10,357,982

 

 

$

7,221,305

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,353,058

 

 

 

3,752,392

 

General and administrative

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,037,150

 

 

 

5,824,132

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

606,574

 

 

 

498,105

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,996,782

 

 

 

10,074,629

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,638,800

)

 

 

(2,853,324

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22,802

 

 

 

56,401

 

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(423,689

)

 

 

(40,353

)

Total other income/(expense), net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(400,887

)

 

 

16,048

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,039,687

)

 

 

(2,837,276

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

35,595

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(2,075,282

)

 

$

(2,837,276

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss per share allocable to common stockholders - basic and diluted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(0.11

)

 

$

(0.15

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common stock outstanding - basic and diluted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,733,317

 

 

 

18,317,830

 



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








ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTSTATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2018

(Unaudited)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

Paid-In

 

 

Treasury

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Stockholders'

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Capital

 

 

Stock

 

 

Deficit

 

 

Equity

 

Balance at April 30, 2017

 

 

13,504,012

 

 

$

13,504

 

 

$

33,607,423

 

 

$

(70,000

)

 

$

(25,710,687

)

 

$

7,840,240

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fees associated with equity raise

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(14,033

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(14,033

)

Restricted stock issued for services

 

 

10,000

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

88,690

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

88,700

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

466,468

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

466,468

 

Common stock issued for acquisition

 

 

1,203,209

 

 

 

1,203

 

 

 

10,214,041

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,215,244

 

Common stock issued for cashless warrant exercises

 

 

162,072

 

 

 

162

 

 

 

(162

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock issued for warrants exercised for cash

 

 

79,442

 

 

 

79

 

 

 

143,410

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

143,489

 

Common stock issued for stock options exercised

 

 

113,597

 

 

 

114

 

 

 

455,273

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

455,387

 

Warrants issued with senior secured term loan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

478,428

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

478,428

 

Net loss, for the Nine months ended January 31, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,396,575

)

 

 

(3,396,575

)

Balance at January 31, 2018

 

 

15,072,332

 

 

$

15,072

 

 

$

45,439,538

 

 

$

(70,000

)

 

$

(29,107,262

)

 

$

16,277,348

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

Paid-In

 

 

Treasury

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Stockholders’

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Capital

 

 

Stock

 

 

Deficit

 

 

Equity

 

Balance at April 30, 2019

 

 

18,665,551

 

 

$

18,666

 

 

$

68,562,727

 

 

$

(70,000

)

 

$

(42,049,965

)

 

$

26,461,428

 

 

  

  

                    

  

  

 

                    

  

  

 

                    

  

  

 

                    

  

  

 

                    

  

  

 

                    

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

498,417

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

498,417

 

Common stock issued for cashless stock options exercised

 

 

101,894

 

 

 

102

 

 

 

(102

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock issued for stock options exercised for cash

 

 

21,876

 

 

 

22

 

 

 

45,168

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

45,190

 

Common stock issued for cashless warrant exercise

 

 

19,403

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

(19

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of warrant based cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,440

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,440

 

Amortization of restricted stock issued for service

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30,597

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30,597

 

Restricted Stock Issued for Services, subject to vesting

 

 

104,803

 

 

 

105

 

 

 

(105

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative effect of Adoption of ASC 842

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(136,745

)

 

 

(136,745

)

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,075,282

)

 

 

(2,075,282

)

Balance at July 31, 2019

 

 

18,913,527

 

 

$

18,914

 

 

$

69,146,123

 

 

$

(70,000

)

 

$

(44,261,992

)

 

$

24,833,045

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

Paid-In

 

 

Treasury

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Stockholders’

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Capital

 

 

Stock

 

 

Deficit

 

 

Equity

 

Balance at April 30, 2018

 

 

18,333,521

 

 

$

18,334

 

 

$

66,557,005

 

 

$

(70,000

)

 

$

(32,771,748

)

 

$

33,733,591

 

 

  

  

                    

  

  

 

                    

  

  

 

                    

  

  

 

                    

  

  

 

                    

  

  

 

                    

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

209,976

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

209,976

 

Common stock issued for cashless stock options exercised

 

 

5,230

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

(5

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock issued for stock options exercised for cash

 

 

2,689

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

7,815

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,817

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,837,276

)

 

 

(2,837,276

)

Balance at July 31, 2018

 

 

18,341,440

 

 

$

18,341

 

 

$

66,744,959

 

 

$

(70,000

)

 

$

(35,609,024

)

 

$

31,084,276

 




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







ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)


 

 

For the

 

 

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

January 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

  

                     

  

  

                     

  

Net loss

 

$

(3,396,575

)

 

$

(381,530

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bad debt expense (recovery)

 

 

298,144

 

 

 

(25,680

)

Gain on extinguishment of warrant liability

 

 

(52,500

)

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

631,969

 

 

 

422,782

 

Loss on asset disposal

 

 

27,590

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

466,468

 

 

 

253,833

 

Amortization of debt discounts

 

 

99,726

 

 

 

15,625

 

Amortization of prepaid shares for services

 

 

37,039

 

 

 

52,500

 

Warrant buyback expense

 

 

 

 

 

206,000

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(4,534,118

)

 

 

(2,331,140

)

Prepaid expenses

 

 

(59,451

)

 

 

28,715

 

Accrued interest receivable

 

 

(45,400

 

 

 

Other receivables

 

 

(152,398

 

 

 

Other assets

 

 

(528,789

)

 

 

(25,241

)

Accounts payable

 

 

366,044

 

 

 

875,110

 

Accrued expenses

 

 

218,476

 

 

 

105,111

 

Deferred rent

 

 

22,087

 

 

 

17,318

 

Refunds due students

 

 

420,146

 

 

 

124,912

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

2,340,461

 

 

 

562,643

 

Other liabilities

 

 

186,134

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

 

 

(3,654,947

)

 

 

(99,042

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid in asset acquisition

 

 

(2,589,719

)

 

 

 

Proceeds from promissory note interest receivable

 

 

53,400

 

 

 

 

Increase in restricted cash

 

 

(190,506

)

 

 

 

Purchases of courseware

 

 

(33,369

)

 

 

(6,550

)

Purchases of property and equipment

 

 

(1,171,473

)

 

 

(565,306

)

Proceeds from promissory note receivable

 

 

900,000

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(3,031,667

)

 

 

(571,856

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warrant Buyback

 

 

 

 

 

(400,000

)

Borrowing of bank line of credit

 

 

 

 

 

247,000

 

Payments for bank line of credit

 

 

 

 

 

(248,783

)

Borrowing of third party line of credit

 

 

 

 

 

1,250,000

 

Third party line of credit financing costs

 

 

 

 

 

(60,000

)

Proceeds of warrant and stock options exercised

 

 

598,876

 

 

 

 

Offering costs paid on debt financing

 

 

(351,366

 

 

 

Disbursements for equity offering costs

 

 

(14,033

)

 

 

(4,017

)

Proceeds from senior secured term loan

 

 

7,500,000

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

 

7,733,477

 

 

 

784,200

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase in cash

 

 

1,046,863

 

 

 

113,302

 

Cash at beginning of period

 

 

2,756,217

 

 

 

783,796

 

Cash at end of period

 

$

3,803,080

 

 

$

897,098

 


(Continued)

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

July 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(2,075,282

)

 

$

(2,837,276

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bad debt expense

 

 

240,899

 

 

 

121,805

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

606,574

 

 

 

498,105

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

498,417

 

 

 

209,976

 

Warrants issued for services

 

 

9,440

 

 

 

 

Loss on asset disposition

 

 

20,240

 

 

 

 

Amortization of debt discounts

 

 

65,702

 

 

 

 

Amortization of debt issue costs

 

 

29,662

 

 

 

 

Amortization of prepaid shares for services

 

 

 

 

 

8,285

 

Non-cash payments to investor relations firm

 

 

30,597

 

 

 

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(1,535,420

)

 

 

(1,592,941

)

Prepaid expenses

 

 

(136,022

)

 

 

(229,168

)

Other receivables

 

 

710

 

 

 

173,475

 

Other assets

 

 

67,032

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

 

(110,890

)

 

 

(728,230

)

Accrued expenses

 

 

(73,663

)

 

 

10,401

 

Deferred rent

 

 

(35,783

)

 

 

217,433

 

Refunds due students

 

 

417,131

 

 

 

302,609

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

224,172

 

 

 

430,015

 

Right of use assets, net

 

 

62,776

 

 

 

 

Other liabilities

 

 

8,625

 

 

 

27,301

 

Net cash used in operating activities

 

 

(1,685,083

)

 

 

(3,388,210

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of courseware and accreditation

 

 

(2,275

)

 

 

(42,917

)

Purchases of property and equipment

 

 

(629,983

)

 

 

(735,757

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(632,258

)

 

 

(778,674

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disbursements for equity offering costs

 

 

 

 

 

(29,832

)

Proceeds of stock options exercised and warrants exercised

 

 

45,190

 

 

 

7,817

 

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

 

 

45,190

 

 

 

(22,015

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(2,272,151

)

 

 

(4,188,899

)

Cash, restricted cash, and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

 

9,967,752

 

 

 

14,803,065

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

7,695,601

 

 

$

10,614,166

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure cash flow information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

 

$

324,861

 

 

$

 

Cash paid for income taxes

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock issued for services

 

$

178,447

 

 

$

 


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





ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)

(Unaudited)


 

 

For the

 

 

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

January 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

 

$

316,781

 

 

$

145,105

 

Cash paid for income taxes

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warrants issued as part of senior secured loan

 

$

478,428

 

 

$

 

Assets acquired net of liabilities assumed for non-cash consideration

 

$

12,215,244

 

 

$

 

Common stock issued for services

 

$

 

 

$

62,002

 

Warrant derivative liability

 

$

 

 

$

52,500

 

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:


 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

July 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

7,243,580

 

 

$

10,423,660

 

Restricted cash

 

 

452,021

 

 

 

190,506

 

Total cash and restricted cash

 

$

7,695,601

 

 

$

10,614,166

 






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











ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JANUARYJuly 31, 20182019

(Unaudited)


Note 1. Nature of Operations and Liquidity


Overview


Aspen Group, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”“Company,” “Aspen,” or “AGI”) is a holding company, which has twothree subsidiaries. They are Aspen University Inc. (“Aspen University”) was organized in 1987, Aspen Nursing, Inc. (“ANI”) (a subsidiary of Aspen University) formed in July 2018 and United States University, Inc. (“USU”) formed in May 2017. USU was formed May 2017 and certain assets were acquired and liabilities assumedthe vehicle we used to acquire United States University on December 1, 2017. (See Note 10)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 Group’sUniversity and United States University, to deliver on the vision is to makeof making college affordable again in America.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 online higher education.  In March 2014, Aspen University unveiled a monthly payment plan aimed at reversingAGI’s primary focus relative to future growth is to target the college-debt sentence plaguing working-class Americans. The monthly payment plan offers bachelorhigh growth nursing profession, currently 82% of all students (except RN to BSN) the opportunity to pay their tuition at $250/month for 72 months ($18,000),across both universities are degree-seeking nursing bachelor students (RN to BSN) $250/month for 39 months ($9,750), master students $325/month for 36 months ($11,700) and doctoral students $375/month for 72 months ($27,000), interest free, thereby giving students a monthly payment tuition payment option versus taking out a federal financial aid loan.


United States University (USU) began offering monthly payment plans in the summer of 2017.  Today, monthly payment plans are available for the RN to BSN program ($250/month), MBA/M.A.Ed/MSN programs ($325/month), and the MSN-FNP program ($375/month).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”). OnIn February 25, 2015,2019, the DEAC informed Aspen University that it had renewed its accreditation for five years tothrough January 2019.2024.


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.certification resulting from the ownership change of control in connection with the acquisition by AGI on December 1, 2017.


Basis of Presentation


A. Interim Financial Statements


The interim consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). In the opinion of the Company’s management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments and reclassifications and non-recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly our results of operations for the three and nine months ended JanuaryJuly 31, 20182019 and 2017,2018, our cash flows for the ninethree months ended JanuaryJuly 31, 20182019 and 2017,2018, and our financial position as of JanuaryJuly 31, 20182019 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 periodfiscal year ended April 30, 20172019 as filed with the SEC on July 25, 2017.9, 2019. The April 30, 20172019 balance sheet is derived from those statements.


Liquidity


At July 31, 2019, the Company had a cash balance of $7,243,580 with an additional $452,021 in restricted cash.

On November 5, 2018 the Company entered into a three year, $5,000,000 senior revolving credit facility. There is currently no outstanding balance under that facility. (See Note 6)





7



ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JANUARYJuly 31, 20182019

(Unaudited)



B. LiquidityIn 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. (See Note 6)


At JanuaryDuring the quarter ended July 31, 2018,2019 the Company had aused cash balance of $3,803,080 plus $190,506$2,272,151, which included using $1,685,083 in restricted cash.operating activities.


On July 25, 2017, the Company signed a $10 million senior secured term loan with Runway Growth Capital Fund (formerly known as GSV Growth Capital Fund). The Company drew $5 million under the facility at closing, with an additional $2.5 million drawn following the closing of the Company’s acquisition of substantially all the assets of United States University, including receipt of all required regulatory approvals, among other conditions to funding. Terms of the 4-year senior loan include a 10% over 3-month LIBOR per annum interest rate. (See Notes 5 and 10).  


Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies


Principles of Consolidation


The unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Aspen Group, Inc.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 unaudited consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates in the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the allowance for doubtful accounts and other receivables, the valuation of collateral on certain receivables, 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 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, and 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 JanuaryJuly 31, 20182019 and April 30, 2017.2019.  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 JanuaryJuly 31, 2018. 2019.


As of JanuaryJuly 31, 20182019 and April 30, 2017, there were2019, the Company maintained deposits totaling $3,594,104$7,323,630 and $2,687,461$9,359,208, respectively, held in two separate institutions greaterthan the federally insured limits.


Restricted cash was $452,021 as of July 31, 2019 and consisted of $122,262 which is collateral for a letter of credit issued by the bank and required under the USU facility operating lease. Also, included was $71,932 and an additional $257,827, 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.


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.


IntangiblesIntangible assets represent both indefinite lived and definite lived assets. Accreditation, and regulatory approvals, and Tradetrade 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.




8



ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JANUARYJuly 31, 20182019

(Unaudited)



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 68% 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 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)




9



ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

July 31, 2019

(Unaudited)


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 July 31, 2019 and April 30, 2019, those balances were $4,249,969 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.




10



ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

July 31, 2019

(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 2016-02 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. 2016-02, 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 operating lease right-of-use assets (“ROU’s”) and corresponding lease liabilities of approximately $8.0 million and $8.2 million, respectivelyon the unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet as of July 31, 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.




11



ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

July 31, 2019

(Unaudited)


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 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, such as access to our online materialsstudents. Under ASC 606, the tuition and learning management system. Tuitioncourse fee revenue is recognized pro-rata over the applicable period of instruction. The Company maintains an institutional tuition refund policy, which provides for all or a portion of tuition to be refunded if a student withdraws during stated refund periods. Certain states in which students reside imposeinstruction and are not considered 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 itsperformance obligations.  Non-tuition related revenue recognition policy, the Company recognizes as revenue the tuition that was not refunded. Since the Company recognizes revenue pro-rata over the term of the course and because, under its institutional refund policy, the amount subject to refund is never greater than the amount of the revenue that has been deferred, under the Company’s accounting policies revenue is not recognized with respect to amounts that could potentially be refunded. The Company’s educational programs have starting and ending dates that differ from its fiscal quarters. Therefore, at the end of each fiscal quarter, a portion of revenue from these programs is not yet earned and is therefore deferred. The Company also charges students annual fees for library, technology and other services, which are recognized over the related service period. Deferred revenue represents the amount of tuition, fees, and other student payments received in excess of the portion recognized as revenue and it is included in current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Other revenues may be recognized as sales occur or services are performed.provided or when the goods are received by the student.  (See Note 8)


The Company hashad revenues from students outside the United States representing 2.1%1.48% and 1.9% of the revenues for the quarterquarters ended JanuaryJuly 31, 2018.2019 and 2018 respectively.


Accounting for DerivativesCost of Revenues


The Company evaluates its convertible instruments, options, warrants or other contractsCost 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 determine if those contracts or embedded components of those contracts qualify as derivatives to be separately accounted for under ASC Topic 815, “Derivativesthe administration and Hedging”. The result of this accounting treatment is that the fair valuedelivery of the derivative is marked-to-market each balance sheet dateCompany's educational programs. This expense category includes compensation costs associated with online faculty, technology license costs and recorded as a liability. Incosts associated with other support groups that provide services directly to the event thatstudents 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 fair value is recorded as a liability,cost of advertising media, the change in fair value is recorded in the statement of operations as other income (expense). Upon conversion, exercise, or other extinguishment (transaction) of a derivative instrument, the instrument is marked to fair value at the transaction date and then that fair value is recognized as an extinguishment gain or loss. Equity instruments that are initially classified as equity that become subject to reclassification under ASC Topic 815 are reclassified to liability at the fair valueefficiency of the instrumentCompany'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 reclassification date.type of advertising activity. Total marketing and promotional costs were $2,209,239 and $2,187,456 for the fiscal quarters ended July 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively and are included in cost of revenues.


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.




912



ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JANUARYJuly 31, 20182019

(Unaudited)


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 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 2018-07, 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 Income (Loss)Loss Per Share


Net income (loss)loss per share of common sharestock is based on the weighted average number of shares of common sharesstock outstanding during each period. Options to purchase 2,872,5463,237,840 and 1,963,4813,515,070 shares of common shares,stock, warrants to purchase 743,773687,292 and 934,555650,847 shares of common shares,stock, unvested restricted stock of 99,803 and 0, and $50,000 and $350,000$50,000 of convertible debt (convertible into 4,167 and 75,5964,167 shares of common shares)stock) were outstanding at JanuaryJuly 31, 20182019 and 2017,July 31, 2018, 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 sharestock when their effect is dilutive, as noted in the chart below.dilutive.


As required to be disclosed for quarters with net income, basic and diluted income per share for the three months ended January 31, 2017, were calculated as follows:Segment Information


 

 

Basic

 

 

Diluted

 

Numerator

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income applicable to common stock

 

$

7,377

 

 

$

7,377

 

Convertible debt interest

 

 

 

 

 

4,010

 

 

 

$

7,377

 

 

$

11,387

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding

 

 

11,467,345

 

 

 

11,467,345

 

Convertible debt

 

 

 

 

 

75,596

 

Warrants and options

 

 

 

 

 

1,498,029

 

 

 

 

11,467,345

 

 

 

13,040,970

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per share

 

$

0.00

 

 

$

0.00

 

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.




13



ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

July 31, 2019

(Unaudited)


Recent Accounting Pronouncements


ASU 2017-01 - In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-01: "Business Combinations (Topic 805)-Standard Updates which are not effective until after July 31, 2019, are not expected to clarifyhave a significant effect on the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017.  The Company will implement this guidance effective February 1, 2018.


ASU 2017-04 - In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-04: "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350)” - to simplify how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Step 2 measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill.  This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019.  The Company is evaluating the effects of this standard on itsCompany’s consolidated financial statements.  position or results of operations.


ASU 2016-02- In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards BoardFASB issued Accounting Standards UpdateASU No. 2016-02: “Leases (Topic 842)”whereby lessees will need to recognize almost all leases on their balance sheet as a right of use asset and a lease liability. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company expects this ASU will increase its assets and liabilities, but have no net material impact on its consolidated financial statements.




10



ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JANUARY 31, 2018

(Unaudited)



ASU 2014-09 - In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Update No. 2014-09: “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” which requires that an entity recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods and services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.  Since the issuance of the original standard, the FASB has issued several updates to the standard which i) clarify the application of the principal versus agent guidance; ii) clarify the guidance relating to performance obligations and licensing;  iii) clarifyWe completed our assessment of the collectability criterion, presentation of sales taxes, measurement date for non-cash consideration and completed contracts at transaction; and iv) clarify narrow aspects of ASC 606 or corrects unintended application of the guidance. The new revenue recognition standard, amended by the updates, becomes effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 and is to be applied retrospectively using one of two prescribed methods.  Early adoption is permitted.  The Company currently plans to adopt the new standard effectiveon our accounting policies and processes and adopted this guidance beginning May 1, 20182019 using a modified retrospective approach without restating prior comparative periods. The most significant impact primarily relates to our accounting for real estate leases and does not believe thereal estate subleases. The adoption of this standard will have a materialguidance impacts the presentation of our financial condition and disclosures, but did not materially impact on the amount or timingour results of its revenues.operations. See Note 9 “Leases” for further information.


Note 3. Property and Equipment


As property and equipment become fully expired,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 JanuaryJuly 31, 20182019 and April 30, 2017:2019:


 

January 31,

 

April 30,

 

 

July 31,

 

April 30,

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

 

2019

 

2019

 

Call center hardware

 

$

96,305

 

$

53,748

 

 

$

245,715

 

$

193,774

 

Computer and office equipment

 

130,137

 

103,649

 

 

330,267

 

327,621

 

Furniture and fixtures

 

712,209

 

255,984

 

 

1,430,349

 

1,381,271

 

Software

 

 

2,590,297

 

 

 

2,131,344

 

 

 

4,765,597

 

 

 

4,314,198

 

 

3,528,948

 

2,544,725

 

 

6,771,928

 

6,216,864

 

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

 

(1,161,030

)

 

 

(1,090,010

)

Accumulated depreciation

 

 

(2,083,277

)

 

 

(1,825,524

)

Property and equipment, net

 

$

2,367,918

 

 

$

1,454,715

 

 

$

4,688,651

 

 

$

4,391,340

 


Software consisted of the following at JanuaryJuly 31, 20182019 and April 30, 2017:2019:


 

January 31,

 

April 30,

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

 

July 31,

2019

 

April 30,

2019

 

Software

 

$

2,590,297

 

$

2,131,344

 

 

$

4,765,597

 

$

4,314,198

 

Accumulated amortization

 

 

(1,012,655

)

 

 

(994,017

)

Accumulated depreciation

 

 

(1,517,765

)

 

 

(1,351,193

)

Software, net

 

$

1,577,642

 

 

$

1,137,327

 

 

$

3,247,832

 

 

$

2,963,005

 


Depreciation expense and Amortization expenseamortization for all Property and Equipment as well as the portion for just software is presented below for the three and nine months ended JanuaryJuly 31, 20182019 and 2017:2018:


 

For the

 

For the

 

 

Three Months Ended

January 31,

 

Nine Months Ended

January 31,

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

2018

 

2017

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

July 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2019

 

2018

 

Depreciation and amortization Expense

 

$

150,596

 

$

119,064

 

$

407,346

 

$

378,118

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

312,432

 

$

204,335

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Software amortization Expense

 

$

121,695

 

$

105,914

 

$

341,825

 

$

342,938

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

170,189

 

$

143,774

 




14



ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

July 31, 2019

(Unaudited)


The following is a schedule of estimated future amortization expense of software at JanuaryJuly 31, 2018:2019:


Year Ending April 30,

 

 

 

2018

 

$

127,811

 

2019

 

456,038

 

Year Ending July 31,

 

Future Expense

 

2020

 

386,196

 

 

$

689,009

 

2021

 

313,749

 

 

854,804

 

2022

 

 

293,848

 

 

765,330

 

2023

 

605,091

 

2024

 

315,809

 

Thereafter

 

17,789

 

Total

 

$

1,577,642

 

 

$

3,247,832

 


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.


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 the three months ended July 31, 2019 and 2018 were $275,000 and $275,000 respectively.


Intangible assets consisted of the following at July 31, 2019 and April 30, 2019:


 

 

July 31,

 

 

April 30,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intangible assets

 

$

10,100,000

 

 

$

10,100,000

 

Accumulated amortization

 

 

(1,833,333

)

 

 

(1,558,333

)

Net intangible assets

 

$

8,266,667

 

 

$

8,541,667

 




1115



ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JANUARYJuly 31, 20182019

(Unaudited)



Note 4.5. Courseware and Accreditation


Courseware costs capitalized were $33,369$1,525 for the ninethree months ended JanuaryJuly 31, 2018. Fully expired2019 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 JanuaryJuly 31, 20182019 and April 30, 2017:2019:


 

January 31,

 

April 30,

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

 

July 31,

2019

 

April 30,

2019

 

Courseware

 

$

283,046

 

$

271,777

 

 

$

324,512

 

$

325,987

 

Accreditation

 

57,850

 

57,100

 

Accumulated amortization

 

 

(145,489

)

 

 

(126,300

)

 

 

(237,299

)

 

 

(221,157)

 

Courseware, net

 

$

137,557

 

 

$

145,477

 

 

$

145,063

 

 

$

161,930

 


The Company had capitalized accreditation costs of $750 and $57,100 for the three months ended July 31, 2019 and year ended April 30, 2019.


Amortization expense of courseware for the three and nine months ended JanuaryJuly 31, 20182019 and 2017:2018:


 

 

For the

 

 

For the

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

January 31,

 

 

Nine Months Ended

January 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization expense

 

$

13,966

 

 

$

13,663

 

 

$

41,289

 

 

$

44,664

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

July 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

19,142

 

 

$

15,371

 


The following is a schedule of estimated future amortization expense of courseware at JanuaryJuly 31, 2018:2019:


Year Ending April 30,

 

 

 

2018

 

$

14,152

 

2019

 

 

56,143

 

2020

 

 

42,301

 

2021

 

 

15,336

 

2022

 

 

9,625

 

Total

 

$

137,557

 


Note 5. Senior Secured Term Loan


On July 25, 2017, the Company signed a $10 million senior secured term loan with Runway Growth Capital Fund (formerly known as GSV Growth Capital Fund). The Company drew $5 million under the facility at closing, then subsequently drew $2.5 million following the closing of the Company’s acquisition of substantially all the assets of the United States University, including receipt of all required regulatory approvals, among other conditions to funding. Terms of the 4-year senior loan include a 10% over 3-month LIBOR per annum interest rate.


The Company will be required to begin making principal repayments upon the 24-month anniversary of the initial closing (July 24, 2019), and each month thereafter will repay 1/24th of the total loan amount outstanding.  Should the Company achieve both annualized revenue growth of at least 30% and operating margin of at least 7.5% for any 12-month trailing period, then at the quarter-end of that 12-month trailing period, the Company may elect to extend the interest only period for the quarter immediately following the 12-month trailing period throughout the duration of the loan.


Additionally, the Company paid a 0.25% origination fee on the initial $5 million draw and paid another 0.25% origination fee upon the second $2.5 million draw, will be subject to a final payment fee of 3.25% of the principal lent, and issued 224,174 5-year warrants at an exercise price of $6.87. The relative fair value of the warrants was $478,428 and was recorded as debt discount along with other direct costs of the term loan and is being amortized to interest expense over the term of the loan.

Year Ending July 31,

 

Future Expense

 

2020

 

$

44,847

 

2021

 

 

37,100

 

2022

 

 

29,213

 

2023

 

 

23,673

 

2024

 

 

10,171

 

Thereafter

 

 

59

 

Total

 

$

145,063

 




1216



ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JANUARYJuly 31, 20182019

(Unaudited)



Note 6. Debt


Convertible Notes – Related Party


On December 1, 2017,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 completedat 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 originally due in February 2014. The amount due under this note has been reserved for payment upon the note being tendered to the Company by the note holder. However, this $50,000 note is derived from $200,000 of loans made to Aspen University prior to 2011, which was prior to the merger of Aspen University and EGC, the acquisition of USUvehicle led by Michael Mathews, the Company’s current Chairman and as partChief Executive Officer. The bankruptcy judge in the HEMG bankruptcy proceedings has recently ruled that the Company may pursue remedies for these undisclosed loans.


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 consideration,Credit Facility Agreement, the Company paid to the Foundation a $2.0 million convertible note (the “Note”) was issued, bearing 8% annual interest that matures over$100,000 one-time upfront Facility fee. The Company also is paying the Foundation a two-year period aftercommitment fee, payable quarterly at the closing. (See Note 10) Atrate of 2% per annum on the optionundrawn portion of the Note holder, on eachFacility. As of July 31, 2019, the first and second anniversaries of the closing date, $1,000,000 of principal and accrued interestCompany 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 convertible intosubordinated 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 based onexercisable for five years from the volume weighted averagedate of issuance at the exercise price of $5.85 per share for the ten preceding trading days (subject to a floor of $2.00 per share) or become payable in cash. There was no beneficial conversion feature on the note date and the conversion terms of the note exempt it from derivative accounting.


Note 7. Commitments and Contingencies


Employment Agreements


From time to time, the Company enters into employment agreements with certain of its employees. These agreements typically include bonuses, some of which are performance-based in nature. As of January 31, 2018, no performance bonuses have been earned.


Legal Matters


From time to time, we may be involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of business. As of January 31, 2018, there were no pending or threatened lawsuits that could reasonably be expecteddeemed to have a material effect on the resultsrelative fair value of our operations.


Regulatory Matters


$255,071. The Company’s subsidiaries, Aspen University and United States University, 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 IVrelative fair value of the HEA.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 August 22, 2017,March 6, 2019, in connection with entering into the DOE informed Aspen University of its determinationSenior 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 institution has qualified to participate under the HEA and the Federal student financial assistance programs (Title IV, HEA programs), and setCompany’s obligations thereunder are secured by a subsequent program participation agreement reapplication date of March 31, 2021.


USU currently has provisional certification to participatefirst priority lien in the Title IV Programs due toCollateral, on a pari passu basis with the business combination. 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 Aspen University and USU operate in a highly regulated industry, it may be subject from time to time to audits, investigations, claims of noncompliance or lawsuits by governmental agencies or third parties, which allege statutory violations, regulatory infractions or common law causes of action.Lenders.




1317



ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JANUARYJuly 31, 20182019

(Unaudited)


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.


The Company’s obligations under the Loan Agreements 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”).


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.


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 rankpari passu to one another.


Note 7. Stockholders’ Equity


Preferred Stock


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.


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 July 31, 2019 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 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.


Restricted Stock


There were 99,803 unvested shares of restricted common stock outstanding at July 31, 2019. Total unrecognized compensation expense related to the unvested common stock as of July 31, 2019 amounted to approximately $1.6 million which will be amortized over the remaining vesting periods.




Return18



ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

July 31, 2019

(Unaudited)


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 will be recognized over the service period.


The Board approved a grant of 25,000 shares of restricted stock to the Chief Financial Officer in September 2018. The stock vests over 36 months and the stock price was $7.15 on the date of the grant. The value of the compensation was approximately $180,000 and will be recognized over 36 months.


On December 24, 2018, the Company granted a total of 24,672 shares to certain directors with a value of $126,320 which will be recognized over 36 months.


Warrants


A summary of the Company’s warrant activity during the three months ended July 31, 2019 is presented below:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

Remaining

 

 

Aggregate

 

 

 

 

Number of

 

 

Exercise

 

 

Contractual

 

 

Intrinsic

 

Warrants

 

 

Shares

 

 

Price

 

 

Term

 

 

Value

 

Balance Outstanding, April 30, 2019

 

 

 

731,152

 

 

$

5.28

 

 

 

3.29

 

 

$

413,296

 

Granted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

 

 

(43,860

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Surrendered

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expired

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance Outstanding, July 31, 2019

 

 

 

687,292

 

 

$

5.47

 

 

 

3.24

 

 

$

244,286

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercisable, July 31, 2019

 

 

 

637,292

 

 

$

5.52

 

 

 

3.13

 

 

$

244,286

 


ALL WARRANTS

 

 

EXERCISABLE WARRANTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

Outstanding

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

Exercisable

 

Exercise

 

 

 

Exercise

 

 

 

No. of

 

 

 

Exercise

 

 

 

Remaining Life

 

 

 

No. of

 

Price

 

 

 

Price

 

 

 

Warrants

 

 

 

Price

 

 

 

In Years

 

 

 

Warrants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$1.86

 

 

 

$1.86

 

 

 

88,710

 

 

 

$1.86

 

 

 

0.09

 

 

 

88,710

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$2.28

 

 

 

$2.28

 

 

 

32,359

 

 

 

$2.28

 

 

 

0.10

 

 

 

32,359

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$4.89

 

 

 

$4.89

 

 

 

50,000

 

 

 

$4.89

 

 

 

4.70

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$5.85

 

 

 

$5.85

 

 

 

92,049

 

 

 

$5.85

 

 

 

4.27

 

 

 

92,049

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$6.00

 

 

 

$6.00

 

 

 

200,000

 

 

 

$6.00

 

 

 

4.60

 

 

 

200,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$6.87

 

 

 

$6.87

 

 

 

224,174

 

 

 

$6.87

 

 

 

2.99

 

 

 

224,174

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

687,292

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

637,292

 




19



ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

July 31, 2019

(Unaudited)


On June 3, 2019, a former director elected a cashless exercise of 21,930 warrants, receiving 9,806 shares. On June 7, 2019, the CEO 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 to employees, consultants, officers and directors. As of July 31, 2019, there were 229,238 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. As of July 31, 2019, there were 10,852 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.


 

 

July 31,

 

 

April 30,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2019

 

Expected life (years)

 

 

3

 

 

 

3.5

 

Expected volatility

 

 

46

%

 

 

50.1

%

Risk-free interest rate

 

 

2.18

%

 

 

2.63

%

Dividend yield

 

 

0.00

%

 

 

0.00

%

Expected forfeiture rate

 

 

n/a

 

 

 

n/a

 


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.




20



ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

July 31, 2019

(Unaudited)


A summary of the Company’s stock option activity for employees and directors during the three months ended July 31, 2019, is presented below:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

Remaining

 

 

Aggregate

 

 

 

Number of

 

 

Exercise

 

 

Contractual

 

 

Intrinsic

 

Options

 

Shares

 

 

Price

 

 

Term

 

 

Value

 

Balance Outstanding, April 30, 2019

 

 

3,408,154

 

 

$

4.44

 

 

 

2.90

 

 

$

6,880,644

 

Granted

 

 

30,000

 

 

 

4.12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

 

(191,147

)

 

 

1.88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

(9,167

)

 

 

7.62

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expired

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance Outstanding, July 31, 2019

 

 

3,237,840

 

 

$

4.57

 

 

 

2.90

 

 

$

6,880,644

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercisable, July 31, 2019

 

 

2,057,324

 

 

$

3.50

 

 

 

2.79

 

 

$

5,130,588

 


ALL OPTIONS

 

 

EXERCISABLE OPTIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

Outstanding

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

Exercisable

 

Exercise

 

 

 

Exercise

 

 

 

No. of

 

 

 

Exercise

 

 

 

Remaining Life

 

 

 

No. of

 

Price

 

 

 

Price

 

 

 

Options

 

 

 

Price

 

 

 

In Years

 

 

 

Options

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$1.57 to $2.10

 

 

 

$1.98

 

 

 

736,577

 

 

 

$1.98

 

 

 

2.29

 

 

 

736,577

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$2.28 to $2.76

 

 

 

$2.31

 

 

 

462,747

 

 

 

$2.31

 

 

 

1.09

 

 

 

456,287

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$3.24 to $4.38

 

 

 

$3.86

 

 

 

363,223

 

 

 

$3.90

 

 

 

2.30

 

 

 

274,127

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$4.50 to $5.20

 

 

 

$4.93

 

 

 

714,792

 

 

 

$4.90

 

 

 

2.79

 

 

 

336,833

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$5.95 to $6.28

 

 

 

$6.07

 

 

 

80,417

 

 

 

$6.13

 

 

 

2.93

 

 

 

36,806

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$7.17 to $7.55

 

 

 

$7.39

 

 

 

662,417

 

 

 

$7.51

 

 

 

3.91

 

 

 

144,139

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$8.57 to $9.07

 

 

 

$8.98

 

 

 

217,667

 

 

 

$8.98

 

 

 

3.44

 

 

 

72,555

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options only

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,237,840

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,057,324

 


Effective May 13, 2019, the Company granted a total of 30,000 five-year non-qualified stock options to certain former directors exercisable at $4.12 per share.


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 21,876 shares of common stock upon the exercise of stock options for cash and received proceeds of $45,190.


The Company recorded a compensation expense of $498,417 for the fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2019 in connection with stock options and restricted stock grants.


As of July 31, 2019, there was $1,576,081 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.




21



ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

July 31, 2019

(Unaudited)


Note 8. Revenue


Revenues consist primarily of tuition and fees derived from courses taught by the Company online as well as from related educational resources that the Company provides to its students, such as access to our online materials and learning management system. 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

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuition - recognized over period of instruction

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

9,290,952

 

 

$

6,633,840

 

Course fees - recognized over period of instruction

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

925,954

 

 

 

461,211

 

Book fees - recognized at a point in time

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,785

 

 

 

24,214

 

Exam fees- recognized at a point in time

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

60,100

 

 

 

52,240

 

Service fees - recognized at a point in time

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

60,191

 

 

 

49,800

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

10,357,982

 

 

$

7,221,305

 


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 July 31, 2019 was $2,681,037 which is future revenue that has not yet been earned for courses in progress. The Company has $1,591,632 of refunds due students, which mainly representsTitle IV Fundsfunds due to students after deducting their tuition payments.


Of the total revenue earned during the three months ended July 31, 2019, approximately $2.5 million came from revenues which were deferred at 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.


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 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.




22



ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

July 31, 2019

(Unaudited)


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 1.48% and 1.9% of the revenues for the year ended July 31, 2019 and 2018 respectively.


Note 9. Leases


Operating lease assets are right-of-use 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 July 31, 2019.  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 month period ended July 31, 2019 was $612,597. 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.




23



ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

July 31, 2019

(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 July 31, 2019.


 

 

Lease Payments

 

Maturity of Lease Liabilities

 

 

 

 

2020 (remaining)

 

$

1,693,602

 

2021

 

 

2,293,382

 

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

 

 

11,263,946

 

Less imputed interest

 

 

(3,067,840

)

    Present value of operating lease liabilities

 

$

8,196,106

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance Sheet Classification

 

 

 

 

Operating lease liabilities, current

 

$

1,100,411

 

Operating lease liabilities, long-term

 

 

7,095,695

 

    Total operating lease liabilities

 

$

8,196,106

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Information

 

 

 

 

Weighted average remaining lease term (in years)

 

 

5.3

 

Weighted average discount rate

 

 

12.0

%


Cash Flows


An institution participating in Title IV Programs must correctly calculateinitial ROU asset of $8.0 million was recognized as a non-cash asset addition with 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 daysadoption of the datestandard. There were no additional ROU assets recognized as non-cash asset additions during the school determines that the student has withdrawn. Under Department regulations, failure to make timely returns of Title IV Program fundsquarter ended July 31, 2019. Cash paid 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 resultamounts included in the institution having to post a letterpresent value 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 calculatedoperating lease liabilities at adoption and returned in a timely manner, an institution is also subject to monetary liabilities or an action to impose a fine or to limit, suspend or terminate its participation in Title IV Programs.


Subsequent to a compliance audit, USU recognized that it had not fully complied with all requirements for calculatingthe quarter ended July 31, 2019 was $1.7 million and making timely returns of Title IV funds (R2T4).  In 2016, USU had a material finding related to the same issue$0.5 million, respectively, and is required to maintain a letter of creditincluded in the amount of $71,634 as a result of this finding.  The letter of credit has been provided to the Department of Education by AGI.operating cash flows.


Delaware Approval to Confer Degrees


Aspen University is a Delaware corporation. Delaware law requires an institution to obtain approval from the Delaware Department of Education (“Delaware DOE”) before it may incorporate with the power to confer degrees. In July 2012, Aspen received notice from the Delaware DOE that it was granted provisional approval status effective until June 30, 2015. On April 25, 2016 the Delaware DOE informed Aspen University it was 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 is in the process of obtaining Delaware approval.


Note 8. Stockholders’ Equity10. Commitments and Contingencies


Common StockRegulatory Matters


Effective May 24, 2017,The Company’s subsidiaries, Aspen University and United States University, are subject to extensive regulation by Federal and State governmental agencies and accrediting bodies. In particular, the Company entered into waiver agreements with allHigher Education Act (the “HEA”) and the regulations promulgated thereunder by the DOE subject the subsidiaries to significant regulatory scrutiny on the basis of its investorsnumerous standards that schools must satisfy to participate in the April 2017 common stock offering. In consideration for waiving their registration rights, the Company paid to eachvarious types of federal student financial assistance programs authorized under Title IV of the investors 1.5% of their investment amount in the offering. The total amount paid was $112,500 and was recorded in general and administrative expenses during the quarter ended July 31, 2017.


In November 2017, the company issued 5,000 restricted shares each to two consultants assisting with establishing the new campus. The shares were valued at $88,700 based on the trading price of $8.87 on the grant date and recorded as a prepaid asset being amortized over the six month term of the agreement. (See Note 11)HEA.


On December 1,August 22, 2017, certain assets were acquiredthe DOE informed Aspen University of its determination that the institution has qualified to participate under the HEA and certain liabilities assumed from Educacion Significativa, LLC (dba United States University) by United States University, Inc. United States University, Inc. isthe Federal student financial assistance programs (Title IV, HEA programs) and set a wholly owned subsidiarysubsequent program participation agreement reapplication date of Aspen Group Inc. As part of the purchase price the company issued 1,203,209 shares of AGI stock were valued at the quoted closing price of $8.49 per share as of November 30, 2017. (See Note 10)March 31, 2021.




1424



ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JANUARYJuly 31, 20182019

(Unaudited)



Warrants


A summaryUSU 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 the Company’s warrant activity during the nine months ended January 31, 2017 is presented below:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

Remaining

 

 

Aggregate

 

 

 

Number of

 

 

Exercise

 

 

Contractual

 

 

Intrinsic

 

Warrants

 

Shares

 

 

Price

 

 

Term

 

 

Value

 

Balance outstanding, April 30, 2017

 

 

914,123

 

 

$

2.82

 

 

 

1.6

 

 

$

1,100,203

 

Granted

 

 

224,174

 

 

 

6.87

 

 

 

5.0

 

 

 

307,118

 

Exercised

 

 

(356,267

)

 

 

0.55

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expired

 

 

(38,257

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance outstanding, January 31, 2018

 

 

743,773

 

 

$

4.08

 

 

 

2.1

 

 

$

3,095,502

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercisable, January 31, 2018

 

 

743,773

 

 

$

4.08

 

 

 

2.1

 

 

$

3,095,502

 


In connection with the Senior Secured Term Loan that was finalized on July 25, 2017, the Company issued 224,174 5-year warrants at an exercise price of $6.87. (See Note 5)ownership.


The Company issued 241,514 sharesHEA requires accrediting agencies to review many aspects of Common Stockan institution's operations in conjunction withorder to ensure that the cash and cashless exerciseeducation offered is of 356,267 warrants. The Company received $143,489 in conjunction with the cash exercises.


Stock Incentive Plan and Stock Option Grants to Employees and Directors


On March 13, 2012, the Company adopted the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) that provides for the grant of 1,691,667 shares effective November 2015, 2,108,333 shares effective June 2016 and 3,500,000 shares effective July 2017, in the form of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, restricted shares, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock units to employees, consultants, officers and directors. As of January 31, 2018, there were 622,454 shares remaining under the Plan for future issuance. The Company estimates the fair value of share-based compensation utilizing the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which is dependent upon several variables such as the expected option term, expected volatility of the Company’s stock price over the expected term, expected risk-free interest rate over the expected option term, expected dividend yield rate over the expected option term, and an estimate of expected forfeiture rates. The Company believes this valuation methodology is appropriate for estimating the fair value of stock options granted to employees and directors which are subject to ASC Topic 718 requirements. These amounts are estimates and thus may not be reflective of actual future results, nor amounts ultimately realized by recipients of these grants. The Company recognizes compensation on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each award. The following table summarizes the assumptions the Company utilized to record compensation expense for stock options granted to employees during the nine months ended January 31, 2018.


January 31,

2018

Expected life (years)

4-6.5

Expected volatility

40-43

%

Risk-free interest rate

0.00

%

Dividend yield

n/a


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 the average of the expected volatilities from the most recent audited financial statements available for comparative public companies that are deemed to be similar in nature to the Company. 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.




15



ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JANUARY 31, 2018

(Unaudited)



A summary of the Company’s stock option activity for employees and directors during the nine months ended January 31, 2018, is presented below:


 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

Remaining

 

 

Aggregate

 

 

 

Number of

 

 

Exercise

 

 

Contractual

 

 

Intrinsic

 

Options

 

Shares

 

 

Price

 

 

Term

 

 

Value

 

Balance outstanding, April 30, 2017

 

 

2,097,384

 

 

$

1.86

 

 

 

2.7

 

 

$

12,489,871

 

Granted

 

 

844,000

 

 

$

3.53

 

 

 

3.4

 

 

 

1,867,740

 

Exercised

 

 

(63,838

)

 

$

3.13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expired

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance outstanding, January 31, 2018

 

 

2,877,546

 

 

$

3.52

 

 

 

3.24

 

 

$

17,658,268

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercisable, January 31, 2018

 

 

1,083,484

 

 

$

2.22

 

 

 

2.07

 

 

$

8,727,757

 


On May 13, 2017, the Company granted its executive officers a total of 500,000 five-year options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock under the Plan. The options vest annually over three years, subject to continued employment at each applicable vesting date, and are exercisable at $4.90 per share. The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer received 200,000 options with a fair value of $282,000, the Chief Operating Officer received 200,000 options with a fair value of $282,000, the Chief Academic Officer received 70,000 options with a fair value of $98,700 and the Chief Financial Officer received 30,000 options with a fair value of $42,300.


In May 2017, the Company issued 5,500 stock options to various employees at exercise prices ranging from $4.95 to $5.10 per share.


Effective June 11, 2017, the Company granted the Chief Academic Officer 30,000 five-year options. The options vest quarterly over a three-year period in 12 equal quarterly increments with the first vesting date being September 11, 2017, subject to continued employment on each applicable vesting date. The options are exercisable at $6.28 per share and the fair value is $54,000.


On August 21, 2017, 53,000 options were issued to 26 employees with an exercise price of $5.95 per share and a fair value of $90,630.


On January 4, 2018, 180,000 options were issued to the board of directors with an exercise price of $9.07 per share and a fair value of $421,200.


On January 14, 2018, 75,500 options were issued to employees with an exercise price of $8.57 per share and a fair value of $152,510.


During the nine months ended January 31, 2018, the company issued 113,597 shares of common stock in conjunction with the exercise of 63,838 stock options. The company received $455,387 related to these exercises.


As of January 31, 2018, there was $1,474,855 of unrecognized compensation costs related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.0 years.


The Company recorded compensation expense of $466,468 and $253,833 for the nine months ended January 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, in connection with stock options.


Note 9. Related Party Transactions


See Note 6 for discussion of convertible notes payable to a related party.




16



ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JANUARY 31, 2018

(Unaudited)



Note 10 – Acquisition of USU


On December 1, 2017 certain assets were acquired and certain liabilities assumed from Educacion Significativa, LLC (dba United States University) by United States University, Inc. United States University, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aspen Group Inc. (“AGI”) and was set up for purposes of finalizing the asset purchase transaction.  For purposes of purchase accounting, Aspen Group, Inc. is referred to as the acquirer. Aspen Group, Inc. acquired the assets and assumed the liabilities of Educacion Significativa, LLC (dba United States University) for a purchase price of approximately $14.8 million. The purchase consideration consisted of a cash payment of $2,500,000 less an adjustment for working capital of approximately $110,000 plus approximately $200,000 of additional costs paid to/on behalf of and for the benefit of the seller, a convertible note of $2,000,000 and 1,203,209 shares of AGI stock valued at the quoted closing price of $8.49 per share as of November 30, 2017. The stock consideration represents $10,215,244 of the purchase consideration.


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 balance sheet as goodwill.


The following is a summary of the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition:


 

 

Purchase Price Allocation

 

 

Useful Life

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

 

 

 

 

Current assets acquired

 

 

244,465

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets acquired

 

 

176,667

 

 

 

 

 

Intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accreditation and regulatory approvals

 

 

6,200,000

 

 

 

 

 

Trade name and trademarks

 

 

1,700,000

 

 

 

 

 

Student relationships

 

 

2,000,000

 

 

2 years

 

Curriculum

 

 

200,000

 

 

1 year

 

Goodwill

 

 

5,011,432

 

 

 

 

 

Less: Current liabilities assumed

 

 

(727,601

)

 

 

 

 

Total purchase price

 

$

14,804,963

 

 

 

 

 


We determined the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on assumptions that reasonable market participants would use while employing the concept of highest and best use of the respective items. We used the following assumptions, the majority of which include significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), and valuation methodologies to determine fair value:


·

Intangibles - We used the multiple period excess earnings method to value the Accreditation and regulatory approvals. The Trade name and trademarks were valued using the relief-from-royalty method, which represents the benefit of owning these intangible assets rather than paying royalties for their use. The Student relationships were valued using the excess earnings method.  The curriculum was valued using the replacement cost approach.

·

Other assets and liabilities - The carrying value of all other assets and liabilities approximated fair value at the time of acquisition.


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.




17



ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JANUARY 31, 2018

(Unaudited)



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 for the period of inception through January 31, 2018 was $183,333.


The expected benefits from the business acquisition will allow USU, Inc.sufficiently high quality to achieve its vision of making college affordable again on a much broader scale along with providing various accreditations.


The Company is in the process of completing its accountingsatisfactory outcomes and valuations of USU, Inc. and accordingly, the estimated fair values and allocation of purchase price noted above is provisional pending the final valuation of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed which will not exceed one-year in accordance with ASC 805.


The total acquisition costs that AGI incurred was approximately $1,050,000, of which approximately $200,000 was incurred in the fiscal year ended April 30, 2017 and $850,000 was incurred in the current year.  


The results of operations of USU are included in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations from the date of acquisition of December 1, 2017. The following supplemental unaudited pro forma combined information assumes that the acquisitions had occurred as of the beginning of each period present:


 

 

For the Year Ended
April 30,
2017

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended
October 31,
2017

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

(unaudited)

 

Revenue

 

$

18,038,474

 

 

$

10,719,546

 

Net Loss 

 

$

(5,444,205

)

 

$

(3,521,086

)

Loss per common share- basic and diluted

 

$

(0.47

)

 

 

$(0.26

)


The pro forma financial informationinstitution is not necessarily indicative of the results that would have occurred if these acquisitions had occurred on the dates indicated or thatcomplying with accrediting standards. Failure to demonstrate compliance with accrediting standards may result in the future.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

On February 20, 2018, AGI announced that Aspen University is entering the pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program business. Aspen’s first campus will be located in Phoenix, Arizona and the university is targeting to begin enrolling students for the upcoming summer semester.Event


Aspen’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 will admit students into three tracks; 1) High school graduates with no prior college credits, 2) students that have less than 48 general education prerequisites completed, and 3) students that have completed all 48 general education prerequisite credits and are ready to enter the core Nursing courses and clinical experiences.Exercise of stock options


Related to that announcement, Aspen University has entered into a 92 month lease for a total of 38,014 rentable square feet in a building complex in Phoenix for both the pre-licensure program and the enrollment center. The lease commencement date is expected to be in the spring of 2018 and upon commencement, the monthly payments will be approximately $67,000 per month subject to escalation terms.  During the quarter ended 1-31-18,On August 20, 2019, the Company paidissued a depositformer director 17,382 shares of $519,000.  


common stock upon a cashless exercise of stock options granted on November 20, 2015 and May 19, 2016.








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 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on July 25, 20179, 2019 with the Securities and Exchange Commission or the SEC.


All references to “we,” “our,” “us,” “AGI,” and “Aspen” refer to Aspen Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, Aspen University Inc. (“Aspen University”(the “SEC”) and United States University Inc. (“USU”), unless the context otherwise indicates..


Company Overview


Aspen Group, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company” or “AGI”) is aan education technology holding company. AGI has twothree 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 University”Nursing, Inc. (“ANI”) organized in 19872018. 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 Inc. (“USU”). On March 13, 2012,, to deliver on the Company was recapitalized in a reverse merger.


Aspen Group’s vision is to makeof making college affordable again in America.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 online higher education. AGI’s primary focus relative to future growth is to target the high growth nursing profession. As of July 31, 2019 8,002 of 9,752 or 82% of all students across both universities are degree-seeking nursing students.


In March 2014, Aspen University unveiled a monthly payment plan aimed at reversingavailable to all students across every online degree program offered by the college-debt sentence plaguing working-class Americans.university. The monthly payment plan offersis 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). Starting October 1, 2019, the monthly payment plan will offer online associate and bachelor students (except RN to BSN) the opportunity to pay their tuition and fees at $250/$300/month, for 72 months ($18,000), nursing bacheloronline master’s students (RN to BSN) $250/$350/month, for 39 months ($9,750), master students $325/month for 36 months ($11,700) and online doctoral students $375/month, for 72 months ($27,000), interest free, thereby giving students a monthly payment tuition payment option versus taking out a federal financial aid loan.


United States University (USU)USU began offering the monthly payment plansplan in the summer of 2017. Today, monthly payment plans areplan is available for the online RN to BSN program ($250/month), online MBA/M.A.Ed/MSN programs ($325/month), and the MSN-FNPonline 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 Distance Education and Accrediting Council (“DEAC”),DEAC, a national accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (the “DOE”). OnDOE. In February 25, 2015,2019, the DEAC informed Aspen University that it had renewed its accreditation for five years to January 2019.2024.


Since 2009, USU has been regionally accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission. (“WSCUC”).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).


AGI Student Population Overview*


Aspen University’s active degree-seeking student body increased year-over-year by 49% during the fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2018, from 4,064 to 6,066 students. United States University’s (USU’s) active degree-seeking student body grew from 212 to 446 students or an increase of 110% from May, 2017 to January, 2018, highlighted by the College of Nursing growing to 326 students which now represents 73% of USU’s total active student body.


Aspen University’s most popular school is also its School of Nursing, which represents 73% of Aspen’s total active student body, similar to USU. Aspen’s School of Nursing grew from 2,899 to 4,401 student’s year-over-year, which represented 75% of Aspen’s active degree-seeking student body growth. At January 31, 2018, Aspen’s School of Nursing included 2,869 active students in the RN to BSN program and 1,532 active students in the MSN program, RN to MSN Bridge program, or DNP program.


 

 

Aspen University

 

 

United States University

 

 

 

Q3 FY’2018

 

 

Q3 FY’2018

 

New Student Enrollments

 

 

1,164

 

 

 

103

**

Active Student Body

 

 

6,066

 

 

 

446

 

-College of Nursing Students

 

 

4,401

 

 

 

326

 

Monthly Payment Method Students

 

 

4,194

 

 

 

204

 


*

Note: “Active Degree-Seeking Students” are defined as degree-seeking students who were enrolled in a course during the quarter reported, or are registered for an upcoming course.






**

Enrollment results for the two month period from December 1, 2017 – January 31, 2018.


Aspen University New Student Enrollment and Active Degree Seeking Student Body Growth


Since the launch of the BSN marketing campaign in November, 2014, Aspen University’s growth rate of new student enrollments has accelerated significantly. Below is a quarterly analysis of the growth of Aspen University’s new student enrollments, as well as the growth of the active degree seeking student body over the past seven quarters, including the recent quarter ending January 31, 2018.


 

 

New Student Enrollments

 

Active Degree Seeking Student Body*

Fiscal quarter end July 31, 2016

 

621

 

3,252

Fiscal quarter end October 31, 2016

 

811

 

3,726

Fiscal quarter end January 31, 2017

 

825

 

4,064

Fiscal quarter end April 30, 2017

 

986

 

4,681

Fiscal quarter end July 31, 2017

 

1,025

 

5,015

Fiscal quarter end October 31, 2017

 

1,255

 

5,641

Fiscal quarter end January 31, 2018

 

1,164

 

6,066


Aspen University Revenue Summary


Below is a summary of the nursing active degree-seeking student body as a percentage of the total active degree-seeking student body over the past six fiscal quarters.


 

 

Total Degree-Seeking Active Student Body

 

 

Nursing Degree- Seeking Active Student Body

 

 

Nursing Degree-Seeking Active Student Body (%)

 

 

Quarter ended October 31, 2016

 

 

3,726

 

 

 

2,538

 

 

 

68

%

 

Quarter ended January 31, 2017

 

 

4,064

 

 

 

2,899

 

 

 

71

%

 

Quarter ended April 30, 2017

 

 

4,681

 

 

 

3,363

 

 

 

72

%

 

Quarter ended July 31, 2017

 

 

5,015

 

 

 

3,569

 

 

 

71

%

 

Quarter ended October 31, 2017

 

 

5,641

 

 

 

4,068

 

 

 

72

%

 

Quarter ended January 31, 2018

 

 

6,066

 

 

 

4,401

 

 

 

73

%

 


Monthly Payment Programs Overview


Since the March 2014 monthly payment plan announcement, 69% of Aspen University’s courses are now paid through monthly payment methods (based on courses started over the last 90 days). AspenAGI offers two monthly payment programs, programs:


·

a monthly payment plan in which students make payments every month over a fixed period (36, 39 or 72 months depending on the degree program),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).


As of January 31, 2018, Aspen University had a total of 4,194 active students paying tuition and fees through a monthly payment method of which 3,901 activegrew by 17% year-over-year, from 4,769 to 5,580. Those 5,580 students are paying through a monthly payment plan, and 293 students are paying through a monthly installment plan. Additionally,method represent 68% of Aspen University is currently projecting to add approximately 120University’s total active students/month net to its monthly payment programs through fiscal year 2018.student body. The total contractual value of Aspen University’s monthly payment plan students now exceeds $35$48 million which currently delivers monthly recurring tuition cash payments of approximately $1,000,000.


Finally, as a consequence of monthly payment programs becoming the payment method of choice among the majority of Aspen’s degree-seeking student body, our HEA, Title IV Program revenue dropped from 25% of total cash receipts in fiscal year 2016 to 21% for fiscal year 2017.exceeding $1,200,000.






USU students paying tuition and fees through a monthly payment method grew from 758 to 1,053 students sequentially. Those 1,053 students paying through a monthly payment method represent 71% of USU’s total active student body.  The total contractual value of USU’s monthly payment plan students now exceeds $15 million which currently delivers monthly recurring tuition cash payments exceeding $300,000.


AGI Student Population Overview


AGI’s overall active student body (including both Aspen University and USU) grew 34% year-over-year from 7,274 to 9,752 students. Active student body is comprised of active degree-seeking students, which are 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 6,590 to 8,261 students. Aspen University’s School of Nursing grew 36% year-over-year, from 4,863 to 6,595 active students, which includes 670 active students in the BSN Pre-Licensure program in Phoenix, Arizona.


USU’s total active student body grew sequentially from 1,148 to 1,491 students or a sequential increase of 30%. On a year-over-year basis, USU’s total active student body grew from 684 to 1,491 students or 118%. USU’s MSN-FNP active student body grew sequentially from 970 to 1,294 students or a sequential increase of 33%. USU’s MSN-FNP program now represents 87% of USU’s active student body.


Of the 9,752 total active students at both universities as of July 31, 2019, 82% or 8,002 are degree-seeking nursing students.


[aspu_10q002.gif]


AGI New Student Enrollments


AGI delivered a company record 1,929 new student enrollments for the fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2019 (the “Fiscal 2020 Q1”), a 24% sequential enrollment increase and an increase of 46% year-over-year. Moreover, this quarterly enrollment record was accomplished in the seasonally weakest (summer) fiscal first quarter.


Aspen University accounted for 1,415 new student enrollments (including 198 Doctoral enrollments and 276 Pre-licensure BSN AZ campus enrollments), delivering overall enrollment growth at Aspen University of 29% year-over-year.  Enrollment growth at Aspen University was highlighted by the Doctoral unit increasing by 68% and the Pre-Licensure BSN unit increasing by 197% year-over-year. Enrollment efforts remained focused on the highest expected return businesses as management increased the number of enrollment advisors (the “EA”)dedicated to Aspen’s Doctoral and Pre-Licensure units during the quarter.  In addition, our Aspen Nursing + Other Unit experienced an increase in the number of enrollments per EA and cost per enrollment declined.  As a result of this increased efficiency, Aspen’s Nursing + Other unit grew enrollments by 7% year-over-year.


USU accounted for 514 new student enrollments (primarily FNP enrollments), a 133% enrollment increase year-over-year.






Below is a table reflecting unconditional acceptance new student enrollments for the past five quarters:


 

 

New Student Enrollments

 

 

EAs

 

 

Enrolls/
Month/EA

 

 

 

Q1’19

 

 

Q2’19

 

 

Q3’19

 

 

Q4’19

 

 

Q1’20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aspen (Nursing + Other)

 

 

882

 

 

 

1,104

 

 

 

895

 

 

 

944

 

 

 

941

 

 

 

46

 

 

 

6.8

 

Aspen (Doctoral)

 

 

118

 

 

 

133

 

 

 

120

 

 

 

113

 

 

 

198

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

6.6

 

Aspen (Pre-Licensure BSN, AZ Campuses)

 

 

93

 

 

 

57

 

 

 

97

 

 

 

186

 

 

 

276

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

18.4

 

USU (FNP + Other)

 

 

221

 

 

 

271

 

 

 

251

 

 

 

317

 

 

 

514

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

11.4

 

Total

 

 

1,314

 

 

 

1,565

 

 

 

1,363

 

 

 

1,560

 

 

 

1,929

 

 

 

76

 

 

 

 

 


Marketing Efficiency Ratio (MER) Analysis


AspenAGI has developed a marketing efficiency ratio to continually monitor the performance of its business model.


Revenue per Enrollment (RPE)

Marketing Efficiency Ratio (MER) =

—————————————

Cost per Enrollment (CPE)


Cost per Enrollment (CPE)


The Cost per Enrollment measures the marketingadvertising investment spent in a given quarter,six month period, divided by the number of new student enrollments achieved in that given quarter,six month period, in order to obtain an average CPE for the quarterperiod 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, in particular students four years or older, 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.


We created the reporting to track the CPE and RPE starting in 2012 and can accurately predict the CPE and RPE for each new student cohort. OurThe current CPE/RPE Marketing Efficiency Ratio (MER = revenue-per-enrollment or LTV/cost-per-enrollment or CAC) for our four degree units is reflected in the below table.table:


 

 

Enrollments

 

 

Cost-of-
Enrollment
1

 

 

LTV

 

 

MER

Aspen (Nursing + Other)

 

 

941

 

 

$

1,231

 

 

$

7,350

 

 

 

6.0X

Aspen (Doctoral)

 

 

198

 

 

$

1,987

 

 

$

12,600

 

 

 

6.3X

USU (FNP + Other)

 

 

514

 

 

$

1,078

 

 

$

17,820

2

 

 

16.5X

Aspen (Pre-Licensure BSN, AZ)

 

 

276

 

 

$

478

 

 

$

30,000

 

 

 

62.8X

———————

Quarterly New Student Cohort Actuals Data1:Based on 6-month rolling average


2LTV for USU’s MSN-FNP Program

CPE/RPE Analysis *

6 Months Out

12 Months Out

2 Years Out

3 Years Out

4+ Years Out

 

 

 

 

 

 

Courses completed

2.24

3.52

5.28

6.48

8

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average RPE

$1,974

$3,078

$4,630

$5,684

$7,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

RPE % earned

28%

44%

66%

81%

100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marketing efficiency ratio**

2.3x

3.5x

5.3x

6.5x

8.0x


*

Projection

**

Based on current $876 CPE (six month rolling CPE average)

 

 

 

 


The improved MER results were driven by declining cost of enrollment.  Compared to the previous quarter the weighted average RPEcost of enrollment declined 18%, and the cost of enrollment declined for each program except the Pre-Licensure BSN program which remained at a cost of enrollment below $500.


 

 

Q1’20
Enrollments

 

 

Q1’20 Cost of
Enrollment
1

 

 

Q4’19
Enrollments

 

 

Q4’19 Cost of
Enrollment
1

 

 

Percent
Change

 

Aspen (Nursing + Other)

 

 

941

 

 

$

1,231

 

 

 

944

 

 

$

1,361

 

 

 

-10

%

Aspen (Doctoral)

 

 

198

 

 

$

1,987

 

 

 

113

 

 

$

2,892

 

 

 

-31

%

USU (FNP + Other)

 

 

514

 

 

$

1,078

 

 

 

317

 

 

$

1,619

 

 

 

-33

%

Aspen (Pre-Licensure BSN, AZ)

 

 

276

 

 

$

478

 

 

 

186

 

 

$

402

 

 

 

+19

%

Total / Weighted Average

 

 

1,929

 

 

$

1,160

 

 

 

1,560

 

 

$

1,410

 

 

 

-18

%

———————

1Based on 6-month rolling average





Bookings Analysis


On a year-over-year basis, fiscal Q1’20 bookings increased 83%, from $14.7 million to $26.9 million, delivering an average revenue per user (APRU) increase of 24%, from $11,185 to $13,919.


 

 

Lifetime Value (LTV)

 

 

Q1'2019

 

 

Q1'2019

 

 

Q1'2020

 

 

Q1'2020

 

 

 

Per Enrollment

 

 

Enrollments

 

 

Bookings*

 

 

Enrollments

 

 

Bookings*

 

AU Online (Nursing + Other) Unit

 

$

7,350

 

 

 

882

 

 

$

6,482,700

 

 

 

941

 

 

$

6,916,350

 

AU (Doctoral) Unit

 

$

12,600

 

 

 

118

 

 

$

1,486,800

 

 

 

198

 

 

$

2,494,800

 

AU (Pre-Licensure BSN) Unit

 

$

30,000

 

 

 

93

 

 

$

2,790,000

 

 

 

276

 

 

$

8,280,000

 

USU (FNP + Other) Unit

 

$

17,820

 

 

 

221

 

 

$

3,938,220

 

 

 

514

 

 

$

9,159,480

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,314

 

 

$

14,697,720

 

 

 

1,929

 

 

$

26,850,630

 

ARPU

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

11,185

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

13,919

 

———————

*Note: “Bookings” are defined by multiplying Lifetime Value (LTV) per enrollment by new student enrollments for each operating unit.


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 is approximately $7,000. Of the $7,000, $6,400 of the RPE is earned through tuition, with the remaining $600 on average earned through miscellaneous fees (includes annual technology fee, withdrawal fees, graduation fees, proctored exams, course specific fees, etc.)currently scheduled to begin 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 projectingless 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 average a Marketing Efficiency Ratio of 8.0x, in other words an 8.0x return on our marketing investment. Third-party companiesparticipate in the higher education industrycompetitive evaluation process for entry (Years 2-3).


New student enrollments for Aspen University’s Pre-Licensure BSN program increased from 186 to 276 or 48% sequentially, as it continued accepting in the Fiscal 2020 Q1 enrollments for prerequisite students taking online courses in anticipation of entering the HonorHealth final two-year nursing core component of the program scheduled to launch this September. Aspen University ended the fiscal year with 670 active students in its Pre-Licensure BSN program.


The end of Fiscal 2020 Q1 marked the completion of the first year of Aspen’s Pre-Licensure BSN program in Phoenix, Arizona.


Pre-Licensure BSN Program Campus Expansion Plan


Aspen University plans to launch a stand-alone campus in Tampa, Florida in the summer of calendar year 2020. A clinical affiliation agreement has been executed 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.






Additionally, Aspen University plans to launch a stand-alone campus in Austin, Texas in the winter of calendar year 2020. A clinical affiliation agreement has been executed with Baylor Scott & White Health – Central division. As the largest not-for-profit healthcare system in Texas and one of the largest in the United States, Baylor Scott & White Health was born from the 2013 combination of Baylor Health Care System and Scott & White Healthcare. Today, 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.


The Company has strategically targeted existing campus locations in Austin and Tampa that manageare substantially built-out including FF&E (furniture, fixtures, and equipment) in order to reduce the Enrollmentcapital expenditures (CapEx) required to launch these campuses. The Company expects this will allow the CapEx for each new campus to be in the same range as the cost of Aspen University’s embedded campus at HonorHealth located in North Phoenix.


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 Marketinglong-term, has grown from a net number of $649,890 at April 30, 2014 to a net number of $15,036,234 at July 31, 2019. 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 17% year-over-year, from 4,769 to 5,580. The 5,580 students paying through a monthly payment method represent 68% of Aspen University’s total active student body.


USU students paying tuition and fees through a monthly payment method grew from 758 to 1,053 students sequentially. The 1,053 students paying through a monthly payment method represent 71% 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. Revenue;

2. Cash receipts; and

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.


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 behalfthe month and the amount of Universities (also referredcash 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 Managed Services companies) reportedly average 3-4x return onit 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 July 31, 2019, the allowance for doubtful accounts was $1,484,559 which represents 9.0% of the gross accounts receivable balance of $16,520,793, 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 marketing investments, meaningprogram, taking two classes every eight-week period, and as we discussed, that Aspen’s business model is currently performing at approximately doubleincreases the efficiency levelstudent’s accounts receivable balance. If any portion of that sector.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 $4,249,969 at July 31, 2019. 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.


Seasonality Briefing and Revenue Impact


As Aspen University continues to scale its traditional online Nursing student body, seasonality in that unit has become more pronounced. As previously disclosed, the Company’s first fiscal quarter (May – July) is the seasonal low point because it falls on the summer months and therefore our primarily working professional students tend to take less courses during that quarter relative to the other three fiscal quarters.


By way of example, in the fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2018 (the last quarter of the 2018 fiscal year), Aspen University’s revenues were $10,214,143. In the fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2018 (the “Fiscal 2019 Q1”), revenues sequentially declined 41% or $2,992,838 to $7,221,305. For the fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2018 (the “Fiscal 2019 Q2”), revenues rose sequentially by 11% or $874,039 to $8,095,344.






As previously projected, the Company is reporting the same seasonality effect for the Fiscal 2020 Q1. Specifically, Aspen University’s Nursing + Other unit revenues declined in the Fiscal 2020 Q1 relative to Q4 by approximately 6%, however overall Company revenues rose by 1.4% sequentially given the revenue contribution from USU and Aspen’s Pre-Licensure BSN program. See Results of Operations below.


Results of Operations


For the Quarter Ended JanuaryJuly 31, 20182019 Compared with the Quarter Ended JanuaryJuly 31, 20172018

 

Revenue


Revenue from operations for the quarter ended January 31, 2018 (“2018 Quarter”)Fiscal 2020 Q1 increased to $5,701,958$10,357,982 from $3,735,626$7,221,305 for the quarter ended January 31, 2017 (“2017 Quarter”),Fiscal 2019 Q1, an increase of $1,966,332$3,136,677 or 53%43%. 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 lifetime value (LTV), we increased our average revenue per enrollment or ARPU by 24%. The Company expects revenue growth to continue in future periods as we continue prioritizing our highest LTV degree programs to accelerate our long-term growth.


Aspen University’s revenues in the Fiscal 2020 Q1 increased 17% year-over-year in its traditional post-licensure online nursing + other business unit, thereby contributing 66% of total Company revenue in the Fiscal 2020 Q1. Aspen University’s Pre-Licensure BSN program delivered approximately 8% of the Company’s revenues in the Fiscal 2020 Q1, which included revenues from first-year online prerequisite students enrolled in the HonorHealth campus program expected to open in September of 2019.




USU contributed approximately 26% of the total revenues for the Fiscal 2020 Q1.

Cost of Revenues (exclusive of amortization)


The Company’s cost of revenues consists of instructional costs and services and salesmarketing and marketingpromotional costs.


Instructional Costs and Services


Instructional costs and services for the 2018 Quarter roseFiscal 2020 Q1 increased to $1,196,949$2,143,820 or 21% of revenues from $694,884$1,564,936 or 22% of revenues for the 2017 Quarter,Fiscal 2019 Q1, an increase of $502,065$578,883 or 72%37%. InstructionalThe increase was primarily due to the increase in the number of students taking classes.


Aspen University instructional costs and services represented 18% of Aspen University revenues for the 2018 Quarter as a percentageFiscal 2020 Q1, while USU instructional costs and services equaled 28% of revenue was 21% as compared to 19% forUSU revenues during the 2017 Quarter.  Fiscal 2020 Q1.


SalesMarketing and MarketingPromotional

 

SalesMarketing and marketingpromotional costs for the 2018 QuarterFiscal 2020 Q1 were $1,468,715$2,209,238 or 21% of revenues compared to $664,247$2,187,456 or 30% of revenues for the 2017 Quarter,Fiscal 2019 Q1, an increase of $804,468$21,782 or 121%1%. The Company expects


Aspen University marketing and promotional costs represented 20% of Aspen University revenues for the Fiscal 2020 Q1, while USU marketing and promotional costs equaled 17% of USU revenues for the Fiscal 2020 Q1.


AGI corporate marketing expenses equaled $228,231 for the Fiscal 2020 Q1 compared to rise in future periods, given we expect to$226,085 for the Fiscal 2019 Q1, an increase monthly marketing spend to over $600,000 during the next fiscal year. In addition, this increase is partially attributed to the addition of an outside sales force of 9 representatives and those salaries and benefits are included in the 2018 Quarter numbers.$2,146 or 1%.


Gross Profit was 51%profit rose to 56% of revenues or $2,900,633$5,765,329 for the 2018 Quarter as compared to 60%Fiscal 2020 Q1 from 46% of revenues or $2,256,918$3,309,768 for the 2017 Quarter. The reasonsFiscal 2019 Q1, an increase of 78% year over year


Aspen University gross profit represented 59% of Aspen University revenues for the change are reflected inFiscal 2020 Q1, while USU gross profit equaled 60% of USU revenues during the individual expense items described above.Fiscal 2020 Q1.






Costs and Expenses


General and Administrative


General and Administrativeadministrative costs for the 2018 QuarterFiscal 2020 Q1 were $4,677,359$7,037,150 compared to $2,133,074$5,824,132 during the 2017 Quarter,Fiscal 2019 Q1, an increase of $2,544,285$1,213,018 or 119%21%. GeneralThe increase in expense is consistent with our long term expectations that general and Administrativeadministrative costs as a percentagewill grow at approximately half the rate of revenue for the 2018 Quarter was 82% compared to 57% during the 2017 quarter.  


The Company incurred $610,219 of one-time costs directly related to the USU acquisition. Excluding the $610,219 one-time USU acquisition expenses, G&A increased sequentially by $900,750. The acquisition of United States University accounted for over three-quarters of the G&A increase, as the company’s non-faculty full-time staff rose from 110 to 142 employees. The majority of the remaining increase was a one-time expense of legal fees related to the HEMG NJ bankruptcy proceeding in which the companyrevenues. There is a creditor.portion 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.


Aspen University also recorded $100,000 as a bad debt reserve, an increase reflectivegeneral and administrative costs which are included in the above amount represented 45% of Aspen University revenues for the increaseFiscal 2020 Q1, while USU general and administrative costs equaled 59% of USU revenues for the Fiscal 2020 Q1.


AGI’s general and administrative costs for the Fiscal 2020 Q1 and Fiscal 2019 Q1 are included in revenuethe above amounts equaled $1,953,588 and students paying by monthly plans.$1,638,178, respectively include corporate employees in the NY corporate office, IT, rent, non-cash AGI stock based compensation, and professional fees (legal, accounting, and IR).


Depreciation and Amortization


Depreciation and amortization costs for the 2018 Quarter roseFiscal 2020 Q1 increased to $347,894$606,574 from $132,727$498,105 for the 2017 Quarter,Fiscal 2019 Q1, an increase of $215,167$108,469 or 162%22%. ThisThe increase in depreciation expense is substantiallymainly due to additional investment in company developed software. Moreover, AGI has made capital investments in the amortization of intangible assets fromPhoenix campus and will invest in other campus locations that will cause depreciation expense to continue to increase in the purchase of USU.near future.


Other Expense, netIncome (Expense)


Other expense,income/ (expense), net for the 2018 Quarter increasedFiscal 2020 Q1 decreased to $158,986($400,887) from $78,317$16,048 in the 2017 Quarter, an increaseFiscal 2019 Q1, a decrease of $80,669($416,935) or 103%(2,598%). This increaseThe decrease is primarily due to amortization of original issue discount and interest paid on the credit facility.our debt.


Income Taxes

 

Income taxes expense (benefit) for the comparable yearsFiscal 2020 Q1 was $35,595 compared to $0 asin the Fiscal 2019 Q1. Aspen Group experienced operating losses in both periods. As management made a full valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets stemming from these losses, there was no tax benefit recorded in the statement of operations in both periods.either quarter. In the Fiscal 2020 Q1 Aspen University recognized state income tax expense for certain states that do not allow consolidated filing.


NetOperating Income (Loss)and Loss


NetAspen University generated approximately $1.0 million of operating income for the Fiscal 2020 Q1, USU experienced an operating loss of approximately ($0.4) million during the Fiscal 2020 Q1, while AGI corporate incurred approximately ($2.2) million of operating loss for 2018 Quarter was ($2,147,945) as compared to income of $7,377 for the 2017 Quarter, a decrease of $2,155,322. In the 2018 Quarter, the results for USU have been included as well as all of the costs associated with the acquisition.






For the Nine Months Ended January 31, 2018 Compared with the Nine Months Ended January 31, 2017

Revenue


Revenue from operations for the nine months ended January 31, 2018 (“2018 Period”) increased to $14,796,483 from $9,957,467 for the nine months ended January 31, 2017 (“2017 Period”), an increase of $4,839,016 or 49%.


Cost of Revenues (exclusive of amortization)


The Company’s cost of revenues consists of instructional costs and services and sales and marketing costs.


Instructional Costs and Services


Instructional costs and services for the 2018 Period rose to $2,893,818 from $1,701,945 for the 2017 Period, an increase of $1,191,873 or 70%.


Sales and Marketing

Sales and marketing for the 2018 Period were $3,388,996 from $1,788,101 for the 2017 Period, an increase of $1,600,895 or 90%. The Company expects sales and marketing to rise in future periods, given we expect to increase monthly marketing spend to over $600,000 during the 2019 fiscal year.


Gross Profit rose to $8,513,669 for the 2018 Period from $6,467,421 for the 2017 Period. The reasons for the change are reflected in the individual expense items described above.


Costs and Expenses


General and Administrative


General and administrative costs for the 2018 Period were $10,975,085 compared to $6,228,554 during the 2017 Period, an increase of $4,746,531 or 76%.


Depreciation and Amortization


Depreciation and amortization costs for the 2018 Period increased to $631,969 from $422,782 for the 2017 Period, an increase of $209,187 or 49%.


Other Income (Expense)


Other expense increased to ($303,190) from ($172,615), an increase of $130,575 or 76%. This increase is primarily due to interest paid on the credit facility. Other income increased to $140,567 from $1,684, primarily due to the interest income earned on the $900,000 promissory note from USU and from the release of the warrant derivative liability of $52,500.


Income Taxes

Income taxes expense (benefit) for the 2018 Period and 2017 Period was $0 as Aspen Group experienced operating losses in both periods. As management made a full valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets stemming from these losses, there was no tax benefit recorded in the statement of operations in both periods.Fiscal 2020 Q1.


Net Loss

 

Net loss applicable to stockholders was ($2,075,282) or net loss per share of ($0.11) for the 2018 Period was ($3,396,575)Fiscal 2020 Q1 as compared to ($381,530)2,837,276) for the 2017 Period, an increaseFiscal 2019 Q1, a decrease in the loss of $3,015,045.$761,994 or 27% improvement. As the result of the trends discussed above, the Company anticipates continued decrease of net loss in future periods compared to Fiscal 2020 Q1.






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 AGIAspen 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.


AGIAspen Group defines Adjusted EBITDA as earnings (or loss) from continuing operations before the items in the table below including non-recurring charges of $85,853.approximately $133,000 in the Fiscal 2020 Q1 and approximately $189,000 in the Fiscal 2019 Q1. Adjusted EBITDA is an important measure of our operating performance because it allows management, investors and analysts to evaluate and assess our core operating results from period-to-period after removing the impact of items of a non-operational nature that affect comparability.


We have included a reconciliation of our non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. We believe that providing the non-GAAP financial measures, together with the reconciliation to GAAP, helps investors make comparisons between Aspen Groupthe 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 EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss)Net loss allocable to common shareholders, a GAAP financial measure:


 

For the Quarters Ended

 

 

 

 

Quarter Ended

July 31,

 

 

January 31,

 

 

 

 

2019

 

2018

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(2,147,945

)

 

$

7,377

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

$

(2,075,282

)

 

$

(2,837,276

)

Interest expense, net of interest income

 

 

211,486

 

 

 

78,317

 

 

 

 

 

 

420,067

 

 

40,353

 

Taxes

 

 

 

 

 

90,277

 

 

 

Depreciation & amortization

 

 

347,894

 

 

 

132,727

 

 

 

 

 

 

606,574

 

 

 

498,105

 

EBITDA (loss)

 

 

(1,588,565

)

 

 

218,421

 

 

 

 

 

 

(958,364

)

 

 

(2,298,818

)

Bad debt expense

 

 

132,644

 

 

 

(25,680

 

 

 

 

 

240,899

 

 

121,805

 

Acquisition expense

 

 

610,219

 

 

 

 

Non-recurring charges

 

 

85,853

 

 

 

146,809

 

 

 

 

 

 

132,949

 

 

188,665

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

162,544

 

 

 

96,498

 

 

 

 

 

 

498,417

 

 

 

209,976

 

Adjusted EBITDA (Loss)

 

$

(597,305

)

 

$

436,048

 

 

 

 

 

$

(86,099

)

 

$

(1,778,372

)



The Company reported an Adjusted EBITDA loss of ($86,099) for the Fiscal 2020 Q1 as compared to an Adjusted EBITDA loss of ($1,778,372) for the Fiscal 2019 Q1, an improvement of 95%.


Aspen University generated $1.6 million of Adjusted EBITDA for the Fiscal 2020 Q1 and approximately $0.6 million of Adjusted EBITDA for the Fiscal 2019 Q1.


USU experienced an Adjusted EBITDA loss of approximately ($10,000) during the Fiscal 2020 Q1 and an Adjusted EBITDA loss of approximately $(0.8) million during the Fiscal 2019 Q1.


Aspen Group corporate incurred an Adjusted EBITDA loss of ($1.6) million which contributed to the consolidated Aspen Group Adjusted EBITDA loss of ($86) thousand for the Fiscal 2020 Q1. Aspen Group corporate incurred an Adjusted EBITDA loss of ($1.6) million that contributed to the consolidated Aspen Group Adjusted EBITDA loss of ($1.8) million for the Fiscal 2019 Q1.


Liquidity and Capital Resources


A summary of our cash flows is as follows:


 

For the

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 Three Months Ended

 

 

January 31,

 

 

July 31,

 

 

2018

 

2017

 

 

2019

 

2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

                     

  

                     

  

Net cash used in operating activities

 

$

(3,654,947

)

 

$

(99,042

)

 

$

(1,685,083

)

 

$

(3,388,210

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(3,031,667

)

 

(571,856

)

 

 

(632,258

)

 

 

(778,674

)

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

7,733,477

 

 

784,200

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

$

1,046,863

 

 

$

113,302

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

 

45,190

 

 

(22,015

)

Net decrease in cash

 

$

(2,272,151

)

 

$

(4,188,899

)





Net Cash Provided by (Used in)Used in Operating Activities


Net cash used in operating activities during the 2018 PeriodFiscal 2020 Q1 totaled ($3,654,947)1,685,083) and resulted primarily byfrom the net loss of ($3,396,575), offset by approximately $1,200,000 in non-cash items2,075,282) and  approximately $1,100,000 decreasea net change in operating assets and liabilities.liabilities of ($1,111,332), partially offset by $1,501,153 in non-cash items.  The net loss included $423,689 for interest expense. The most significant item change 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 $4,534,118approximately $1.5 million 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 $631,969approximately $0.6 million and stockstock-based compensation expense of $466,468.approximately $0.5 million.


The Company expects revenue growth to continue, while expenses grow at a slower pace. As a result, the Company anticipates lower losses in future quarters as compared to the quarter ending July 31, 2019, which should contribute to a reduction in cash used in operations.  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 as compared to the quarter ending July 31, 2019; however, some quarters could have higher cash used in operations as a result of more cash used to support changes in working capital.


Net cash used in operating activities during the 2017 PeriodFiscal 2019 Q1 totaled ($99,042)3,388,210) and resulted primarily by non-cash itemsfrom the net loss of $925,740($2,837,276) and a net change in operating assets and liabilities of ($668,252)1,389,105), reducedpartially offset by the net lossnon-cash items of $381,530.$838,171. The most significant item change in operating assets and liabilities was an increase of $1,592,941 in gross accounts receivable of $2,331,140 which is primarily attributed toreflecting the growth in revenues from students paying throughexpansion of the monthly payment plan. The most significant non-cash items were depreciationitem was $498,105 in Depreciation and amortization expense of $422,782 and stock compensation expense of $253,833.Amortization.


Net Cash Provided by (Used in)Used in Investing Activities


Net cash used in investing activities during the 2018 PeriodFiscal 2020 Q1 totaled ($3,031,667)632,258) mostly attributed to cash paidinvestments in the USU acquisition and the purchase of property and equipment.Company developed software.


Net cash used in investing activities during the 2017 PeriodFiscal 2019 Q1 totaled ($571,856) mostly attributed to the increase in software.778,674), reflecting primarily fixed asset purchases of $735,757.


Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Financing Activities


Net cash provided by financing activities during the 2018 PeriodFiscal 2020 Q1 totaled $7,733,477$45,190 which reflects primarilyproceeds from the cash provided by the senior secured term loan.exercise of stock options and warrants.


Net cash provided by financing activities during the 2017 PeriodFiscal 2019 Q1 totaled $784,200 which reflects($22,015), reflecting primarily disbursements for equity offering costs.


Liquidity


The Company had cash deposits of approximately $6.6 million on September 5, 2019, including $452,021 of restricted cash. In addition to its cash, the increase dueCompany also had access to the new $3,000,000 line of credit, of which $1,250,000 has been drawn, offset by the buyback of warrants for $400,000.


Liquidity and Capital Resource Considerations


Historically, our primary source of liquidity is cash receipts from tuition and the issuances of debt and equity securities. More recently, we were able to secure traditional non-convertible debt. The primary uses of cash are payroll related expenses, professional expenses, and instructional and marketing expenses. We did issue a convertible note as part of the USU purchase price since the seller wanted the potential for capital appreciation and required part of the purchase price evidenced by a convertible note. On July 25, 2017, the Company finalized a $10 million senior secured term loan, $5 million ofRevolving Credit Facility, which was funded at the close and $2.5 million with the closing of the USU acquisition.


As of March 15, 2018, theis unused. The Company had aexpects that its cash balance of approximately $3.7 million. With the cash from the Company’s senior secured term loan of $10 million in total (of which $7.5 million has been funded) and the growth in the Company revenues, the Company believes that it hasresources will be sufficient cash to allow the Company to meet its operational expendituresworking capital needs for at least the next 12 months.





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


Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates


In response to financial reporting release FR-60, Cautionary Advice Regarding Disclosure About Critical Accounting Policies, from the SEC, we have selected our more subjective accounting estimation processes for purposes of explaining the methodology used in calculating the estimate, in addition to the inherent uncertainties pertaining to the estimate and the possible effects on our financial condition. There were no material changes to our principal accounting estimates during the period covered by this report.


Related Party Transactions



Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue


See Note 9Revenue 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 unauditedextent 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 statements included hereinaid 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 descriptioninformation is received. The amounts calculated are analyzed to determine the total amount of related party transactionsthe 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 had a material effect on our unaudited consolidated financial statements.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


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.


New Accounting Pronouncements


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


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 studentfuture revenue growth, projected Marketing Efficiency Ratio, overall growthexpected pace of increase in expenses, the expected future effect of seasonality on our operating results, projections with respect to our marketing efficiency ratio, the Pre-Licensure BSN program campus expansion plan, the expected timing of launching of, and anticipated capital expenditures related to, new campuses, the expected effect of changes to the tuition payment plan for our FNP program, and liquidity. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this report, including statements regarding our future financial position, liquidity, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “could,” “target,” “potential,” “is likely,” “will,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs.


The results anticipated by any or all of these forward-looking statements might not occur. Important factors, uncertainties and risks that couldmay cause actual results to differ materially from those in thethese forward-looking statements include continued high demand for nurses, the continued effectiveness of our marketing efforts, unanticipated issues with, and delays in, launching our second, third and fourth campuses, and failure to maintain regulatory approvals, regulatory issues, competition, ineffective media and/or marketing, failure to maintain growth in degree seeking studentscontinue obtaining enrollments at low acquisition costs and the integration of USU.keeping teaching costs down.  Further information on ourthe risk factors affecting our business is contained in our filings with the SEC, including theour Annual Report on Form 10-K filedfor the year ended April 30, 2019, as updated by this Quarterly Report on July 25, 2017. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this report speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them.Form 10Q. 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 RISKRISK.

 

Not applicable.





ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURESPROCEDURES.


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 reportQuarterly 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. 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 reportQuarterly Report on Form 10-Q that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.









PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

From time to time,time-to-time, we may be involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of business. There wereAs of the date of this report, except as discussed below, 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 changesinterest adverse to our legal proceedings as described in the Company’s Form 10-K during the period covered by this report.   interest.


ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS


Not applicableThe information presented below updates, and should be read in conjunction with, the risk factors and information disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2019.


If our new tuition payment plan for our FNP program materially reduces our enrollments, USU’s future results of operations and cash flow may be materially and adversely affected.


Effective October 1, 2019 we are requiring new FNP students at USU to smaller reporting companies.find third party financing for the second year of the program rather than using the monthly payment plan as they are permitted for the first year. Because of the income that FNP students generally have, we do not anticipate a material reduction in enrollments. If our expectations are incorrect, our future revenues and cash flows at USU may be materially and adversely affected.


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


From November 1, 2017,On June 18, 2019, in order to January 31, 2018, 87,470correct certain errors in a third party software system used to track stock options, the Company granted two former directors a total of 25,000 shares were issued in connection with the cashless exercise of 178,917 warrants with exercise prices rangingcommon stock. The award was exempt from 3.99registration pursuant to 6.00 per share.  These securities were issued without registration underSection 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 in reliance upon the exemption provided in Section 3(a)(9) thereunder.


From November 1, 2017 to January 31, 2018, 64,584 shares were issued in connection with the exercise of warrants with exercise prices ranging from $2.40 to $6.00 per share.  The Company received $162,504 from these cash exercises. During the quarter ended January 31, 2018, 5,000 shares of common stock were issued to each of two consultants working on the Arizona campus initiative. These securities were issued without registration under the Securities Act of 1933 in reliance upon the exemption provided in Section 4(a)(2) and Rule 506(b) promulgated thereunder.


ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None.


ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION


Not applicable.None.


ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

See the Exhibit Index at the end of this report.







SIGNATURES

 

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


 

Aspen Group, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

March 15, 2018September 9, 2019

By:

/s/ Michael Mathews

 

 

 

Michael Mathews

 

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

 


March 15, 2018September 9, 2019

By:

/s/ Janet GillJoseph Sevely

 

 

 

Janet GillJoseph Sevely

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 









EXHIBIT INDEX


 

 

 

 

 

Incorporated by Reference

 

Filed or Furnished

Exhibit #

 

Exhibit Description

 

 

Form

 

Date

 

 

Number

 

Herewith

3.1

   

Certificate of Incorporation, as amended

  

 

10-Q

   

3/9/17

  

 

3.1

   

 

3.2

 

Bylaws, as amended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed

4.1

 

Form of Convertible Note

 

 

8-K

 

12/1/17

 

 

4.1

 

 

10.1

 

Employment Agreement with Michael Mathews dated November 2, 2016*

 

 

10-Q

 

3/9/17

 

 

10.1

 

 

10.2

 

Loan and Security Agreement – Runway+

 

 

8-K

 

7/28/17

 

 

10.1

 

 

10.3

 

Registration Rights Agreement – Runway

 

 

8-K

 

7/28/17

 

 

10.2

 

 

10.4

 

Warrant Agreement – Runway +

 

 

8-K

 

7/28/17

 

 

10.3

 

 

10.5

 

Form of Registration Rights Waiver

 

 

10-Q

 

9/14/17

 

 

10.4

 

 

10.6

 

Promissory Note dated March 8, 2017 – Linden Finance

 

 

10-K

 

7/25/17

 

 

10.1

 

 

10.7

 

Employment Agreement dated June 11, 2017 – St. Arnauld*

 

 

8-K

 

6/15/17

 

 

10.1

 

 

10.8

 

Asset Purchase Agreement dated May 13, 2017 +

 

 

8-K

 

5/18/17

 

 

10.1

 

 

10.9

 

Employment Agreement dated November 24, 2014 - Gerard Wendolowski*

 

 

10-K

 

7/28/15

 

 

10.19

 

 

10.10

 

Employment Agreement dated November 24, 2014 - Janet Gill*

 

 

10-K

 

7/28/15

 

 

10.18

 

 

10.11

 

2012 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed

10.12

 

Form of Stock Purchase Agreement

 

 

8-K

 

4/10/17

 

 

10.1

 

 

10.13

 

Form Waiver of Registration Rights Agreement

 

 

8-K

 

5/30/17

 

 

10.1

 

 

10.14

 

Form of Registration Rights Agreement

 

 

8-K

 

4/10/17

 

 

10.2

 

 

10.15

 

Loan Agreement dated August 31, 2016 – Cooperman

 

 

8-K

 

9/7/16

 

 

2.1

 

 

10.16

 

Revolving Promissory Note dated August 31, 2016 – Cooperman

 

 

8-K

 

9/7/16

 

 

2.2

 

 

10.17

 

Warrant dated August 31, 2016 – Cooperman

 

 

8-K

 

9/7/16

 

 

3.1

 

 

10.18

 

Note Conversion Agreement dated April 16, 2016 – Mathews

 

 

10-K

 

7/27/16

 

 

10.4

 

 

10.19

 

Letter Agreement with Warrant Holders for Reduced Exercise Price and Early Exercise 2016

 

 

10-K

 

7/27/16

 

 

10.19

 

 

31.1

 

Certification of Principal Executive Officer (302)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed

31.2

 

Certification of Principal Financial Officer (302)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed

32.1

 

Certification of Principal Executive and Principal Financial Officer (906)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Furnished**

101.INS

 

XBRL Instance Document

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed

101.SCH

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed

101.CAL

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed

101.DEF

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed

101.LAB

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed

101.PRE

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed


Incorporated by Reference

Filed or Furnished

Exhibit #

Exhibit Description

Form

Date

Number

Herewith

3.1

Certificate of Incorporation, as amended

10-K

7/9/19

3.1

3.2

Bylaws, as amended

10-Q

3/15/18

3.2

10.1

Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 19, 2018, by and between Aspen Group, Inc. and ESL

8-K

7/19/18

10.1

10.2

Form of Term Promissory Note and Security Agreement, dated March 6, 2019

10-Q

3/11/19

10.1

10.3

Form of Loan Agreement, dated March 6, 2019

10-Q

3/11/19

10.2

10.4

Form of Intercreditor Agreement, dated March 6, 2019

10-Q

3/11/19

10.3

10.5

Form of Warrant for the Purchase of 100,000 shares of common stock, dated March 6, 2019

10-Q

3/11/19

10.4

10.6

Amended and Restated Revolving Promissory Note and Security Agreement, dated March 6, 2019

10-Q

3/11/19

10.5

10.7

Aspen Group, Inc. 2018 Equity Incentive Plan*

DEF 14A

10/31/18

Annex A

31.1

Certification of Principal Executive Officer (302)

Filed

31.2

Certification of Principal Financial Officer (302)

Filed

32.1

Certification of Principal Executive and Principal Financial Officer (906)

Furnished**

101.INS

XBRL Instance Document

Filed

101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

Filed

101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

Filed

101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

Filed

101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

Filed

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

Filed

———————

*

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.

+

Certain schedules, appendices and exhibits to this agreement have been omitted in accordance with Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. A copy of any omitted schedule and/or exhibit will be furnished supplementally to the Securities and Exchange Commission staff upon request.

 

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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