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8-K - FORM 8-K - EDUCATION MANAGEMENT CORPORATIONearningsrelease8-k2q13.htm


Education Management Corporation
COMPANY CONTACT:
John Iannone
Director of Investor Relations
(412) 995-7727

Education Management Corporation Reports Fiscal 2013 Second Quarter Results

Pittsburgh, PA, January 30, 2013 -- Education Management Corporation (the "Company") (NASDAQ:EDMC), one of the largest providers of post-secondary education in North America, today reported net revenues of $654.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2012. The Company reported net income of $31.1 million, or $0.25 per diluted share.

“As a result of the efforts and dedication of our faculty and staff, I am pleased with the progress we have made to improve student retention which is reflected in our January class start," said Edward H. West, Education Management's President and Chief Executive Officer. "While the operating environment remains challenging, we continue to see several encouraging signs.  In addition to positive retention rates, new student demand has turned positive at several of our colleges and universities.  Furthermore, we are continuing to make investments in our students to help them achieve their goals as they progress toward graduation in this difficult economy.”


Financial Highlights
Financial highlights for the second quarter of fiscal 2013 included the following:
Net revenues were $654.9 million, a decrease of 11.2% from $737.2 million recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2012, primarily due to a 12.7% decline in average enrolled student body for the three months ended December 31, 2012 compared to the prior year quarter.
The Company recorded net income of $31.1 million, or $0.25 per diluted share, compared to $63.1 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, for the prior year quarter.
Earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") was $123.3 million compared to $169.3 million in the prior year quarter.

Cash flows provided by operating activities remained relatively flat for the six months ended December 31, 2012 at $93.2 million, compared to $97.0 million in the six months ended December 31, 2011. Lower operating performance was substantially offset by lower tax payments and lower working capital usage in the current year period compared to the prior year period. Additionally, the conversion to a non-term academic structure for students attending fully-online programs at Argosy University and South University

1



resulted in a greater change in restricted cash in the prior year period compared to the current year period.

At December 31, 2012, cash and cash equivalents were $189.0 million, compared to $299.9 million at December 31, 2011. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents was due primarily to the transfer in March 2012 of $210.0 million to restricted cash in connection with the issuance of letters of credit under the Company's cash secured letter of credit facilities. These facilities are being used to help satisfy the Company's previously disclosed letter of credit with the U.S. Department of Education.

On a cash basis, capital expenditures were $39.5 million, or 3.1% of net revenues, for the six months ended December 31, 2012 compared to $36.1 million, or 2.5% of net revenues, in the same period in the prior year.

During the quarter ended December 31, 2012, the Company completed five sale-leaseback transactions with unrelated third parties for net proceeds of $65.1 million. The Company recorded a net loss of $3.5 million related to these transactions during the quarter ended December 31, 2012. A deferred gain of approximately $17.8 million will be recognized over the initial terms of the new leases, which range from three to 15 years.



New Student Enrollment

New student enrollment by segment was as follows:
 
For the Three Months Ended December 31,
 
2012
 
2011
 
% Change
The Art Institutes
12,300

 
15,200

 
(20.2
)%
Argosy University
3,400

 
3,800

 
(10.3
)%
Brown Mackie Colleges
3,800

 
4,100

 
(5.3
)%
South University
4,500

 
7,600

 
(40.0
)%
Total EDMC
24,000

 
30,700

 
(21.9
)%

The new student enrollment data shown above includes the number of new students who enrolled in fully-online programs at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Argosy University and South University. Total new students who enrolled in fully-online programs for the three months ended December 31, 2012 were approximately 7,300 as compared to 12,500 in three months ended December 31, 2011. The reduction in new students enrolled in fully-online programs represented approximately 80% of the total EDMC year-over-year decline in new students for the three months ended December 31, 2012.


Average Enrolled Student Body

Average enrolled student body by segment was as follows:

2



 
For the Three Months Ended December 31,
 
2012
 
2011
 
% Change
The Art Institutes
69,500

 
78,900

 
(12.1
)%
Argosy University
25,500

 
29,900

 
(14.7
)%
Brown Mackie Colleges
17,500

 
19,500

 
(10.0
)%
South University
19,000

 
22,300

 
(14.8
)%
Total EDMC
131,500

 
150,600

 
(12.7
)%

Average enrolled student body is the three month average of the unique students who met attendance requirements within a month of the quarter. The data above includes the number of students enrolled in fully-online programs at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Argosy University and South University. The average enrolled student body in fully-online programs was approximately 32,100 for the three months ended December 31, 2012 as compared to 41,000 in the three months ended December 31, 2011.
 
Starting Student Enrollment

Starting student enrollment by segment was as follows:
 
January
 
January
 
%
 
2013
 
2012
 
Change
The Art Institutes
67,700

 
75,600

 
(10.5
)%
Argosy University
24,100

 
27,700

 
(13.0
)%
Brown Mackie Colleges
17,200

 
18,700

 
(8.4
)%
South University
17,800

 
20,600

 
(13.4
)%
Total EDMC
126,800

 
142,600

 
(11.1
)%

The starting student enrollment data shown above includes the number of students enrolled in fully-online programs at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, Argosy University and South University. Starting students enrolled in fully-online programs were approximately 29,100 as of January 2013 as compared to 35,800 as of January 2012. Fully-online enrollment is measured based on the number of students meeting attendance requirements over a two-week period near the start of the fiscal quarter.

Our quarterly revenues and income fluctuate primarily as a result of the pattern of student enrollments, and our first fiscal quarter is typically the lowest revenue quarter of the fiscal year due to student vacations. However, the seasonality of our business has decreased over the last several years, primarily due to the percentage of students enrolling in online programs, which generally experience less seasonal fluctuation than campus-based programs.

3



Fiscal 2013 Guidance
The following discussion of the Company's fiscal 2013 guidance includes information that could constitute forward-looking statements with the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. As more fully described below under the heading “Cautionary Statement,” these and other forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to management and involve estimates, assumptions, risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially and unpredictably from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, capital expenditures are projected to be between 3.0% and 3.5% of net revenues, compared to 3.4% of net revenues in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012. The following third quarter and annual guidance for fiscal 2013 exclude the impact of restructuring and other special charges.


Reconciliation of Fiscal Year 2013 Third Quarter and Annual Guidance of Net Income to EBITDA
(Dollars in millions, except earnings per share) (Unaudited)

Fiscal 2013 Guidance – 3rd Quarter:
 
 
For the Three Months Ending March 31, 2013
 
 
Low
 
High
Earning per diluted share
 
$
0.20

 
$
0.22

 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
25

 
$
27

Net interest expense
 
31

 
31

Income tax expense
 
17

 
19

Depreciation and amortization
 
40

 
40

EBITDA
 
$
113

 
$
117


Fiscal Year 2013 Guidance – Annual:
 
 
For the Twelve Months Ending June 30, 2013
 
 
Low
 
High
Earnings per diluted share
 
$
0.32

 
$
0.37

Earnings per diluted share excluding expenses related to restructuring and other charges
 
$
0.38

 
$
0.44

 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
40

 
$
47

Expenses related to restructuring and other charges, net of tax
 
8

 
8

Net income excluding expenses related to restructuring and other charges
 
$
48

 
$
55

 
 
 
 
 
  Net interest expense
 
$
124

 
$
124

Income tax expense
 
34

 
37

Depreciation and amortization
 
159

 
159

EBITDA excluding expenses related to restructuring and other charges
 
$
365

 
$
375


4




The presentation of EBITDA, as well as the presentations excluding certain expenses, do not comply with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). For an explanation of EBITDA and EBITDA and net income excluding certain expenses, together with a reconciliation to net income, which is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, see the Non-GAAP Financial Measures disclosure in the financial tables section below.

Conference Call and Webcast
Education Management Corporation will host a conference call to discuss its fiscal 2013 second quarter results on Thursday, January 31, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Time). Those wishing to participate in this call should dial 412-317-6789 approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. A listen-only audio of the conference call will also be broadcast live over the Internet at www.edmc.edu. A replay of the conference call will be available at www.edmc.edu for up to one year.


5



EDUCATION MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)


 
For the Three Months Ended December 31,
 
For the Six Months Ended December 31,
 
2012
 
2011
 
% Change
 
2012
 
2011
 
% Change
Net revenues
$
654,895

 
$
737,188

 
(11.2
)%
 
$
1,264,459

 
$
1,419,283

 
(10.9
)%
Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Educational services (1) (2)
360,377

 
375,770

 
(4.1
)%
 
741,673

 
750,217

 
(1.1
)%
General and administrative (1) (3)
171,190

 
192,085

 
(10.9
)%
 
345,682

 
389,879

 
(11.3
)%
Depreciation and amortization (4)
39,255

 
39,196

 
0.2
 %
 
83,400

 
78,084

 
6.8
 %
Total costs and expenses
570,822

 
607,051

 
(6.0
)%
 
1,170,755

 
1,218,180

 
(3.9
)%
Income before interest and income taxes
84,073

 
130,137

 
(35.4
)%
 
93,704

 
201,103

 
(53.4
)%
Interest expense, net
31,009

 
26,846

 
15.5
 %
 
62,461

 
53,697

 
16.3
 %
Income before income taxes
53,064

 
103,291

 
(48.6
)%
 
31,243

 
147,406

 
(78.8
)%
Income tax expense
21,920

 
40,164

 
(45.4
)%
 
13,192

 
57,325

 
(77.0
)%
Net income
$
31,144

 
$
63,127

 
(50.7
)%
 
$
18,051

 
$
90,081

 
(80.0
)%
Earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.25

 
$
0.50

 
 
 
$
0.14

 
$
0.70

 
 
Diluted
$
0.25

 
$
0.49

 
 
 
$
0.14

 
$
0.70

 
 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
124,560

 
127,193

 
 
 
124,519

 
127,833

 
 
Diluted
124,762

 
128,764

 
 
 
124,620

 
129,240

 
 


(1)
Certain reclassifications of fiscal 2012 data have been made to conform to the fiscal 2013 presentation.

(2)
Includes bad debt expense of $40.8 million and $41.3 million in the three months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively and $89.8 million and $76.5 million in the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Also, the six months ended December 31, 2012 period include $6.6 million of employee severance costs and a lease abandonment charge of $1.6 million. The six months ended December 31, 2011 include a lease termination fee of $1.5 million.

(3)
Includes employee severance costs of $0.9 million and $5.2 million in the six months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

(4)
The six months ended December 31, 2012 period include a $4.6 million charge related to software assets that no longer had a useful life.










6




EDUCATION MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
 
December 31, 2012
 
June 30, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
Assets
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
(Unaudited)
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
189,042

 
$
191,008

 
$
299,934

Restricted cash
273,425

 
267,880

 
79,323

Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
462,467

 
458,888

 
379,257

Student receivables, net of allowances of $180,337, $230,587 and $211,467
151,364

 
198,411

 
156,495

Notes, advances and other receivables
16,532

 
22,174

 
14,652

Inventories
8,968

 
8,382

 
9,430

Deferred income taxes
102,668

 
102,668

 
76,804

Prepaid income taxes

 
6,796

 

Other current assets
39,139

 
40,399

 
46,941

Total current assets
781,138

 
837,718

 
683,579

Property and equipment, net
562,184

 
651,797

 
663,660

Other long-term assets
57,585

 
56,001

 
45,717

Intangible assets, net
329,361

 
330,029

 
460,144

Goodwill
963,550

 
963,550

 
2,581,999

Total assets
$
2,693,818

 
$
2,839,095

 
$
4,435,099

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Current portion of long-term debt
$
12,076

 
$
12,076

 
$
12,076

Revolving credit facility

 
111,300

 

Accounts payable
38,161

 
54,834

 
28,620

Accrued liabilities
136,613

 
137,348

 
130,512

Accrued income taxes
10,525

 

 
18,976

Unearned tuition
55,038

 
116,277

 
61,170

Advance payments
116,569

 
102,170

 
140,323

Total current liabilities
368,982

 
534,005

 
391,677

Long-term debt, less current portion
1,447,699

 
1,453,468

 
1,460,720

Deferred income taxes
99,845

 
111,767

 
215,157

Deferred rent
212,085

 
197,758

 
195,723

Other long-term liabilities
41,599

 
45,533

 
45,391

Shareholders’ equity:
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock, at par
1,435

 
1,434

 
1,434

Additional paid-in capital
1,785,413

 
1,777,732

 
1,770,645

Treasury stock, at cost
(328,605
)
 
(328,605
)
 
(296,409
)
(Accumulated deficit) Retained earnings
(917,909
)
 
(935,960
)
 
669,862

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(16,726
)
 
(18,037
)
 
(19,101
)
Total shareholders’ equity
523,608

 
496,564

 
2,126,431

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
2,693,818

 
$
2,839,095

 
$
4,435,099



7



EDUCATION MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(In thousands)
 
 
For the Six Months Ended December 31,
Cash flows from operating activities:
2012
 
2011
Net income
$
18,051

 
$
90,081

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment
80,241

 
74,246

Amortization of intangible assets
3,159

 
3,838

Bad debt expense
89,768

 
76,458

Amortization of debt issuance costs
2,561

 
2,632

Share-based compensation
7,679

 
6,530

Non cash adjustments related to deferred rent
(7,824
)
 
(5,398
)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Restricted cash
(5,545
)
 
(31,810
)
Receivables
(40,727
)
 
(76,106
)
Reimbursements for tenant improvements
3,891

 
10,705

Inventory
(583
)
 
155

Other assets
2,939

 
(6,666
)
Accounts payable
(15,853
)
 
(26,522
)
Accrued liabilities
2,343

 
29,437

Unearned tuition
(61,239
)
 
(78,980
)
Advance payments
14,316

 
28,404

Total adjustments
75,126

 
6,923

Net cash flows provided by operating activities
93,177

 
97,004

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Expenditures for long-lived assets
(39,458
)
 
(36,125
)
Sale of fixed assets
65,065

 

Reimbursements for tenant improvements
(3,891
)
 
(10,705
)
Net cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities
21,716

 
(46,830
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Payments under revolving credit facility
(111,300
)
 
(79,000
)
Issuance of common stock
3

 
2,270

Common stock repurchased for treasury

 
(70,378
)
Principal payments on long-term debt
(5,769
)
 
(6,054
)
Net cash flows used in financing activities
(117,066
)
 
(153,162
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
207

 
(302
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
(1,966
)
 
(103,290
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
191,008

 
403,224

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
189,042

 
$
299,934

Cash paid during the period for:
 
 
 
Interest (including swap settlement)
$
60,980

 
$
60,433

Income taxes, net of refunds
7,860

 
27,525

 
As of December 31,
Noncash investing activities:
2012
 
2011
Capital expenditures in current liabilities
$
13,538

 
$
12,249


8



EDUCATION MANAGEMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (Unaudited)


The Company reports results in four segments - The Art Institutes, Argosy University, Brown Mackie Colleges and South University. The Company evaluates segment performance based on EBITDA excluding certain expenses. Adjustments to reconcile segment results to consolidated results are included under the caption “Corporate and Other,” which primarily includes unallocated corporate activity.

EBITDA, a measure used by management to measure operating performance, is defined as net income before net interest expense, provision for income taxes and depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is not a recognized term under GAAP and does not purport to be an alternative to net income as a measure of operating performance or to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. Additionally, EBITDA is not intended to be a measure of free cash flow available for management’s discretionary use, as it does not consider certain cash requirements such as interest payments, tax payments and debt service requirements. Management believes EBITDA is helpful in highlighting trends because EBITDA excludes the results of decisions that are outside the control of operating management and can differ significantly from company to company depending on long-term strategic decisions regarding capital structure, the tax jurisdictions in which companies operate and capital investments. We also present earnings per share, net income and EBITDA after adjusting for certain expenses, which also are non-GAAP financial measures. Management believes this presentation is also helpful in highlighting trends in our business because it excludes certain expenses management believes are not indicative of ongoing operations. Management compensates for the limitations of using non-GAAP financial measures by using them to supplement GAAP results to provide a more complete understanding of the factors and trends affecting the business than GAAP results alone. Because not all companies use identical calculations, this presentation of EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. A reconciliation of EBITDA excluding certain expenses by segment to consolidated net income is detailed below:

















9



Segment Information and Reconciliation of EBITDA to Net Income to
Net Income Excluding Certain Expenses
(In thousands, except per share amounts) (Unaudited)

 
For the Three Months Ended December 31,
 
For the Six Months Ended December 31,
 
2012
 
2011
 
% Change
 
2012
 
2011
 
% Change
Net revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Art Institutes
$
411,533

 
$
469,603

 
(12.4
)%
 
$
791,672

 
$
898,503

 
(11.9
)%
Argosy University
92,312

 
106,070

 
(13.0
)%
 
174,232

 
204,213

 
(14.7
)%
Brown Mackie Colleges
78,274

 
81,745

 
(4.2
)%
 
152,246

 
162,668

 
(6.4
)%
South University
72,776

 
79,770

 
(8.8
)%
 
146,309

 
153,899

 
(4.9
)%
Total EDMC
654,895

 
737,188

 
(11.2
)%
 
1,264,459

 
1,419,283

 
(10.9
)%
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
EBITDA excluding certain expenses:
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
The Art Institutes
112,263

 
151,759

 
(26.0
)%
 
180,189

 
262,038

 
(31.2
)%
Argosy University
15,797

 
21,144

 
(25.3
)%
 
16,990

 
31,380

 
(45.9
)%
Brown Mackie Colleges
9,766

 
18,629

 
(47.6
)%
 
20,361

 
36,212

 
(43.8
)%
South University
8,946

 
3,136

 
185.3
 %
 
15,259

 
3,300

 
362.4
 %
Corporate and other
(23,444
)
 
(25,335
)
 
(7.5
)%
 
(46,550
)
 
(47,076
)
 
(1.1
)%
Total EDMC
123,328

 
169,333

 
(27.2
)%
 
186,249

 
285,854

 
(34.8
)%
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to EBITDA:
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Restructuring

 

 
N/M

 
9,145

 
6,667

 
37.2
 %
EBITDA
123,328

 
169,333

 
(27.2
%)
 
177,104

 
279,187

 
(36.6
%)
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to operating income:
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
39,255

 
39,196

 
0.2
%
 
83,400

 
78,084

 
6.8
%
Operating income
84,073

 
130,137

 
(35.4
%)
 
93,704

 
201,103

 
(53.4
%)
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation to net income:
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
Net interest expense
31,009

 
26,846

 
15.5
%
 
62,461

 
53,697

 
16.3
%
Income tax expense
21,920

 
40,164

 
(45.4
)%
 
13,192

 
57,325

 
(77.0
)%
Net income
$
31,144

 
$
63,127

 
(50.7
)%
 
$
18,051

 
$
90,081

 
(80.0
)%
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
Restructuring, net of tax
$

 
$

 
N/M

 
$
5,488

 
$
4,000

 
37.2
 %
Software-related charge, net of tax

 

 
N/M

 
2,753

 

 
N/M

Net income, excluding certain expenses
$
31,144

 
$
63,127

 
(50.7
)%
 
$
26,292

 
$
94,081

 
(72.1
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted earnings per share, excluding certain expenses
$
0.25

 
$
0.49

 
 
 
$
0.21

 
$
0.73

 
 
Weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding
124,762

 
128,764

 
 
 
124,620

 
129,240

 
 


10



About Education Management Corporation
Education Management Corporation (www.edmc.edu), with approximately 132,000 students as of October 2012, is among the largest providers of post-secondary education in North America, based on student enrollment and revenue, with a total of 110 locations in 32 U.S. states and Canada. We offer academic programs to our students through campus-based and online instruction, or through a combination of both. We are committed to offering quality academic programs and strive to improve the learning experience for our students. Our educational institutions offer students the opportunity to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees and certain specialized non-degree diplomas in a broad range of disciplines, including media arts, health sciences, design, psychology and behavioral sciences, culinary, business, fashion, legal, education and information technology.

Cautionary Statement
This press release includes information that could constitute forward-looking statements with the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements, which are based on information currently available to management, concern the Company's strategy, plans, intentions or expectations and typically contain words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” or “plans” or similar words, although the absence of such words does not mean that any particular statement is not forward-looking. All of the statements included in this press release that relate to estimated and projected earnings, margins, costs, expenditures, cash flows, growth rates and financial results, including the third quarter and annual guidance for fiscal 2013, and including statements regarding expected enrollment, revenue, expense levels, capital expenditures and earnings, are forward-looking statements, as are any statements concerning the Company's expected future operations and performance and other future developments. These and other forward-looking statements involve estimates, assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially and unpredictably from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company derives many of its forward-looking statements from its operating budgets and forecasts, which are based upon many detailed assumptions, and the Company cautions that it is very difficult to predict the impact of unknown factors, and impossible to anticipate all factors, that could affect its actual results. Some of the factors that the Company believes could affect its results and that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include, but are not limited to: the timing and magnitude of student enrollment and changes in student mix, including the relative proportions of campus-based and online students enrolled in its programs; changes in average registered credits taken by students; the Company's ability to maintain eligibility to participate in Title IV programs; other changes in its students' ability to access federal and state financial aid, as well as obtain loans from third-party lenders; difficulties the Company may face in opening new schools, growing its academic programs and otherwise implementing its growth strategy; increased or unanticipated legal and regulatory costs; the results of program reviews and audits; changes in accreditation standards; the implementation of new operating procedures for the Company's fully online programs; the implementation of program initiatives in response to the U.S. Department of Education's new gainful employment regulations; adjustments to the Company's programmatic offerings to comply with the 90/10 rule; its high degree of leverage and ability to generate sufficient cash to service all of its debt obligations and other liquidity needs; market and credit risks associated with the post-secondary education industry, adverse media coverage of the industry and the overall condition of the industry; changes in the overall U.S. or global economies and access to credit and capital markets; the effects of war, terrorism, natural disasters or other catastrophic events and other risks affecting the Company, including but not limited to those described in its periodic reports filed with the Securities Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.     

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