Aspen Group Revenue Growth Rate Accelerates in Q4 to 68%

Reports Record Revenue of $22 Million in Fiscal 2018


NEW YORK, July 12, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aspen Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASPU), a post-secondary education company, today announced financial results for its 2018 fiscal fourth quarter ended April 30, 2018, highlighted by revenue of $7,225,029, an increase of 68% year-over-year.  Aspen Group also announced its full year results which are included in the consolidated financial statements at the end of this press release.

Aspen University students paying tuition and fees through a monthly payment method grew by 48% year-over-year, from 3,060 to 4,532. Those 4,532 students represent 70% of Aspen University’s total active student body of 6,500. United States University (“USU”) students paying tuition and fees through a monthly payment method grew from 204 to 293 students sequentially. Those 293 students represent 53% of USU’s total active student body of 557.

Michael Mathews, Chairman & CEO of Aspen Group, commented, “The company is focused on accelerating growth this upcoming fiscal year 2019 by growing both our core Aspen online nursing business and growing key new business initiatives such as USU’s Family Nurse Practitioner (“FNP”) program and our initial pre-licensure BSN hybrid online/on-campus program in Phoenix. However, we’d like to highlight the leverage in our historical business model by pointing to the fact that the Aspen University business has reached enough scale with 6,500 active students to deliver approximately $0.9 million of operating income for the fourth quarter.”

Fiscal Q4 2018 Financial Highlights:*

  • Revenue totaled $7,225,029, an increase of 68% as compared to the prior fiscal year fourth quarter;
  • Gross Profit totaled $3,506,254, a 35% increase as compared to the prior fiscal year fourth quarter;
  • Net Loss applicable to shareholders of ($3,664,485), as compared to Net Loss of ($723,729) in the prior fiscal year fourth quarter; Diluted net loss per share was $(0.26), as compared to $(0.06) in the prior fiscal year; Adjusted diluted net loss per share was $(0.15) excluding the one-time interest expense related to the early extinguishment of the $10 million credit facility;
  • EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, totaled $(1,599,471);
  • Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, totaled $(1,020,004);

In reviewing these comparisons, investors should note Aspen Group acquired USU on December 1, 2017. For the fourth quarter, revenues were $7,225,029, an increase of 68% as compared to the prior fiscal year fourth quarter. Aspen University’s increase in revenues was primarily a result of new class starts rising by 42% year-over-year. USU revenues contributed nearly 15% of the quarterly revenues for the Company, rising at a faster pace than the previously projected ~10% for the quarter.

Gross profit increased to $3,506,254 or 49% gross margin. Aspen University gross profit represented 57% of Aspen University revenues for the fourth quarter, while USU gross profit equaled 27% of USU revenues during the fourth quarter. Aspen University instructional costs and services represented 18% of Aspen University revenues for the 2018 quarter, while USU instructional costs and services equaled 38% of USU revenues during the 2018 quarter. Aspen University marketing and promotional costs represented 23% of Aspen University revenues for the 2018 quarter, while USU marketing and promotional costs equaled 35% of USU revenues during the 2018 quarter.

Net loss applicable to shareholders was ($3,664,485) or diluted net loss per share of $(0.26). Aspen University generated $0.9 million of operating income for the fourth quarter, while USU experienced an operating income loss of $(1.29) million during the fourth quarter. Aspen Group corporate contributed $3.28 million of operating expenses for the fourth quarter which included the one-time $1.5 million interest expense related to the extinguishment of the $10 million credit facility. Excluding the one-time $1.5 million interest expense, the adjusted diluted net loss per share, a non-GAAP financial measure, was $(0.15).

EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, was $(1,599,471) or (22%). Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, was $(1,020,004) or (14%). Aspen University generated $1.37 million of Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter, while USU experienced an Adjusted EBITDA loss of $(0.98) million during the fourth quarter. Aspen Group corporate contributed $1.41 million of operating expenses to the $(1,020,004) Adjusted EBITDA loss for the fourth quarter.

Fiscal 2018 Fourth Quarter Operational Highlights:

AGI New Student Enrollments

AGI delivered a company record of 1,273 total new student enrollments for the fiscal 2018 fourth quarter. Aspen University accounted for 1,096 new student enrollments (includes 116 Doctoral enrollments), while USU accounted for 177 new student enrollments (primarily FNP enrollments).

 HISTORICAL ENROLLMENTS:
NEW ENROLLMENT METHODOLOGY:*
   
              
 (Unconditional + Conditional Accepts)
(Unconditional Accepts only)   
              
 Q4’17Q1’18Q2’18Q3’18Q4’18Q4’17**Q1’18Q2’18Q3’18Q4’18**   
              
Aspen (Nursing + Other)9861,0251,2551,164N/A8348621,044972980   
              
Aspen (Doctoral)         116   
              
USU (FNP + Other)         177   
              
Total     8348621,0449721,273   
              
*Note that starting in March, 2018, Aspen University no longer admits students without official transcripts (formerly called conditional acceptances).  This change was made for operational efficiency reasons, as the starts and revenues earned from conditional acceptance enrollments did not warrant the conditional acceptance policy to be continued. Below is a table reflecting historical enrollments (includes unconditional and conditional acceptance enrollments) against the new methodology of unconditional acceptance enrollments only.   
**From a year-over-year perspective, Aspen University had 834 enrollments (removing conditionals from fiscal Q4’17), therefore the 1,096 enrollments in fiscal Q4’18 represents a y/o/y increase of 31%.   

Marketing Efficiency Ratio (MER) Analysis

AGI 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 advertising investment spent in a given six month period, divided by the number of new student enrollments achieved in that given six month period, in order to obtain an average CPE for the period measured.

Revenue per Enrollment (RPE)
The Revenue per Enrollment takes each quarterly cohort of new degree-seeking student enrollments, and measures the amount of earned revenue including tuition and fees to determine the average RPE for the cohort measured. For the later periods of a cohort, we have used reasonable projections based off of historical results to determine the amount of revenue we will earn in later periods of the cohort.

The current CPE/RPE Marketing Efficiency Ratio for our three current degree segments is reflected in the below table.

  Enrollments*** Cost-of-Enrollment LTV MER  
           
Aspen (Nursing + Other) 980 $1,124* $7,350 6.5X  
           
Aspen (Doctoral) 116 $2,159** $12,600 5.8X  
           
USU (FNP + Other)**** 177 $1,955** $17,820 9.1X  
           
*Based on a six-month rolling average          
**Based on only one full quarter of marketing spend, therefore six-month rolling average will be available next quarter  
***Note that starting in March, 2018, Aspen University no longer admits students without official transcripts (formerly called conditional acceptances).  Enrollments reported in the above table includes unconditional acceptance enrollments only.  
****Note that USU to date has capped the number of FNP enrollments to 75 every other month based on guidance from the California Board of Registered Nursing (CA BRN), therefore the cost-of-enrollment is artificially high relative to the potential enrollment demand. USU’s FNP program is undergoing the standard program review with the CA BRN in July, 2018 and should that limit be increased, the cost-of-enrollment is expected to decline thereafter.  

Please be advised that the two new reporting units, Aspen (Doctoral) and USU (FNP + Other), began marketing on the internet in recent months, consequently the new reporting units will have received an immaterial amount of organic/referral enrollments, so the cost-of-enrollment today is essentially a reflection of the average cost of delivering a ‘paid’ enrollment.  Aspen’s traditional business unit (Nursing + Other) today delivers over 20% of its enrollments from organic/referral sources, which is what drives down the average cost-of-enrollment in this traditional unit. Organic/referral enrollments of course will increase over time in these two new reporting units.

Aspen University’s Pre-Licensure BSN Hybrid (online/on-campus) Degree Program Update

Aspen University has just begun its first semester (July 10, 2018) for its previously announced pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program at its initial campus in Phoenix, AZ.

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 is admitting 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. Aspen is currently limited to a maximum of 30 students entering the two-year core nursing program each semester based on guidance provided by the Arizona State Board of Nursing.  This 30 student limitation per semester will remain in place until the first cohort of 30 students complete the NCLEX exam in mid-2020.

The semester that started on July 10, 2018 had 93 students enrolled, of which 29 entered with all pre-requisites completed, thereby entering the final two-year core nursing program. The remaining 64 students are enrolled in general education pre-requisite courses which must be completed before being admitted into the two-year core nursing program.

Additionally, 28 of the 64 general education students that started in July are anticipated to be ready to enter the two-year core nursing program for our upcoming semester starting on November 13, therefore we anticipate having a waitlist for our final two-year core nursing program for the remainder of the academic year (November and March semesters).  Because of the overwhelming demand for our nursing program in Phoenix, the Company is now assessing alternative approaches that would allow Aspen University to open a second campus in Phoenix in calendar year 2019.

Conference Call:

Aspen Group, Inc. will host a conference call to discuss its fiscal year 2018 fourth quarter (ending April 30, 2018) financial results and business outlook on Thursday, July 12, 2018, at 4:30 p.m. (ET).   The conference call can be accessed by dialing toll-free (844) 452-6823 (U.S.) or (731) 256-5216 (international), passcode 3395974. Subsequent to the call, a transcript of the audiocast will be available from the Company’s website at ir.aspen.edu. There will also be a 7 day dial-in replay which can be accessed by dialing toll-free (855) 859-2056 or (404) 537-3406 (international), passcode 3395974.

Non-GAAP – Financial Measures:

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

Our management uses and relies on Adjusted EBITDA and EBITDA, each of 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 comparisons.  Our management recognizes that the non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations because of the excluded items described below.

Aspen Group defines Adjusted EBITDA as earnings (or loss) from continuing operations before the items in the table below. Aspen Group excludes these expenses because they are non-cash or non-recurring in nature.

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

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

   For the Years Ended
   April 30,
   2018 2017
Net loss  $(7,061,060) $(1,105,260)
Interest expense   1,860,391  337,510
Depreciation & amortization   1,092,282  556,730
EBITDA (loss)   (4,008,387)  (211,020)
Program review settlement     323,090
Bad debt expense   535,366  44,320
Acquisition expenses   828,566  211,122
Warrant buy back expense     206,000
Non-recurring charges   764,253  732,971
Stock-based compensation   642,566  338,294
Adjusted EBITDA (Loss)  $(1,337,636) $1,644,777
        
   For the Quarters Ended
   April 30,
   2018 2017
Net loss  $(3,664,486) $(723,730)
Interest expense   1,504,701  161,848
Depreciation & amortization   460,314  133,948
EBITDA (Loss)   (1,599,471)  (427,934)
Program review settlement     298,090
Bad debt expense   317,222  70,000
Acquisition expenses     211,122
Non-recurring charges   186,147  230,537
Stock-based compensation   176,098  84,461
Adjusted EBITDA  $(1,020,004) $466,276
        

About Aspen Group, Inc.:

Aspen Group, Inc. is a publicly held, for-profit post-secondary education company headquartered in New York, NY.  It owns two accredited universities, Aspen University and United States University. Aspen Group’s vision is to make college affordable again in America.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including accelerating growth, expected decline in cost of enrollments, the projected revenue per enrollment, the increase in organic referrals and anticipated waitlist for the November semester. 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. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements are included in our filings with the SEC including our Form S-3 filed April 11, 2018, our Prospectus Supplement filed April 19, 2018 and our Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2018 which we expect to file July 13, 2018. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Company Contact:

Aspen Group, Inc.
Michael Mathews, CEO
914-906-9159

 
ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
    April 30, 
    2018  2017 
Assets          
           
Current assets:          
Cash   $14,612,559  $2,756,217 
Restricted cash    190,506    
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $468,174 and $328,864, respectively    6,802,723   4,434,862 
Prepaid expenses    199,406   133,531 
Promissory note receivable       900,000 
Other receivables    184,569   81,464 
Accrued interest receivable       8,000 
Total current assets    21,989,763   8,314,074 
           
Property and equipment:          
Call center equipment    140,509   53,748 
Computer and office equipment    230,810   103,649 
Furniture and fixtures    932,454   255,984 
Software    2,878,753   2,131,344 
     4,182,526   2,544,725 
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization    (1,320,360)  (1,090,010)
Total property and equipment, net    2,862,166   1,454,715 
Goodwill    5,011,432    
Intangible assets, net    9,641,667    
Courseware, net    138,159   145,477 
Accounts receivable, secured - net of allowance of $625,963, and $625,963, respectively    45,329   45,329 
Long term contractual receivable    1,315,050   657,542 
Other assets    584,966   56,417 
           
Total assets   $41,588,532  $10,673,554 
           
     April 30, 
    2018  2017 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity          
           
Current liabilities:          
Accounts payable   $2,227,214  $756,701 
Accrued expenses    658,854   262,911 
Deferred revenue    1,814,136   1,354,989 
Refunds due students    815,841   310,576 
Deferred rent, current portion    8,160   11,200 
Convertible notes payable, current portion    1,050,000   50,000 
Other current liabilities    203,371    
Total current liabilities    6,777,576   2,746,377 
           
Convertible note payable    1,000,000    
Warrant Liability       52,500 
Deferred rent    77,365   34,437 
Total liabilities    7,854,941   2,833,314 
           
Commitments and contingencies - See Note 11        
           
Stockholders’ equity :          
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized,
0 issued and outstanding at April 30, 2018 and 2017
        
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 250,000,000 shares authorized,          
18,333,521 issued and 18,316,854 outstanding at April 30, 2018          
13,504,012 issued and 13,487,345 outstanding at April 30, 2017    18,334   13,504 
Additional paid-in capital    66,557,005   33,607,423 
Treasury stock (16,667 shares)    (70,000)  (70,000)
Accumulated deficit    (32,771,748)  (25,710,687)
Total stockholders’ equity    33,733,591   7,840,240 
           
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $41,588,532   $10,673,554 
           


ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
  
  For the Year Ended 
  April 30, 
  2018  2017 
       
Revenues $22,021,512  $14,246,696 
         
Operating expenses        
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)  9,853,819   5,061,222 
General and administrative  16,328,580   9,087,740 
Program review settlement expense     323,090 
Depreciation and amortization  1,092,283   556,730 
Total operating expenses  27,274,682   15,028,782 
         
Operating loss from operations  (5,253,170)  (782,086)
         
Other income (expense):        
Other income  149,761   14,336 
Gain on extinguishment of warrant liability  52,500    
Interest expense  (2,010,152)  (337,510)
Total other expense, net  (1,807,891)  (323,174)
         
Loss from operations before income taxes  (7,061,061)  (1,105,260)
         
Income tax expense (benefit)      
         
Net loss $(7,061,061) $(1,105,260)
         
Net loss per share allocable to common stockholders - basic $(0.50) $(0.10)
         
Net loss per share allocable to common stockholders - diluted $(0.50) $(0.10)
         
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: basic  14,215,868   11,558,112 
         
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: diluted  14,215,868   11,558,112 
         


ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE YEAR ENDED APRIL 30, 2018
 
  
                 Total 
        Additional        Stockholders' 
  Common Stock  Paid-In  Treasury  Accumulated  Equity 
  Shares  Amount  Capital  Stock  Deficit    
Balance at April 30, 2016  11,246,512  $11,247  $26,477,162  $(70,000) $(24,605,427) $1,812,982 
                         
Attorney fees associated with Registration Statement        (4,017)        (4,017)
Shares issued for cash  2,000,000   2,000   7,498,000         7,500,000 
Fees associated with equity raise        (560,261)        (560,261)
Stock-based compensation        338,294         338,294 
Warrant buyback  208,333   208   (194,208)        (194,000)
Shares issued for services rendered  49,167   49   52,453         52,502 
Net loss, for the year ended April 30, 2017              (1,105,260)  (1,105,260)
Balance at April 30, 2017  13,504,012  $13,504  $33,607,423  $(70,000) $(25,710,687) $7,840,240 
                         
                         
Restricted stock issued for services  10,000   10   88,689         88,699 
Stock-based compensation        642,566         642,566 
Common stock issued for acquisition  1,203,209   1,203   10,214,041         10,215,244 
Common stock issued for cashless warrant exercise  171,962   172   (172)         
Common stock issued for warrants exercised for cash  87,775   88   246,292         246,380 
Common stock issued for stock options exercised for cash  136,563   137   475,688         475,825 
Common stock issued in equity raise  3,220,000   3,220   23,019,780         23,023,000 
Warrants issued with senior secured term loan        478,428         478,428 
Fees associated with equity raise        (2,215,730)        (2,215,730)
Net loss, for the year ended April 30, 2018              (7,061,061)  (7,061,061)
Balance at April 30, 2018  18,333,521  $18,334  $66,557,005  $(70,000) $(32,771,748) $33,733,591 
                         


ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
  
  For the Years ended 
  April 30, 
  2018  2017 
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net loss $(7,061,061) $(1,105,260)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:        
Bad debt expense  535,366   44,320 
Gain on extinguishment of warrant liability  (52,500)   
Depreciation and amortization  1,092,283   556,730 
Stock-based compensation  642,566   338,294 
Loss on asset disposition  27,590    
Amortization and write-off origination fees  829,794   112,500 
Amortization of prepaid shares for services  80,415   52,500 
Warrant buyback expense     206,000 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:        
Accounts receivable  (3,360,277)  (2,974,073)
Prepaid expenses  (13,593)  (10,474)
Accrued interest receivable  (45,400)  (8,000)
Other receivables  (103,105)  (64,263)
Other assets  (528,549)  (25,242)
Accounts payable  1,319,268   747,500 
Accrued expenses  280,697   85,937 
Deferred rent  22,079   14,123 
Refunds due students  505,265   199,693 
Deferred revenue  (1,953)  341,555 
Other liabilities  221,180    
   Net cash used in operating activities  (5,609,935)  (1,488,160)
         
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Increase in restricted cash  (190,506)   
Purchases of courseware  (48,388)  (8,800)
Purchases of property and equipment  (1,836,618)  (804,558)
Notes receivable  900,000   (900,000)
Cash paid in acquisition  (2,589,719)   
Proceeds from promissory note interest receivable  53,400    
   Net cash used in investing activities  (3,711,831)  (1,713,358)
         
Cash flows from financing activities:        
Proceeds from Equity offering  23,023,000   7,500,000 
Disbursements for equity offering costs  (2,215,730)  (560,261)
Repayment of convertible note payable - related party     (300,000)
Repayment of loan payable - officer - related party     (1,000,000)
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     2,150,000 
Payments of third party line of credit     (2,150,000)
Third party line of credit financing costs     (60,000)
Disbursements for registration statement     (4,017)
Proceeds of warrant and stock option exercises  722,204    
Offering costs paid on debt financing  (351,366)   
Payment of senior secured term loan  (7,500,000)   
Proceeds from senior secured loan  7,500,000    
   Net cash provided by financing activities  21,178,108   5,173,939 
         

(Continued)

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
 
  
  For the Years ended 
  April 30, 
  2018  2017 
Net increase in cash  11,856,342   1,972,421 
         
Cash at beginning of year  2,756,217   783,796 
         
Cash at end of year $14,612,559  $2,756,217 
         
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:        
Cash paid for interest $540,341  $297,151 
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 $88,700  $52,502 
Warrant derivative liability $  $52,500 
         

 


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