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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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Form 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2018

or

 

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

 

For the transition period from _____ to _____

 

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Commission File Number 000-51371

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LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(973) 736-9340

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒  No ☐

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 ☒  No ☐

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

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐  No ☒

 

As of May 11, 2018, there were 24,681,180 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

 

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LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2018

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

Financial Statements

LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

		March 31, 2018				December 31, 2017
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	4,863			$	14,563
Restricted cash			8,490				7,189
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $12,826 and $12,806 at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively			19,643				15,791
Inventories			1,910				1,657
Prepaid income taxes and income taxes receivable			140				207
Assets held for sale			-				2,959
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			2,809				2,352
Total current assets			37,855				44,718
PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES - At cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $169,430 and $163,946 at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively			54,017				52,866
OTHER ASSETS:
Noncurrent restricted cash			-				32,802
Noncurrent receivables, less allowance of $901 and $978 at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively			9,088				8,928
Deferred income taxes, net			424				424
Goodwill			14,536				14,536
Other assets, net			951				939
Total other assets			24,999				57,629
TOTAL		$	116,871			$	155,213

 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share amounts)

(Unaudited)

(Continued)

 

		March 31, 2018				December 31, 2017
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Unearned tuition		$	20,890			$	24,647
Accounts payable			13,386				10,508
Accrued expenses			11,713				11,771
Other short-term liabilities			512				558
Total current liabilities			46,501				47,484
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
Long-term credit agreement and term loan			22,300				52,593
Pension plan liabilities			4,408				4,437
Accrued rent			4,025				4,338
Other long-term liabilities			418				548
Total liabilities			77,652				109,400
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Preferred stock, no par value - 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017			-				-
Common stock, no par value - authorized: 100,000,000 shares at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017; issued and outstanding: 30,570,099 shares at March 31, 2018 and 30,624,407 shares at December 31, 2017			141,377				141,377
Additional paid-in capital			29,452				29,334
Treasury stock at cost - 5,910,541 shares at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017			(82,860	)			(82,860	)
Accumulated deficit			(44,402	)			(37,528	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			(4,348	)			(4,510	)
Total stockholders’ equity			39,219				45,813
TOTAL		$	116,871			$	155,213

 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands, except share amounts)

(Unaudited)

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

(Continued)

 

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2018 AND 2017

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts and unless otherwise stated)

(Unaudited)

1.	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business Activities— Lincoln Educational Services Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”, “we”, “our” and “us”, as applicable) provide diversified career-oriented post-secondary education to recent high school graduates and working adults.  The Company, which currently operates 23 schools in 14 states, offers programs in automotive technology, skilled trades (which among other programs include HVAC, welding and computerized numerical control and electronic systems technology), healthcare services (which among other programs include nursing, dental assistant, medical administrative assistant and pharmacy technician), hospitality services (which include culinary, therapeutic massage, cosmetology and aesthetics) and business and information technology (which includes information technology and criminal justice programs).  The schools operate under Lincoln Technical Institute, Lincoln College of Technology, Lincoln College of New England, Lincoln Culinary Institute, and Euphoria Institute of Beauty Arts and Sciences and associated brand names.  Most of the campuses serve major metropolitan markets and each typically offers courses in multiple areas of study.  Five of the campuses are destination schools, which attract students from across the United States and, in some cases, from abroad. The Company’s other campuses primarily attract students from their local communities and surrounding areas.  All of the campuses are nationally or regionally accredited and are eligible to participate in federal financial aid programs offered by the U.S. Department of Education (the “DOE”) and applicable state education agencies which allow students to apply for and access federal student loans as well as other forms of financial aid.

We operate in three reportable business segments:  (a) Transportation and Skilled Trades segment, (b) Healthcare and Other Professions (“HOPS”) segment, and (c) Transitional segment which refers to schools that have been or are currently being taught out.  In November 2015, the Board of Directors approved a plan for the Company to divest the schools included in the HOPS segment due to a strategic shift in the Company’s business strategy.  The Company underwent an exhaustive process to divest the HOPS schools which proved successful in attracting various purchasers but, ultimately, did not result in a transaction that our Board believed would enhance shareholder value. When the decision was first made by the Board of Directors to divest HOPS, 18 campuses were operating in this segment.  By the end of 2017, we had closed seven underperforming campuses leaving a total of eleven campuses remaining under the HOPS segment.   The Company believes that the closures of the aforementioned campuses have positioned the HOPS segment and the Company to be more profitable going forward as well as maximizing returns for the Company’s shareholders.

The combination of several factors, including, among other things, the inability of a prospective buyer of the HOPS segment to close on the purchase, the improvements the Company has implemented in the HOPS segment operations and the closure of seven underperforming campuses, resulted in the Board reevaluating its divestiture plan and the determination that shareholder value would more likely be enhanced by continuing to operate our HOPS segment as revitalized.  Consequently, the Board of Directors has abandoned the plan to divest the HOPS segment and the Company intends to retain and continue to operate the remaining campuses in the HOPS segment.  The results of operations of the campuses included in the HOPS segment are reflected as continuing operations in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

In 2016, the Company completed the teach-out of its Hartford, Connecticut; Fern Park, Florida and Henderson (Green Valley), Nevada campuses, which originally operated in the HOPS segment.  In 2017, the Company completed the teach-out of its Northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Center City Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; West Palm Beach, Florida; Brockton, Massachusetts; and Lowell, Massachusetts schools, which also were originally in the HOPS segment and all of which were taught out and closed by December 2017 and are included in the Transitional segment as of December 31, 2017.

On August 14, 2017, New England Institute of Technology at Palm Beach, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, consummated the sale of the real property located at 2400 and 2410 Metrocentre Boulevard East, West Palm Beach, Florida, including the improvements and other personal property located thereon (the “West Palm Beach Property”) to Tambone Companies, LLC, pursuant to a previously disclosed purchase and sale agreement entered into on March 14, 2017. Pursuant to the terms of the sale agreement, as subsequently amended, the purchase price for the West Palm Beach Property was $15.8 million. As a result, the Company recorded a gain on the sale in the amount of $1.5 million. As previously disclosed, the West Palm Beach Property served as collateral for a short term loan in the principal amount of $8.0 million obtained by the Company from its lender, Sterling National Bank, on April 28, 2017, which loan matured upon the earlier of the sale of the West Palm Beach Property or October 1, 2017. Accordingly, on August 14, 2017, concurrently with the consummation of the sale of the West Palm Beach Property, the Company repaid the term loan in an aggregate amount of $8.0 million, consisting of principal and accrued interest.

 

Liquidity—For the last several years, the Company and the proprietary school sector have faced deteriorating earnings. Government regulations have negatively impacted earnings by making it more difficult for potential students to obtain loans, which, when coupled with the overall economic environment, have discouraged potential students from enrolling in post-secondary schools. In light of these factors, the Company has incurred significant operating losses as a result of lower student population.  Despite these challenges, the Company believes that its likely sources of cash should be sufficient to fund operations for the next twelve months and thereafter for the foreseeable future.  At March 31, 2018, the Company’s sources of cash primarily included cash and cash equivalents of $13.4 million (of which $8.5 million is restricted) and $1.9 million of availability under the Company’s revolving loan facility discussed below. Refer to Note 5 for more information on the Company’s revolving loan facility.  The Company is also continuing to take actions to improve cash flow by aligning its cost structure to its student population.

Basis of Presentation – The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial statements.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements have been omitted or condensed pursuant to such regulations.  These statements, which should be read in conjunction with the December 31, 2017 consolidated financial statements and related disclosures of the Company included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments and impairments necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for such periods.  The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year ending December 31, 2018.

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

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period.  On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates the estimates and assumptions including those related to revenue recognition, bad debts, impairments, fixed assets, income taxes, benefit plans and certain accruals.  Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements – The Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) has issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-09, “Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718) — Scope of Modification Accounting.” ASU 2017-09 applies to entities that change the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. The FASB adopted ASU 2017-09 to provide clarity and reduce diversity in practice as well as cost and complexity when applying the guidance in Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation, to the modification of the terms and conditions of a share-based payment award. The amendments provide guidance on determining which changes to the terms and conditions of share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting under Topic 718. ASU 2017-09 is effective for all entities for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period, for public business entities for reporting periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued. The adoption of ASU 2017-09 had no impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, “Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220)”. The updated guidance allows entities to reclassify stranded income tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings in their consolidated financial statements. Under the Tax Act, deferred taxes were adjusted to reflect the reduction of the historical corporate income tax rate to the newly enacted corporate income tax rate, which left the tax effects on items within accumulated other comprehensive income stranded at an inappropriate tax rate. The updated guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted in any interim period and should be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period (or periods) in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Tax Act is recognized. The Company is in the process of assessing the impact this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18: “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash.” This guidance was issued to address the disparity that exists in the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash on the statement of cash flows. The amendments will require that the statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash. The amendments are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We adopted the new standard effective January 1, 2018.  The amendments were applied using a retrospective transition method to each period presented. The Company includes in its cash and cash-equivalent balances in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows those amounts that have been classified as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents for each of the periods presented.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments” to address eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. The amendments are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We adopted the new standard effective January 1, 2018.  The adoption of ASU 2016-15 had no impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard, ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.”  The amendments include ASU 2016-08, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)—Principal versus Agent Considerations,” issued in March 2016, which clarifies the implementation guidance for principal versus agent considerations in ASU 2014-09, and ASU 2016-10, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)—Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing,” issued in April 2016, which amends the guidance in ASU No. 2014-09 related to identifying performance obligations.  The new standard, which supersedes previously existing revenue recognition guidance, creates a five-step model for revenue recognition requiring companies to exercise judgment when considering contract terms and relevant facts and circumstances. The five-step model requires (1) identifying the contract, (2) identifying the separate performance obligations in the contract, (3) determining the transaction price, (4) allocating the transaction price to the separate performance obligations and (5) recognizing revenue at the time that each performance obligation is satisfied. The standard also requires expanded disclosures surrounding revenue recognition. The standard is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and allows for either full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption.

We adopted the new standard effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach.  The Company’s revenue streams primarily consist of tuition and related services provided to students over the course of the program as well as other transactional revenue such as tools.  Based on the Company’s assessment, the analysis of the contract portfolio under ASU 2016-10 results in the revenue for the majority of the Company’s student contracts being recognized over time which is consistent with the Company’s previous revenue recognition model. For all student contracts, there is continuous transfer of control to the student and the number of performance obligations under ASU 2016-10 is consistent with those identified under the existing standard. The Company determined the impact of the adoption of the new standard on revenue recognition for student contracts to be immaterial on its condensed consolidated financial statements and disclosures. See additional information in Note 3.

In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance requiring lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for substantially all leases, with the exception of short-term leases. Leases will be classified as either financing or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the statements of income. The guidance is effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those periods, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact that the update will have on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Stock-Based Compensation – The Company measures the value of stock options on the grant date at fair value, using the Black-Scholes option valuation model.  The Company amortizes the fair value of stock options, net of estimated forfeitures, utilizing straight-line amortization of compensation expense over the requisite service period of the grant.

The Company measures the value of service and performance-based restricted stock on the fair value of a share of common stock on the date of the grant. The Company amortizes the fair value of service-based restricted stock utilizing straight-line amortization of compensation expense over the requisite service period of the grant.

The Company amortizes the fair value of the performance-based restricted stock based on the determination of the probable outcome of the performance condition.  If the performance condition is expected to be met, then the Company amortizes the fair value of the number of shares expected to vest utilizing straight-line basis over the requisite performance period of the grant.  However, if the associated performance condition is not expected to be met, then the Company does not recognize the stock-based compensation expense.

 

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

 

In accordance with ASC 740, the Company assesses our deferred tax asset to determine whether all or any portion of the asset is more likely than not unrealizable.  A valuation allowance is required to be established or maintained when, based on currently available information, it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. In accordance with ASC 740, our assessment considers whether there has been sufficient income in recent years and whether sufficient income is expected in future years in order to utilize the deferred tax asset. In evaluating the realizability of deferred income tax assets, the Company considered, among other things, historical levels of income, expected future income, the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary reporting differences, and the expected impact of tax planning strategies that may be implemented to prevent the potential loss of future income tax benefits. Significant judgment is required in determining the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our consolidated financial statements and/or tax returns.  Differences between anticipated and actual outcomes of these future tax consequences could have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.  Changes in, among other things, income tax legislation, statutory income tax rates, or future income levels could materially impact the Company’s valuation of income tax assets and liabilities and could cause our income tax provision to vary significantly among financial reporting periods.  See information regarding the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in Note 7.

 

The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.  During the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company did not recognize any interest and penalties expense associated with uncertain tax positions.

 

2.	WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES

The weighted average number of common shares used to compute basic and diluted loss per share for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was as follows:

For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, options to acquire 127,973 and 631,927 shares were excluded from the above table because the Company reported a net loss for each period and, therefore, their impact on reported loss per share would have been antidilutive.  For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, options to acquire 147,667 and 180,667 shares, respectively, were excluded from the above table because they have an exercise price that is greater than the average market price of the Company’s common stock and, therefore, their impact on reported loss per share would have been antidilutive.

3.	REVENUE RECOGNITION

Prior to adoption of ASU 2014-09

Revenues are derived primarily from programs taught at our schools.  Tuition revenues, textbook sales and one-time fees, such as nonrefundable application fees and course material fees, are recognized on a straight-line basis over the length of the applicable program as the student proceeds through the program, which is the period of time from a student’s start date through his or her graduation date (including internships or externships, if any, occurring prior to graduation) as we complete the performance of teaching the student entitling us to the revenue.  Other revenues, such as tool sales and contract training revenues are recognized as goods are delivered or training completed. On an individual student basis, tuition earned in excess of cash received is recorded as accounts receivable, and cash received in excess of tuition earned is recorded as unearned tuition.

 

We evaluate whether collectability of revenue is reasonably assured prior to the student commencing a program by attending class and reassess collectability of tuition and fees when a student withdraws from a course.  We calculate the amount to be returned under Title IV and its stated refund policy to determine eligible charges and, if there is a balance due from the student after this calculation, we expect payment from the student.  We have a process to pursue uncollected accounts whereby, based upon the student’s financial means and ability to pay, a payment plan is established with the student to ensure that collectability is reasonable.  We continuously monitor our historical collections to identify potential trends that may impact our determination that collectability of receivables for withdrawn students is realizable.  If a student withdraws from a program prior to a specified date, any paid but unearned tuition is refunded. Refunds are calculated and paid in accordance with federal, state and accrediting agency standards. Generally, the amount to be refunded to a student is calculated based upon the period of time the student has attended classes and the amount of tuition and fees paid by the student as of his or her withdrawal date. These refunds typically reduce deferred tuition revenue and cash on our condensed consolidated balance sheets as we generally do not recognize tuition revenue in our condensed consolidated statements of income (loss) until the related refund provisions have lapsed. Based on the application of our refund policies, we may be entitled to incremental revenue on the day the student withdraws from one of our schools. We record revenue for students who withdraw from one of our schools when payment is received because collectability on an individual student basis is not reasonably assured.

After adoption of ASU 2014-09

The following table depicts the timing of revenue recognition:

4.	GOODWILL AND LONG-LIVED ASSETS

The Company reviews long-lived assets for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable.  There were no long-lived asset impairments during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.

The Company reviews goodwill and intangible assets for impairment when indicators of impairment exist.  Annually, or more frequently if necessary, the Company evaluates goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives for impairment, with any resulting impairment reflected as an operating expense.  The Company concluded that, as of March 31, 2018 and 2017, there was no indicator of potential impairment and, accordingly, the Company did not test goodwill for impairment.

The carrying amount of goodwill at March 31, 2018 and 2017 is as follows:

As of March 31, 2018 and 2017, the goodwill balance is related to the Transportation and Skilled Trades segment.

 

Intangible assets, which are included in other assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets, consist of the following:

Amortization of intangible assets was less than $0.1 million for each of the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017.

The following table summarizes the estimated future amortization expense:

5.	LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt consist of the following:

On March 31, 2017, the Company entered into a secured revolving credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Sterling National Bank (the “Bank”) pursuant to which the Company obtained a credit facility in the aggregate principal amount of up to $55 million (the “Credit Facility”).  Subsequently, as a result of a November 29, 2017 amendment of the Credit Facility, aggregate availability under the Credit Facility has increased to $65 million, consisting of (a) a $25 million revolving loan facility (“Facility 1”),  (b) a $25 million revolving loan facility (“Facility 2”), which includes a sublimit amount for letters of credit of $10 million, and (c) a $15 million revolving credit loan (“Facility 3”).  The Credit Agreement was again amended on February 23, 2018, to, among other things, effect certain modifications to the financial covenants and other provisions of the Credit Agreement and to allow the Company to pursue the sale of certain real property assets. The February 23, 2018 amendment increased the interest rate for borrowings under Facility 1 to a rate per annum equal to the greater of (x) the Bank’s prime rate plus 2.85% and (y) 6.00%. Prior to the most recent amendment of the Credit Agreement, revolving loans outstanding under Facility 1 bore interest at a rate per annum equal to the greater of (x) the Bank’s prime rate plus 2.50% and (y) 6.00%.  Revolving loans under Facility 2 and Facility 3 bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the greater of (x) the Bank’s prime rate and (y) 3.50%.

 

The Credit Facility replaces a term loan facility (the “Prior Credit Facility”) which was repaid and terminated concurrently with the effectiveness of the Credit Facility.  The term of the Credit Facility is 38 months, maturing on May 31, 2020, except that the Facility 3 will mature one year earlier, on May 31, 2019.

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

At the closing of the Credit Facility, the Company drew $25 million under Tranche A, which, pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, was used to repay the Prior Credit Facility and to pay transaction costs associated with closing the Credit Facility.  After the disbursements of such amounts, the Company retained approximately $1.8 million of the borrowed amount for working capital purposes.

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, all draws under Facility 2 for letters of credit or revolving loans and all draws under Facility 3 must be secured by cash collateral in an amount equal to 100% of the aggregate stated amount of the letters of credit issued and revolving loans outstanding through draws from Facility 1 or other available cash of the Company.

Each issuance of a letter of credit under Facility 2 will require the payment of a letter of credit fee to the Bank equal to a rate per annum of 1.75% on the daily amount available to be drawn under the letter of credit, which fee shall be payable in quarterly installments in arrears.  Letters of credit totaling $6.2 million that were outstanding under a $9.5 million letter of credit facility previously provided to the Company by the Bank, which letter of credit facility was set to mature on April 1, 2017, are treated as letters of credit under Facility 2.

The terms of the Credit Agreement provide that the Bank be paid an unused facility fee on the average daily unused balance of Facility 1 at a rate per annum equal to 0.50%, which fee is payable quarterly in arrears.  In addition, the Company is required to maintain, on deposit in one or more non-interest bearing accounts, a minimum of $5 million in quarterly average aggregate balances.  If in any quarter the required average aggregate account balance is not maintained, the Company is required to pay the Bank a fee of $12,500 for that quarter and, in the event that the Company terminates the Credit Facility or refinances with another lender within 18 months of closing, the Company is required to pay the Bank a breakage fee of $500,000.

The Company incurred an early termination premium of approximately $1.8 million in connection with the termination of the Prior Credit Facility.

On April 28, 2017, the Company entered into an additional secured credit agreement with the Bank, pursuant to which the Company obtained a short term loan in the principal amount of $8 million, the proceeds of which were used for working capital and general corporate purposes.  The loan, which had an interest rate equal to the greater of (x) the Bank’s prime rate plus 2.50% and (y) 6.00%, was secured by two real property assets located in West Palm Beach, Florida at which schools operated by the Company were located and matured upon the earlier of October 1, 2017 and the date of the sale of the West Palm Beach, Florida property.  The Company sold the two properties located in West Palm Beach, Florida to Tambone Companies, LLC in the third quarter of 2017 and repaid the $8 million using the proceeds of such sale.

 

As of March 31, 2018, the Company had $23.1 million outstanding under the Credit Facility; offset by $0.8 million of deferred finance fees.  As of December 31, 2017, the Company had $53.4 million outstanding under the Credit Facility; offset by $0.8 million of deferred finance fees.  As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, there were letters of credit in the aggregate outstanding principal amount of $8.5 million and $7.2 million, respectively.  During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company repaid all outstanding amounts as of December 31, 2017 on Facility 2 of $17.8 million and Facility 3 of $15 million.

Scheduled maturities of long-term debt at March 31, 2018 are as follows:

6.	STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Restricted Stock

The Company has two stock incentive plans:  a Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”) and a Non-Employee Directors Restricted Stock Plan (the “Non-Employee Directors Plan”).

Under the LTIP, certain employees receive awards of restricted shares of common stock based on service and performance.  The number of shares granted to each employee is based on the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of grant.

On February 23, 2018, restricted shares were granted to certain employees of the Company, which shares vested immediately.  There is no restriction on the right to vote or the right to receive dividends with respect to any of such restricted shares, however, the recipient can only sell or other transfer the shares after the expiration of specified period of time from 120 to 240 days following the date of grant.

On May 13, 2016 and January 16, 2017, performance-based restricted shares were granted to certain employees of the Company, which vest on March 15, 2017 and March 15, 2018 based upon the attainment of a financial metric during each fiscal year ending December 31, 2016 and 2017.  These shares vested as of March 31, 2018 and are held without restriction.

On June 2, 2014 and December 18, 2014, performance-based restricted shares were granted to certain employees of the Company, which vest over three years based upon the attainment of (i) a specified operating income margin during any one or more of the fiscal years in the period beginning January 1, 2015 and ending December 31, 2017 and (ii) the attainment of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization targets during each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 through 2017.  There is no restriction on the right to vote or the right to receive dividends with respect to any of these restricted shares.

Pursuant to the Non-Employee Directors Plan, each non-employee director of the Company receives an annual award of restricted shares of common stock on the date of the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders.  The number of shares granted to each non-employee director is based on the fair market value of a share of common stock on that date.  The restricted shares vest on the first anniversary of the grant date.  There is no restriction on the right to vote or the right to receive dividends with respect to any of such restricted shares.

For the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company completed a net share settlement for 168,254 and 184,231 restricted shares, respectively, on behalf of certain employees that participate in the LTIP upon the vesting of the restricted shares pursuant to the terms of the LTIP.  The net share settlement was in connection with income taxes incurred on restricted shares that vested and were transferred to the employees during 2018 and/or 2017, creating taxable income for the employees.   At the employees’ request, the Company will pay these taxes on behalf of the employees in exchange for the employees returning an equivalent value of restricted shares to the Company.  These transactions resulted in a decrease of $0.3 million and $0.4 million for each of the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, to equity on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as the cash payment of the taxes effectively was a repurchase of the restricted shares granted in previous years.

 

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

The restricted stock expense for each of the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was $0.4 million.  The unrecognized restricted stock expense as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 was $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively.  As of March 31, 2018, outstanding restricted shares under the LTIP had aggregate intrinsic value of $0.3 million.

Stock Options

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

As of March 31, 2018, there was no unrecognized pre-tax compensation expense.

The following table presents a summary of stock options outstanding:

 

7.	INCOME TAXES

The Company assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to recover the existing deferred tax assets.  In this regard, a significant objective negative evidence was the cumulative losses incurred by the Company in recent years.  On the basis of this evaluation, the realization of the Company’s deferred tax assets was not deemed to be more likely than not and, thus, the Company maintained a full valuation allowance on its net deferred tax assets as of March 31, 2018.

 

As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company had not completed its accounting for the tax effects of enactment of the Tax Act; however, the Company has made a reasonable estimate of the effects of the Tax Act’s change in the federal rate and revalued its deferred tax assets based on the rates at which they are expected to reverse in the future, which is generally the new 21% federal corporate tax rate plus applicable state tax rate. Based on the Company’s initial analysis of the impact, it consequently recorded a decrease related to deferred tax assets of $17.7 million as of December 31, 2017. The expense is offset with a corresponding release of valuation allowance.  As of March 31, 2018, the Company is continuing to gather additional information to complete its accounting for these items and expect to complete its accounting within the prescribed measurement period.

 

8.	CONTINGENCIES

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

 

9.

SEGMENTS

The for-profit education industry has been impacted by numerous regulatory changes, the changing economy and an onslaught of negative media attention. As a result of these challenges, student populations have declined and operating costs have increased.  Over the past few years, the Company has closed over ten locations and exited its online business.  In 2016, the Company ceased operations in Hartford, Connecticut; Fern Park, Florida; and Henderson (Green Valley), Nevada. In 2017, the Company completed the teach-outs of its Center City Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; West Palm Beach, Florida; Brockton, Massachusetts and Lowell, Massachusetts schools.  All of these schools were previously included in our HOPS segment and are included in the Transitional segment as of December 31, 2017.

In the past, we offered any combination of programs at any campus.  We have shifted our focus to program offerings that create greater differentiation among campuses and promote attainment of excellence to attract more students and gain market share.  Also, strategically, we began offering continuing education training to select employers who hire our graduates and this is best achieved at campuses focused on the applicable profession.

As a result of the regulatory environment, market forces and our strategic decisions, we now operate our business in three reportable segments: (a) the Transportation and Skilled Trades segment; (b) the Healthcare and Other Professions segment; and (c) the Transitional segment.

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

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

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

The Company continually evaluates each campus for profitability, earning potential, and customer satisfaction.  This evaluation takes several factors into consideration, including the campus’s geographic location and program offerings, as well as skillsets required of our students by their potential employers.  The purpose of this evaluation is to ensure that our programs provide our students with the best possible opportunity to succeed in the marketplace with the goals of attracting more students to our programs and, ultimately, to provide our shareholders with the maximum return on their investment.  Campuses in the Transitional segment have been subject to this process and have been strategically identified for closure.

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

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, March 31, 2017 and at December 31, 2017, the Company reclassified its Marietta, Georgia campus from the HOPS segment to the Transportation and Skilled Trades segment.  This reclassification occurred to address how the Company evaluates performance and allocates resources and was approved by the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

Summary financial information by reporting segment is as follows:

10.	FAIR VALUE

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

We estimate fair value of Facility 1 of the Credit Facility based on a present value analysis utilizing aggregated market yields obtained from independent pricing sources for similar financial instruments.

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

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

 

11.	RELATED PARTY

The Company has an agreement with MATCO Tools whereby MATCO provides the Company, on an advance commission basis, credits in MATCO branded tools, tool storage, equipment, and diagnostics products. The chief executive officer of the parent Company of MATCO is considered an immediate family member of one of the Company’s board members.  The amount of the Company’s purchases from this third party was $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018. Management believes that its agreement with MATCO is an arm’s length transaction and on similar terms as would have been obtained from unaffiliated third parties.

12.	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Item 2.

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion may contain forward-looking statements regarding the Company, our business, prospects and our results of operations that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties posed by many factors and events that could cause our actual business, prospects and results of operations to differ materially from those that may be anticipated by such forward-looking statements.  Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those described in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and in our other filings with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report.  We undertake no obligation to revise any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may subsequently arise.  Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us in this report and in our other reports filed with the SEC that advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business.

The interim financial statements and related notes thereto filed in this Form 10-Q and the discussions contained herein should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements and notes included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, as filed with the SEC, which includes audited consolidated financial statements for our three fiscal years ended December 31, 2017.

General

Lincoln Educational Services Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”, “we”, “our” and “us”, as applicable) provide diversified career-oriented post-secondary education to recent high school graduates and working adults.  The Company, which currently operates 23 schools in 14 states, offers programs in automotive technology, skilled trades (which among other programs include HVAC, welding and computerized numerical control and electronic systems technology), healthcare services (which among other programs include nursing, dental assistant, medical administrative assistant and pharmacy technician), hospitality services (which include culinary, therapeutic massage, cosmetology and aesthetics) and business and information technology (which includes information technology and criminal justice programs).  The schools operate under Lincoln Technical Institute, Lincoln College of Technology, Lincoln College of New England, Lincoln Culinary Institute, and Euphoria Institute of Beauty Arts and Sciences and associated brand names.  Most of the campuses serve major metropolitan markets and each typically offers courses in multiple areas of study.  Five of the campuses are destination schools, which attract students from across the United States and, in some cases, from abroad. The Company’s other campuses primarily attract students from their local communities and surrounding areas.  All of the campuses are nationally or regionally accredited and are eligible to participate in federal financial aid programs by the U.S. Department of Education (the “DOE”) and applicable state education agencies and accrediting commissions which allow students to apply for and access federal student loans as well as other forms of financial aid.

Our business is organized into three reportable business segments:  (a) Transportation and Skilled Trades segment, (b) Healthcare and Other Professions (“HOPS”) segment, and (c) Transitional segment, which refers to schools that have been or are currently being taught out.  In November 2015, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a plan for the Company to divest the 18 campuses then comprising the HOPS segment due to a strategic shift in the Company’s business strategy.  The Company underwent an exhaustive process to divest the HOPS schools which proved successful in attracting various purchasers but, ultimately, did not result in a transaction that our Board believed would enhance shareholder value. By the end of 2017, we had closed seven underperforming campuses leaving a total of 11 campuses remaining under the HOPS segment.   The Company believes that the closures of the aforementioned campuses have positioned the HOPS segment and the Company to be more profitable going forward as well as maximizing returns for the Company’s shareholders.

The combination of several factors, including the inability of a prospective buyer of the HOPS segment to close on the purchase, the improvements the Company has implemented in the HOPS segment operations and the closure of seven underperforming campuses, resulted in the Board reevaluating its divestiture plan and the determination that shareholder value would more likely be enhanced by continuing to operate our HOPS segment as revitalized.  Consequently, the Board of Directors has abandoned the plan to divest the HOPS segment and the Company now intends to retain and continue to operate the remaining campuses in the HOPS segment.  The results of operations of the campuses included in the HOPS segment are reflected as continuing operations in the consolidated financial statements.

In 2016, the Company completed the teach-out of its Hartford, Connecticut, Fern Park, Florida and Henderson (Green Valley), Nevada campuses, which originally operated in the HOPS segment.  In 2017, the Company completed the teach-out of its Northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Center City Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; West Palm Beach, Florida; Brockton, Massachusetts; and Lowell, Massachusetts schools, which also were originally in our HOPS segment and all of which were taught out and closed by December 2017 and are included in the Transitional segment as of December 31, 2017.

 

On August 14, 2017, New England Institute of Technology at Palm Beach, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, consummated the sale of the real property located at 2400 and 2410 Metrocentre Boulevard East, West Palm Beach, Florida, including the improvements and other personal property located thereon (the “West Palm Beach Property”) to Tambone Companies, LLC, pursuant to a previously disclosed purchase and sale agreement entered into on March 14, 2017. Pursuant to the terms of the sale agreement, as subsequently amended, the purchase price for the West Palm Beach Property was $15.8 million. As a result, the Company recorded a gain on the sale in the amount of $1.5 million. As previously disclosed, the West Palm Beach Property served as collateral for a short term loan in the principal amount of $8.0 million obtained by the Company from its lender, Sterling National Bank, on April 28, 2017, which loan matured upon the earlier of the sale of the West Palm Beach Property or October 1, 2017. Accordingly, on August 14, 2017, concurrently with the consummation of the sale of the West Palm Beach Property, the Company repaid the term loan in an aggregate amount of $8.0 million, consisting of principal and accrued interest.

 

On March 31, 2017, the Company entered into a new revolving credit facility described below with Sterling National Bank in the aggregate principal amount of up to $55 million.  Subsequently, as a result of a November 29, 2017 amendment of the credit facility, aggregate availability under the Credit Facility has increased to $65 million, consisting of (a) a $25 million revolving loan (“Facility1”), (b) a $25 million revolving loan facility (“Facility 2”), which includes a sublimit amount for letters of credit of $10 million, and (c) a $15 million revolving credit loan (“Facility 3”).  The credit facility was again amended on February 23, 2018, to, among other things, effect certain modifications to the financial covenants and other provisions of the credit facility and to allow the Company to pursue the sale of certain real property assets.  The new credit facility requires that revolving loans in excess of $25 million and all letters of credit issued thereunder be cash collateralized dollar for dollar.  The new revolving credit facility replaces a term loan facility which was repaid and terminated concurrently with the effectiveness of the new revolving credit facility.  The final maturity date for the new revolving credit facility is May 31, 2020 except for Facility 3 which matures on May 31, 2019.  The new revolving credit facility is discussed in further detail under the heading “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below and in Note 5 to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

For a description of our critical accounting policies and estimates, refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” and Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. For Revenue Recognition refer to Note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements contained herein.

Effect of Inflation

Inflation has not had a material effect on our operations.

 

Results of Continuing Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018

The following table sets forth selected consolidated statements of continuing operations data as a percentage of revenues for each of the periods indicated:

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2017

Consolidated Results of Operations

Revenue.   Revenue decreased by $3.4 million, or 5.2%, to $61.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 from $65.3 million in the prior year comparable period.  The decrease was all attributed to the Transitional segment, which did not have any revenue for the quarter compared to $4.3 million in the prior comparable quarter.  As of March 31, 2018, for the first time in several years, we did not have any closing campus operations, which would otherwise have been reported under the Transitional segment.  Excluding the Transitional segment from the prior year, revenue would have increased by $0.9 million, or 1.5% for the first quarter of 2018 compared to 2017.

Total student starts decreased slightly by 2.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to the prior year comparable period.  Excluding the Transitional segment, which includes closed campuses, student starts increased by 2.2% quarter over quarter.

For a general discussion of trends in our student enrollment, see “Seasonality and Outlook” below.

Educational services and facilities expense.   Our educational services and facilities expense decreased by $2.2 million, or 6.8%, to $30.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 from $32.7 million in the prior year comparable period.  The expense reductions were a combination of a $2.7 million decrease relating to the Transitional segment, partially offset by (a) increased facilities expense of $0.3 million mainly as a result of higher winter related common area maintenance charges and utilities expense; and (b) higher books and tools expense of $0.3 million related to laptops issued to new student starts for a growing number of program offerings.  Educational services and facilities expenses, as a percentage of revenue, decreased to 49.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 from 50.1% in the prior year comparable period.

Selling, general and administrative expense.  Our selling general and administrative expense decreased by $0.8 million, or 2.1%, to $37.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 from $38.3 million in the prior year comparable period.  The cost reductions were a combination of a $2.1 million decrease related to the Transitional segment, offset by (a) higher marketing expense of $1.1 million directed at impacting future start growth; and (b) higher administrative expenses of $0.5 million mainly due to bad debt expense stemming from higher accounts receivable balance reserves particularly in the active and graduate group of students.  Selling general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of revenue, increased to 60.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 from 58.7% in the prior year comparable period.  

As of March 31, 2018, we had total outstanding loan commitments to our students of $52.6 million, as compared to $51.9 million at December 31, 2017.  The increase was due to the timing of students packaged with institutional loans in combination with the seasonality of the business.

 

Loss on sale of fixed assets.    Loss on sale of assets increased by $0.1 million primarily as a result of a non-cash charge in relation to one of our campuses that was previously classified as held for sale in 2017.  During 2018 the Company re-classed this campus out of held for sale and booked catch-up depreciation in the amount of $0.1 million.

Net interest expense.   Net interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 decreased by $4.6 million, or 89.1% to $0.6 million from $5.2 million in the prior year comparable period.  The decrease was primarily the result of the termination of our previous term loan and the related fees and expenses associated with that early termination, which occurred on March 31, 2017.  As a result of this strategic decision, the Company anticipates savings of approximately $3 million annually.

Income taxes.    Our provision for income taxes was $0.1 million, or 0.7% of pretax loss, for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to a provision for income taxes of $0.1 million, or 0.5% of pretax loss, in the prior year comparable period.

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”).  The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, among other things, eliminates the corporate alternative minimum tax (the “AMT”) and changes how existing AMT credits can be realized either to offset regular tax liability or to be refunded.

At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we have not completed our analysis of the tax effects of enactment of the Tax Act; however, we have made a reasonable estimate of the effects of the Tax Act’s change in the federal rate and revalued our deferred tax assets based on the rates at which they are expected to reverse in the future, which is generally the new 21% federal corporate tax rate plus applicable state tax rate. Based on our initial analysis of the impact, we recorded a decrease related to deferred tax assets of $17.7 million at December 31, 2017. The expense is offset with a corresponding release of valuation allowance.

No other federal or state income tax benefit was recognized for the current period loss due to the recognition of a full valuation allowance.

 

 

The for-profit education industry has been impacted by numerous regulatory changes, the changing economy and an onslaught of negative media attention. As a result of these challenges, student populations have declined and operating costs have increased.  Over the past few years, the Company has closed over ten locations and exited its online business.  In 2016, the Company ceased operations in Hartford, Connecticut; Fern Park, Florida; and Henderson (Green Valley), Nevada.  In 2017, the Company completed the teach-out of its Center City Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; West Palm Beach, Florida, Brockton, Massachusetts and Lowell, Massachusetts schools.  All of these schools were previously included in our HOPS segment and as of December 31, 2017, they have all been closed.  As of March 31, 2018, there are no campuses included in the Transitional segment.

In the past, we offered any combination of programs at any campus.  We have shifted our focus to program offerings that create greater differentiation among campuses and promote attainment of excellence to attract more students and gain market share.  Also, strategically, we began offering continuing education training to select employers who hire our graduates and this is best achieved at campuses focused on the applicable profession.

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

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

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

Transitional – The Transitional segment refers to campuses that are being taught-out and closed and operations that are being phased out.  The schools in the Transitional segment employ a gradual teach-out process that enables the schools to continue to operate to allow their current students to complete their course of study.  These schools are no longer enrolling new students.

 

The Company continually evaluates each campus for profitability, earning potential, and customer satisfaction.  This evaluation takes several factors into consideration, including the campus’s geographic location and program offerings, as well as skillsets required of our students by their potential employers.  The purpose of this evaluation is to ensure that our programs provide our students with the best possible opportunity to succeed in the marketplace with the goals of attracting more students to our programs and, ultimately, to provide our shareholders with the maximum return on their investment.  Campuses classified in the Transitional segment have been subject to this process and have been strategically identified for closure.  As of March 31, 2018, there are no campuses classified in the Transitional segment.

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

For all prior periods presented, the Company reclassified its Marietta, Georgia campus from the HOPS segment to the Transportation and Skilled Trades segment.  This reclassification occurred to address how the Company evaluates performance and allocates resources and was approved by the Company’s Board of Directors.

The following table present results for our three reportable segments for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2017

Student starts increased slightly for the three months ended March 31, 2018 when compared to the prior year comparable period.

Operating income was $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to $1.9 million in the prior year comparable period mainly due to the following factors:

·

Revenue decreased to $42.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to $43.2 million in the prior year comparable period.  The decrease in revenue was a result of a 2.2% decrease in average population driven by a lower carry in population of approximately 300 students.  Partially offsetting the reductions is a 1.3% increase in average revenue per student primarily due to tuition increases.

·

Educational services and facilities expense increased by $0.2 million, or 1.1%, to $20.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 from $20.5 million in the prior year comparable period.  Increased costs were mainly the result of issuing laptops to new student starts for a growing number of program offerings quarter over quarter.

·

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $0.6 million, or 2.8%, to $21.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 from $20.8 million in the prior year comparable period.  Increased costs were primarily resulting from $0.5 million of additional marketing investment directed at future start growth.

Student starts increased by 5.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 from the prior year comparable period.

Operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $0.2 million compared to $0.3 million in the prior year comparable period.  The slight decrease was mainly due to the following factors:

·

Revenue increased by $1.3 million, or 7.3%  to $19.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, as compared to $17.8 million in the prior year comparable period.  The increase in revenue was a result of a 4.6% increase in average student population driven by an increased carry in population of approximately 150 students; and a 2.5% increase in average revenue per student primarily due to tuition increases.

·

Educational services and facilities expense increased by $0.3 million, or 3.4% to $9.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, from $9.5 million in the prior year comparable period.  The increase in expense was primarily driven by increased instructional expense and facilities expense.

·

Selling general and administrative expenses increased by $1.0 million, or 13%, to $9.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 from $8.1 million in the prior year comparable period.  The increase was primarily driven by two factors, (a) a $0.6 million increase in marketing investment; and (b) a $0.4 million increase in administrative expenses as a result of additional bad debt expense.  This increase was mainly due to higher revenue resulting in higher student receivable balances and thus increasing the bad debt reserve or expense.

The following table lists the schools previously categorized in the Transitional segment as of December 31, 2017.  As of March 31, 2018, there were no campuses classified in the Transitional segment.

Revenue for the campuses in the above table have been classified in the Transitional segment for comparability for the year ended December 31, 2017.

There was no revenue for the Transitional segment for the three months ended March 31, 2018 as all of the campuses classified in this segment were closed as of December 31, 2017.  Revenue in the prior year comparable period was $4.3 million.

 

There was no operating income or loss for the Transitional segment for the three months ended March 31, 2018.  Operating loss in the prior year comparable period was $0.6 million.

This category includes unallocated expenses incurred on behalf of the entire Company.  Corporate and other expenses decreased by $0.2 million, or 2.6%, to $7.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 from $7.4 million in the prior year comparable period.  The decrease in costs were primarily driven by reductions in salaries and benefits expense of $0.4 million partially offset by a loss on sale of assets of $0.1 million.  This loss on sale of assets related to catch-up depreciation expense in connection with a building previously classified as held for sale during 2017, but was re-classified out of held for sale as of January 1, 2018.

Our primary capital expenditures are for facilities expansion and maintenance, and the development of new programs. Our principal sources of liquidity have been cash provided by operating activities and borrowings under our credit facility.  The following chart summarizes the principal elements of our cash flow for each of the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017:

As of March 31, 2018, the Company had a net debt balance of $9.7 million compared to a net cash balance of $1.2 million as of December 31, 2017.  The decrease in cash position can mainly be attributed to the repayment of $32.8 million in borrowings under our line of credit facility; a net loss during the three months ended March 31, 2018; and seasonality of the business.  Management believes that the Company has adequate resources in place to execute its 2018 operating plan.  In addition, the implementation of the Company's current credit facility in 2017 should yield an anticipated $3 million of reduced interest expense annually.

For the last several years, the Company and the proprietary school sector generally have faced deteriorating earnings growth. Government regulations have negatively impacted earnings by making it more difficult for prospective students to obtain loans, which when coupled with the overall economic environment have hindered prospective students from enrolling in our schools. In light of these factors, we have incurred significant operating losses as a result of lower student population.  Despite these events, we believe that our likely sources of cash should be sufficient to fund operations for the next twelve months and thereafter for the foreseeable future.

To fund our business plans, including any anticipated future losses, purchase commitments, capital expenditures and principal and interest payments on borrowings, we leveraged our owned real estate. We are also continuing to take actions to improve cash flow by aligning our cost structure to our student population, in addition to our current sources of capital that provide short term liquidity.

Our primary source of cash is tuition collected from our students. The majority of students enrolled at our schools rely on funds received under various government-sponsored student financial aid programs to pay a substantial portion of their tuition and other education-related expenses. The most significant source of student financing is Title IV Programs, which represented approximately 78% of our cash receipts relating to revenues in 2017. Pursuant to applicable regulations, students must apply for a new loan for each academic period. Federal regulations dictate the timing of disbursements of funds under Title IV Programs and loan funds are generally provided by lenders in two disbursements for each academic year. The first disbursement is usually received approximately 31 days after the start of a student’s academic year and the second disbursement is typically received at the beginning of the sixteenth week from the start of the student’s academic year. Certain types of grants and other funding are not subject to a 31-day delay.  In certain instances, if a student withdraws from a program prior to a specified date, any paid but unearned tuition or prorated Title IV Program financial aid is refunded according to federal, state and accrediting agency standards.

As a result of the significant amount of Title IV Program funds received by our students, we are highly dependent on these funds to operate our business. Any reduction in the level of Title IV Program funds that our students are eligible to receive or any restriction on our eligibility to receive Title IV Program funds would have a significant impact on our operations and our financial condition.  See “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

 

Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities was $10.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $11.5 million in the prior year comparable period of 2017.  The decrease in cash used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017 is primarily due to a net loss from operations as well as changes in other working capital such as accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and unearned tuition.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to $0.8 million in the prior year comparable period.  The decrease of $0.3 million was primarily the result of reduced spending on capital expenditures quarter over quarter.  The decrease in spending was due in part to the timing of asset spending.  The Company expects investments in asset purchases to increase in the second quarter.

One of our primary uses of cash in investing activities was capital expenditures associated with investments in training technology, classroom furniture, and new program buildouts.

We currently lease a majority of our campuses. We own our schools in Grand Prairie, Texas; Nashville, Tennessee; and Denver, Colorado and our former school properties in Mangonia Park, Palm Beach County, Florida and Suffield, Connecticut.

Capital expenditures are expected to approximate 2% of revenues in 2018.  We expect to fund future capital expenditures with cash generated from operating activities, borrowings under our revolving credit facility, and cash from our real estate monetization.

Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $30.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to $15.5 million in the prior year comparable period. The increase of $15.2 million was primarily due to increased net payments on borrowings of $30.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 as compared to net payments on borrowing of $14.3 million in the prior year comparable period.

Net borrowings consisted of: (a) total borrowing to date under our secured revolving credit facility of $2.5 million; and (b) $32.8 million in total repayments made by the Company.  The noncurrent restricted cash balance of $32.8 million has been repaid during the first quarter of 2018.

Credit Agreement

On March 31, 2017, the Company entered into a secured revolving credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Sterling National Bank (the “Bank”) pursuant to which the Company obtained a credit facility in the aggregate principal amount of up to $55 million (the “Credit Facility”).  Subsequently, as a result of a November 29, 2017 amendment of the Credit Facility, aggregate availability under the Credit Facility has increased to $65 million, consisting of (a) a $25 million revolving loan (“Facility 1”), (b) a $25 million revolving loan facility (“Facility 2”), which includes a sublimit amount for letters of credit of $10 million, and(c) a $15 million revolving credit loan (“Facility 3”).  The Credit Agreement was again amended on February 23, 2018, to, among other things, effect certain modifications to the financial covenants and other provisions of the Credit Agreement and to allow the Company to pursue the sale of certain real property assets. The February 23, 2018 amendment increased the interest rate for borrowings under Facility 1 to a rate per annum equal to the greater of (x) the Bank’s prime rate plus 2.85% and (y) 6.00%. Prior to the most recent amendment of the Credit Agreement, revolving loans outstanding under Facility 1 bore interest at a rate per annum equal to the greater of (x) the Bank’s prime rate plus 2.50% and (y) 6.00%.  Revolving loans under Facility 2 and Facility 3 bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the greater of (x) the Bank’s prime rate and (y) 3.50%.

The Credit Facility replaces a term loan facility (the “Prior Credit Facility”) which was repaid and terminated concurrently with the effectiveness of the Credit Facility.  The term of the Credit Facility is 38 months, maturing on May 31, 2020, except that the Facility 3 will mature one year earlier, on May 31, 2019.

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

 

At the closing of the Credit Facility, the Company drew $25 million under Facility 1, which, pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, was used to repay the Prior Credit Facility and to pay transaction costs associated with closing the Credit Facility.  After the disbursements of such amounts, the Company retained approximately $1.8 million of the borrowed amount for working capital purposes.

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, all draws under Facility 2 for letters of credit or revolving loans and all draws under Facility 3 must be secured by cash collateral in an amount equal to 100% of the aggregate stated amount of the letters of credit issued and revolving loans outstanding through draws from Facility 1 or other available cash of the Company.

Each issuance of a letter of credit under Facility 2 will require the payment of a letter of credit fee to the Bank equal to a rate per annum of 1.75% on the daily amount available to be drawn under the letter of credit, which fee shall be payable in quarterly installments in arrears.  Letters of credit totaling $6.2 million that were outstanding under a $9.5 million letter of credit facility previously provided to the Company by the Bank, which letter of credit facility was set to mature on April 1, 2017, are treated as letters of credit under Facility 2.

The terms of the Credit Agreement provide that the Bank be paid an unused facility fee on the average daily unused balance of Facility 1 at a rate per annum equal to 0.50%, which fee is payable quarterly in arrears.  In addition, the Company is required to maintain, on deposit in one or more non-interest bearing accounts, a minimum of $5 million in quarterly average aggregate balances.  If in any quarter the required average aggregate account balance is not maintained, the Company is required to pay the Bank a fee of $12,500 for that quarter and, in the event that the Company terminates the Credit Facility or refinances with another lender within 18 months of closing, the Company is required to pay the Bank a breakage fee of $500,000.

In addition to the foregoing, the Credit Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and affirmative and negative covenants, including financial covenants that restrict capital expenditures, prohibit the incurrence of a net loss for any fiscal year commencing with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019 and require a minimum adjusted EBITDA and a minimum tangible net worth, which is an annual covenant, as well as events of default customary for facilities of this type.  As of March 31, 2018, the Company is in compliance with all covenants.

In connection with the Credit Agreement, the Company paid the Bank an origination fee in the amount of $250,000 and other fees and reimbursements that are customary for facilities of this type.  In connection with the February 23, 2018 amendment of the Credit Agreement, the Company paid to the Bank a modification fee in the amount of $50,000.

The Company incurred an early termination premium of approximately $1.8 million in connection with the termination of the Prior Credit Facility.

On April 28, 2017, the Company entered into an additional secured credit agreement with the Bank, pursuant to which the Company obtained a short term loan in the principal amount of $8 million, the proceeds of which were used for working capital and general corporate purposes.  The loan, which had an interest rate equal to the greater of (x) the Bank’s prime rate plus 2.50% and (y) 6.00%, was secured by two real property assets located in West Palm Beach, Florida at which schools operated by the Company were located and matured upon the earlier of October 1, 2017 and the date of the sale of the West Palm Beach, Florida property.  The Company sold the two properties located in West Palm Beach, Florida to Tambone Companies, LLC in the third quarter of 2017 and repaid the $8 million using the proceeds of such sale.

As of March 31, 2018, the Company had $23.1 million outstanding under the Credit Facility; offset by $0.8 million of deferred finance fees.  As of December 31, 2017, the Company had $53.4 million outstanding under the Credit Facility; offset by $0.8 million of deferred finance fees.  As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, there were letters of credit in the aggregate outstanding principal amount of $8.5 million and $7.2 million, respectively.  During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company repaid all outstanding amounts as of December 31, 2017 on Facility 2 of $17.8 million and Facility 3 of $15 million.

 

As of March 31, 2018, we had outstanding loan commitments to our students of $52.6 million, as compared to $51.9 million at December 31, 2017.  Loan commitments, net of interest that would be due on the loans through maturity, were $38.7 million at March 31, 2018, as compared to $38.5 million at December 31, 2017.

Contractual Obligations

Long-term Debt.  As of December 31, 2018, our current portion of long-term debt and our long-term debt consisted of borrowings under our Credit Facility.

Lease Commitments.  We lease offices, educational facilities and equipment for varying periods through the year 2030 at base annual rentals (excluding taxes, insurance, and other expenses under certain leases).

The following table contains supplemental information regarding our total contractual obligations as of March 31, 2018 (in thousands):

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We had no off-balance sheet arrangements as of March 31, 2018, except for surety bonds.  As of March 31, 2018, we posted surety bonds in the total amount of approximately $12.8 million.  Cash collateralized letters of credit of $8.5 million are primarily comprised of letters of credit for the DOE and security deposits in connection with certain of our real estate leases. These off-balance sheet arrangements do not adversely impact our liquidity or capital resources.

Seasonality and Outlook

Seasonality

Our revenue and operating results normally fluctuate as a result of seasonal variations in our business, principally due to changes in total student population. Student population varies as a result of new student enrollments, graduations and student attrition. Historically, our schools have had lower student populations in our first and second quarters and we have experienced larger class starts in the third quarter and higher student attrition in the first half of the year. Our second half growth is largely dependent on a successful high school recruiting season. We recruit our high school students several months ahead of their scheduled start dates and, thus, while we have visibility on the number of students who have expressed interest in attending our schools, we cannot predict with certainty the actual number of new student enrollments and the related impact on revenue. Our expenses, however, typically do not vary significantly over the course of the year with changes in our student population and revenue. During the first half of the year, we make significant investments in marketing, staff, programs and facilities to meet our second half of the year targets and, as a result, such expenses do not fluctuate significantly on a quarterly basis. To the extent new student enrollments, and related revenue, in the second half of the year fall short of our estimates, our operating results could be negatively impacted. We expect quarterly fluctuations in operating results to continue as a result of seasonal enrollment patterns. Such patterns may change as a result of new school openings, new program introductions, and increased enrollments of adult students and/or acquisitions.

 

Outlook

Similar to many companies in the proprietary education sector, we have experienced significant deterioration in student enrollments over the last several years. This can be attributed to many factors including the economic environment and numerous regulatory changes such as changes to admissions advisor compensation policies, elimination of “ability-to-benefit,” changes to the 90/10 Rule and cohort default rates, gainful employment and modifications to Title IV amounts and eligibility. While the industry has not returned to growth, the trends are far more stable as declines have slowed.

As the economy continues to improve and the unemployment rate continues to decline our student enrollment is negatively impacted due to a portion of our potential student base entering the workforce earlier without obtaining any post-secondary training. Offsetting this short term decline in available students is the fact that an increasing number of individuals in the “baby boom” generation are retiring from the workforce.  The retirement of baby boomers coupled with a growing economy has resulted in additional employers looking to us to help solve their workforce needs.  With schools in 14 states, we are a very attractive employment solution for large regional and national employers.

To fund our business plans, including any anticipated future losses, purchase commitments, capital expenditures, principal and interest payments on borrowings and to satisfy the DOE financial responsibility standards, we have entered into a new credit facility as described above. We are also continuing to take actions to improve cash flow by aligning our cost structure to our student population.

Item 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to certain market risks as part of our on-going business operations.  On March 31, 2017, the Company repaid in full and terminated a previously existing term loan with the proceeds of a new revolving credit facility provided by Sterling National Bank in an aggregate principal amount of up to $65 million, which revolving credit facility is referred to in this report as the “Credit Facility.”  Our obligations under the Credit Facility are secured by a lien on substantially all of our assets and any assets that we or our subsidiaries may acquire in the future. Outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at the rate of 7.60% as of March 31, 2018.  As of March 31, 2018, we had $23.1 million outstanding under the Credit Facility.

Based on our outstanding debt balance as of March 31, 2018, a change of one percent in the interest rate would have caused a change in our interest expense of approximately $0.2 million, or $0.01 per basic share, on an annual basis.  Changes in interest rates could have an impact on our operations, which are greatly dependent on our students’ ability to obtain financing and, as such, any increase in interest rates could greatly impact our ability to attract students and have an adverse impact on the results of our operations. The remainder of our interest rate risk is associated with miscellaneous capital equipment leases, which is not significant.

Item 4.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a)   Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.  Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) as of the end of the quarterly period covered by this report, have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are adequate and effective to reasonably ensure that material 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 by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.  There were no changes made during our most recently completed fiscal quarter in our internal control over financial reporting 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

Information regarding certain specific legal proceedings in which the Company is involved is contained in Part I, Item 3 and in Note 14 to the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.  Unless otherwise indicated in this report, all proceedings discussed in the earlier report which are not indicated therein as having been concluded, remain outstanding as of March 31, 2018.

In the ordinary conduct of our business, we are subject to periodic lawsuits, investigations and claims, including, but not limited to, claims involving students or graduates and routine employment matters.  Although we cannot predict with certainty the ultimate resolution of lawsuits, investigations and claims asserted against us, we do not believe that any currently pending legal proceeding to which we are a party will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 6.

EXHIBITS

 

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*	Filed herewith.

**	As provided in Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, this information is furnished and not filed for purposes of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

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.

 

Exhibit Index

 

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*	Filed herewith.

**	As provided in Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, this information is furnished and not filed for purposes of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

 

35

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EXHIBIT 31.1

 

CERTIFICATION

I, Scott Shaw, certify that:

 

1.	I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Lincoln Educational Services Corporation;

 

2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a)          Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b)          Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c)          Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d)          Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting;

 

5.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a)          All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b)          Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: May 15, 2018

 

 

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EXHIBIT 31.2

 

CERTIFICATION

I, Brian Meyers, certify that:

 

1.	I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Lincoln Educational Services Corporation;

 

2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.

The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a)          Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b)          Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c)          Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d)          Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting;

 

5.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a)          All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b)          Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: May 15, 2018

 

 

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EXHIBIT 32

CERTIFICATION

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 as adopted by

Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

Each of the undersigned, Scott Shaw, Chief Executive Officer of Lincoln Educational Services Corporation (the “Company”), and Brian Meyers, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, has executed this certification in connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2018 (the “Report”).

 

Each of the undersigned hereby certifies that, to his respective knowledge:

 

1.

The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2.

The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date:

May 15, 2018

 

 

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