News Press Releases

Aspen Group Reports Record Revenues of $8.5 Million and 49% Revenue Growth in Third Quarter of Fiscal 2019

ASPU | March 11, 2019

NEW YORK, March 11, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aspen Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASPU)( “AGI”), an education technology holding company, today announced financial results for its 2019 fiscal third quarter ended January 31, 2019, highlighted by record revenue of $8,494,627, an increase of 49% compared to the third quarter of fiscal year 2018.

Michael Mathews, Chairman & CEO of Aspen Group, commented, “Our two new business units, United States University, Inc. (“USU”) and Aspen University’s Pre-Licensure BSN program, continue to grow rapidly as they accounted for 25% of the overall revenues of the Company this quarter. This trend is expected to continue, and we now estimate these business units to grow to approximately 40% of our overall revenues by the end of fiscal year 2020.”

Fiscal Q3 2019 Highlights:

Revenue totaled $8,494,627 an increase of 49% as compared to the prior fiscal year third quarter;
Gross Profit totaled $4,221,939 or a 50% margin, a 46% increase as compared to the prior fiscal year third quarter;
Net Loss applicable to shareholders of ($2,355,940), as compared to Net Loss of ($2,147,945) in the prior fiscal year third quarter; Diluted net loss per share was $(0.13), as compared to a loss of $(0.15) in the prior fiscal year third quarter;
EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, totaled a loss of $(1,726,399);
Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, totaled a loss of $(1,105,209);
Cash used in operations totaled $1,943,127, as compared to $2,099,213 last quarter, a sequential improvement of $156,086 or 7%.

In reviewing these comparisons, investors should note AGI acquired USU and all its operating expenses on December 1, 2017. For the third quarter, revenues were $8,494,627, an increase of 49% as compared to the prior fiscal year third quarter. USU revenues contributed approximately 21% of the quarterly revenues for the Company as compared to 19% in the previous quarter.

Fiscal 2019 Third Quarter Financial and Other Results:

AGI delivered 1,363 new student enrollments in the third quarter, as compared to 972 new student enrollments in the prior year, an increase of 40% year-over-year. Aspen University accounted for 1,112 new student enrollments (includes 120 Doctoral enrollments and 97 Pre-licensure BSN AZ campus enrollments), while USU accounted for 251 new student enrollments (primarily Family Nurse Practitioner (“FNP”) enrollments).

AGI’s overall active student body (includes both Aspen University and USU) grew 28% year-over-year from 6,512 to 8,354. Aspen University’s total active degree-seeking student body grew 22% year-over-year from 6,066 to 7,393. Aspen’s School of Nursing grew 30% year-over-year, from 4,401 to 5,718 active students, which includes 210 active students in the BSN Pre-Licensure program in Phoenix, AZ.

Aspen University students paying tuition and fees through a monthly payment method grew by 25% year-over-year, from 4,194 to 5,259. Those 5,259 students paying through a monthly payment method represent 71% of Aspen University’s total active student body. USU’s total active degree-seeking student body grew sequentially from 843 to 961 students or a sequential increase of 14%. USU students paying tuition and fees through a monthly payment method grew from 514 to 602 students sequentially. Those 602 students paying through a monthly payment method represent 63% of USU’s total active student body.

Revenues increased to $8,494,627, an increase of 49% as compared to the prior fiscal year third quarter. USU accounted for approximately 21% and Aspen University’s Pre-Licensure BSN program accounted for approximately 5% of overall Company revenues.

Gross profit increased to $4,221,939 or 50% gross margin. Aspen University gross profit represented 54% of Aspen University revenues for the third quarter, while USU gross profit equaled 45% of USU revenues during the third quarter. Aspen University instructional costs and services represented 18% of Aspen University revenues for the 2019 third quarter, while USU instructional costs and services equaled 30% of USU revenues during the 2019 third quarter. Aspen University marketing and promotional costs represented 25% of Aspen University revenues for the 2019 third quarter, while USU marketing and promotional costs equaled 25% of USU revenues during the 2019 third quarter.

Net loss applicable to shareholders was ($2,355,940) or diluted net loss per share of ($0.13). Aspen University generated $0.4 million of net income for the third quarter, while USU experienced a net loss of ($0.9) million during the third quarter. Aspen Group corporate incurred $1.8 million of expenses for the third quarter.

EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, was a loss of ($1,726,399) or (20%) as a percentage of revenue. Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, was a loss of ($1,105,209) or (13%) as a percentage of revenue. Aspen University generated $0.9 million of Adjusted EBITDA for the third quarter, while USU experienced an Adjusted EBITDA loss of ($0.5) million during the third quarter. Aspen Group corporate contributed $1.5 million toward the ($1,105,209) Adjusted EBITDA loss for the third quarter.

The company used cash of $1.9 million for operations in the third quarter, as compared to using $2.1 million last quarter, a sequential improvement of $156,086 or 7%.

Conference Call:

Aspen Group, Inc. will host a conference call to discuss its fiscal year 2019 3rd quarter financial results and business outlook on Monday, March 11th, 2019, at 4:30 p.m. (ET). Aspen will issue a press release reporting results after the market closes on that day. The conference call can be accessed by dialing toll-free (844) 452-6823 (U.S.) or (731) 256-5216 (international), passcode 7082258. Subsequent to the call, a transcript of the audiocast will be available from the Company’s website at ir.aspen.edu. There will also be a 7 day dial-in replay which can be accessed by dialing toll-free (855) 859-2056 or (404) 537-3406 (international), passcode 7082258.

Non-GAAP – Financial Measures:

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

Our management uses and relies on Adjusted EBITDA and EBITDA, each of which are non-GAAP financial measures. We believe that both management and shareholders benefit from referring to the following non-GAAP financial measures in planning, forecasting and analyzing future periods. Our management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in evaluating its financial and operational decision making and as a means to evaluate period-to-period comparisons. Our management recognizes that the non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations because of the excluded items described below.

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

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

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

	For the Three Months Ended
	January 31,
	2019			2018
Net loss	$	(2,355,940	)	$	(2,147,945	)
Interest expense, net		74,249			211,486
Taxes		—			—
Depreciation & amortization		555,292			347,894
EBITDA (loss)		(1,726,399	)		(1,588,565	)
Bad debt expense		187,178			132,644
Acquisition expense		—			610,219
Non-recurring charges		83,174			85,853
Stock-based compensation		350,838			162,544
Adjusted EBITDA (Loss)	$	(1,105,209	)	$	(597,305	)

About Aspen Group, Inc.:

Aspen Group, Inc. is an education technology holding company that leverages its infrastructure and expertise to allow its two universities, Aspen University and United States University, to deliver on the vision of making college affordable again.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including future growth of our new business units. The words “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “could,” “target,” “potential,” “is likely,” “will,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include the continued demand of nursing students for the new programs, potential student attrition and national and local economic factors. Other risks are included in our filings with the SEC including our Form S-3, our Prospectus Supplement filed April 19, 2018 and our Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2018. Any forward-looking statement made by us herein speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Company Contact:

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

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

	January 31,			April 30,
	2019			2018
	(unaudited)
Assets

Current assets:
Cash	$	4,197,235		$	14,612,559
Restricted cash		192,692			190,506
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $903,450 and $468,174, respectively		9,278,751			6,802,723
Prepaid expenses		343,215			199,406
Other receivables		79,235			184,569
Total current assets		14,091,128			21,989,763

Property and equipment:
Call center equipment		173,077			140,509
Computer and office equipment		301,548			230,810
Furniture and fixtures		1,310,139			932,454
Software		3,869,750			2,878,753
		5,654,514			4,182,526
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		(1,622,908	)		(1,320,360	)
Total property and equipment, net		4,031,606			2,862,166
Goodwill		5,011,432			5,011,432
Intangible assets, net		8,816,667			9,641,667
Courseware and accreditation, net		179,154			138,159
Accounts receivable, secured - net of allowance of $625,963, and $625,963, respectively		45,329			45,329
Long term contractual accounts receivable		2,568,532			1,315,050
Debt issue cost, net		330,414			—
Other assets		607,812			584,966

Total assets	$	35,682,074		$	41,588,532

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (CONTINUED)

	January 31,			April 30,
	2019			2018
	(unaudited)
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	1,709,233		$	2,227,214
Accrued expenses		570,806			658,854
Deferred revenue		2,699,227			1,814,136
Refunds due students		1,370,060			815,841
Deferred rent, current portion		18,818			8,160
Convertible notes payable, current portion		1,050,000			1,050,000
Other current liabilities		291,703			203,371
Total current liabilities		7,709,847			6,777,576

Convertible note		—			1,000,000
Deferred rent		705,420			77,365
Total liabilities		8,415,267			7,854,941

Commitments and contingencies - See Note 6

Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized, 0 issued and outstanding at January 31, 2019 and April 30, 2018		—			—
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 250,000,000 shares authorized,18,505,869 issued and 18,489,202 outstanding at January 31, 2019, 18,333,521 issued and 18,316,854 outstanding at April 30,2018		18,506			18,334
Additional paid-in capital		67,758,344			66,557,005
Treasury stock (16,667 shares)		(70,000	)		(70,000	)
Accumulated deficit		(40,440,043	)		(32,771,748	)
Total stockholders’ equity		27,266,807			33,733,591

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	35,682,074		$	41,588,532

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)

	For the						For the
	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	January 31,						January 31,
	2019			2018			2019			2018

Revenues	$	8,494,627		$	5,701,958		$	23,811,275		$	14,796,483

Operating expenses
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)		4,076,980			2,665,664			11,664,887			6,282,814
General and administrative		6,284,041			4,677,359			18,318,061			10,975,085
Depreciation and amortization		555,292			347,894			1,577,464			631,969
Total operating expenses		10,916,313			7,690,917			31,560,412			17,889,868

Operating loss		(2,421,686	)		(1,988,959	)		(7,749,137	)		(3,093,385	)

Other income (expense):
Other income		142,180			46,179			240,074			88,067
Gain on extinguishment of warrant liability		—			52,500			—			52,500
Interest expense		(76,434	)		(257,665	)		(159,232	)		(443,757	)
Total other income (expense), net		65,746			(158,986	)		80,842			(303,190	)

Loss before income taxes		(2,355,940	)		(2,147,945	)		(7,668,295	)		(3,396,575	)

Income tax expense (benefit)		—			—			—			—

Net loss	$	(2,355,940	)	$	(2,147,945	)	$	(7,668,295	)	$	(3,396,575	)

Net loss per share allocable to common stockholders – basic and diluted	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.15	)	$	(0.42	)	$	(0.25	)

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: basic and diluted		18,398,095			14,491,634			18,350,360			13,862,992

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2019 AND 2018
(Unaudited)

													Total
				Additional									Stockholders'
For the nine months ended	Common Stock			Paid-In			Treasury			Accumulated			Equity
January 31, 2019	Shares	Amount		Capital			Stock			Deficit
Balance at April 30, 2018	18,333,521	$	18,334	$	66,557,005		$	(70,000	)	$	(32,771,748	)	$	33,733,591

Stock-based compensation	—		—		866,129			—			—			866,129
Common stock issued for cashless stock options exercised	86,635		87		(87	)		—			—			—
Common stock issued for stock options exercised for cash	49,792		49		110,094			—			—			110,143
Relative fair value of warrants issued with debt	—		—		255,071			—			—			255,071
Common stock issued for cashless warrant exercise	35,921		36		(36	)		—			—			—
Purchase of treasury stock, net of broker fees	—		—		—			(7,370,000	)		—			(7,370,000	)
Re-sale of treasury stock, net of broker fees	—		—		—			7,370,000			—			7,370,000
Fees associated with equity raise	—		—		(29,832	)		—			—			(29,832	)
Net loss, for the nine months ended January 31, 2019	—		—		—			—			(7,668,295	)		(7,668,295	)
Balance at January 31, 2019 (Unaudited)	18,505,869	$	18,506	$	67,758,344		$	(70,000	)	$	(40,440,043	)	$	27,266,807

													Total
				Additional									Stockholders'
For the three months ended	Common Stock			Paid-In			Treasury			Accumulated			Equity
January 31, 2019	Shares	Amount		Capital			Stock			Deficit
Balance at October 31, 2018 (Unaudited)	18,391,092	$	18,391	$	67,102,509		$	(70,000	)	$	(38,084,103	)	$	28,966,797

Stock-based compensation	—		—		350,838			—			—			350,838
Common stock issued for cashless stock options exercised	55,871		56		(56	)		—			—			—
Common stock issued for stock options exercised for cash	22,985		23		50,018			—			—			50,041
Relative fair value of warrants issued with debt	—		—		255,071			—			—			255,071
Common stock issued for cashless warrant exercise	35,921		36		(36	)		—			—			—
Net loss, for the three months ended January 31, 2019	—		—		—			—			(2,355,940	)		(2,355,940	)
Balance at January 31, 2019 (Unaudited)	18,505,869	$	18,506	$	67,758,344		$	(70,000	)	$	(40,440,043	)	$	27,266,807

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (CONTINUED)
FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2019 AND 2018
(Unaudited)

														Total
					Additional									Stockholders'
For the nine months ended	Common Stock				Paid-In			Treasury			Accumulated			Equity
January 31, 2018	Shares		Amount		Capital			Stock			Deficit
Balance at April 30, 2017		13,504,012	$	13,504	$	33,607,423		$	(70,000	)	$	(25,710,687	)	$	7,840,240

Fees associated with equity raise		—		—		(14,033	)		—			—			(14,033	)
Restricted stock issued for services		10,000		10		88,690			—			—			88,700
Stock-based compensation		—		—		466,468			—			—			466,468
Common stock issued for acquisition		1,203,209		1,203		10,214,041			—			—			10,215,244
Common stock issued for cashless warrant exercise		162,072		162		(162	)		—			—			—
Common stock issued for warrants exercised for cash		79,442		79		196,301			—			—			196,380
Common stock issued for stock options exercised		113,597		114		402,382			—			—			402,496
Warrants issued with senior secured term loan		—		—		478,428			—			—			478,428
Net loss, for the Nine months ended January 31, 2018		—		—		—			—			(3,396,575	)		(3,396,575	)
Balance at January 31, 2018 (Unaudited)		15,072,332	$	15,072	$	45,439,538		$	(70,000	)	$	(29,107,262	)	$	16,277,348

														Total
					Additional									Stockholders'
For the three months ended	Common Stock				Paid-In			Treasury			Accumulated			Equity
January 31, 2018	Shares		Amount		Capital			Stock			Deficit
Balance at October 31, 2017 (Unaudited)		13,613,996	$	13,613	$	34,471,602		$	(70,000	)	$	(26,959,317	)	$	7,455,898

Fees associated with equity raise		—		—		(9,326	)		—			—			(9,326	)
Restricted stock issued for services		10,000		10		88,690			—			—			88,700
Stock-based compensation		—		—		162,544			—			—			162,544
Common stock issued for acquisition		1,203,209		1,203		10,214,041			—			—			10,215,244
Common stock issued for cashless warrant exercise		83,544		83		(83	)		—			—			—
Common stock issued for warrants exercised for cash		64,584		65		162,717			—			—			162,782
Common stock issued for stock options exercised		96,999		98		349,353			—			—			349,451
Net loss, for the three months ended January 31, 2018		—		—		—			—			(2,147,945	)		(2,147,945	)
Balance at January 31, 2018 (Unaudited)		15,072,332	$	15,072	$	45,439,538		$	(70,000	)	$	(29,107,262	)	$	16,277,348

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)

	For the
	Nine months ended
	January 31,
	2019			2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$	(7,668,295	)	$	(3,396,575	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Bad debt expense		480,066			298,144
Gain on extinguishment of warrant liability		—			(52,500	)
Depreciation and amortization		1,577,464			631,969
Stock-based compensation		866,129			466,468
Loss on asset disposition		—			27,590
Amortization of debt discounts		—			99,726
Amortization of debt issue costs		24,657			—
Amortization of prepaid shares for services		8,285			37,039
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		(4,209,576	)		(4,534,118	)
Prepaid expenses		(152,094	)		(59,451	)
Accrued interest receivable		—			(45,400	)
Other receivables		105,334			(152,398	)
Other assets		(22,846	)		(528,789	)
Accounts payable		(517,981	)		366,044
Accrued expenses		(88,048	)		218,476
Deferred rent		638,713			22,087
Refunds due students		554,219			420,146
Deferred revenue		885,091			2,340,461
Other liabilities		88,332			186,134
Net cash used in operating activities		(7,430,550	)		(3,654,947	)

Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of courseware and accreditation		(89,573	)		(33,369	)
Purchases of property and equipment		(1,873,326	)		(1,171,473	)
Proceeds from promissory note receivable		—			900,000
Cash paid in asset acquisition		—			(2,589,719	)
Proceeds from promissory note interest receivable		—			53,400
Net cash used in investing activities		(1,962,899	)		(2,841,161	)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Disbursements for equity offering costs		(29,832	)		(14,033	)
Repayment of convertible note payable		(1,000,000	)		—
Proceeds from senior secured term loan		—			7,500,000
Proceeds of warrant and stock options exercised		110,143			598,876
Purchase of treasury stock		(7,370,000	)		—
Re-sale of treasury stock		7,370,000			—
Offering costs paid on debt financing		(100,000	)		(351,366	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(1,019,689	)		7,733,477

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(10,413,138	)		1,237,369
Cash, restricted cash, and cash equivalents at beginning of period		14,803,065			2,756,217
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	4,389,927		$	3,993,586

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
(Unaudited)

	For the
	Nine months ended
	January 31,
	2019		2018
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	$	163,139	$	316,781
Cash paid for income taxes	$	—	$	—

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities
Warrants issued as part of revolving credit facility	$	255,071	$	—
Warrants issued as part of senior secured loan	$	—	$	478,428
Assets acquired net of liabilities assumed for non-cash consideration	$	—	$	12,215,244

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and restricted cash reported within the consolidated balance sheet that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the consolidated statement of cash flows:

	For the
	Nine months ended
	January 31,
	2018		2017
Cash	$	4,197,235	$	3,803,080
Restricted cash		192,692		190,506
Total cash and restricted cash	$	4,389,927	$	3,993,586