EXHIBIT 99.1
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 29, 2016
èßäÊÓÆµ University Announces Preliminary Fiscal Third Quarter Revenue Projection to Exceed $2.12 Million, Over 65% Increase YoY
Nursing Students Now Represent Majority of èßäÊÓÆµs
4,412 Degree-Seeking Student Body
NEW YORK èßäÊÓÆµ Group, Inc. (OTCQB: ASPU), a nationally accredited online postsecondary education company (èßäÊÓÆµ University), today pre-announced that revenues for the Q316 Fiscal Quarter ending January 31, 2016 are projected to rise to over $2,120,000, an increase of over 65% year-over-year (YoY).
èßäÊÓÆµs School of Nursing student body grew by 372 students in the quarter, from 1,935 in the previous quarter to 2,307 students. That represented 94% of the growth of èßäÊÓÆµs full-time degree seeking student body, from 4,015 to 4,412. èßäÊÓÆµs School of Nursing now accounts for 52% of èßäÊÓÆµs full-time degree seeking student body.
In Q3 FY16, new student enrollments increased 75% YoY, as èßäÊÓÆµ delivered 550 new degree-seeking enrollments in the quarter. èßäÊÓÆµ increased internet advertising spending by 46% YoY, meaning that èßäÊÓÆµs cost per enrollment declined by an impressive 16% YoY.
Since èßäÊÓÆµ University announced its debtless education solution in the Spring of 2014, 1,595 students are paying through monthly payment methods (as of quarter end January 31, 2016), and increasing at a pace of 90 students/month net. The total value of those student monthly payment contracts now exceeds $11 million.
èßäÊÓÆµ has become the university of choice for Registered Nurses because our monthly payment plan business model is designed to graduate our students debt-free, said Chairman & CEO, Michael Mathews. Weve always believed that if our primary mission is to focus on our students educational return-on-investment, growth and shareholder value would be the ultimate beneficiaries, continued Mathews.
èßäÊÓÆµ Group Reiterates Previous Guidance of Adjusted EBITDA Profitability in Q4 FY16
In the current Q4 FY16 ending April 30, 2016, èßäÊÓÆµ estimates it will achieve positive Adjusted EBITDA, a reiteration of previous guidance provided during the fiscal second quarter earnings conference call.
About èßäÊÓÆµ Group, Inc. (OTCQB: ASPU)
èßäÊÓÆµ Group, Inc. is an online postsecondary education company. èßäÊÓÆµ Universitys mission is to offer any motivated college-worthy student the opportunity to receive a high-quality, responsibly priced distance-learning education for the purpose of achieving sustainable economic and social benefits for themselves and their families. èßäÊÓÆµ is dedicated to providing the highest quality education experiences taught by top-tier faculty 56 percent of our adjunct faculty hold doctoral degrees. To learn more about èßäÊÓÆµ University, visit www.aspen.edu.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements including statements regarding guidance, projected revenues and profitability. 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 unexpected regulatory issues, competition and changes within the healthcare industry that make the nursing occupation less attractive to learners or reduce the benefits of an advanced degree and unexpected adjustments made during the auditors review. Further information on our risk factors is contained in our filings with the SEC, including our Form 10-K filed on July 28, 2015. 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.
Media Contact:
èßäÊÓÆµ Group, Inc.
Michael Mathews, CEO
914-906-9159