èßäÊÓÆµ Group Reports Revenue of $13.8 Million for Second Quarter Fiscal 2024

Q2 Fiscal 2024 Highlights

  • Gross margin increased by 300 basis points to 63%
  • Operating loss improved 66% to ($0.5) million from ($1.5) million
  • Narrowed net loss to ($1.6) million from ($2.3) million
  • 4th consecutive quarter of positive EBITDA; generated positive cash from operations
  • AGI total enrollment grew by 5% YoY and 34% sequentially; USU enrollment rose by 8% YoY

NEW YORK, Jan. 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- èßäÊÓÆµ Group, Inc. (OTCQB: ASPU) (“AGIâ€� or the "Company"), an education technology holding company, today announced financial results for its second quarter fiscal year 2024 ended October 31, 2023.

Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2024 Summary Results

Ìý Three Months Ended October 31, Ìý Six Months Ended October 31,
$ in millions, except per share data Ìý 2023 Ìý Ìý Ìý 2022 Ìý Ìý Ìý 2023 Ìý Ìý Ìý 2022 Ìý
Revenue $ 13.8 Ìý Ìý $ 17.1 Ìý Ìý $ 28.5 Ìý Ìý $ 36.0 Ìý
Gross Profit1 $ 8.7 Ìý Ìý $ 10.2 Ìý Ìý $ 18.5 Ìý Ìý $ 18.4 Ìý
Gross Margin (%)1 Ìý 63 % Ìý Ìý 60 % Ìý Ìý 65 % Ìý Ìý 51 %
Operating Income (Loss) $ (0.5 ) Ìý $ (1.5 ) Ìý $ (0.2 ) Ìý $ (4.7 )
Net Income (Loss) $ (1.6 ) Ìý $ (2.3 ) Ìý $ (2.3 ) Ìý $ (6.0 )
Earnings (Loss) per Share $ (0.06 ) Ìý $ (0.09 ) Ìý $ (0.09 ) Ìý $ (0.24 )
EBITDA2 $ 0.4 Ìý Ìý $ (0.6 ) Ìý $ 1.8 Ìý Ìý $ (2.8 )
Adjusted EBITDA2 $ 1.1 Ìý Ìý $ 0.5 Ìý Ìý $ 3.0 Ìý Ìý $ (0.6 )

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1 GAAP gross profit calculation includes marketing and promotional costs, instructional costs and services, and amortization expense of $0.5 million and $0.5 million, and $1.0 million and $1.0 million for the three and six months ended October 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

2 Non-GAAP financial measures. See reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures under “Non-GAAP–Financial Measures� starting on page 5.

“In the second quarter of fiscal year 2024, we narrowed our net loss by 30% on a year-over-year basis, delivered our fourth consecutive quarter of positive EBITDA and generated cash from operations,â€� said Michael Mathews, Chairman and CEO of AGI. “Healthcare industry dynamics continue to create high demand for postgraduate nursing degrees from RNs. Notably, enrollments at èßäÊÓÆµ University and United States University increased over the past two quarters with minimal internet marketing spend, a testament to the value of our programs and the strength of our university brands. As we near completion of the èßäÊÓÆµ University pre-licensure program teach-out, we remain focused on sustaining positive cash flow from operations. We anticipate the pre-licensure teach-out will be substantially completed in Arizona by the end of January and completed in all other states by mid-year 2024.â€�
Mr. Mathews concluded, “Currently, we are graduating our final, and largest cohorts from the Phoenix pre-licensure program, and I am thrilled to announce that the NCLEX first-time pass rate in Arizona for the fourth calendar quarter ended December 31, 2023 has increased to 89% (N=93/105). The improvement reflects our ongoing commitments to increased program rigor and improved student test preparation.�

Fiscal Q2 2024 Financial and Operational Results (compared to Fiscal Q2 2023)

Revenue decreased by 19% to $13.8 million compared to $17.1 million. The following table presents the Company’s revenue, both per-subsidiary and total:

Ìý Three Months Ended October 31,
Ìý Ìý 2023 Ìý $ Change Ìý % Change Ìý Ìý 2022
AU $ 7,293,124 Ìý $ (3,048,779 ) Ìý (29)% Ìý Ìý $ 10,341,903
USU Ìý 6,535,723 Ìý Ìý (196,921 ) Ìý (3)% Ìý Ìý Ìý 6,732,644
Revenue $ 13,828,847 Ìý $ (3,245,700 ) Ìý (19)% Ìý Ìý $ 17,074,547

èßäÊÓÆµ University's (“AUâ€�) revenue decline of $3.0 million, or 29%, reflects the enrollment stoppage at the pre-licensure program campuses, which accounted for $2.3 million of the decrease, and lower post-licensure enrollments in prior quarters as a result of the decrease in marketing spend initiated in late Q1 Fiscal 2023. The active student body at AU decreased by 29% year-over-year to 5,679 at October 31, 2023 from 7,973 at October 31, 2022.

United States University (“USU�) revenue was down 3% compared to the prior period. MSN-FNP program enrollments decreased in previous quarters due to lower marketing spend initiated in late Q1 Fiscal 2023. Lower enrollments were offset by higher revenue per student driven by more students entering their second year of the MSN-FNP program, which includes clinical rotations, and by tuition increases. The active student body at USU decreased by 8% to 2,733 at October 31, 2023 from 2,984 at October 31, 2022.

GAAP gross profit decreased 15% to $8.7 million compared to $10.2 million primarily due to lower revenue associated with the teach-out of the pre-licensure program.

Gross margin was 63% compared to 60%. AU's gross margin was 61% versus 60%, and USU's gross margin was 67% versus 67%. The increase in gross margin is the result of lower marketing spend and lower instructional costs and services associated with the enrollment stoppage in the pre-licensure program.

AU instructional costs and services represented 31% of AU revenue, and USU instructional costs and services represented 30% of USU revenue. AU marketing and promotional costs represented 3% of AU revenue, and USU marketing and promotional costs represented 2% of USU revenue.

The following tables present the Company’s net income (loss), both per subsidiary and total:

Ìý Three Months Ended October 31, 2023
Ìý Consolidated Ìý AGI Corporate Ìý AU Ìý USU
Net income (loss) $ (1,611,813 ) Ìý $ (3,807,821 ) Ìý $ 581,707 Ìý $ 1,614,301
Net loss per share $ (0.06 ) Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý


Ìý Three Months Ended October 31, 2022
Ìý Consolidated Ìý AGI Corporate Ìý AU Ìý USU
Net income (loss) $ (2,293,640 ) Ìý $ (5,150,209 ) Ìý $ 1,067,885 Ìý $ 1,788,684
Net loss per share $ (0.09 ) Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý

The following tables present the Company’s Non-GAAP Financial Measures, both per subsidiary and total. See reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures under “Non-GAAP–Financial Measures� starting on page 5.

Ìý Three Months Ended October 31, 2023
Ìý Consolidated Ìý AGI Corporate Ìý AU Ìý USU
EBITDA $419,073 Ìý Ìý $(2,680,982) Ìý Ìý $1,339,102 Ìý Ìý $1,760,953 Ìý
EBITDA Margin Ìý 3% Ìý Ìý NM Ìý Ìý 18% Ìý Ìý Ìý 27% Ìý
Adjusted EBITDA $1,087,205 Ìý Ìý $(2,487,843) Ìý Ìý $1,585,674 Ìý Ìý $1,989,374 Ìý
Adjusted EBITDA Margin Ìý 8% Ìý Ìý NM Ìý Ìý 22% Ìý Ìý Ìý 30% Ìý

_____________________
NM – Not meaningful

Ìý Three Months Ended October 31, 2022
Ìý Consolidated Ìý AGI Corporate Ìý AU Ìý USU
EBITDA $(603,364) Ìý Ìý $(4,362,762) Ìý Ìý $1,852,192 Ìý Ìý $1,907,206 Ìý
EBITDA Margin Ìý (4)% Ìý Ìý NM Ìý Ìý 18% Ìý Ìý Ìý 28% Ìý
Adjusted EBITDA $537,339 Ìý Ìý $(3,726,004) Ìý Ìý $2,114,530 Ìý Ìý $2,148,813 Ìý
Adjusted EBITDA Margin Ìý 3% Ìý Ìý NM Ìý Ìý 20% Ìý Ìý Ìý 32% Ìý

EBITDA improved by $1.0 million in Fiscal Q2 2024 to $0.4 million from a loss of $0.6 million. The improvement was primarily due to cost controls implemented in conjunction with the two restructurings implemented in Fiscal Q2 2023 and Fiscal Q4 2023 and the reduction of marketing spend to maintenance levels initiated in Fiscal Q1 2023. Included in Fiscal Q2 2024 EBITDA are general and administrative spend reductions of approximately $2.5 million, including $1.5 million related to decreased headcount associated with the restructuring plans. Additionally, marketing spend reductions of approximately $0.5 million are included in Q2 2024 EBITDA. Total EBITDA for the last four fiscal quarters was $2.7 million, as depicted in the table below:

Ìý Q3'23 Ìý Q4'23 Ìý Q1'24 Ìý Q2'24 Ìý TTM
Net loss $ (1,555,040 ) Ìý $ (783,954 ) Ìý $ (639,438 ) Ìý $ (1,611,813 ) Ìý $ (4,590,245 )
EBITDA $ 116,162 Ìý Ìý $ 812,041 Ìý Ìý $ 1,344,405 Ìý Ìý $ 419,073 Ìý Ìý $ 2,691,681 Ìý

_____________________________
TTM – Trailing twelve months

Operating Metrics

New Student Enrollments

Total enrollments for AGI increased 5% from Q2 Fiscal `23 and 34% sequentially, despite the reduction in internet advertising spend across all programs to maintenance levels. The increase in enrollments reflects the demand for postgraduate nursing degrees, our unique and affordable monthly payment plans and students obtaining legacy pricing prior to September 2023 tuition price increases. By the end of Fiscal `24, we anticipate the resumption of marketing spend to a level necessary to provide enrollments needed to resume growth of the student body in fiscal 2025 while allowing for the generation of positive operating cash flow.

New student enrollments for the past five quarters are shown below:

Ìý Q2'23 Ìý Q3'23 Ìý Q4'23 Ìý Q1'24 Ìý Q2'24
èßäÊÓÆµ University 784 Ìý 695 Ìý 574 Ìý 626 Ìý 808
USU 506 Ìý 374 Ìý 360 Ìý 389 Ìý 548
Total 1,290 Ìý 1,069 Ìý 934 Ìý 1,015 Ìý 1,356

New student enrollments, bookings and ARPU for Q2’24 versus Q2’23 are shown below (rounding differences may occur):

Ìý First Quarter Bookings1and Average Revenue Per Enrollment (ARPU)1
Ìý Q2'23
Enrollments
Ìý Q2'23 Bookings1 Ìý Q2'24
Enrollments
Ìý Q2'24 Bookings1 Ìý Percent Change
Total Bookings
& ARPU
1
èßäÊÓÆµ University 784 Ìý $ 8,450,250 Ìý 808 Ìý $ 6,663,300 Ìý Ìý
USU 506 Ìý Ìý 9,016,920 Ìý 548 Ìý Ìý 9,765,360 Ìý Ìý
Total 1,290 Ìý $ 17,467,170 Ìý 1,356 Ìý $ 16,428,660 Ìý (6)%
ARPU Ìý Ìý $ 13,540 Ìý Ìý Ìý $ 12,116 Ìý (11)%

_____________________
1 “Bookings� are defined by multiplying Lifetime Value (LTV) by new student enrollments for each operating unit. “ARPU� is defined by dividing total Bookings by total new student enrollments for each operating unit.

Total Active Student Body

Total active student body for the past five quarters is shown below:

Ìý Q2'23 Ìý Q3'23 Ìý Q4'23 Ìý Q1'24 Ìý Q2'24
èßäÊÓÆµ University 7,973 Ìý 7,232 Ìý 6,670 Ìý 6,001 Ìý 5,679
USU 2,984 Ìý 2,724 Ìý 2,729 Ìý 2,590 Ìý 2,733
Total 10,957 Ìý 9,956 Ìý 9,399 Ìý 8,591 Ìý 8,412

Nursing Students

As of October 31, 2023, 6,902 of 8,412, or 82%, of all active students across both universities are degree-seeking nursing students. Of the students seeking nursing degrees, 6,624 are RNs studying to earn an advanced degree, including 4,192 at èßäÊÓÆµ University and 2,432 at USU. The remaining 278 nursing students are enrolled in èßäÊÓÆµ University’s BSN Pre-licensure program in the Phoenix, Austin, Tampa and Nashville metros. The majority of the year-over-year èßäÊÓÆµ University nursing student body decrease is a result of the enrollment stoppage and teach out of the pre-licensure program and the reduction in marketing spend to maintenance levels.

Nursing student body for the past five quarters is shown below.

Ìý Q2'23 Ìý Q3'23 Ìý Q4'23 Ìý Q1'24 Ìý Q2'24
èßäÊÓÆµ University 6,640 Ìý 5,899 Ìý 5,392 Ìý 4,766 Ìý 4,470
USU 2,752 Ìý 2,450 Ìý 2,490 Ìý 2,349 Ìý 2,432
Total 9,392 Ìý 8,349 Ìý 7,882 Ìý 7,115 Ìý 6,902

Liquidity

On October 31, 2023, the Company had unrestricted cash of $1.9 million and restricted cash of $4.1 million. Included in the unrestricted cash balance is $1.5 million related to the Second Amendment to the 15% Debentures under which the purchasers agreed to unrestrict $1.5 million of restricted cash associated with the Debentures. Subsequent to the closing of the quarter, AGI received $1 million from the reduction of the surety bond required by the state of Arizona. Additionally, prior to the end of January 2024, the Company is anticipating a $3.9 million student financial aid reimbursement from the Department of Education (“DoEâ€�) which will allow the Company to pay down $1.5 million of the Debenture principal. After the Debenture principal repayment, the unrestricted cash balance is projected to exceed $2.0 million. Variability in the unrestricted cash balance is primarily due to the timing of financial aid reimbursements from the DoE under the Heightened Cash Monitoring 2 (“HCM2â€�) method of financial aid reimbursement.ÌýÌý HCM2 requires the Company to make disbursements to students from its own institutional funds, and a request is then submitted to the DoE for reimbursement of those funds.

Cash provided by operations in Q2 Fiscal `24 was $0.4 million due to the receipt of HCM2 payments, and management believes the Company is positioned to continue generating positive operating cash flows during the remainder of Fiscal 2024 as a result of ongoing HCM2 cash receipts and ongoing cost controls. Cash used in operations for the six months ended October 31, 2023 was $4.2 million. The Company generated approximately $0.8 million of cash from the net loss adjusted for non-cash activities and used approximately $5.0 million of cash from changes in working capital primarily related to the timing of HCM2 payments and increased long-term monthly payment plan accounts receivable related to increased enrollments.

Additional Information

For additional information on the financial statements and performance, please refer to the èßäÊÓÆµ Group, Inc. Quarterly Report for the second quarter of fiscal year 2024 published on the Company’s website at , or the OTC Markets èßäÊÓÆµ Group Quote page under the tab.

Conference Call

èßäÊÓÆµ Group, Inc. will host a conference call to discuss its second quarter fiscal year 2024 results and business outlook on Thursday, January 18, 2024, at 4:30 pm ET. èßäÊÓÆµ Group, Inc. will issue a press release reporting results after the market closes on that day. The conference call can be accessed by dialing toll-free (877) 704-4453 (U.S.) or (201) 389-0920 (International), passcode 13743216.

Subsequent to the call, a transcript of the audio cast will be available from the Company’s website at . There will also be a seven-day dial-in replay which can be accessed by dialing toll-free (844) 512-2921 (U.S.) or (412) 317-6671 (International), passcode 13743216.

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 AGI 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 EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin, which are non-GAAP financial measures. We believe that management, analysts, and shareholders benefit from referring to the following non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate and assess our core operating results from period-to-period after removing the impact of items that affect comparability. Our management recognizes that the non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations because of the excluded items described below.

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 AGI 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.

AGI defines Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA excluding: (1) bad debt expense; (2) stock-based compensation; (3) severance; and (4) non-recurring charges or income. The following table presents a reconciliation of net income (loss) to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA and of net income (loss) margin to the Adjusted EBITDA margin:

Ìý Three Months Ended
Ìý October 31, 2022 Ìý January 31, 2023 Ìý April 31, 2023 Ìý July 31, 2023 Ìý October 31, 2023
Net loss $ (2,293,640 ) Ìý $ (1,555,040 ) Ìý $ (783,954 ) Ìý $ (639,438 ) Ìý $ (1,611,813 )
Interest expense, net Ìý 708,705 Ìý Ìý Ìý 714,801 Ìý Ìý Ìý 639,517 Ìý Ìý Ìý 936,460 Ìý Ìý Ìý 1,040,720 Ìý
Taxes Ìý 46,501 Ìý Ìý Ìý 37,249 Ìý Ìý Ìý 22,677 Ìý Ìý Ìý 84,171 Ìý Ìý Ìý 40,076 Ìý
Depreciation and amortization Ìý 935,070 Ìý Ìý Ìý 919,152 Ìý Ìý Ìý 933,801 Ìý Ìý Ìý 963,212 Ìý Ìý Ìý 950,090 Ìý
EBITDA Ìý (603,364 ) Ìý Ìý 116,162 Ìý Ìý Ìý 812,041 Ìý Ìý Ìý 1,344,405 Ìý Ìý Ìý 419,073 Ìý
Bad debt expense Ìý 450,000 Ìý Ìý Ìý 450,000 Ìý Ìý Ìý 450,000 Ìý Ìý Ìý 450,000 Ìý Ìý Ìý 450,000 Ìý
Stock-based compensation Ìý 458,336 Ìý Ìý Ìý 394,510 Ìý Ìý Ìý 387,452 Ìý Ìý Ìý 87,449 Ìý Ìý Ìý 218,132 Ìý
Severance Ìý — Ìý Ìý Ìý — Ìý Ìý Ìý 149,043 Ìý Ìý Ìý — Ìý Ìý Ìý — Ìý
Non-recurring charges - Other Ìý 232,367 Ìý Ìý Ìý — Ìý Ìý Ìý — Ìý Ìý Ìý — Ìý Ìý Ìý — Ìý
Adjusted EBITDA $ 537,339 Ìý Ìý $ 960,672 Ìý Ìý $ 1,798,536 Ìý Ìý $ 1,881,854 Ìý Ìý $ 1,087,205 Ìý
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
Net loss Margin Ìý (13)% Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý (12)% Ìý
Adjusted EBITDA Margin Ìý (3)% Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý 8% Ìý

The following tables present a reconciliation of net income (loss) to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA and of net income (loss) margin to the Adjusted EBITDA margin by business unit:

Ìý Three Months Ended October 31, 2023
Ìý Consolidated Ìý AGI Corporate Ìý AU Ìý USU
Net income (loss) $ (1,611,813 ) Ìý $ (3,807,821 ) Ìý $ 581,707 Ìý $ 1,614,301
Interest expense, net Ìý 1,040,720 Ìý Ìý Ìý 1,040,720 Ìý Ìý Ìý — Ìý Ìý —
Taxes Ìý 40,076 Ìý Ìý Ìý 7,997 Ìý Ìý Ìý 18,601 Ìý Ìý 13,478
Depreciation and amortization Ìý 950,090 Ìý Ìý Ìý 78,122 Ìý Ìý Ìý 738,794 Ìý Ìý 133,174
EBITDA Ìý 419,073 Ìý Ìý Ìý (2,680,982 ) Ìý Ìý 1,339,102 Ìý Ìý 1,760,953
Bad debt expense Ìý 450,000 Ìý Ìý Ìý — Ìý Ìý Ìý 225,000 Ìý Ìý 225,000
Stock-based compensation Ìý 218,132 Ìý Ìý Ìý 193,139 Ìý Ìý Ìý 21,572 Ìý Ìý 3,421
Adjusted EBITDA $ 1,087,205 Ìý Ìý $ (2,487,843 ) Ìý $ 1,585,674 Ìý $ 1,989,374
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
Net income (loss) Margin Ìý (12)% Ìý Ìý Ìý NM Ìý Ìý Ìý 8% Ìý Ìý 25%
Adjusted EBITDA Margin Ìý 8% Ìý Ìý Ìý NM Ìý Ìý Ìý 22% Ìý Ìý 30%

_____________________
NM – Not meaningful

Ìý Three Months Ended October 31, 2022
Ìý Consolidated Ìý AGI Corporate Ìý AU Ìý USU
Net income (loss) $ (2,293,640 ) Ìý $ (5,150,209 ) Ìý $ 1,067,885 Ìý Ìý $ 1,788,684 Ìý
Interest expense, net Ìý 708,705 Ìý Ìý Ìý 710,237 Ìý Ìý Ìý (1,239 ) Ìý Ìý (293 )
Taxes Ìý 46,501 Ìý Ìý Ìý 8,350 Ìý Ìý Ìý 27,776 Ìý Ìý Ìý 10,375 Ìý
Depreciation and amortization Ìý 935,070 Ìý Ìý Ìý 68,860 Ìý Ìý Ìý 757,770 Ìý Ìý Ìý 108,440 Ìý
EBITDA Ìý (603,364 ) Ìý Ìý (4,362,762 ) Ìý Ìý 1,852,192 Ìý Ìý Ìý 1,907,206 Ìý
Bad debt expense Ìý 450,000 Ìý Ìý Ìý — Ìý Ìý Ìý 225,000 Ìý Ìý Ìý 225,000 Ìý
Stock-based compensation Ìý 458,336 Ìý Ìý Ìý 404,391 Ìý Ìý Ìý 37,338 Ìý Ìý Ìý 16,607 Ìý
Non-recurring charges - Other Ìý 232,367 Ìý Ìý Ìý 232,367 Ìý Ìý Ìý — Ìý Ìý Ìý — Ìý
Adjusted EBITDA $ 537,339 Ìý Ìý $ (3,726,004 ) Ìý $ 2,114,530 Ìý Ìý $ 2,148,813 Ìý
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
Net income (loss) Margin Ìý (13)% Ìý Ìý Ìý NM Ìý Ìý Ìý 10% Ìý Ìý Ìý 27% Ìý
Adjusted EBITDA Margin Ìý 3% Ìý Ìý Ìý NM Ìý Ìý Ìý 20% Ìý Ìý Ìý 32% Ìý

Definitions

Lifetime Value ("LTV") – is calculated as the weighted average total amount of tuition and fees paid by every new student that enrolls in the Company’s universities, after giving effect to attrition.

Bookings – is defined by multiplying LTV by new student enrollments for each operating unit.

Average Revenue per Enrollment ("ARPU") – is defined by dividing total bookings by total enrollments.

Adjusted EBITDA Margin – is defined as Adjusted EBITDA divided by revenue. We believe Adjusted EBITDA margin is useful for management, analysts and investors as this measure allows for a more meaningful comparison between our performance and that of our competitors. Adjusted EBITDA margin has certain limitations in that it does not take into account the impact to our consolidated statement of operations of certain expenses.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including our liquidity, receipt of payment from the U.S. Department of Education, our continuing generating positive cash flow from operations, and our estimates as to Lifetime Value, bookings and ARPU, changes in enrollments and the expected use of proceeds from the drawdown under the revolving credit facility. The words “believe,â€� “may,â€� “estimate,â€� “continue,â€� “anticipate,â€� “intend,â€� “should,â€� “plan,â€� “could,â€� “target,â€� “potential,â€� “is likely,â€� “will,â€� “expectâ€� 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 and for new programs, student attrition, national and local economic factors including the potential impact of COVID-19, influenza and other respiratory viruses on the economy, the effectiveness of our future marketing campaigns, our reliance on third parties which may have differing priorities, the continued government spending on healthcare, any regulatory risks including the reauthorization of èßäÊÓÆµ University by its accreditor, continued improvement in NCLEX scores, competition from nursing schools in local markets, the competitive impact from the trend of major non-profit universities using online education and consolidation among our competitors. 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.

About èßäÊÓÆµ Group, Inc.

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

Investor Relations Contact

Kim Rogers
Managing Director
Hayden IR
385-831-7337Ìý

GAAP Financial Statements


ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Ìý
Ìý October 31, 2023 Ìý April 30, 2023
Ìý (Unaudited) Ìý Ìý
Assets Ìý Ìý Ìý
Current assets: Ìý Ìý Ìý
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,906,332 Ìý Ìý $ 1,353,635 Ìý
Restricted cash Ìý 4,100,000 Ìý Ìý Ìý 4,370,832 Ìý
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $3,862,420 and $3,506,895, respectively Ìý 22,654,843 Ìý Ìý Ìý 22,121,237 Ìý
Prepaid expenses Ìý 629,040 Ìý Ìý Ìý 609,900 Ìý
Other current assets Ìý 4,921,735 Ìý Ìý Ìý 3,068,918 Ìý
Total current assets Ìý 34,211,950 Ìý Ìý Ìý 31,524,522 Ìý
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
Property and equipment: Ìý Ìý Ìý
Computer equipment and hardware Ìý 1,643,665 Ìý Ìý Ìý 1,655,130 Ìý
Furniture and fixtures Ìý 2,190,450 Ìý Ìý Ìý 2,169,090 Ìý
Leasehold improvements Ìý 8,052,440 Ìý Ìý Ìý 8,055,363 Ìý
Instructional equipment Ìý 756,568 Ìý Ìý Ìý 756,568 Ìý
Software Ìý 12,180,811 Ìý Ìý Ìý 11,648,505 Ìý
Ìý Ìý 24,823,934 Ìý Ìý Ìý 24,284,656 Ìý
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization Ìý (13,765,150 ) Ìý Ìý (11,922,435 )
Total property and equipment, net Ìý 11,058,784 Ìý Ìý Ìý 12,362,221 Ìý
Goodwill Ìý 5,011,432 Ìý Ìý Ìý 5,011,432 Ìý
Intangible assets, net Ìý 7,900,000 Ìý Ìý Ìý 7,900,000 Ìý
Courseware, net Ìý 360,628 Ìý Ìý Ìý 291,438 Ìý
Long-term contractual accounts receivable Ìý 17,334,007 Ìý Ìý Ìý 13,004,428 Ìý
Deferred financing costs Ìý — Ìý Ìý Ìý 73,897 Ìý
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net Ìý 12,585,726 Ìý Ìý Ìý 13,431,074 Ìý
Deposits and other assets Ìý 594,566 Ìý Ìý Ìý 210,536 Ìý
Total assets $ 89,057,093 Ìý Ìý $ 83,809,548 Ìý


ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (CONTINUED)
Ìý
Ìý October 31, 2023 Ìý April 30, 2023
Ìý (Unaudited) Ìý Ìý
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity Ìý Ìý Ìý
Liabilities: Ìý Ìý Ìý
Current liabilities: Ìý Ìý Ìý
Accounts payable $ 2,916,185 Ìý Ìý $ 2,250,902 Ìý
Accrued expenses Ìý 2,921,285 Ìý Ìý Ìý 2,355,370 Ìý
Advances on tuition Ìý 2,377,593 Ìý Ìý Ìý 2,975,680 Ìý
Deferred tuition Ìý 4,762,952 Ìý Ìý Ìý 2,892,333 Ìý
Due to students Ìý 2,535,736 Ìý Ìý Ìý 2,624,831 Ìý
Current portion of long-term debt Ìý 4,684,290 Ìý Ìý Ìý 5,000,000 Ìý
Operating lease obligations, current portion Ìý 2,497,946 Ìý Ìý Ìý 2,502,810 Ìý
Other current liabilities Ìý 688,268 Ìý Ìý Ìý 109,328 Ìý
Total current liabilities Ìý 23,384,255 Ìý Ìý Ìý 20,711,254 Ìý
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
Long-term debt, net Ìý 15,535,401 Ìý Ìý Ìý 10,000,000 Ìý
Operating lease obligations, less current portion Ìý 16,311,827 Ìý Ìý Ìý 17,551,512 Ìý
Total liabilities Ìý 55,231,483 Ìý Ìý Ìý 48,262,766 Ìý
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
Commitments and contingencies Ìý Ìý Ìý
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
Stockholders’ equity: Ìý Ìý Ìý
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized, Ìý Ìý Ìý
0 issued and 0 outstanding at OctoberÌý31, 2023 and AprilÌý30, 2023 Ìý — Ìý Ìý Ìý — Ìý
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 60,000,000 shares authorized, Ìý Ìý Ìý
25,548,046 issued and 25,548,046 outstanding at OctoberÌý31, 2023 Ìý Ìý Ìý
25,592,802 issued and 25,437,316 outstanding at AprilÌý30, 2023 Ìý 24,061 Ìý Ìý Ìý 25,593 Ìý
Additional paid-in capital Ìý 112,144,189 Ìý Ìý Ìý 113,429,992 Ìý
Treasury stock (0 shares at OctoberÌý31, 2023 and 155,486 shares at AprilÌý30, 2023) Ìý — Ìý Ìý Ìý (1,817,414 )
Accumulated deficit Ìý (78,342,640 ) Ìý Ìý (76,091,389 )
Total stockholders’ equity Ìý 33,825,610 Ìý Ìý Ìý 35,546,782 Ìý
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 89,057,093 Ìý Ìý $ 83,809,548 Ìý


ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
Ìý
Ìý Three Months Ended October 31, Ìý Six Months Ended October 31,
Ìý Ìý 2023 Ìý Ìý Ìý 2022 Ìý Ìý Ìý 2023 Ìý Ìý Ìý 2022 Ìý
Ìý (Unaudited) Ìý (Unaudited) Ìý (Unaudited) Ìý (Unaudited)
Revenue $ 13,828,847 Ìý Ìý $ 17,074,547 Ìý Ìý $ 28,468,719 Ìý Ìý $ 35,968,460 Ìý
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
Operating expenses: Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below) Ìý 4,584,193 Ìý Ìý Ìý 6,347,008 Ìý Ìý Ìý 8,977,048 Ìý Ìý Ìý 16,552,559 Ìý
General and administrative Ìý 8,371,546 Ìý Ìý Ìý 10,883,118 Ìý Ìý Ìý 16,842,424 Ìý Ìý Ìý 21,415,138 Ìý
Bad debt expense Ìý 450,000 Ìý Ìý Ìý 450,000 Ìý Ìý Ìý 900,000 Ìý Ìý Ìý 800,000 Ìý
Depreciation and amortization Ìý 950,090 Ìý Ìý Ìý 935,070 Ìý Ìý Ìý 1,913,302 Ìý Ìý Ìý 1,856,178 Ìý
Total operating expenses Ìý 14,355,829 Ìý Ìý Ìý 18,615,196 Ìý Ìý Ìý 28,632,774 Ìý Ìý Ìý 40,623,875 Ìý
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
Operating loss Ìý (526,982 ) Ìý Ìý (1,540,649 ) Ìý Ìý (164,055 ) Ìý Ìý (4,655,415 )
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
Other income (expense): Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
Interest expense Ìý (1,040,720 ) Ìý Ìý (710,372 ) Ìý Ìý (1,977,201 ) Ìý Ìý (1,291,665 )
Other (expense) income, net Ìý (4,035 ) Ìý Ìý 3,882 Ìý Ìý Ìý 14,252 Ìý Ìý Ìý 15,291 Ìý
Total other expense, net Ìý (1,044,755 ) Ìý Ìý (706,490 ) Ìý Ìý (1,962,949 ) Ìý Ìý (1,276,374 )
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
Loss before income taxes Ìý (1,571,737 ) Ìý Ìý (2,247,139 ) Ìý Ìý (2,127,004 ) Ìý Ìý (5,931,789 )
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
Income tax expense Ìý 40,076 Ìý Ìý Ìý 46,501 Ìý Ìý Ìý 124,247 Ìý Ìý Ìý 76,822 Ìý
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
Net loss $ (1,611,813 ) Ìý $ (2,293,640 ) Ìý $ (2,251,251 ) Ìý $ (6,008,611 )
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
Net loss per share - basic and diluted $ (0.06 ) Ìý $ (0.09 ) Ìý $ (0.09 ) Ìý $ (0.24 )
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
Weighted average number of common stock outstanding - basic and diluted Ìý 25,548,046 Ìý Ìý Ìý 25,282,947 Ìý Ìý Ìý 25,557,646 Ìý Ìý Ìý 25,242,833 Ìý


ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
Ìý
Ìý Six Months Ended October 31,
Ìý Ìý 2023 Ìý Ìý Ìý 2022 Ìý
Ìý (Unaudited) Ìý (Unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities: Ìý Ìý Ìý
Net loss $ (2,251,251 ) Ìý $ (6,008,611 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: Ìý Ìý Ìý
Bad debt expense Ìý 900,000 Ìý Ìý Ìý 800,000 Ìý
Depreciation and amortization Ìý 1,913,302 Ìý Ìý Ìý 1,856,178 Ìý
Stock-based compensation Ìý 305,581 Ìý Ìý Ìý 504,666 Ìý
Amortization of warrant-based cost Ìý 14,000 Ìý Ìý Ìý 14,000 Ìý
Amortization of deferred financing costs Ìý 156,020 Ìý Ìý Ìý 269,133 Ìý
Amortization of debt discounts Ìý 193,020 Ìý Ìý Ìý 59,000 Ìý
Non-cash lease benefit Ìý (399,201 ) Ìý Ìý (229,809 )
Common stock issued for services Ìý — Ìý Ìý Ìý 24,500 Ìý
Tenant improvement allowances Ìý — Ìý Ìý Ìý 418,280 Ìý
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Ìý Ìý Ìý
Accounts receivable Ìý (5,763,185 ) Ìý Ìý (3,761,463 )
Prepaid expenses Ìý (19,140 ) Ìý Ìý (242,310 )
Other current assets Ìý (1,852,817 ) Ìý Ìý (26,956 )
Deposits and other assets Ìý (384,030 ) Ìý Ìý 41,608 Ìý
Accounts payable Ìý 665,283 Ìý Ìý Ìý 921,112 Ìý
Accrued expenses Ìý 565,915 Ìý Ìý Ìý 326,053 Ìý
Due to students Ìý (89,095 ) Ìý Ìý (898,160 )
Advances on tuition and deferred tuition Ìý 1,272,532 Ìý Ìý Ìý 2,882,106 Ìý
Other current liabilities Ìý 578,940 Ìý Ìý Ìý 424,685 Ìý
Net cash used in operating activities Ìý (4,194,126 ) Ìý Ìý (2,625,988 )
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
Cash flows from investing activities: Ìý Ìý Ìý
Purchases of courseware and accreditation Ìý (120,863 ) Ìý Ìý (48,532 )
Disbursements for reimbursable leasehold improvements Ìý — Ìý Ìý Ìý (418,280 )
Purchases of property and equipment Ìý (558,565 ) Ìý Ìý (842,044 )
Net cash used in investing activities Ìý (679,428 ) Ìý Ìý (1,308,856 )
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
Cash flows from financing activities: Ìý Ìý Ìý
Proceeds from 15% Senior Secured Debentures, net of original issuance discount Ìý 11,000,000 Ìý Ìý Ìý — Ìý
Repayment of 2018 Credit Facility Ìý (5,000,000 ) Ìý Ìý — Ìý
Repayment of portion of 15% Senior Secured Debentures Ìý (100,000 ) Ìý Ìý — Ìý
Payments of deferred financing costs Ìý (744,581 ) Ìý Ìý (60,833 )
Payment of commitment fee for 2022 Credit Facility Ìý — Ìý Ìý Ìý (200,000 )
Proceeds from sale of common stock, net of underwriter costs Ìý — Ìý Ìý Ìý 9,535 Ìý
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Ìý 5,155,419 Ìý Ìý Ìý (251,298 )


ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
(Unaudited)
Ìý
Ìý Six Months Ended October 31,
Ìý Ìý 2023 Ìý Ìý 2022 Ìý
Ìý (Unaudited) Ìý (Unaudited)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 281,865 Ìý $ (4,186,142 )
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period Ìý 5,724,467 Ìý Ìý 12,916,147 Ìý
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $ 6,006,332 Ìý $ 8,730,005 Ìý
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: Ìý Ìý Ìý
Cash paid for interest $ 1,639,701 Ìý $ 802,167 Ìý
Cash paid for income taxes $ 24,525 Ìý $ 22,522 Ìý
Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities: Ìý Ìý Ìý
Warrants issued as part of the 15% Senior Secured Debentures $ 154,000 Ìý $ — Ìý
Warrants issued as part of the 15% Senior Secured Debentures as amended $ 56,496 Ìý $ — Ìý

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the accompanying consolidated balance sheet to the total amounts shown in the accompanying unaudited consolidated statements of cash flows:

Ìý October 31,
Ìý Ìý 2023 Ìý Ìý 2022
Ìý (Unaudited) Ìý (Unaudited)
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,906,332 Ìý $ 2,306,480
Restricted cash Ìý 4,100,000 Ìý Ìý 6,423,525
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 6,006,332 Ìý $ 8,730,005

Ìý


Source: èßäÊÓÆµ Group Inc.