EXHIBIT 99.1

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  September 6, 2018


Aspen Group Revenue Growth Rate Accelerates to 70% in the First Quarter of Fiscal 2019


Aspen University’s Core Business Enrollments in August Set Historical Records by Over 25%



NEW YORK, NY – September 6, 2018 - Aspen Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASPU), an education technology holding company, today announced financial results for its 2019 fiscal first quarter ended July 31, 2018, highlighted by revenue of $7,221,305, an increase of 70% compared to the first quarter of 2018. This represented an acceleration in revenue growth from 68% growth achieved in the fourth quarter of 2018.


Michael Mathews, Chairman & CEO of Aspen Group, commented, “Our first quarter results reflect significant investment spending to set up the company for continued strong revenue growth. Since February 2018, we’ve increased our academic and corporate operations personnel by 30 people and increased the size of our enrollment center by over 25%. Additionally, we increased our internet advertising spend at Aspen by approximately $250,000 sequentially. This allowed us to achieve historically strong August enrollments and puts the company in position to deliver significant leverage improvements for the remainder of the fiscal year.”


Fiscal Q1 2019 Financial Highlights:*

·

Revenue totaled $7,221,305, an increase of 70% as compared to the prior fiscal year first quarter;

·

Gross Profit totaled $3,309,768, a 40% increase as compared to the prior fiscal year first quarter;

·

Net Loss applicable to shareholders of ($2,837,276), as compared to Net Loss of ($767,079) in the prior fiscal year first quarter; Diluted net loss per share was $(0.15), as compared to a loss of $(0.06) in the prior fiscal year first quarter;

·

EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, totaled a loss of $(2,298,818);

·

Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, totaled a loss of $(1,778,348);


In reviewing these comparisons, investors should note Aspen Group acquired United States University (USU) and all its operating expenses on December 1, 2017. For the first quarter, revenues were $7,221,305, an increase of 70% as compared to the prior fiscal year first quarter. USU revenues contributed nearly 18% of the quarterly revenues for the Company, up from nearly 15% the previous quarter.


Gross profit increased to $3,309,768 or 46% gross margin. Aspen University gross profit represented 51% of Aspen University revenues for the first quarter, while USU gross profit equaled 40% of USU revenues during the first quarter. Aspen University instructional costs and services represented 19% of Aspen University revenues for the 2019 first quarter, while USU instructional costs and services equaled 33% of USU revenues during the 2019 first quarter. Aspen University marketing and promotional costs rose to 27% of Aspen University revenues for the 2019 first quarter based on a sequential quarterly increase of internet advertising spend of approximately $250,000, while USU marketing and promotional costs equaled 26% of USU revenues during the 2019 first quarter.


Net loss applicable to shareholders was ($2,837,276) or diluted net loss per share of ($0.15). Aspen University generated $0.2 million of operating income for the first quarter, while USU experienced an operating loss of ($1.1) million during the first quarter. Aspen Group corporate incurred $1.9 million of operating expenses for the first quarter.


EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, was a loss of ($2,298,818) or (32%) as a percentage of revenue. Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, was a loss of ($1,778,348) or (25%) as a percentage of revenue. Aspen University generated $0.5 million of Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter, while USU experienced an Adjusted EBITDA loss of ($0.8) million during the first quarter. Aspen Group corporate contributed $1.5 million toward the ($1,778,348) Adjusted EBITDA loss for the first quarter.


EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue declined over the past two quarters, primarily as a result of increased spending on marketing and general and administrative expenses. These upfront expenses were incurred to stimulate and support increased enrollment at both universities, and to launch the Aspen University campus in Phoenix. The company expects this first quarter to be the peak operating loss result, with each subsequent quarter showing improved leverage over the remainder of the fiscal year.




 


The company’s cash loss on an operating basis was $3.4 million primarily due to the operating loss of ($2.8) million. In addition, there’s the cash flow lag effect from our monthly payment plan (“MPP”) program, particularly at USU given they’re ramping their MPP program as 58% of their active students are now on the payment plan. An additional $779,000 net cash was used for capitalized expenses to build out and equip our new campus and for software developed by our technology group in Canada.


August Enrollment Business Update:


The month of August is the start of the seasonal high-point of the enrollment calendar given students’ fall start mentality. Aspen University’s core business units (Nursing + Other and Doctoral) achieved its strongest enrollment month in history with 476 enrollments, which is over 25% higher than any enrollment month in our core business unit history (comparative does not include enrollments for Aspen’s BSN pre-licensure campus, as enrollments for the upcoming BSN pre-licensure November semester will primarily be recorded in October). In August, Aspen’s core Nursing + Other unit delivered 417 enrollments, while Aspen’s Doctoral unit delivered 59 enrollments, both being monthly enrollment records for each unit.


Conference Call:


Aspen Group, Inc. will host a conference call to discuss its fiscal year 2019 first quarter (ending July 31, 2018) financial results and business outlook on Thursday, September 6, 2018, at 4:30 p.m. (ET). The conference call can be accessed by dialing toll-free (844) 452-6823 (U.S.) or (731) 256-5216 (international), passcode 6397498. 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 6397498.


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 Quarters Ended

 

 

 

July 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(2,837,276

)

 

$

(767,079

)

Interest expense, net of interest income

 

 

40,353

 

 

 

(12,581

)

Depreciation & amortization

 

 

498,105

 

 

 

138,720

 

EBITDA (loss)

 

 

(2,298,818

)

 

 

(640,940

)

Bad debt expense

 

 

121,805

 

 

 

63,000

 

Acquisition expense

 

 

 

 

 

119,282

 

Non-recurring charges

 

 

188,689

 

 

 

354,536

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

209,976

 

 

 

159,300

 

Adjusted EBITDA (Loss)

 

$

(1,778,348

)

 

$

55,178

 


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 strong revenue growth and operating results for the balance of fiscal 2019. The words “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “could,” “target,” “potential,” “is likely,” “will,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements are included in our filings with the SEC including our Form S-3, 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


 

 

July 31,

 

 

April 30,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2018

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

10,423,660

 

 

$

14,612,559

 

Restricted cash

 

 

190,506

 

 

 

190,506

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $571,477 and $468,174, respectively

 

 

8,091,147

 

 

 

6,802,723

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

420,289

 

 

 

199,406

 

Other receivables

 

 

11,094

 

 

 

184,569

 

Total current assets

 

 

19,136,696

 

 

 

21,989,763

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Property and equipment:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Call center equipment

 

 

158,064

 

 

 

140,509

 

Computer and office equipment

 

 

257,069

 

 

 

230,810

 

Furniture and fixtures

 

 

1,186,979

 

 

 

932,454

 

Software

 

 

3,119,642

 

 

 

2,878,753

 

 

 

 

4,721,754

 

 

 

4,182,526

 

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

 

(1,331,565

)

 

 

(1,320,360

)

Total property and equipment, net

 

 

3,390,189

 

 

 

2,862,166

 

Goodwill

 

 

5,011,432

 

 

 

5,011,432

 

Intangible assets, net

 

 

9,366,667

 

 

 

9,641,667

 

Courseware and Accreditation, net

 

 

165,705

 

 

 

138,159

 

Accounts receivable, secured - net of allowance of $625,963, and $625,963, respectively

 

 

45,329

 

 

 

45,329

 

Long term contractual accounts receivable

 

 

1,497,762

 

 

 

1,315,050

 

Other assets and Security Deposits

 

 

584,966

 

 

 

584,966

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

39,198,746

 

 

$

41,588,532

 


(Continued)





 


ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (CONTINUED)


 

 

July 31,

 

 

April 30,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2018

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

1,498,984

 

 

$

2,227,214

 

Accrued expenses

 

 

669,255

 

 

 

658,854

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

2,244,151

 

 

 

1,814,136

 

Refunds due students

 

 

1,118,450

 

 

 

815,841

 

Deferred rent, current portion

 

 

10,729

 

 

 

8,160

 

Convertible notes payable, current portion

 

 

1,050,000

 

 

 

1,050,000

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

230,672

 

 

 

203,371

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

6,822,241

 

 

 

6,777,576

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Convertible note payable

 

 

1,000,000

 

 

 

1,000,000

 

Deferred rent

 

 

292,229

 

 

 

77,365

 

Total liabilities

 

 

8,114,470

 

 

 

7,854,941

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized,

 

 

 

 

 

 

0 issued and outstanding at July 31, 2018 and April 30, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.001 par value; 250,000,000 shares authorized,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,341,440 issued and 18,324,773 outstanding at July 31, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18,333,521 issued and 18,316,854 outstanding at April 30, 2018

 

 

18,341

 

 

 

18,334

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

66,744,959

 

 

 

66,557,005

 

Treasury stock (16,667 shares)

 

 

(70,000

)

 

 

(70,000

)

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(35,609,024

)

 

 

(32,771,748

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

31,084,276

 

 

 

33,733,591

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

39,198,746

 

 

$

41,588,532

 





 


ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)


 

 

For the

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

July 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

7,221,305

 

 

$

4,242,886

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)

 

 

3,752,392

 

 

 

1,752,491

 

General and administrative

 

 

5,824,132

 

 

 

3,131,335

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

498,105

 

 

 

138,720

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

10,074,629

 

 

 

5,022,546

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating loss

 

 

(2,853,324

)

 

 

(779,660

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other income

 

 

56,401

 

 

 

18,778

 

Interest expense

 

 

(40,353

)

 

 

(6,197

)

Total other income, net

 

 

16,048

 

 

 

12,581

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss before income taxes

 

 

(2,837,276

)

 

 

(767,079

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(2,837,276

)

 

$

(767,079

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss per share allocable to common stockholders – basic and diluted

 

$

(0.15

)

 

$

(0.06

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: basic and diluted

 

 

18,317,830

 

 

 

13,526,374

 






 


ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED JULY 31, 2018

(Unaudited)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders'

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

Paid-In

 

 

Treasury

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

209,976

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

209,976

 

Common stock issued for cashless stock options exercised

 

 

5,230

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

(5

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock issued for stock options exercised for cash

 

 

2,689

 

 

 

2

 

 

 

7,815

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,817

 

Purchase of treasury stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7,370,000

)

 

 

 

 

 

(7,370,000

)

Resale of treasury stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,370,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,370,000

 

Fees associated with equity raise

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(29,832

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(29,832

)

Net loss, for the three months ended July 31, 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,837,276

)

 

 

(2,837,276

)

Balance at July 31, 2018

 

 

18,341,440

 

 

$

18,341

 

 

$

66,744,959

 

 

$

(70,000

)

 

$

(35,609,024

)

 

$

31,084,276

 







 


ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)


 

 

For the

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

July 31,

 

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(2,837,276

)

 

$

(767,079

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bad debt expense

 

 

121,805

 

 

 

63,000

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

498,105

 

 

 

138,720

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

209,976

 

 

 

159,300

 

Amortization of prepaid shares for services

 

 

8,285

 

 

 

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(1,592,941

)

 

 

(699,020

)

Prepaid expenses

 

 

(229,168

)

 

 

(48,902

)

Accrued interest receivable

 

 

 

 

 

(18,400

)

Other receivables

 

 

173,475

 

 

 

(138,966

)

Accounts payable

 

 

(728,230

)

 

 

215,431

 

Accrued expenses

 

 

10,401

 

 

 

(54,827

)

Deferred rent

 

 

217,433

 

 

 

(3,683

)

Refunds due students

 

 

302,609

 

 

 

80,324

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

430,015

 

 

 

50,017

 

Other liabilities

 

 

27,301

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

 

 

(3,388,210

)

 

 

(1,024,085

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of courseware and accreditation

 

 

(42,917

)

 

 

(19,000

)

Purchases of property and equipment

 

 

(735,757

)

 

 

(261,409

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(778,674

)

 

 

(280,409

)

                                                                                                                                                   

  

 

                     

  

  

 

                     

  

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disbursements for equity offering costs

 

 

(29,832

)

 

 

(4,707

)

Proceeds of warrant exercise

 

 

7,817

 

 

 

33,876

 

Purchase of treasury stock

 

 

(7,370,000

)

 

 

 

Resale of treasury stock

 

 

7,370,000

 

 

 

 

Offering costs paid on debt financing

 

 

 

 

 

(267,323

)

Senior secured loan

 

 

 

 

 

5,000,000

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

 

(22,015

)

 

 

4,761,846

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and restricted cash

 

 

(4,188,899

)

 

 

3,457,352

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and restricted cash at beginning of period

 

 

14,803,065

 

 

 

2,756,217

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and restricted cash at end of period

 

$

10,614,166

 

 

$

6,213,569

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

 

$

 

 

$

3,346

 

Cash paid for income taxes

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warrants issued as part of senior secured loan

 

$

 

 

$

478,428