Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

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Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
6 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2014
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation

 

The unaudited consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Aspen Group, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of the unaudited consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the unaudited consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates in the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include the allowance for doubtful accounts and other receivables, the valuation of collateral on certain receivables, amortization periods and valuation of courseware and software development costs, valuation of beneficial conversion features in convertible debt, valuation of stock-based compensation, the valuation of net assets and liabilities from discontinued operations and the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets.

 

Restricted Cash

Restricted Cash

 

Restricted cash represents amounts pledged as security for letters of credit for transactions involving Title IV programs, as well as funds held in escrow. The company considers $938,225 and $868,298 as restricted cash (shown as a current asset as of  October 31, 2014 and April 30, 2014 respectively).

 

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

 

Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The Company classifies assets and liabilities recorded at fair value under the fair value hierarchy based upon the observability of inputs used in valuation techniques. Observable inputs (highest level) reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs (lowest level) reflect internally developed market assumptions. The fair value measurements are classified under the following hierarchy:

 

Level 1—Observable inputs that reflect quoted market prices (unadjusted) for identical assets and liabilities in active markets;

Level 2—Observable inputs, other than quoted market prices, that are either directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace for identical or similar assets and liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets and liabilities; and

Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity that are significant to the fair value of assets or liabilities.

 

The estimated fair value of certain financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses are carried at historical cost basis, which approximates their fair values because of the short-term nature of these instruments.

 

Refunds Due Students

Refunds Due Students

 

The Company receives Title IV funds from the Department of Education to cover tuition and living expenses. Until forwarded to the student, this amount is captured in a current liability account called Refunds Due Students. Typically, the funds are paid to the students within two weeks.

 

Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue

Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue

 

Revenues consist primarily of tuition and fees derived from courses taught by the Company online as well as from related educational resources that the Company provides to its students, such as access to our online materials and learning management system. Tuition revenue is recognized pro-rata over the applicable period of instruction. The Company allows a student to make three monthly tuition payments during each 10-week class. The Company maintains an institutional tuition refund policy, which provides for all or a portion of tuition to be refunded if a student withdraws during stated refund periods. Certain states in which students reside impose separate, mandatory refund policies, which override the Company's policy to the extent in conflict. If a student withdraws at a time when a portion or none of the tuition is refundable, then in accordance with its revenue recognition policy, the Company recognizes as revenue the tuition that was not refunded. Since the Company recognizes revenue pro-rata over the term of the course and because, under its institutional refund policy, the amount subject to refund is never greater than the amount of the revenue that has been deferred, under the Company's accounting policies revenue is not recognized with respect to amounts that could potentially be refunded. The Company's educational programs have starting and ending dates that differ from its fiscal quarters. Therefore, at the end of each fiscal quarter, a portion of revenue from these programs is not yet earned and is therefore deferred. The Company also charges students annual fees for library, technology and other services, which are recognized over the related service period. Deferred revenue represents the amount of tuition, fees, and other student payments received in excess of the portion recognized as revenue and it is included in current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Other revenues may be recognized as sales occur or services are performed.

 

Net Loss Per Share

Net Loss Per Share

 

Net loss per common share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Options to purchase 13,476,412 and 9,433,902 common shares, warrants to purchase 44,007,963 and 18,249,528 common shares, and $750,000 and $3,040,000 of convertible debt (convertible into 1,307,142 and 8,093,985 common shares, respectively) were outstanding during the six months ended October 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted loss per share because the effects would have been anti-dilutive. The options, warrants and convertible debt are considered to be common stock equivalents and are only included in the calculation of diluted earnings per common share when their effect is dilutive.

 

Reclassifications

Reclassifications

 

The Company discovered that its system did not properly update all student withdrawals on the reports that were used to defer revenue. The effect of this was that revenue for the quarter ended October 31, 2013 was understated by $28,794 and deferred revenue overstated by the same amount. This system problem was corrected during the second quarter of the fiscal year ended April 30, 2014 and was not an issue at July 31, 2014. The company evaluated SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin #108, and applied a dual method to evaluate if the adjustment was material. Under the dual method, both a “rollover” method and an “iron curtain” method were applied. In both methods, the adjustment was not material to the comparative three month period ended October 31, 2013. As a result, the following reclassification was made for the quarter ended October 31, 2013:

 

         
Revenue as       Revenue as  
Originally Reported   Adjustment   Adjusted  
           
$885,338   $28,794   $914,132  
         

Additionally, the statement of cash flows for the six months ended October 31, 2013 was adjusted to conform to the income statement presentation by increasing the net loss and deferred revenue.

The Company reclassified $59,930 and $112,841, from Cost of Revenues to General and Administrative, both within Operating Expenses for the three months ending October 31, 2013 and the six months ending October 31, 2013, to conform to the current period presentation.

 

                                                 
   

For the Three Months ended October 31, 2013

 
   

Reclassifications

 
       
         

Dues,

   

Internet

       
   

As Previously

   

Fees, &

   

Related

 

 

As

 
   

Reported

   

Licenses

   

Expense

 

 

Reclassified

 
                         

Operating Expenses:

                       

Instructional

  $ 233,794       (18,914 )     (41,016 )   $ 173,864  

Marketing

    260,510                       260,510  

Cost of Revenues

  $ 494,304       (18,914 )     (41,016 )   $ 434,374  

General and administrative

    1,577,086       18,914       41,016       1,637,016  

Depreciation and amortization

    119,651                       119,651  

Total Operating Expenses

  $ 2,191,041                     $ 2,191,041  

 

                                                 
   

For the Six Months ended October 31, 2013

   

Reclassifications

 
                         
         

Dues,

   

Internet

       
   

As Previously

   

Fees, &

   

Related

 

 

As

 
   

Reported

   

Licenses

   

Expense

 

 

Reclassified

 
                         

Operating Expenses:

                       

Instructional

  $ 449,375       (40,249 )     (72,592 )   $ 336,534  

Marketing

    553,598                       553,598  

Cost of Revenues

  $ 1,002,973       (40,249 )     (72,592 )   $ 890,132  

General and administrative

    3,000,942       40,249       72,592       3,113,783  

Depreciation and amortization

    229,086                       229,086  

Total Operating Expenses

  $ 4,233,001                     $ 4,233,001  

 

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Financial Accounting Standards Board, Accounting Standard Updates which are not effective until after September 30, 2014 are not expected to have a significant effect on the Company's unaudited consolidated financial position or results of operations.


In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern (Topic 205-40)”, which requires management to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern for each annual and interim reporting period. If substantial doubt exists, additional disclosure is required. This new standard will be effective for the Company for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the implementation of this standard to have a material effect on it disclosures.