Basis of Presentation (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” (“ASU 2014-09”). The standard is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires revenue to be recognized in a manner to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration expected to be received in exchange for those goods or services. As originally issued, ASU 2014-09 would be effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption not permitted. Accordingly, the standard would only be effective for the Company for periods beginning on or after January 1, 2017.

However, on April 1, 2015, the FASB voted to propose a one-year deferral of the effective date of the new revenue recognition standard. Under the FASB proposal, public companies would apply the new revenue standard to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and to all interim reporting periods within the year of adoption. Accordingly, if the proposal is adopted, the revised revenue recognition standard will be effective for the Company for the year ending December 31, 2018, with early adoption permitted for annual periods beginning after December 16, 2016. The revised standard will be effective for all interim periods within the year of adoption. We will evaluate the impact that the standard will have on our financial condition, results of operations, and disclosures.

There have been no other applicable material pronouncements since the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition - APEI Segment

APUS recognizes revenue on a pro rata basis over the period of its courses as APUS completes the tasks entitling it to the benefits represented by such revenue. If a student withdraws during the academic term, APUS recognizes as revenue the remaining non-refundable amount due from the student in the period the withdrawal occurs. The calculation of the remaining non-refundable amount is based upon the APUS student refund policy. For those students who have an outstanding receivable balance at the date of withdrawal, APUS assesses collectability and only recognizes as revenue those amounts where collectability is reasonably assured based on APUS’s history with similar student accounts. This policy was implemented effective January 1, 2015. Prior to this, APUS recognized revenue for all student withdrawals and established an allowance for those receivables considered uncollectible. The Company does not believe that this change in policy will have a material effect on its results of operations or financial condition.

Restricted Cash

Cash and cash equivalents includes funds held for students for unbilled educational services that were received from Title IV programs. As a trustee of these Title IV program funds, the Company is required to maintain and restrict these funds pursuant to the terms of its subsidiary institution's program participation agreements with the U.S. Department of Education. Restricted cash on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2015 (unaudited) and December 31, 2014 is $2.6 million and $3.9 million, respectively. Changes in restricted cash that represent funds held for students as described above are included in cash flows from operating activities on our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows because these restricted funds are a core activity of our operations.

Commitments and Contingencies

The Company accrues for costs associated with contingencies including, but not limited to, regulatory compliance and legal matters when such costs are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Liabilities established to provide for contingencies are adjusted as further information develops, circumstances change, or contingencies are resolved. The Company bases these accruals on management’s estimate of such costs, which may vary from the ultimate cost and expenses associated with any such contingency.

From time to time, the Company may be involved in litigation in the normal course of its business. The Company is not aware of any pending or threatened litigation matters the resolution of which, in the opinion of management, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, operations, financial condition or cash flows.

Concentration

APUS students utilize various payment sources and programs to finance tuition. These programs include funds from Department of Defense, or DoD, tuition assistance programs, education benefit programs administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or VA, and federal student aid from Title IV programs, as well as cash and other sources. Reductions in or changes to DoD tuition assistance, VA education benefits, Title IV programs and other payment sources could have a significant impact on the Company’s business, operations, financial condition or cash flows. A summary of APEI Segment revenue derived from students by primary funding source for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014 is as follows (unaudited):

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015	2014
Title IV programs	33%	35%
DoD tuition assistance programs	35%	36%
VA education benefits	20%	17%
Cash and other sources	12%	12%

As of March 31, 2015, approximately 86% of the HCON Segment’s revenue was derived from students who received federal student aid.

- Definition

Entity's cash and cash equivalents accounting policy with respect to restricted balances. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against short-term borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or company statements of intention with regard to particular deposits; however, time deposits and short-term certificates of deposit are not generally included in legally restricted deposits.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for credit risk.

+ References+ Details

- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for revenue recognition. If the entity has different policies for different types of revenue transactions, the policy for each material type of transaction is generally disclosed. If a sales transaction has multiple element arrangements (for example, delivery of multiple products, services or the rights to use assets) the disclosure may indicate the accounting policy for each unit of accounting as well as how units of accounting are determined and valued. The disclosure may encompass important judgment as to appropriateness of principles related to recognition of revenue. The disclosure also may indicate the entity's treatment of any unearned or deferred revenue that arises from the transaction.

+ References+ Details