10-Q

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

☑    QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2020

☐    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 

For the transition period from _____ to ______

Commission File Number: 1-31923

 UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	86-0226984
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

4225 East Windrose Drive, Suite 200

Phoenix, Arizona 85032

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(623) 445-9500

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.0001 par value	UTI	New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes þ    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes   þ    No ¨  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ¨	Accelerated filer þ
Non-accelerated filer ¨	Smaller reporting company ☐
	Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ☐    No  þ

At January 31, 2021, there were 32,739,749 shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock.

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC.

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020

		Page
		Number
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS		ii
PART I.	FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020 (Unaudited)	1
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 (Unaudited)	2
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 (Unaudited)	3
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 (Unaudited)	4
	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)	6
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	22
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	30
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	30
PART II.	OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	31
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	31
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	31
Item 3.	Defaults upon Senior Securities	31
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	31
Item 5.	Other Information	31
Item 6.	Exhibits	32
SIGNATURES		33

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the documents incorporated by reference herein contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”) and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which include information relating to future events, future financial performance, strategies, expectations, competitive environment, regulation and availability of resources and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performances or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. From time to time, we also provide forward-looking statements in other materials we release to the public as well as verbal forward-looking statements.

In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “projects,” “predicts,” “potential” and similar expressions (including the negative form of such expressions) intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions, do not strictly relate to historical or current facts, any of which may not prove to be accurate. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in our forward-looking statements include, without limitation:

•failure of our schools to comply with the extensive regulatory requirements for school operations;

•our failure to maintain eligibility for federal student financial assistance funds;

•continued Congressional examination of the for-profit education sector;

•a disruption in our ability to process student loans under the Federal Direct Loan Program;

•regulatory investigations of, or actions commenced against, us or other companies in our industry;

•the effect of public health pandemics, epidemics or outbreak, including COVID-19;

•changes in the state regulatory environment or budgetary constraints;

•our failure to improve underutilized capacity at certain of our campuses;

•enrollment declines or challenges in our students’ ability to find employment as a result of macroeconomic conditions;

•our failure to maintain and expand existing industry relationships and develop new industry relationships with our industry customers;

•our ability to update and expand the content of existing programs and develop and integrate new programs in a cost-effective manner and on a timely basis;

•our failure to effectively identify, establish and operate additional schools, programs or campuses;

•the effect of our principal stockholder owning a significant percentage of our capital stock, and thus being able to influence certain corporate matters and the potential in the future to gain substantial control over our company;

•the impact of certain holders of our Series A Preferred Stock owning a significant percentage of our capital stock, their ability to influence and control certain corporate matters and the potential for future dilution to holders of our common stock;

•loss of our senior management or other key employees; and

•risks related to other factors discussed in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K, including those described in Item 1A. “Risk Factors.”

The factors above are not exhaustive, and new factors may emerge or changes to the foregoing factors may occur that could impact our business. We cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will be realized. Achievement of future results is subject to risks, uncertainties and potentially inaccurate assumptions. Many events beyond our control may determine whether results we anticipate will be achieved. Should known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove inaccurate, actual results could differ materially from past results and those anticipated, estimated or projected. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are the factors discussed under Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” You should bear this in mind as you consider forward-looking statements.

ii

Also, these forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date of the document containing the applicable statement. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Thus, you should not assume that our silence over time means that actual events are bearing out as expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. We qualify all of the forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including the documents that we incorporate by reference herein, by these cautionary statements. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures we make on related subjects in our reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

iii

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except par value and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

	December 31, 2020		September 30, 2020
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	44,212	$	76,803
Restricted cash	15,031		12,116
Held-to-maturity investments	27,878		38,055
Receivables, net	24,115		35,411
Notes receivable, current portion	5,446		5,184
Prepaid expenses	6,894		6,121
Other current assets	6,985		6,489
Total current assets	130,561		180,179
Property and equipment, net	116,637		72,743
Goodwill	8,222		8,222
Notes receivable, less current portion	29,875		27,609
Right-of-use assets for operating leases	140,296		144,663
Other assets	8,996		8,565
Total assets	$	434,587	$	441,981
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	43,221	$	51,891
Dividends payable	1,313		—
Deferred revenue	42,616		40,694
Accrued tool sets	3,052		3,148
Operating lease liability, current portion	20,357		23,666
Other current liabilities	1,927		2,241
Total current liabilities	112,486		121,640
Deferred tax liabilities, net	674		674
Operating lease liability	132,175		134,089
Other liabilities	10,946		9,056
Total liabilities	256,281		265,459
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 100,000 shares authorized, 32,767 and 32,730 shares issued	3		3
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 10,000 shares authorized; 700 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock issued and outstanding, liquidation preference of $100 per share	—		—
Paid-in capital - common	141,372		141,002
Paid-in capital - preferred	68,853		68,853
Treasury stock, at cost, 82 shares as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020	(365)		(365)
Retained deficit	(31,557)		(32,971)
Total shareholders’ equity	178,306		176,522
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	434,587	$	441,981

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

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UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	December 31,
	2020		2019
Revenues	$	76,125	$	87,234
Operating expenses:
Educational services and facilities	39,331		42,876
Selling, general and administrative	36,019		40,104
Total operating expenses	75,350		82,980
Income from operations	775		4,254
Other income:
Interest income	54		336
Interest expense	(2)		—
Other income, net	282		178
Total other income, net	334		514
Income before income taxes	1,109		4,768
Income tax expense	(26)		(84)
Net income	$	1,083	$	4,684
Preferred stock dividends	1,313		1,323
Net (loss) income available for distribution	$	(230)	$	3,361
Earnings per share (See Note 15 ):
Net (loss) income per share - basic	$	(0.01)	$	0.07
Net (loss) income per share - diluted	$	(0.01)	$	0.07
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic	32,658		25,663
Diluted	32,658		26,038

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

2

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Common Stock			Preferred Stock			Paid-in Capital - Common		Paid-in Capital - Preferred		Treasury Stock			Retained Deficit		Total Shareholders’ Equity
	Shares	Amount		Shares	Amount						Shares	Amount
Balance as of September 30, 2020	32,730	$	3	700	$	—	$	141,002	$	68,853	(82)	$	(365)	$	(32,971)	$	176,522
Net income	—	—		—	—		—		—		—	—		1,083		1,083
Cumulative effect from adoption of ASC 326	—	—		—	—		—		—		—	—		1,644		1,644
Issuance of common stock under employee plans	66	—		—	—		—		—		—	—		—		—
Shares withheld for payroll taxes	(29)	—		—	—		(178)		—		—	—		—		(178)
Stock-based compensation	—	—		—	—		548		—		—	—		—		548
Preferred stock dividends	—	—		—	—		—		—		—	—		(1,313)		(1,313)
Balance as of December 31, 2020	32,767	$	3	700	$	—	$	141,372	$	68,853	(82)	$	(365)	$	(31,557)	$	178,306

	Common Stock			Preferred Stock			Paid-in Capital - Common		Paid-in Capital - Preferred		Treasury Stock			Retained Deficit		Total Shareholders’ Equity
	Shares	Amount		Shares	Amount						Shares	Amount
Balance as of September 30, 2019	32,499	$	3	700	$	—	$	187,493	$	68,853	(6,865)	$	(97,388)	$	(44,673)	$	114,288
Net income	—	—		—	—		—		—		—	—		4,684		4,684
Cumulative effect from adoption of ASC 842	—	—		—	—		—		—		—	—		9,107		9,107
Issuance of common stock under employee plans	179	—		—	—		—		—		—	—		—		—
Shares withheld for payroll taxes	(68)	—		—	—		(497)		—		—	—		—		(497)
Stock-based compensation	—	—		—	—		14		—		—	—		—		14
Preferred stock dividends	—	—		—	—		—		—		—	—		(1,323)		(1,323)
Balance as of December 31, 2019	32,610	$	3	700	$	—	$	187,010	$	68,853	(6,865)	$	(97,388)	$	(32,205)	$	126,273

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

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UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2020		2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	1,083	$	4,684
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	3,282		3,013
Amortization of right-of-use assets for operating leases	4,445		5,920
Bad debt expense	389		283
Stock-based compensation	548		14
Training equipment credits earned, net	10		439
Other losses, net	(139)		(231)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables	8,108		4,065
Prepaid expenses	(1,651)		(409)
Other assets	(139)		23
Notes receivable	(884)		(555)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(8,416)		(1,938)
Deferred revenue	1,922		(695)
Income tax receivable/payable	2,783		92
Accrued tool sets and other current liabilities	(234)		32
Operating lease liability	(5,301)		(6,532)
Other liabilities	1,977		(1,081)
Net cash provided by operating activities	7,783		7,124
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from maturities of held-to-maturity securities	9,965		—
Purchase of property and equipment	(47,293)		(1,811)
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment	6		23
Return of capital contribution from unconsolidated affiliate	73		69
Net cash used in investing activities	(37,249)		(1,719)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment of financing obligation and finance leases	(32)		—
Payment of payroll taxes on stock-based compensation through shares withheld	(178)		(497)
Net cash used in financing activities	(210)		(497)
Change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(29,676)		4,908
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	76,803		65,442
Restricted cash, beginning of period	12,116		15,113
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period	88,919		80,555
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	44,212		70,533
Restricted cash, end of period	15,031		14,930
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	$	59,243	$	85,463

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UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2020		2019
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Taxes (refunded) paid	$	(19)	$	7
Interest paid	2		—
Training equipment obtained in exchange for services	141		241
Depreciation of training equipment obtained in exchange for services	317		332
Change in accrued capital expenditures during the period	238		140
Dividends payable	1,313		1,323
CARES Act funds received for institutional costs (See Note 18)	880		—

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Note 1 - Nature of the Business

We are the leading provider of postsecondary education for students seeking careers as professional automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians as measured by total average undergraduate full-time enrollment and graduates. We also provide programs for welders and computer numeric control (“CNC”) machining technicians. We offer certificate, diploma or degree programs at 12 campuses across the United States under the banner of several well-known brands, including Universal Technical Institute, Motorcycle Mechanics Institute, Marine Mechanics Institute and NASCAR Technical Institute. We also offer manufacturer specific advanced training (“MSAT”) programs, including student-paid electives, at our campuses and manufacturer or dealer sponsored training at certain campuses and dedicated training centers. Founded in 1965, we have provided technical education for more than 55 years and have graduated more than 220,000 technicians.

We work closely with over 35 original equipment manufacturers and industry brand partners to understand their needs for qualified service professionals. Revenues generated from our schools consist primarily of tuition and fees paid by students. To pay for a substantial portion of their tuition, the majority of students rely on funds received from federal financial aid programs under Title IV Programs of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (“HEA”), as well as from various veterans benefits programs. For further discussion, see Note 2 on “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Concentration of Risk” and Note 20 on “Government Regulation and Financial Aid” included in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 3, 2020.

Note 2 - Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, our condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. Normal and recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods have been included. Operating results for the three months ended December 31, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending September 30, 2021. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 3, 2020.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Universal Technical Institute, Inc. and our wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Note 3 - Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Effective the First Quarter of Fiscal 2021

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (Topic 326). This update significantly changes the way that entities measure credit losses. The new standard requires that entities estimate credit losses based upon an “expected credit loss” approach rather than the historical “incurred loss” approach. The new approach requires entities to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable forecasts of collectability. The change in approach impacts the timing of recognition of credit losses. This standard is effective for financial statements issued by public companies for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019. These changes became

6

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

effective for our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2020. Upon adoption on October 1, 2020, we recorded an increase in our receivables balance related to our proprietary loan program of $1.6 million, with the corresponding amount recorded as an increase to retained earnings. No other adjustments were deemed necessary in applying this new guidance.

Effective the First Quarter of Fiscal 2022

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The amendments in this standard simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740. The amendments also improve consistent application of and simplify GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. We are currently evaluating the impact that the update will have on our results of operations, financial condition and financial statement disclosures.

Note 4 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers

Nature of Goods and Services

Postsecondary Education

Revenues consist primarily of student tuition and fees derived from the programs we provide after reductions are made for discounts and scholarships that we sponsor and for refunds for students who withdraw from our programs prior to specified dates. We apply the five-step model outlined in ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts from Customers. Tuition and fee revenue is recognized ratably over the term of the course or program offered. The majority of our programs are designed to be completed in 36 to 90 weeks, and our advanced training programs range from 12 to 23 weeks in duration. We supplement our revenues with sales of textbooks and program supplies and other revenues, which are recognized as the transfer of goods or services occurs. Deferred revenue represents the excess of tuition and fee payments received as compared to tuition and fees earned and is reflected as a current liability in our condensed consolidated balance sheets because it is expected to be earned within the next 12 months.

Additionally, certain students participate in a proprietary loan program that extends repayment terms for their tuition.  We purchase said loans from the lender and, based on historical collection rates, believe a portion of these loans are collectible. Accordingly, we recognize tuition and loan origination fees financed by the loan and any related interest revenue under the effective interest method required under the loan based on the amount we expect to collect, and we recognize these revenues ratably over the term of the course or program offered.

Other

We provide dealer technician training or instructor staffing services to manufacturers. Revenues are recognized as transfer of the services occurs.

We provide postsecondary education and other services in the same geographical market, the United States. The impact of economic factors on the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows is consistent among our various postsecondary education programs. See Note 16 for disaggregated segment revenue information.

Contract Balances

Contract assets primarily relate to our rights to consideration for a student’s progress through our training program in relation to our services performed but not billed at the reporting date. The contract assets are transferred to the receivables when the rights become unconditional. Currently, we do not have any contract assets that have not transferred to a receivable. Our deferred revenue is considered a contract liability and primarily relates to our enrollment agreements where we received payments for tuition but we have not yet delivered the related training programs to satisfying the related performance obligations. The advance consideration received from students or Title IV funding is deferred revenue until the training program has been delivered to the students.

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UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

The following table provides information about receivables and deferred revenue resulting from our enrollment agreements with students:

	December 31, 2020		September 30, 2020
Receivables, which includes tuition and notes receivable	$	49,725	$	53,144
Deferred revenue	42,616		40,694

During the three months ended December 31, 2020, the deferred revenue balance included decreases for revenues recognized during the period and increases related to new students who started their training programs during the period.

Transaction Price Allocated to the Remaining Performance Obligations

Tuition and fee revenue is recognized ratably over the term of the course or program offered. The majority of our undergraduate programs are designed to be completed in 36 to 90 weeks, and our advanced training programs range from 12 to 23 weeks in duration.

Impacts of COVID-19

During the year ended September 30, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we transitioned our on-campus, in-person education model to a blended training model that combines instructor-facilitated online teaching and demonstrations with hands-on labs. On-campus labs have been re-designed to meet the health, safety and social distancing guidelines recommended or required by the Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”) and state and local jurisdictions, while still meeting our accreditation and curriculum requirements.

All of our campuses remained open during the three months ended December 31, 2020, however, as of December 31, 2020, there were students that remained exclusively online and others with catch-up lab work outstanding. As of December 31, 2020, less than 1% of students had not returned to campus to complete the in-person labs and remained exclusively in the online portion of the curriculum, essentially only completing half of each course, while approximately 18% of students were completing catch-up lab work, but over an extended period of time. We continue to recognize revenue ratably over the term of the course or program offered, taking into consideration those only completing the online curriculum, and the catch-up period for active students and the impact it has on expected graduation dates. As a result, as of December 31, 2020, we had deferred revenue of approximately $2.0 million.

Note 5 - Investments

During the second quarter of 2020, we raised approximately $49.5 million in net proceeds from an underwritten public offering of shares of our common stock. See Note 15 on “Shareholders’ Equity - Equity Offering” included in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 3, 2020 for further details on the equity offering. We invested a portion of the proceeds from the equity offering in held-to-maturity securities, which primarily consist of corporate bonds from large cap industrial and selected financial companies with a minimum credit rating of A. We have the ability and intention to hold these investments until maturity and therefore have classified these investments as held-to-maturity and recorded them at amortized cost.

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains or losses, and fair value of investments classified as held-to-maturity at December 31, 2020 were as follows:

			Gross Unrealized				Estimated Fair
Due in less than 1 year:	Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Market Value
Corporate and municipal bonds	$	27,878	$	—	$	(20)	$	27,858
Total as of December 31, 2020	$	27,878	$	—	$	(20)	$	27,858

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UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Investments are exposed to various risks, including interest rate, market and credit risk. As a result, it is possible that changes in the values of these investments may occur and that such changes could affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements

The accounting framework for determining fair value includes a hierarchy for ranking the quality and reliability of the information used to measure fair value, which enables the reader of the financial statements to assess the inputs used to develop those measurements. The fair value hierarchy consists of three tiers:

Level 1:    Defined as quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2:    Defined as inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3:    Defined as unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

Any transfers of investments between levels occurs at the end of the reporting period. Assets measured or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis consisted of the following:

			Fair Value Measurements Using
	December 31, 2020		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Money market funds(1)	$	33,999	$	33,999	$	—	$	—
Notes receivable(2)	35,321		—		—		35,321
Corporate bonds(3)	21,663		21,663		—		—
Municipal bonds and other(3)	6,195		6,195		—		—
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	$	97,178	$	61,857	$	—	$	35,321

			Fair Value Measurements Using
	September 30, 2020		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Money market funds(1)	$	43,322	$	43,322	$	—	$	—
Notes receivable(2)	32,793		—		—		32,793
Corporate bonds(3)	33,119		33,119		—		—
Municipal bonds and other(3)	4,913		4,913		—		—
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	$	114,147	$	81,354	$	—	$	32,793

(1) Money market funds and other highly liquid investments with maturity dates less than 90 days are reflected as “Cash and cash equivalents” in our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020.

(2) Notes receivable relate to our proprietary loan program.

(3) Corporate bonds and municipal bonds and other are reflected as “Held-to-maturity investments” in our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020.

9

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Note 7 - Property and Equipment, net

Property and equipment, net consisted of the following:

	Depreciable Lives (in years)	December 31, 2020		September 30, 2020
Land (1)	—	$	8,351	$	3,189
Buildings and building improvements (1)	3-35	68,159		28,046
Leasehold improvements	1-28	63,267		62,899
Training equipment	3-10	91,899		91,731
Office and computer equipment	3-10	33,591		33,524
Curriculum development	5	19,692		19,692
Software developed for internal use	1-5	11,959		11,951
Vehicles	5	1,449		1,502
Right-of-use assets for finance leases	2-3	359		359
Construction in progress	—	2,671		2,213
		301,397		255,106
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(184,760)		(182,363)
		$	116,637	$	72,743

(1) During the three months ended December 31, 2020, land and buildings and building improvements increased due to the purchase of the building and land at our Avondale, Arizona campus location. The total purchase price was approximately $45.2 million, of which $5.1 million was allocated to land and $40.1 million was allocated to buildings and building improvements based upon the appraised values.

Note 8 - Goodwill

Our goodwill balance of $8.2 million as of December 31, 2020 resulted from the acquisition of our motorcycle and marine education business in Orlando, Florida in 1998 and relates to our Postsecondary Education segment. Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquired business over the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Goodwill is reviewed at least annually for impairment, which may result from the deterioration in the operating performance of the acquired business, adverse market conditions, adverse changes in applicable laws or regulations and a variety of other circumstances. Any resulting impairment charge would be recognized as an expense in the period in which impairment is identified.

As of December 31, 2020, while some students were taking longer than normal to graduate from their programs due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, students enrolled at our Orlando, Florida campus continue to progress through their programs under the new blended training model. There were no indicators of goodwill impairment as of December 31, 2020.

Note 9 - Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate

In 2012, we invested $4.0 million to acquire an equity interest of approximately 28% in a joint venture (“JV”) related to the lease of our Lisle, Illinois campus facility. In connection with this investment, we do not possess a controlling financial interest as we do not hold a majority of the equity interest, nor do we have the power to make major decisions without approval from the other equity member. Therefore, we do not qualify as the primary beneficiary. Accordingly, this investment is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. We recognize our proportionate share of the JV's net income or loss during each accounting period and any return of capital as a change in our investment.

10

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Investment in unconsolidated affiliate consisted of the following and is included within “Other assets” on our condensed consolidated balance sheets:

	December 31, 2020				September 30, 2020
	Carrying Value		Ownership Percentage		Carrying Value		Ownership Percentage
Investment in JV	$	4,528	28.0	%	$	4,494	28.0	%

Investment in unconsolidated affiliate included the following activity during the period:

	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2020		2019
Balance at beginning of period	$	4,494	$	4,338
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate	107		102
Return of capital contribution from unconsolidated affiliate	(73)		(69)
Balance at end of period	$	4,528	$	4,371

Note 10 - Leases

As of December 31, 2020, we leased 9 of our 12 campuses and our corporate headquarters under non-cancelable operating leases, some of which contain escalation clauses and requirements to pay other fees associated with the leases. The facility leases have original lease terms ranging from 8 to 20 years and expire at various dates through 2031. In addition, the leases commonly include lease incentives in the form of rent abatements and tenant improvement allowances. We sublease certain portions of unused building space to third parties, which as of December 31, 2020, resulted in minimal income. All of the leases, other than those that may qualify for the short-term scope exception of 12 months or less, are recorded on our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Some of the facility leases are subject to annual changes in the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”). While lease liabilities are not remeasured as a result of changes to the CPI, changes to the CPI are treated as variable lease payments and recognized in the period in which the obligation for those payments was incurred. Many of our lease agreements include options to extend the lease, which we do not include in our minimum lease terms unless they are reasonably certain to be exercised. There are no early termination with penalties, residual value guarantees, restrictions or covenants imposed by our facility leases.

The components of lease expense are included in “Educational services and facilities” and “Selling, general and administrative” on the condensed consolidated statement of operations, with the exception of interest on lease liabilities, which is included in “Interest expense.” The components of lease expense during the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:

	Three Months Ended December 31,
Lease Expense	2020		2019
Operating lease expense(1)	$	6,132	$	7,521
Finance lease expense:
Amortization of leased assets	32		—
Interest on lease liabilities	2		—
Variable lease expense	907		999
Sublease income	(123)		(351)
Total net lease expense	$	6,950	$	8,169

11

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

(1) Excludes the expense for short-term leases not accounted for under ASC 842, which was not significant for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

Supplemental balance sheet, cash flow and other information related to our leases was as follows:

Leases	Classification	December 31, 2020		September 30, 2020
Assets:
Operating lease assets	Right-of-use assets for operating leases	$	140,296	$	144,663
Finance lease assets	Property and equipment, net(1)	225		257
Total leased assets		$	140,521	$	144,920
Liabilities:
Current
Operating lease liabilities	Operating lease liability, current portion	$	20,357	$	23,666
Finance lease liabilities	Other current liabilities	130		129
Noncurrent
Operating lease liabilities	Operating lease liability	132,175		134,089
Finance lease liabilities	Other liabilities	98		131
Total lease liabilities		$	152,760	$	158,015

(1) Finance lease assets are recorded net of accumulated amortization of $0.1 million as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020, respectively.

	Three Months Ended December 31,
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information and Other Information	2020		2019
Non-cash activity related to lease liabilities:
Lease assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities (1)	$	78	$	148,790
Leases assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities	—		—

(1) Includes the impact of the opening balance adjustment for the adoption of ASC 842 as of October 1, 2019 for the three months ended December 31, 2019.

Lease Term and Discount Rate	December 31, 2020		December 31, 2019
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years):
Operating leases	10.49		8.62
Finance leases	1.81		0.00
Weighted average discount rate:
Operating leases	4.52	%	4.14	%
Finance leases	3.08	%	—	%

12

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:

	As of December 31, 2020
Years ending September 30,	Operating Leases		Finance Leases
Remainder of 2021	$	18,614	$	101
2022	24,042		110
2023	16,984		23
2024	16,675		—
2025	16,860		—
2026 and thereafter	95,757		—
Total lease payments	188,932		234
Less: interest	(36,400)		(6)
Present value of lease liabilities	152,532		228
Less: current lease liabilities	(20,357)		(130)
Long-term lease liabilities	$	132,175	$	98

Related Party Transactions for Leases

Rent expense includes rent paid to related parties, which was approximately $0.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Since 1991, two of our properties comprising our Orlando, Florida location have been leased from entities controlled by John C. White, who served on our board of directors until his retirement on November 30, 2020. The leases extend through August 19, 2022 and August 31, 2022 with annual base lease payments for the first year under this lease totaling approximately $0.3 million and $0.7 million, with annual adjustments based on the higher of (i) an amount equal to 4% of the total annual rent for the immediately preceding year or (ii) the percentage of increase in the CPI. These transactions were not considered significant as of December 31, 2020.

Note 11 - Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses

Accounts payable and accrued expenses consisted of the following:

	December 31, 2020		September 30, 2020
Accounts payable	$	12,039	$	12,471
Accrued compensation and benefits	19,377		28,053
Other accrued expenses	11,805		11,367
Total accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	43,221	$	51,891

Note 12 - Income Taxes

Our income tax expense for the three months ended December 31, 2020 was $26 thousand, or 2.3% of pre-tax income, compared to income tax expense of $84 thousand, or 1.8% of pre-tax income, for the three months ended December 31, 2019. The effective income tax rate in each period differed from the federal statutory tax rate of 21% primarily as a result of changes in the valuation allowance and state taxes. The balance of the valuation allowance for our deferred tax assets was $17.4 million as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020.

As discussed in Note 13 on “Income Taxes” in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 3, 2020, during the year ended September 30, 2020, we recorded an income tax refund of approximately $11.3 million as a result of certain provisions of the CARES Act, of which $7.1 million remained outstanding as of September 30, 2020. During the three months ended December 31, 2020, we received approximately $2.8 million in refunds, leaving $4.3 million

13

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

as an income tax receivable recorded in “Receivable, net” on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020. We expect to receive the remaining $4.3 million subsequent to the filing of our consolidated tax return for our fiscal 2020 later this year.

As of December 31, 2020, we continued to have a full valuation allowance against all deferred tax assets that rely upon future taxable income for their realization and will continue to evaluate our valuation allowance in future periods for any change in circumstances that causes a change in judgment about the realizability of the deferred tax assets. The amount of the deferred tax assets considered realizable, however, could be adjusted in future periods if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period are increased, if objective negative evidence in the form of cumulative losses is no longer present and if additional weight is given to subjective evidence such as our projections for growth.

Note 13 - Commitments and Contingencies

Legal

In the ordinary conduct of our business, we are periodically subject to lawsuits, demands in arbitration, investigations, regulatory proceedings or other claims, including, but not limited to, claims involving current or former students, routine employment matters, business disputes and regulatory demands. When we are aware of a claim or potential claim, we assess the likelihood of any loss or exposure. If it is probable that a loss will result and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, we accrue a liability for the loss. When a loss is not both probable and estimable, we do not accrue a liability. Where a loss is not probable but is reasonably possible, including if a loss in excess of an accrued liability is reasonably possible, we determine whether it is possible to provide an estimate of the amount of the loss or range of possible losses for the claim. Because we cannot predict with certainty the ultimate resolution of the legal proceedings (including lawsuits, investigations, regulatory proceedings or claims) asserted against us, it is not currently possible to provide such an estimate. The ultimate outcome of pending legal proceedings to which we are a party may have a material adverse effect on our business, cash flows and results of operations or financial condition.

Note 14 - Shareholders’ Equity

Common Stock

Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends when and as declared by our Board of Directors and have the right to one vote per share on all matters requiring shareholder approval. On June 9, 2016, our Board of Directors voted to eliminate the quarterly cash dividend on our common stock. Any future common stock dividends require the approval of a majority of the voting power of the Series A Preferred Stock.

Preferred Stock

Preferred Stock consists of 10,000,000 authorized preferred shares of $0.0001 par value each. As of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020, 700,000 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”) were issued and outstanding. The liquidation preference associated with the Series A Preferred Stock was $100 per share at December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020.

Pursuant to the terms of the Certificate of Designations of the Series A Preferred Stock, we may pay a cash dividend on each share of the Series A Preferred Stock at a rate of 7.5% per year on the liquidation preference then in effect (“Cash Dividend”). If we do not pay a Cash Dividend, the liquidation preference shall be increased to an amount equal to the current liquidation preference in effect plus an amount reflecting that liquidation preference multiplied by the Cash Dividend rate then in effect plus 2.0% per year (“Accrued Dividend”). Cash Dividends are payable semi-annually in arrears on September 30 and March 31 of each year, and begin to accrue on the first day of the applicable dividend period. We accrued $1.3 million in Cash Dividends as of December 31, 2020.

For further discussion of our preferred stock, see Note 15 on “Shareholders’ Equity” included in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 3, 2020.

14

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Share Repurchase Program

On December 10, 2020, our Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase plan that would allow for the repurchase of up to $35.0 million of our common stock in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. This new share repurchase plan replaced the previously authorized plan from fiscal 2012. Any repurchases under this new stock repurchase program require the approval of a majority of the voting power of our Series A Preferred Stock. We did not repurchase any shares during the three months ended December 31, 2020.

Note 15 - Earnings per Share

We calculate basic earnings per common share (“EPS”) pursuant to the two-class method as a result of the issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock on June 24, 2016. Our Series A Preferred Stock is considered a participating security because, in the event that we pay a dividend or make a distribution on the outstanding common stock, we shall also pay each holder of the Series A Preferred Stock a dividend on an as-converted basis. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that determines EPS for common stock and participating securities according to dividend and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Under this method, all earnings, distributed and undistributed, are allocated to common shares and participating securities based on their respective rights to receive dividends. The Series A Preferred Stock is not included in the computation of basic EPS in periods in which we have a net loss, as the Series A Preferred Stock is not contractually obligated to share in our net losses.

Diluted EPS is calculated using the more dilutive of the two-class method or as-converted method. The two-class method uses net income available to common shareholders and assumes conversion of all potential shares other than the participating securities. The as-converted method uses net income and assumes conversion of all potential shares including the participating securities. Dilutive potential common shares include outstanding stock options, unvested restricted share units and convertible preferred stock. The basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding are the same for the three months ended December 31, 2020 as a result of the net loss available to common shareholders and anti-dilutive impact of the potentially dilutive securities.

Subsequent to the issuance of our December 31, 2019 interim financial statements, we identified that the diluted EPS disclosures incorrectly stated that diluted EPS for the three months ended December 31, 2019 was calculated using the as-converted method and not the two-class method, when in fact diluted EPS was correctly calculated internally using the two-class method. The table in the disclosure summarizing the computation of diluted EPS incorrectly added back “Income allocated to participating securities” to what is equivalent to “Net income available to common shareholders” shown below and incorrectly included the corresponding 21,021 weighted average diluted participating shares outstanding in diluted shares outstanding. The disclosure errors had no impact on reported net income per diluted share for the three months ended December 31, 2019. The disclosures below have been corrected to appropriately reflect diluted EPS under the two-class method for the three months ended December 31, 2019. We have concluded that these corrections were not material to the previously issued condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended December 31, 2019.

The following table summarizes the computation of basic and diluted EPS share under the two-class or as-converted method, as well as the anti-dilutive shares excluded:

	Three Months Ended
	December 31,
	2020		2019
Basic earnings per common share:
Net income	$	1,083	$	4,684
Less: Preferred stock dividend declared	(1,313)		(1,323)
Net (loss) income available for distribution	(230)		3,361
Income allocated to participating securities	—		(1,513)
Net (loss) income available to common shareholders	$	(230)	$	1,848

15

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	December 31,
	2020		2019
Weighted average basic shares outstanding	32,658		25,663
Basic (loss) income per common share	$	(0.01)	$	0.07
Diluted earnings per common share:
Method used:	Two-class		Two-class
Net (loss) income available to common shareholders	$	(230)	$	1,848
Weighted average basic shares outstanding	32,658		25,663
Dilutive effect related to employee stock plans	—		375
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding	32,658		26,038
Diluted (loss) income per common share	$	(0.01)	$	0.07
Anti-dilutive shares excluded:
Outstanding stock-based grants	436		—
Convertible preferred stock	21,021		21,021
Total anti-dilutive shares excluded	21,457		21,021
Dilutive shares under the as-converted method(1)	53,905		47,059

(1) The dilutive shares under the as-converted method assume conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock and are presented here merely for reference. In a net income position, diluted earnings per share is determined by the more dilutive of the two-class method or the as-converted method.

Note 16 - Segment Information

Our principal business is providing postsecondary education. We also provide manufacturer-specific training, and these operations are managed separately from our campus operations. These operations do not currently meet the quantitative criteria for segments and therefore are reflected in the “Other” category. Our equity method investment and other non-postsecondary education operations are also included within the “Other” category. Corporate expenses are allocated to “Postsecondary Education” and the “Other” category based on compensation expense.

Summary information by reportable segment was as follows:

	Postsecondary Education		Other		Consolidated
Three Months Ended December 31, 2020
Revenues	$	73,560	$	2,565	$	76,125
Income (loss) from operations	1,104		(329)		775
Depreciation and amortization (1)	3,258		24		3,282
Net income (loss)	1,412		(329)		1,083

16

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

	Postsecondary Education		Other		Consolidated
Three Months Ended December 31, 2019
Revenues	$	83,320	$	3,914	$	87,234
Income (loss) from operations	4,601		(347)		4,254
Depreciation and amortization (2)	2,971		42		3,013
Net income (loss)	5,031		(347)		4,684
As of December 31, 2020
Total assets	$	428,295	$	6,292	$	434,587
As of September 30, 2020
Total assets	$	435,144	$	6,837	$	441,981

(1) Includes depreciation of training equipment obtained in exchange for services of $0.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020.

(2) Excludes depreciation of training equipment obtained in exchange for services of $0.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019.

Note 17 - Government Regulation and Financial Aid

As discussed at length in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 3, 2020, our institutions participate in a range of government-sponsored student assistance programs. The most significant of these is the federal student aid programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education (“ED”) pursuant to Title IV of the Higher Education Act (“HEA”), commonly referred to as the Title IV Programs. Generally, to participate in the Title IV Programs, an institution must be licensed or otherwise legally authorized to operate in the state where it is physically located, be accredited by an accreditor recognized by ED, be certified as an eligible institution by ED, offer at least one eligible program of education, and comply with other statutory and regulatory requirements. See “Part I, Item1. Regulatory Environment” in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 3, 2020.

State Authorization

To operate and offer postsecondary programs, and to be certified to participate in Title IV Programs, each of our institutions must obtain and maintain authorization from the state in which it is physically located (“Home State”). To engage in recruiting activities outside of its Home State, each institution also may be required to obtain and maintain authorization from the states in which it is recruiting students. The level of regulatory oversight varies substantially from state to state and is extensive in some states. State laws may establish standards for instruction, qualifications of faculty, location and nature of facilities and equipment, administrative procedures, marketing, recruiting, student outcomes reporting, disclosure obligations to students, limitations on mandatory arbitration clauses in enrollment agreements, financial operations, and other operational matters. Some states prescribe standards of financial responsibility and mandate that institutions post surety bonds. Many states have requirements for institutions to disclose institutional data to current and prospective students, as well as to the public. And some states require that our schools meet prescribed performance standards as a condition of continued approval.

17

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Accreditation

Accreditation is a non-governmental process through which an institution voluntarily submits to ongoing qualitative reviews by an organization of peer institutions. Institutional accreditation by an ED-recognized accreditor is required for an institution to be certified to participate in Title IV Programs. All of our institutions are accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (“ACCSC”), which is an accrediting agency recognized by ED. ACCSC reviews the academic quality of each institution’s instructional programs, as well as the administrative and financial operations of the institution to ensure that it has the resources necessary to perform its educational mission, implement continuous improvement processes, and support student success. Our institutions must submit annual reports, and at times, supplemental reports, to demonstrate ongoing compliance and improvement. ACCSC requires institutions to disclose certain institutional information to current and prospective students, as well as to the public, and requires that our schools and programs meet various performance standards as a condition of continued accreditation. Institutions must periodically renew their accreditation by completing a comprehensive renewal of accreditation process. See “Part I, Item1. Regulatory Environment - Accreditation” in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 3, 2020 for further details and the current status of our campus accreditation. We believe that each of our institutions is in substantial compliance with ACCSC accreditation standards.

Title IV Programs

The federal government provides a substantial part of its support for postsecondary education through Title IV Programs in the form of grants and loans to students who can use those funds at any institution that has been certified as eligible to participate by ED. All of our institutions are certified to participate in Title IV Programs. Significant factors relating to Title IV Programs that could adversely affect us include:

•The 90/10 Rule. As a condition of participation in Title IV Programs, proprietary institutions must agree when they sign their PPA to derive at least 10% of their revenues for each fiscal year from sources other than Title IV Program funds. A proprietary institution is subject to sanctions if it exceeds the 90% level for a single year, and loses its eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs if it derives more than 90% of its revenue from Title IV Programs for two consecutive fiscal years.

•Administrative Capability. To continue its participation in Title IV Programs, an institution must demonstrate that it remains administratively capable of providing the education it promises and of properly managing the Title IV Programs. ED assesses the administrative capability of each institution that participates in Title IV Programs under a series of standards listed in the regulations, which cover a wide range of operational and administrative topics, including the designation of capable and qualified individuals, the quality and scope of written procedures, the adequacy of institutional communication and processes, the timely resolution of issues, the sufficiency of recordkeeping, and the frequency of findings of noncompliance, to name a few. ED’s administrative capability standards also include thresholds and expectations for federal student loan cohort default rates (discussed below), satisfactory academic progress, and loan counseling. Failure to satisfy any of the standards may lead ED to find the institution ineligible to participate in Title IV Programs, require the institution to repay Title IV Program funds, change the method of payment of Title IV Program funds, or place the institution on provisional certification as a condition of its continued participation or take other actions against the institution.

•Three-Year Student Loan Default Rates. To remain eligible to participate in Title IV Programs, institutions also must maintain federal student loan cohort default rates below specified levels. An institution whose three-year cohort default rate is 15% or greater for any one of the three preceding years is subject to a 30-day delay in receiving the first disbursement on federal student loans for first-time borrowers.

•Financial Responsibility. All institutions participating in Title IV Programs also must satisfy specific ED standards of financial responsibility. Among other things, an institution must meet all of its financial obligations, including required refunds to students and any Title IV Program liabilities and debts, be current in its debt payments, comply with certain past performance requirements, not receive an adverse, qualified, or disclaimed opinion by its accountants in its audited financial statements. Each year, ED also evaluates institutions’ financial responsibility by calculating a “composite

18

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

score,” which utilizes information provided in the institutions’ annual audited financial statements. The composite score is based on three ratios: (1) the equity ratio which measures the institution’s capital resources, ability to borrow and financial viability; (2) the primary reserve ratio which measures the institution’s ability to support current operations from expendable resources; and (3) the net income ratio which measures the institution’s ability to operate at a profit. Between composite score calculations, ED also will reevaluate the financial responsibility of an institution following the occurrence of certain “triggering events,” which must be timely reported to the agency.

•Title IV Program Rulemaking. ED is almost continuously engaged in one or more negotiated rulemakings, which is the process pursuant to which it revisits, revises, and expands the complex and voluminous Title IV Program regulations. Recent and significant negotiated rulemakings include the Gainful Employment Rulemaking, the Borrower Defense to Repayment Rulemaking, and the Accreditation and Innovation Rulemaking. New regulations associated with these rulemakings took effect on July 1, 2020, and additional, new rules will take effect on July 1, 2021. We devote significant effort to understanding the effects of these regulations on our business and to developing compliant solutions that also are congruent with our business, culture, and mission to serve our students and industry relationships. However, we cannot predict with certainty how these new and developing regulatory requirements will be applied or whether each of our schools will be able to comply with all of the requirements in the future.

Other Federal and State Student Aid Programs

Some of our students also receive financial aid from federal sources other than Title IV Programs, such as the programs administered by the VA, the Department of Defense (“DOD”) and under the Workforce Investment Act. Additionally, some states provide financial aid to our students in the form of grants, loans or scholarships. Our Long Beach, Rancho Cucamonga and Sacramento, California campuses, for example, are currently eligible to participate in the Cal Grant program. All of our institutions must comply with the eligibility and participation requirements applicable to each of these funding programs, which vary by funding agency and program.

Each year we derive a portion of our revenues, on a cash basis, from veterans’ benefits programs, which include the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill, the Reserve Education Assistance Program (“REAP”) and VA Vocational Rehabilitation. To continue participation in veterans’ benefits programs, an institution must comply with certain requirements established by the VA.

COVID-19, the CARES Act, and the CRRSAA

On March 13, 2020, the United States declared a national emergency concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, effective March 1, 2020. ED, consistent with its authority under then-existing statutes and regulations, issued guidance on March 5, 2020, outlining a range of accommodations intended to address interruptions of study related to COVID-19. On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed the CARES Act, which provided additional flexibilities and accommodations, beyond those offered by the ED in its March 5, 2020 guidance, particularly with regard to the campus-based assistance programs, the measurement of satisfactory academic progress and the return of unearned Title IV Program funds to ED. Shortly thereafter, on April 3, 2020, ED issued further guidance, providing additional regulatory flexibilities, and in some cases, implementing the accommodations provided for in the CARES Act. ED periodically updated and supplemented this guidance over the following months. Guidance also was published regarding immigration, discrimination, safety, and privacy issues, as well as the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (“HEERF”) established under the CARES Act.

On December 11, 2020, ED published a notice in the Federal Register extending the end dates of COVID-19-related waivers and modifications, and introducing several new flexibilities using its authority granted by the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students (“HEROES”) Act of 2003.

On December 27, 2020, President Trump signed a $2.3 trillion spending bill that combined a $1.4 trillion omnibus appropriations bill for federal fiscal year 2021 with $900 billion in supplemental appropriations to provide relief for the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the omnibus appropriations bill, Congress simplifies the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, provides a $15 million increase to the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant program, and adds an additional $10 million for Federal Work Study. This latter piece of legislation is known as the Coronavirus Response and

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UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (“CRRSAA”). The CRRSAA extends the Paycheck Protection Program and allocates to it an additional $284.5 billion, and includes The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (“HEERF II”), which makes an addition $22.7 billion available to higher education institutions to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Of this amount, private, proprietary institutions are allocated approximately $681 million. On January 14, 2021, ED made extensive guidance available regarding the administration of the HEERF II program.

We have reviewed and implemented many of the flexibilities created by the CARES Act and ED’s guidance, including the opportunity to temporarily offer distance education, discussed below, and we presently are evaluating the flexibilities and funding opportunities created by the CRRSAA. We continue to review new guidance from ED and to implement available legislative and regulatory relief as applicable.

Distance Education

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ED provided broad approval for institutions to use distance learning modalities without going through the standard ED approval process for payment periods that begin on or before December 31, 2020, or the end of the payment period that includes the end date for the federally-declared emergency related to COVID-19, whichever occurs later. ED also permitted accreditors to waive their distance education review requirements. In its December 11, 2020 Federal Register notice, ED extended these flexibilities through the end of the payment period that begins after the date on which the federally-declared national emergency related to COVID-19 is rescinded. This extra payment period beyond the national emergency end date will facilitate a successful transition to non-pandemic requirements following the end of the national emergency.

ACCSC has granted institutions temporary approval to offer distance education through December 31, 2020 for the end of the emergency and continues to allow schools to offer distance education as long as applications were submitted by December 31, 2020. State agencies have also provided distance education flexibility, but the processes and expiration dates for temporary distance education approval vary by state, and states have been granting extensions to these temporary approvals as they approach expiration. We have availed ourselves of this temporary flexibility in all our programs and believe we are in substantial compliance with all state and ACCSC requirements.

To afford us additional flexibility beyond the current temporary approval period(s), we have initiated the approval process with ACCSC, state agencies, or both to be able of offer distance education and a blended learning format for all of our programs on a more permanent basis. Additionally, as a result of previously implementing a blended learning format for certain of our Automotive, Diesel and Automotive/Diesel programs in 2010, we are currently approved to offer distance education at our Avondale, Arizona, Rancho Cucamonga, California, Sacramento, California, Orlando, Florida, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas, Long Beach, California and Bloomfield, New Jersey campuses for those programs by ACCSC, state agencies, or both.

Note 18 - Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund under the CARES Act

As discussed in “Note 21 - Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund under the CARES Act” in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 3, 2020, in May 2020, we were granted approximately $33.0 million in HEERF funds for emergency grants to student and to cover institutional costs associated with significant changes to the delivery of instruction due to coronavirus. As of September 30, 2020, we had awarded all $16.5 million designated for emergency student grants to approximately 9,000 students.

HEERF Funds for Significant Changes to the Delivery of Instruction

In May 2020, we received $16.5 million to cover institutional costs associated with significant changes to the delivery of instruction due to coronavirus. Such funds may be used to provide additional emergency financial aid grants to students, to cover institutional costs associated with significant changes to the delivery of instruction due to coronavirus, or not used at all and returned to the government. The allowable institutional costs for these institutional HEERF funds are described in “Note 21 - Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund under the CARES Act” in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 3, 2020.

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UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

During the year ended September 30, 2020, we incurred $15.1 million in allowable costs related to the changes in the delivery of instruction due to the coronavirus. Additionally, during the year ended September 30, 2020, we used $0.6 million of the institutional funds for additional emergency grants to our students. Including the additional student grants, the total institutional funds spent during fiscal 2020 was approximately $15.7 million. As of September 30, 2020, we had drawn down $13.9 million of the institutional funds into our operating cash account as partial reimbursement for the $15.7 million of eligible costs incurred during the year ended September 30, 2020. We drew down the remaining $1.8 million for the eligible costs incurred during the year ended September 30, 2020 in October 2020.

During the three months ended December 31, 2020, we incurred $0.9 million in allowable costs related to the changes in the delivery of instruction due to the coronavirus, thereby utilizing the remaining available funds. Of the $0.9 million incurred, $0.3 million was recorded in “Educational services and facilities” and $0.6 million was recorded in “Selling, general and administrative” on the condensed consolidated statements of operation for the three months ended December 31, 2020. The $0.9 million was drawn down prior to December 31, 2020 and is included in our “Cash and cash equivalents” on our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020.

Subsequent Events Related to Additional Grants of HEERF Funds for Student Grants

As noted above, the CRRSAA includes HEERF II, which makes an additional $22.7 billion available to higher education institutions. Of this amount, private, proprietary institutions are allocated approximately $681 million. The statute permits proprietary institutions to use HEERF II funds to provide financial aid grants to students, and requires that institutions prioritize the grants to students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants. On January 14, 2021, ED issued guidance regarding the administration of the HEERF II program, and released an allocation schedule indicating that we will receive approximately $16.8 million for purposes of funding HEERF II student grants. We have submitted the appropriate applications for these funds and the ED has confirmed receipt.

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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and those in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 3, 2020. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including but not limited to those described under “Risk Factors” in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K and included in Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. See also “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” on page ii of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Company Overview

We are the leading provider of postsecondary education for students seeking careers as professional automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians as measured by total average undergraduate full-time enrollment and graduates. We also provide programs for welders and computer numeric control (“CNC”) machining technicians. We offer certificate, diploma or degree programs at 12 campuses across the United States under the banner of several well-known brands, including Universal Technical Institute, Motorcycle Mechanics Institute, Marine Mechanics Institute and NASCAR Technical Institute. We also offer manufacturer specific advanced training (“MSAT”) programs, including student-paid electives, at our campuses and manufacturer or dealer sponsored training at certain campuses and dedicated training centers. Founded in 1965, we have provided technical education for more than 55 years and have graduated more than 220,000 technicians.

To ensure our programs provide students with the necessary hard and soft skills needed upon graduation, we have relationships with over 35 original equipment manufacturers and industry brand partners across the country to understand their needs for qualified service professionals. Through our industry relationships, we are able to continuously refine and expand our programs and curricula. We believe our industry-focused educational model and national presence have enabled us to develop valuable industry relationships, which provide us with significant competitive strengths and supports our market leadership, along with enabling us to provide highly specialized education to our students, resulting in enhanced employment opportunities and the potential for higher wages for our graduates.

Our industry relationships also extend to thousands of local employers, after-market retailers, fleet service providers and enthusiast organizations. Other target groups for relationship-building, such as parts and tools suppliers, provide us with a variety of strategic and financial benefits that include equipment sponsorship, new product support, licensing and branding opportunities and financial sponsorship for our campuses and students.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020, we have transitioned our on-campus, in-person education model to a blended training model that combines instructor-facilitated online teaching and demonstrations with hands-on labs. On campus labs have been redesigned to meet the health, safety and social distancing guidelines recommended or required by the Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”) and state and local jurisdictions, while still meeting our accreditation and curriculum requirements. Both the ED and the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (“ACCSC”) granted institutions temporary approval to offer distance learning through December 31, 2020. The ED has extended these flexibilities through the end of the payment period that begins after the date on which the federally-declared national emergency related to COVID-19 is rescinded, and the ACCSC continues to allow schools to offer distance education as long as applications were submitted by December 31, 2020. To afford us additional flexibility beyond the current temporary approval period(s), we have initiated the approval process with the ACCSC and the appropriate state agencies to be able to offer distance education and a blended learning format for all of our programs on a more permanent basis. Additionally, we continue to invest in the online delivery platform and curriculum to further enhance the student experience and student outcomes.

Overview of the Three Months Ended December 31, 2020

Operations

Despite the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, we had an increase of 1.8% in our average undergraduate full-time enrollment to 11,813 for the three months ended December 31, 2020. Additionally, we started 1,927 new students during the

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three months ended December 31, 2020, which was an increase of 20.9% from the prior year comparable period, reflecting strong front-end demand across all channels.

Revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2020 were $76.1 million, a decrease of $11.1 million, or 12.7%, from the comparable period in the prior year. Our revenues, including the three months ended December 31, 2020, continued to be affected by impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. All of our campuses remained open during the three months ended December 31, 2020, however, as of December 31, 2020, there were some students that remained exclusively online and others with catch-up lab work outstanding. As of December 31, 2020, less than 1% of students had not returned to campus to complete the in-person labs and remained exclusively in the online portion of the curriculum, essentially only completing half of each course, while approximately 18% of students were completing catch-up lab work, but over an extended period of time. We continue to recognize revenue ratably over the term of the course or program offered, taking into consideration those only completing the online curriculum, and the catch-up period for active students and the impact it has on expected graduation dates. As a result, as of December 31, 2020, we had deferred revenue of approximately $2.0 million. If students continue to remain on a leave of absence, withdraw, or do not make up the required in-person labs on a timely basis, our revenues could continue to be impacted in 2021.

We had income from operations of $0.8 million in the three months ended December 31, 2020 compared to $4.3 million in the prior year period. Our decrease in income from operations was primarily driven by our decrease in revenue, which was partially offset by decreases in expenses such as occupancy, advertising and travel expenses.

Business Strategy

In support of our goal to continue to be the leading provider of postsecondary education for students seeking careers as professional automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians, as well as welders and CNC machining technicians, and the leading supplier of entry-level skilled technicians for the industries we serve, we continue to pursue the following business strategies: return on education; strengthen industry relationships; recruit, train and identify employment opportunities for more students; education program affordability; and overall company growth and diversification.

During the three months ended December 31, 2020, some actionable steps in executing our business strategies included:

•Launching our new Premier Truck Group Technician Skills Program, a first-of-its-kind diesel-commercial vehicle technician career skills program for service members at Fort Bliss, a U.S. Army post in El Paso, Texas. The 12-week program will provide hands-on, industry-aligned technician training designed to lead directly to rewarding career opportunities at Premier Truck Group for veterans transitioning from military service to civilian life. Premier Truck Group is a wholly owned subsidiary of Penske Automotive Group.

•Announcing the expansion of the Daimler Trucks North America (“DTNA”) Finish First program to our Orlando campus in summer 2021. The program, an elective offered exclusively at certain of our UTI campus locations, trains students to maintain, diagnose and repair DTNA's industry-leading brands, including Freightliner, Western Star and Detroit. Our UTI campuses in Avondale, Arizona and Lisle, Illinois currently offer the Finish First program.

•Purchasing our Avondale, Arizona campus at the end of December 2020, for approximately $45.2 million, including closing costs and other fees, with the intention of consolidating our MMI Phoenix, Arizona campus into the same location by the end of fiscal 2022.

•Announcing the future consolidation and reconfiguration of the UTI and MMI Orlando campus facilities into one site by the end of fiscal 2021.

We continue to pursue other strategic opportunities that align with our core business strategies.

Regulatory Environment

See Note 17 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements herein for a discussion of our regulatory environment.

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Results of Operations: Three Months Ended December 31, 2020 Compared to Three Months Ended December 31, 2019

The following table sets forth selected statements of operations data as a percentage of revenues for each of the periods indicated. 

	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2020		2019
Revenues	100.0	%	100.0	%
Operating expenses:
Educational services and facilities	51.7	%	49.2	%
Selling, general and administrative	47.3	%	46.0	%
Total operating expenses	99.0	%	95.2	%
Income from operations	1.0	%	4.8	%
Interest income	0.1	%	0.4	%
Interest expense	—	%	—	%
Other income, net	0.4	%	0.2	%
Total other income, net	0.5	%	0.6	%
Income before income taxes	1.5	%	5.4	%
Income tax expense	—	%	(0.1)	%
Net income	1.4	%	5.3	%
Preferred stock dividends	1.7	%	1.5	%
Loss available for distribution	(0.3)	%	3.8	%

Revenues

Revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2020 were $76.1 million, a decrease of $11.1 million, or 12.7%, as compared to revenues of $87.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019. During the three months ended December 31, 2020, we had a 1.8% increase in our average full-time student enrollment and a 20.9% increase in new student starts reflecting strong front-end demand across all channels. However, our revenue recognized for active students during the period has been impacted by the timing of completion of student catch-up lab work, as well as overall lower average revenue per student driven by the pace in which students are progressing through their programs and by students retaking courses previously completed or attempted, primarily due to the impacts of COVID-19. As a result of the catch-up labs not yet completed, as of December 31, 2020, we had deferred revenue of $2.0 million. We recognized $1.8 million on an accrual basis related to revenues and interest under our proprietary loan program for the three months ended December 31, 2020 as compared to $1.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019.

Educational services and facilities expenses

Educational services and facilities expenses were $39.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020, which represents a decrease of $3.6 million as compared to $42.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019.

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The following table sets forth the significant components of our educational services and facilities expenses (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2020		2019
Salaries expense	$	17,836	$	19,270
Employee benefits and tax	2,972		3,041
Bonus expense	454		185
Stock-based compensation	26		—
Compensation and related costs	21,288		22,496
Depreciation and amortization expense	3,057		2,966
Occupancy costs	8,268		9,838
Supplies and maintenance expense	2,258		2,457
Contract service expense	696		709
Student expense	1,384		605
Taxes and licensing expense	389		654
Other educational services and facilities expense	1,991		3,151
Total educational services and facilities expense	$	39,331	$	42,876

Compensation and related costs decreased by $1.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020.

•Salaries expense decreased by $1.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020. The decrease was attributable to lower headcount compared to the prior year period due to attrition and productivity improvements enacted to offset revenue decreases from COVID-19.

•Bonus expense increased by $0.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020. The increase was the result of projected performance against bonus plan metrics.

Occupancy costs decreased by $1.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020. The decrease was primarily attributed to cost reductions from closing our Norwood, Massachusetts campus, relocating and downsizing our headquarters facility, and downsizing our Exton, Pennsylvania and Sacramento, California campuses.

Student expense increased by $0.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020, primarily due to increases in student housing expenses.

Other educational services and facilities expense decreased by $1.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020, primarily due to a decrease of $0.5 million in expenses related to our accrued tool sets and broad decreases related to travel and entertainment costs due to cost control measures. The current period includes a $0.3 million credit for the reimbursement of allowable costs related to the changes in the delivery of instruction due to the coronavirus. The allowable costs are included in the relevant line items above. See Note 18 of the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements herein for a discussion on the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (“HEERF”) established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”).

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2020 were $36.0 million. This represents a decrease of $4.1 million, as compared to $40.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019.

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The following table sets forth the significant components of our selling, general and administrative expenses (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2020		2019
Salaries expense	$	13,954	$	15,670
Employee benefits and tax	2,851		3,096
Bonus expense	3,449		4,004
Stock-based compensation	522		14
Compensation and related costs	20,776		22,784
Advertising expense	9,030		9,453
Contract services expense	1,223		1,120
Depreciation and amortization expense	217		370
Professional services expense	946		1,019
Other selling, general and administrative expenses	3,827		5,358
Total selling, general and administrative expenses	$	36,019	$	40,104

Compensation and related costs decreased by $2.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020:

•Salaries expense decreased by $1.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020. The decrease was primarily due costs incurred in October 2019 related to the retirement of Kimberly J. McWaters, our former President and Chief Executive Officer.

•Bonus expense decreased by $0.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020. The decrease was primarily related to lower incentive compensation expense due to adjustments for actual achievement against the performance metrics for awards that vested in December 2020.

•Stock-based compensation increased $0.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020, due to new awards granted during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2020.

Advertising expense decreased by $0.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020, primarily due to timing of spend and targeted cost-efficient marketing efforts, with a shift away from television advertising toward digital media.

Other selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $1.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020. The overall decrease was primarily due to a decrease in travel and entertainment of $0.9 million. The current period also includes a $0.6 million credit for the reimbursement of allowable costs related to the changes in the delivery of instruction due to the coronavirus. The allowable costs are included in the relevant line items above. See Note 18 of the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements herein for further information on the HEERF funds.

Income taxes

Our income tax expense for the three months ended December 31, 2020 was $26 thousand, or 2.3% of pre-tax income, compared to income tax expense of $84 thousand, or 1.8% of pre-tax income, for the three months ended December 31, 2019. The effective income tax rate in each period differed from the federal statutory tax rate of 21% primarily as a result of changes in the valuation allowance and state taxes. We recorded a full valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

Preferred stock dividends

On June 24, 2016, we sold 700,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock for $70.0 million in cash, less $1.2 million in issuance costs. Pursuant to the Certificate of Designations of the Series A Preferred Stock, we recorded a preferred stock cash dividend of $1.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

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Net (loss) income available for distribution

Net (loss) income available for distribution refers to the net income or net loss reduced by dividends on our Series A Preferred Stock. As a result of the foregoing, we reported a net loss available for distribution for the three months ended December 31, 2020 of $0.2 million and net income available for distribution of $3.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Our earnings before interest income, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were $4.3 million and $7.8 million, respectively. We define EBITDA as net income (loss) for the year, before interest (income) expense, income tax (benefit) expense, and depreciation and amortization.

EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure which is provided to supplement, but not substitute for, the most directly comparable GAAP measure. We choose to disclose this non-GAAP financial measure because it provides an additional analytical tool to clarify our results from operations and helps to identify underlying trends. Additionally, this measure helps compare our performance on a consistent basis across time periods. Management also utilizes EBITDA as a performance measure internally. To obtain a complete understanding of our performance, this measure should be examined in connection with net income determined in accordance with GAAP. Since the items excluded from this measure should be examined in connection with net income in determining financial performance under GAAP, this measure should not be considered an alternative to net income as a measure of our operating performance or profitability. Exclusion of items in our non-GAAP presentation should not be construed as an inference that these items are unusual, infrequent or non-recurring. Other companies, including other companies in the education industry, may calculate EBITDA differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure across companies. Investors are encouraged to use GAAP measures when evaluating our financial performance.

EBITDA reconciles to net income, as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2020		2019
Net income	$	1,083	$	4,684
Interest income	(54)		(336)
Interest expense	2		—
Income tax expense	26		84
Depreciation and amortization(1)	3,282		3,342
EBITDA	$	4,339	$	7,774

(1) Includes depreciation of training equipment obtained in exchange for services of $0.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Based on past performance and current expectations, we believe that our cash flows from operations, cash on hand and investments will satisfy our working capital needs, capital expenditures, commitments and other liquidity requirements associated with our existing operations, as well as the expansion of programs at existing campuses through the next 12 months. Our cash position is available to fund strategic long-term growth initiatives, including opening additional campuses in new markets and the creation of new programs, such as welding, in existing markets with under-utilized campus facilities. We had no line of credit or other long-term debt as of December 31, 2020.

Our aggregate cash and cash equivalents were $44.2 million as of December 31, 2020, a decrease of $32.6 million from September 30, 2020. Additionally, we had short-term held-to-maturity investments of $27.9 million as of December 31, 2020. There were no held-to-maturity investments as of December 31, 2019.

We believe that additional strategic use of our cash resources may include subsidizing funding alternatives for our students, the repurchase of common stock, purchase of real estate assets, consideration of strategic acquisitions, and other potential uses of cash. To the extent that potential acquisitions are large enough to require financing beyond cash from operations, cash

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and cash equivalents, and short-term investments, or we need capital to fund operations, new campus openings or expansion of programs at existing campuses, we may enter into a credit facility, issue debt or issue additional equity. As previously noted, we purchased our Avondale, Arizona campus at the end of December 2020, for approximately $45.2 million, including closing costs and other fees. Due to the timing of the close for the Avondale building, we used available operating cash for the purchase. We are currently evaluating financing options for the campus.

We currently do not pay a cash dividend on our common stock. We paid preferred stock cash dividends of $5.3 million during the year ended September 30, 2020. We accrued preferred stock cash dividends of $1.3 million as of December 31, 2020.

Our principal source of liquidity is operating cash flows and existing cash and cash equivalents. A majority of our revenues are derived from Title IV Programs and various veterans benefits programs. Federal regulations dictate the timing of disbursements of funds under Title IV Programs. Students must apply for new funding for each academic year consisting of 30-week periods. Loan funds are generally provided in two disbursements for each academic year. The first disbursement for first-time borrowers is usually received 30 days after the start of a student’s academic year, and the second disbursement is typically received at the beginning of the 16th week from the start of the student’s academic year. Under our proprietary loan program, we bear all credit and collection risk and students are not required to begin repayment until six months after the student completes or withdraws from his or her program. These factors, together with the timing of when our students begin their programs, affect our operating cash flow.

During the year ended September 30, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we transitioned our on-campus, in-person education model to a blended training model that combines instructor-facilitated online teaching and demonstrations with hands-on labs. All of our campuses remained open during the three months ended December 31, 2020, however, as of December 31, 2020, less than 1% of students remained exclusively online, and approximately 18% of student with catch-up lab work outstanding, thereby extending the length of their program and the rate at which we recognize revenue and the related receivable. If students continue to remain on a leave of absence, withdraw, or do not make-up the required in-person lab work on a timely basis, our cash generated from operations could be impacted in 2021.

As discussed in more detail in Note 18 of the condensed consolidated financial statements herein, we drew down the remaining $0.9 million of HEERF funds prior to December 31, 2020 which were included in our “Cash and cash equivalents” on our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020.

Operating Activities

Our net cash provided by operating activities was $7.8 million and $7.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Net income, after adjustments for non-cash items, provided cash of $9.6 million. The non-cash items included $4.4 million for amortization of right-of-use assets for operating leases, $3.3 million for depreciation and amortization expense and $0.5 million for stock based compensation expense.

Changes in operating assets and liabilities used cash of $1.8 million primarily due to the following:

•The decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses used cash of $8.4 million primarily related to the timing of payments to vendors and for payroll, bonus, and incentive compensation accruals.

•Changes in our operating lease liability as a result of rent payments used cash of $5.3 million.

•The decrease in receivables provided cash of $8.1 million and was primarily due to the timing of Title IV disbursements and other cash receipts on behalf of our students.

•The decrease in the income tax receivable provided cash of $2.8 million and was primarily attributable to the CARES Act, which allowed us to carryback net operating losses from 2019 and 2018.

•The increase in deferred revenue provided cash of $1.9 million and was primarily attributable to the timing of student starts, the number of students in school and where they were at period end in relation to completion of their program at December 31, 2020 as compared to September 30, 2020.

Net income, after adjustments for non-cash items, for the three months ended December 31, 2019 provided cash of $14.1 million. The non-cash items included $5.9 million for amortization of right-of-use assets for operating leases and $3.0 million for depreciation and amortization expense.

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Changes in operating assets and liabilities used cash of $7.0 million primarily due to the following:

•The decrease in the lease liability resulted in a cash outflow of $6.5 million for rent payments.

•The decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses used cash of $1.9 million primarily related to the timing of payments for payroll and bonuses.

•The decrease in other liabilities resulted in a cash outflow of $1.1 million due to timing of payments for incentive compensation.

•The decrease in receivables provided cash of $4.1 million and was primarily attributable to the timing of Title IV disbursements and other cash receipts on behalf of our students.

•The decrease in deferred revenue used cash of $0.7 million and was primarily attributable to the timing of student starts, the number of students in school and where they were at period end in relation to completion of their program at December 31, 2019 as compared to September 30, 2019.

Investing Activities

During the three months ended December 31, 2020, cash used in investing activities was $37.2 million. The cash outflow was primarily related to the purchase of property and equipment of $47.3 million, of which $45.2 million related to the purchase of the building at our Avondale, Arizona campus location, partially offset by proceeds from maturities of held-to-maturity securities of $10.0 million.

During the three months ended December 31, 2019, cash used in investing activities was $1.7 million. The cash outflow was primarily related to the purchase of property and equipment primarily for our Houston, Texas campus for welding, new and replacement training equipment for ongoing operations and consolidation efforts at our Exton, Pennsylvania campus.

Financing Activities

During the three months ended December 31, 2020, cash used in financing activities was $0.2 million and related primarily to the payment of payroll taxes on stock-based compensation through shares withheld.

During the three months ended December 31, 2019, cash used in financing activities was $0.5 million and related primarily to the payment of payroll taxes on stock based compensation through shares withheld.

Seasonality and Trends

Our operating results normally fluctuate as a result of seasonal variations in our business, principally due to changes in total student population and costs associated with opening or expanding our campuses. Our student population varies as a result of new student enrollments, graduations and student attrition. Historically, we have had lower student populations in our third quarter than in the remainder of our year because fewer students are enrolled during the summer months. Additionally, we have had higher student populations in our fourth quarter than in the remainder of the year because more students enroll during this period. Our expenses, however, do not vary significantly with changes in student population and revenues, and, as a result, such expenses do not fluctuate significantly on a quarterly basis. We expect quarterly fluctuations in operating results to continue as a result of seasonal enrollment patterns. However, such patterns may change as a result of new school openings, new program introductions, increased enrollments of adult students or acquisitions.

The transition of our on-campus, in-person education model to a blended training model that combines online, instructor-delivered teaching and demonstrations with hands-on labs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic could impact our future new student enrollments, graduations and student attrition.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

There were no significant changes in our critical accounting policies in the three months ended December 31, 2020 from those previously disclosed in Part II, Item 7 of our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 3, 2020.

29

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

For information regarding recent accounting pronouncements, see Note 3 of the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements herein.

Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

There have been no material changes to our market risk since September 30, 2020. For a discussion of our exposure to market risk, refer to our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 3, 2020.

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act), pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15 as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2020 were effective in ensuring that (i) information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(d) or 15d-15(d) that occurred during the three months ended December 31, 2020, except for new internal controls related to ASC 326 that have been implemented.

Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls and Procedures

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal controls over financial reporting will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues, misstatements, errors and instances of fraud, if any, within our company have been or will be prevented or detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Controls also can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Projections of any evaluation of controls effectiveness to future periods are subject to risks that internal controls may become inadequate as a result of changes in conditions, or through the deterioration of the degree of compliance with policies or procedures.

30

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In the ordinary conduct of our business, we are periodically subject to lawsuits, demands in arbitrations, investigations, regulatory proceedings or other claims, including, but not limited to, claims involving current and former students, routine employment matters, business disputes and regulatory demands. When we are aware of a claim or potential claim, we assess the likelihood of any loss or exposure. If it is probable that a loss will result and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, we would accrue a liability for the loss. When a loss is not both probable and estimable, we do not accrue a liability. Where a loss is not probable but is reasonably possible, including if a loss in excess of an accrued liability is reasonably possible, we determine whether it is possible to provide an estimate of the amount of the loss or range of possible losses for the claim. Because we cannot predict with certainty the ultimate resolution of the legal proceedings (including lawsuits, investigations, regulatory proceedings or claims) asserted against us, it is not currently possible to provide such an estimate. The ultimate outcome of pending legal proceedings to which we are a party may have a material adverse effect on our business, cash flows, results of operations or financial condition.

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including the information contained in Part I, Item 3, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, Item IA of our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 3, 2020, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or operating results. The risks described in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or operating results.

Item 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

Item 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None.

Item 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

31

Item 6. EXHIBITS

The following exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K are filed or furnished with this report, as applicable:

Exhibit Number	Description
10.1*	Asset Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated December 23, 2020, by and between UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE OF ARIZONA, LLC and MECHANIC (AZ) QRS 15-41, INC.
31.1*	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2*	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1*+	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2*+	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS*	XBRL Instance Document.
101.SCH*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PRE*	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

__________________

* Filed herewith.

+ Furnished herewith.

32

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

		UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC.
Date:	February 5, 2021	By:	/s/ Jerome A. Grant
		Name:	Jerome A. Grant
		Title:	Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

33

EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT, dated as of December 23, 2020 (this “Agreement”), by and between MECHANIC (AZ) QRS 15-41, INC., a Delaware corporation (“Seller”), having an address at c/o W.P. Carey Inc., 50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10020 and UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE OF ARIZONA, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Purchaser”), having an address at 4225 East Windrose Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85032.

WHEREAS, Purchaser wishes to purchase and Seller wishes to sell certain property located at 10695 W. Pierce Street, Avondale, Arizona, more particularly described on Exhibit A attached hereto (the “Real Property”) together with (i) all buildings, improvements, mechanical systems and fixtures situated on, affixed to and/or appurtenant to the Real Property (collectively, the “Improvements”); (ii) all easements, licenses, benefits, privileges, rights of way and appurtenances to the Real Property (collectively, “Easement Rights”); (iii) any property lying in or under the bed of any street, alley, road or right-of-way, open or proposed, abutting or adjacent to the Real Property, together with any strips, gaps or gores, if any, between the Real Property and abutting property; (iv) all water, water rights, oil, gas or other mineral interests in, on, under or above the Real Property, together with all sewer rights, water courses, wells, ditches and flumes located on or appurtenant to the Real Property; (v) all fixtures, equipment and other tangible personal property, if any located on or attached to the Real Property (collectively, the “Personal Property”); (vi) all assignable surveys, as-built surveys, construction drawings, floor plans, certificates of occupancy, structural and engineering reports and other records or information relating to the Real Property or Improvements in Purchaser’s possession; (vii) all rights and interests to receive any condemnation awards from any condemnation proceeding pertaining to the Real Property; (viii) any assignable entitlements, zoning approvals, utility deposits specific to the Real Property; and (ix) all assignable third-party warranties (if any) relating to any portion of the Real Property, Personal Property or Improvements (collectively, with the Real Property, the “Property”).

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements, covenants and provisions set forth herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the parties agree as follows:

1.    Conveyance. Seller hereby agrees to sell, convey and assign to Purchaser, and Purchaser hereby agrees to purchase and accept from Seller, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, all of Seller’s right, title, and interest in and to the Property.

2.    Purchase Price & Costs. The purchase price to be paid by Purchaser to Seller for the Property at Closing shall be Forty-Four Million Five Hundred Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($44,500,000.00) (the “Purchase Price”). All transfer taxes, recording fees, title company fees, fees related to defeasing Seller’s loan, including the Defeasance Amount, any breakage fees if this transaction does not close and/or per diem mortgage loan interest if the Closing is delayed, and other costs associated with Closing (defined below) shall be paid by Purchaser, other than Seller’s legal fees and Seller’s broker commission. At Closing, any prepaid rents paid by Purchaser to Seller with respect to the Property for the period following the Closing Date shall be credited by Seller to Purchaser against the Purchase Price. This Section 2 shall survive Closing or the earlier termination of this Agreement.

3.    Closing. The sale shall be closed (the “Closing”) on December 31, 2020 (or such earlier date as shall be agreed between Seller and Purchaser) (the “Closing Date”). If the Closing has not occurred by the Closing Date, Seller shall no longer be obligated to sell the Property to Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement. Closing shall occur via escrow with Melissa Cocanower as escrow officer (“Escrow Agent”) for Chicago Title Insurance Company (“Title Company”). Time is of the essence with respect to the Closing Date. Furthermore, Purchaser shall cooperate with reasonable requests of the Title Company and Seller’s lender to accommodate a defeasance of Seller’s existing loan affecting the Property. At Seller’s request, Purchaser shall deposit the Purchase Price with the Title Company up to one (1) day prior to the Closing Date. Seller estimates the defeasance amount to be approximately $800,000 (the “Defeasance Amount”). Seller and Purchaser acknowledge that (i) such Defeasance Amount shall be disbursed by the Escrow Agent simultaneously with the Closing of the transaction contemplated herein and (ii) Purchaser shall be responsible for all defeasance-related costs and liabilities, including, but not limited to, any per diem mortgage loan interest and, should the contemplated transaction fail to close, breakup fees. This Section 3 shall survive Closing or the earlier termination of this Agreement.

4.    Closing Documents. At least one (1) business day prior to Closing, Seller shall deliver (or cause to be delivered) the following documents executed by Seller in the forms previously agreed by the parties hereto: (a) a special warranty deed for the Property (the “Deed”), (b) an assignment and bill of sale, (c) a FIRPTA certificate, (d) a termination of memo of lease for the Property, (e) an owner’s title affidavit, (f) a 1099s, (g) applicable transfer tax documents, (h) a settlement statement and (i) such other documents as the Title Company shall reasonably require to consummate the transaction contemplated by this Agreement. At least one (1) business day prior to Closing, Purchaser shall deliver (or cause to be delivered) the following documents executed by Purchaser in the forms previously agreed by the parties hereto: (A) a termination of memo of lease for the Property, (B) applicable transfer tax documents, (C) a settlement statement and (D) such other documents as the Title Company shall reasonably require to consummate the transaction contemplated by this Agreement.

5.    Representations and Warranties of Seller. Seller represents, warrants and covenants (where applicable) to Purchaser as of the date of this Agreement, and upon the Closing shall be deemed to represent and warrant and covenant (where applicable), as follows:

a.    Authority. Seller is the owner in fee simple of the Property. Seller is duly formed and validly existing under the laws of the State of Arizona. Seller has the full power and authority to execute this Agreement and to consummate the transaction contemplated herein.

b.    Corporate/Company Action. All necessary action has been taken to duly authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement and all documents and instruments contemplated by this Agreement, and the performance by Seller of the covenants and obligations to be performed and carried out by it hereunder.

c.    No Governmental Notices. Seller has no knowledge of any governmental authority imposing any special assessments on the Property or bringing any condemnation actions against the Property, or any part thereof, nor is Seller aware of any special assessments or condemnation actions being contemplated. Seller has no knowledge of any governmental authority having jurisdiction over the Property requiring any work to be done on or affecting the Property.

d.    No Litigation. To Seller’s knowledge, there are not any existing, pending or threatened, litigation, condemnation or similar proceedings against or involving the Property.

e.    No Bankruptcy. Seller has not (i) made a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, (ii) filed any voluntary petition in bankruptcy or suffered the filing of any involuntary petition by Seller’s creditors, (iii) suffered the appointment of a receiver to take possession of all, or substantially all, of Seller’s assets, (iv) suffered the attachment or other judicial seizure of all, or substantially all, of Seller’s assets, (v) admitted in writing its inability to pay its debts as they come due, or (vi) made an offer of settlement, extension or composition to its creditors generally. This transaction has been negotiated at arms length between Purchaser and Seller and is not being entered into by Seller for the purpose of hindering, delaying or defrauding any of Seller’s creditors.

The representations and warranties of Seller set forth in this Section 5 shall survive Closing for a period of six (6) months (the “Survival Period”). For purposes of the foregoing representations and warranties, “To Seller’s knowledge” and similar terms means the present actual (as opposed to constructive or imputed) knowledge solely of Peter Bates as of the Effective Date, without any duty to undertake independent investigation or inquiry whatsoever. Such individual is named in this Agreement solely for the purpose of establishing the scope of Seller’s knowledge. Such individual shall not be deemed to be a party to this Agreement nor to have made any representations or warranties hereunder, and no recourse shall be had to such individual for any of Seller’s representations and warranties hereunder (and Purchaser hereby waives any liability of or recourse against such individual).

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in the event the Closing occurs and Purchaser thereafter learns of a breach of Seller’s representations and warranties hereunder, (a) the aggregate liability of Seller arising pursuant to or in connection with such breach shall not exceed Eighty Thousand Dollars ($80,000) (the “Liability Limitation”), (b) no claim by Purchaser alleging a breach by Seller of any representation, warranty, indemnification, covenant or other obligation of Seller contained herein (or in any document executed or delivered in connection herewith) may be made, and Seller shall not be liable for damages for any judgment in any action

based upon any such claim, unless and until the damages for such claim, either alone or together with any other claims by Purchaser alleging a breach by Seller of any representation or warranty of Seller contained herein (or in any document executed or delivered in connection herewith), exceed Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000) (the “Floor Amount”), in which event Seller’s liability respecting such claim or claims shall be for the entire amount thereof, subject to the limitation set forth in clause (a) above and (c) Purchaser shall not be entitled to bring any claim after the Closing for a breach of any representation or warranty of which it had actual knowledge prior to Closing.

6.    Default by Purchaser. If Purchaser defaults hereunder, which default is not cured within five (5) business days after such default, Seller may, as its sole remedy, be paid from Purchaser liquidated damages in the amount of Eighty Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($80,000.00) for such breach (the “Liquidated Damages”), Purchaser and Seller agree that the amount of Liquidated Damages for any such breach by Purchaser is difficult to determine at this time and that the aforesaid sum is a reasonable estimation of the amount of Liquidated Damages for any such breach under the circumstances existing at the time this Agreement is entered into. Upon payment of the Liquidated Damages to Seller, this Agreement shall be deemed terminated, subject only to any continuing indemnities expressly set forth herein. Without limiting the foregoing, Purchaser shall have no other liability in the event Purchaser defaults or fails to perform hereunder, including without limitation any consequential, special or punitive damages.

7.    Default by Seller. If Seller defaults hereunder, which default is not cured within five (5) business days after such default, then at Purchaser’s option: (i) Purchaser may terminate this transaction and escrow by giving written notice to Seller and Escrow Agent, whereupon neither party shall have any further obligation to the other subject to any continuing indemnities herein, or (ii) Purchaser shall be entitled to file suit for specific performance of the terms and provisions of this Agreement, provided, however, if specific performance is not available as a result of the acts or omissions of Seller, Purchaser may pursue up to Eighty Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($80,000) in actual damages resulting from Seller’s default under this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, Seller shall have no other liability in the event Seller defaults or fails to perform hereunder, including without limitation any consequential, special or punitive damages.

8.    Notices. Any notices hereunder shall be hand delivered, conveyed via email (to any notice recipient who has provided an email address for this purpose) or sent reputable overnight courier, addressed as follows:

Seller: MECHANIC (AZ) QRS 15-41, INC., a Delaware corporation c/o W. P. Carey Inc. 50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10020 Attention: Peter Bates and Legal Transactions Department Telephone: (212) 492-1129 Email: pbates@wpcarey.com, legaltransactions@wpcarey.com Purchaser: Universal Technical Institute Of Arizona, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company 4225 East Windrose Drive Phoenix, AZ 85032 Attn: Brian Udall Telephone: (623) 445-0694 Email: budall@uti.edu Escrow Agent: Chicago Title Insurance Company 2390 E. Camelback Road, Suite 120, Phoenix, AZ 85016 Attn: Melissa Cocanower Telephone: (602) 553-4806 Email: melissa.cocanower@ctt.com

Such notices and other communications shall be deemed to be given and received as follows: (i) upon actual receipt, if transmitted by e-mail on a business day prior to 5:00 p.m. (Mountain Standard Time); (ii) upon the next business day following transmission if transmitted by e-mail on a day which is not a business day or after 5:00 p.m. (Mountain Standard Time) on a business day; or (iii) upon actual delivery, if delivered by overnight courier. The parties and Escrow Agent may, from time to time, designate a different address by written notice given in the manner provided for above, not less than three (3) business days prior to the effective date of the change.

9.    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which when taken together shall constitute one and the same original. To facilitate the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the parties may execute and exchange counterparts of the signature pages by facsimile or portable document format

(PDF), each of which shall be deemed an original, and the signature page of either party to any counterpart may be appended to any other counterpart.

10.    Effective Agreement. The submission of this Agreement for examination is not intended to nor shall constitute an offer to sell, or a reservation of, or option or proposal of any kind for the purchase of the Property. In no event shall any draft of this Agreement create any obligation or liability, it being understood that this Agreement shall be effective and binding only when a counterpart of this Agreement has been executed and delivered by each party hereto.

11.    Waiver of Jury Trial; Governing Law. Seller and Purchaser each hereby knowingly and unconditionally waive any and all right to demand a jury trial in any action for the interpretation or enforcement of this Agreement. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Arizona without regard to conflict of laws principles.

12.    AS-IS. Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that it has inspected the Property and accepts the same in its present condition, “AS IS, WHERE IS, WITH ALL FAULTS”, subject to the representations, warranties and covenants of Seller contained herein.

13.    Survival and Merger. The acceptance of the Deed by the Purchaser shall be deemed to be a full performance and discharge of every covenant or other obligation on Seller’s part to be performed pursuant to this Agreement and no covenant or obligation of Seller set forth in this Agreement shall survive the delivery of the Deed unless the same is specifically stated herein to survive.

14.    Assignment. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of Seller and Purchaser and their respective successors and assigns and, except as provided for in Section 15 herein, may not be assigned or transferred by either party without having first obtained the written consent of the other party. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Purchaser may assign this Agreement without Seller’s consent to any entity in which Purchaser has an interest or which is controlled by or under common control with Purchaser, provided such assignee agrees to be bound by all provisions, representations and warranties set forth in this Agreement. Notwithstanding any such assignment, the assigning party shall remain jointly and severally liable hereunder.

15.    1031 Exchange. Seller may consummate the sale of the Property as part of a so-called like kind exchange (the “Exchange”) pursuant to Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Purchaser hereby agrees to reasonably cooperate with Seller and take all reasonable steps on or before the Closing Date to facilitate such exchange if requested by Seller, provided that (a) no party making such accommodation shall be required to acquire any substitute property, (b) such exchange shall not affect the obligations of the parties to each other under this Agreement, and (c) Purchaser shall not incur any additional cost, expense or liability in connection with such exchange (other than nominal expenses of reviewing and executing documents required in connection with such exchange). Seller hereby agrees to save, protect, defend, indemnify and hold Purchaser harmless from any and all losses, costs, claims, liabilities, penalties, and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees, fees of accountants and other experts, and costs of any judicial or administrative proceeding or alternative dispute resolution to which Purchaser may be exposed, due to any attempt to structure the transaction as a 1031 Exchange.

16.    Further Assurances. In addition to the acts and deeds recited herein and contemplated to be performed, executed and/or delivered by either party at Closing, each party agrees to perform, execute and deliver, but without any obligation to incur any additional liability, on or after the Closing, any further deliveries and assurances as may be reasonably necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby or to further perfect the conveyance, transfer and assignment of the Property to Purchaser. This Section 16 shall survive Closing.

17.    Brokers. Seller shall pay the brokerage commission of Purchaser’s broker, Keyser, pursuant to a separate agreement. Seller and Purchaser represent to each other that they have dealt with no other broker in the transaction contemplated herein, and shall indemnify and hold harmless one another from loss, liability, or expense arising from claims of any other broker if such claims are based in whole or part on an alleged contract or agreement with Purchaser or Seller.

18.    Attorneys’ Fees. In the event a party hereto files any action or suit against another party hereto by reason of any breach of any of the covenants, agreements or provisions contained in this Agreement, then in that event the prevailing party will be entitled to have and recover of and from the other party all attorneys’ fees and costs resulting therefrom.

19.    Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with any exhibits and other matters attached hereto and/or incorporated herein by reference, constitutes the entire contract between the parties. All terms, conditions, representations, warranties, understandings and interpretations contained in any other written or oral communications between the parties are superseded. In executing this Agreement, the parties acknowledge that they are relying solely on the matters set forth herein and not on any other inducements, written or oral, by the other party or any agent, employee or representative thereof.

20.    Modification of Agreement. No modification of this Agreement shall be effective unless it is in writing and is signed by all parties.

21.    Time is of the Essence. Time is of the essence for performance under this Agreement.

22.    Waiver. No waiver of any term or condition of this Agreement shall be effective unless it is in writing and is signed by the party against whom enforcement of the waiver is sought, and then only in the particular circumstances specified. No failure by a party to exercise any right or privilege provided for herein, or to require timely performance of any obligation herein in strict accordance with the provisions hereof, shall preclude the exercise of such rights or privileges or the enforcement of such obligations in different circumstances or upon the reoccurrence of the same or similar circumstances. Moreover, the exercise of any remedy provided for at law, in equity, or herein shall not impliedly preclude the exercise of any other remedy except when, and then only to the extent that, the other remedy is expressly forbidden or limited by the provisions hereof.

23.    Time Periods. If the time fixed for performance of any obligation hereunder expires on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the deadline shall be extended automatically to the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday. Except as may be otherwise expressly provided herein, the time for performance of any obligation hereunder shall expire at 5:00 p.m. (Mountain Standard Time) on the last day of the period allowed hereunder.

24.    Venue. Purchaser and Seller hereby agree that the proper venue for any legal proceedings arising out of this Agreement shall be Maricopa County, Arizona.

25.    Independent Contract Consideration. Under any circumstances where the Agreement is terminated as provided herein by either Purchaser or Seller, Purchaser shall pay to Seller One Hundred and No/100 Dollars ($100.00) as independent consideration for entering into this Agreement, and Seller hereby acknowledges and confirms the adequacy of such independent contract consideration.

26.    Severability. This Agreement is intended to be performed in accordance with, and only to the extent permitted by, all applicable laws, ordinances, rules and regulations. If any term or provision of this Agreement or the application thereof to any person or circumstance shall for any reason and to any extent be held to be invalid or unenforceable, then such term or provision shall be ignored, and to the maximum extent possible, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect, but without giving effect to such term or provision.

[signatures on following page]

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Seller and Purchaser have caused this Agreement to be duly executed under seal as of the day and year first above written.

SELLER:

MECHANIC (AZ) QRS 15-41, INC.,

a Delaware corporation

By: /s/ Peter C. Bates    

Name: Peter C. Bates    

Title: Managing Director    

PURCHASER:

UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE OF ARIZONA, LLC

a Delaware limited liability company

By: /s/ Jerome Grant    

Name: Jerome Grant    

Title: Authorized Signatory    

[Signature Page to Purchase and Sale Agreement]

EXHIBIT A

LEGAL DESCRIPTION

THE LAND REFERRED TO HEREIN BELOW IS SITUATED AVONDALE, IN THE COUNTY OF MARICOPA, STATE OF ARIZONA, AND IS DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS:

Lot 6, GRIFFITH COMMERCE PARK, according to Book 670 of Maps, page 18, records of Maricopa County, Arizona.

APN: 102-55-009

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,

As Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Jerome A. Grant, certify that:

1.I have reviewed this Report on Form 10-Q of Universal Technical Institute, Inc.;

2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)    Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)    Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)    Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: February 5, 2021

/s/ Jerome A. Grant

Jerome A. Grant

Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,

As Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Troy R. Anderson, certify that:

1.I have reviewed this Report on Form 10-Q of Universal Technical Institute, Inc.;

2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)    Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)    Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)    Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: February 5, 2021

/s/ Troy R. Anderson

Troy R. Anderson

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

Certification of CEO Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,

As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the quarterly report of Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2020, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Jerome A. Grant, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, to the best of my knowledge, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1)    The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)    The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date:	February 5, 2021
		/s/ Jerome A. Grant
		Jerome A. Grant
		Chief Executive Officer
		(Principal Executive Officer)

This certification accompanies the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to which it relates, is not deemed filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of Universal Technical Institute, Inc. under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (whether made before or after the date of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q), irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in such filing.

EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

Certification of CFO Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350,

As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the quarterly report of Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2020, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Troy R. Anderson, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, to the best of my knowledge, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1)    The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)    The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date:	February 5, 2021
		/s/ Troy R. Anderson
		Troy R. Anderson
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
		(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

This certification accompanies the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to which it relates, is not deemed filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of Universal Technical Institute, Inc. under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (whether made before or after the date of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q), irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in such filing.

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Cover Page - shares	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Jan. 31, 2021
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-31923
Entity Registrant Name	UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE, INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001261654
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	86-0226984
Entity Address, Address Line One	4225 East Windrose Drive
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 200
Entity Address, City or Town	Phoenix
Entity Address, State or Province	AZ
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	85032
City Area Code	623
Local Phone Number	445-9500
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.0001 par value
Trading Symbol	UTI
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		32,739,749

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 44,212	$ 76,803	$ 70,533
Restricted cash	15,031	12,116	14,930
Held-to-maturity investments	27,878	38,055
Receivables, net	24,115	35,411
Notes receivable, current portion	5,446	5,184
Prepaid expenses	6,894	6,121
Other current assets	6,985	6,489
Total current assets	130,561	180,179
Property and equipment, net	116,637	72,743
Goodwill	8,222	8,222
Notes receivable, less current portion	29,875	27,609
Right-of-use assets for operating leases	140,296	144,663
Other assets	8,996	8,565
Total assets	434,587	441,981
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	43,221	51,891
Dividends payable	1,313	0	1,323
Deferred revenue	42,616	40,694
Accrued tool sets	3,052	3,148
Operating lease liability, current portion	20,357	23,666
Other current liabilities	1,927	2,241
Total current liabilities	112,486	121,640
Deferred tax liabilities, net	674	674
Operating lease liability	132,175	134,089
Other liabilities	10,946	9,056
Total liabilities	256,281	265,459
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 100,000 shares authorized, 32,767 and 32,730 shares issued	3	3
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 10,000 shares authorized; 700 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock issued and outstanding, liquidation preference of $100 per share	0	0
Paid-in capital - common	141,372	141,002
Paid-in capital - preferred	68,853	68,853
Treasury stock, at cost, 82 shares as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020	(365)	(365)
Retained deficit	(31,557)	(32,971)
Total shareholders’ equity	178,306	176,522	$ 126,273
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 434,587	$ 441,981

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	32,767,000	32,730,000
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.0001	$ 0.0001
Preferred stock (in shares)	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock (in shares)	700,000	700,000
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	700,000	700,000
Preferred stock, liquidation preference (in dollars per share)	$ 100	$ 100
Treasury stock, shares, at cost	82,000	82,000

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 76,125	$ 87,234
Operating expenses:
Educational services and facilities	39,331	42,876
Selling, general and administrative	36,019	40,104
Total operating expenses	75,350	82,980
Income from operations	775	4,254
Other income:
Interest income	54	336
Interest expense	(2)	0
Other income, net	282	178
Total other income, net	334	514
Income before income taxes	1,109	4,768
Income tax expense	(26)	(84)
Net income	1,083	4,684
Preferred stock dividends	1,313	1,323
Net (loss) income available for distribution	$ (230)	$ 3,361
Earnings per share [Abstract]
Net (loss) income per share - basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ 0.07
Net (loss) income per share - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ 0.07
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	32,658	25,663
Diluted (in shares)	32,658	26,038

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Common Stock	Preferred Stock	Treasury Stock	Retained Deficit	Retained Deficit Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Common Stock Paid-in Capital	Preferred Stock Paid-in Capital
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2019			32,499	700	6,865
Beginning Balance at Sep. 30, 2019	$ 114,288		$ 3	$ 0	$ (97,388)	$ (44,673)		$ 187,493	$ 68,853
Beginning Balance (Accounting Standards Update 2016-02) at Sep. 30, 2019		$ 9,107					$ 9,107
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	4,684					4,684
Issuance of common stock under employee plans (in shares)			179
Shares withheld for payroll taxes (in shares)			(68)
Shares withheld for payroll taxes	(497)							(497)
Stock-based compensation	14							14
Preferred stock dividends	(1,323)					(1,323)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 126,273		$ 3	$ 0	$ (97,388)	(32,205)		187,010	68,853
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019			32,610	700	6,865
Accounting Standards Update [Extensible List] | Accounting Standards Update 2016-13	us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201905Member
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2019			32,499	700	6,865
Beginning Balance at Sep. 30, 2019	$ 114,288		$ 3	$ 0	$ (97,388)	(44,673)		187,493	68,853
Beginning Balance (Accounting Standards Update 2016-02) at Sep. 30, 2019		9,107					9,107
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2020	176,522		$ 3	$ 0	$ (365)	(32,971)		141,002	68,853
Ending Balance (Accounting Standards Update 2016-13) at Sep. 30, 2020		$ 1,644					$ 1,644
Ending Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2020			32,730	700	82
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	1,083					1,083
Issuance of common stock under employee plans (in shares)			66
Shares withheld for payroll taxes (in shares)			(29)
Shares withheld for payroll taxes	(178)							(178)
Stock-based compensation	548							548
Preferred stock dividends	(1,313)					(1,313)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2020	$ 178,306		$ 3	$ 0	$ (365)	$ (31,557)		$ 141,372	$ 68,853
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2020			32,767	700	82

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 1,083	$ 4,684
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	3,282	3,013
Amortization of right-of-use assets for operating leases	4,445	5,920
Bad debt expense	389	283
Stock-based compensation	548	14
Training equipment credits earned, net	10	439
Other losses, net	(139)	(231)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Receivables	8,108	4,065
Prepaid expenses	(1,651)	(409)
Other assets	(139)	23
Notes receivable	(884)	(555)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(8,416)	(1,938)
Deferred revenue	1,922	(695)
Income tax receivable/payable	2,783	92
Accrued tool sets and other current liabilities	(234)	32
Operating lease liability	(5,301)	(6,532)
Other liabilities	1,977	(1,081)
Net cash provided by operating activities	7,783	7,124
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from maturities of held-to-maturity securities	9,965	0
Purchase of property and equipment	(47,293)	(1,811)
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment	6	23
Return of capital contribution from unconsolidated affiliate	73	69
Net cash used in investing activities	(37,249)	(1,719)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment of financing obligation and finance leases	(32)	0
Payment of payroll taxes on stock-based compensation through shares withheld	(178)	(497)
Net cash used in financing activities	(210)	(497)
Change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	(29,676)	4,908
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	76,803	65,442	$ 65,442
Restricted cash, beginning of period	12,116	15,113	15,113
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period	88,919	80,555	80,555
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	44,212	70,533	76,803
Restricted cash, end of period	15,031	14,930	12,116
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period	59,243	85,463	88,919
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Taxes refunded	(19)		(11,300)
Taxes paid		7
Interest paid	2	0
Training equipment obtained in exchange for services	141	241
Depreciation of training equipment obtained in exchange for services	317	332
Change in accrued capital expenditures during the period	238	140
Dividends payable	1,313	1,323	0
CARES Act funds received for institutional costs (See Note 18)	$ 880	$ 0	$ 13,900

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Nature of the Business

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Nature of the Business

Nature of the Business

We are the leading provider of postsecondary education for students seeking careers as professional automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians as measured by total average undergraduate full-time enrollment and graduates. We also provide programs for welders and computer numeric control (“CNC”) machining technicians. We offer certificate, diploma or degree programs at 12 campuses across the United States under the banner of several well-known brands, including Universal Technical Institute, Motorcycle Mechanics Institute, Marine Mechanics Institute and NASCAR Technical Institute. We also offer manufacturer specific advanced training (“MSAT”) programs, including student-paid electives, at our campuses and manufacturer or dealer sponsored training at certain campuses and dedicated training centers. Founded in 1965, we have provided technical education for more than 55 years and have graduated more than 220,000 technicians.

We work closely with over 35 original equipment manufacturers and industry brand partners to understand their needs for qualified service professionals. Revenues generated from our schools consist primarily of tuition and fees paid by students. To pay for a substantial portion of their tuition, the majority of students rely on funds received from federal financial aid programs under Title IV Programs of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (“HEA”), as well as from various veterans benefits programs. For further discussion, see Note 2 on “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Concentration of Risk” and Note 20 on “Government Regulation and Financial Aid” included in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 3, 2020.

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Basis of Presentation

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, our condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. Normal and recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods have been included. Operating results for the three months ended December 31, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending September 30, 2021. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 3, 2020.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Universal Technical Institute, Inc. and our wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Effective the First Quarter of Fiscal 2021

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (Topic 326). This update significantly changes the way that entities measure credit losses. The new standard requires that entities estimate credit losses based upon an “expected credit loss” approach rather than the historical “incurred loss” approach. The new approach requires entities to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable forecasts of collectability. The change in approach impacts the timing of recognition of credit losses. This standard is effective for financial statements issued by public companies for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019. These changes became

effective for our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2020. Upon adoption on October 1, 2020, we recorded an increase in our receivables balance related to our proprietary loan program of $1.6 million, with the corresponding amount recorded as an increase to retained earnings. No other adjustments were deemed necessary in applying this new guidance.

Effective the First Quarter of Fiscal 2022

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The amendments in this standard simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740. The amendments also improve consistent application of and simplify GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. We are currently evaluating the impact that the update will have on our results of operations, financial condition and financial statement disclosures.

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Revenue from Contracts with Customers

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

Nature of Goods and Services

Postsecondary Education

Revenues consist primarily of student tuition and fees derived from the programs we provide after reductions are made for discounts and scholarships that we sponsor and for refunds for students who withdraw from our programs prior to specified dates. We apply the five-step model outlined in ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts from Customers. Tuition and fee revenue is recognized ratably over the term of the course or program offered. The majority of our programs are designed to be completed in 36 to 90 weeks, and our advanced training programs range from 12 to 23 weeks in duration. We supplement our revenues with sales of textbooks and program supplies and other revenues, which are recognized as the transfer of goods or services occurs. Deferred revenue represents the excess of tuition and fee payments received as compared to tuition and fees earned and is reflected as a current liability in our condensed consolidated balance sheets because it is expected to be earned within the next 12 months.

Additionally, certain students participate in a proprietary loan program that extends repayment terms for their tuition.  We purchase said loans from the lender and, based on historical collection rates, believe a portion of these loans are collectible. Accordingly, we recognize tuition and loan origination fees financed by the loan and any related interest revenue under the effective interest method required under the loan based on the amount we expect to collect, and we recognize these revenues ratably over the term of the course or program offered.

Other

We provide dealer technician training or instructor staffing services to manufacturers. Revenues are recognized as transfer of the services occurs.

We provide postsecondary education and other services in the same geographical market, the United States. The impact of economic factors on the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows is consistent among our various postsecondary education programs. See Note 16 for disaggregated segment revenue information.

Contract Balances

Contract assets primarily relate to our rights to consideration for a student’s progress through our training program in relation to our services performed but not billed at the reporting date. The contract assets are transferred to the receivables when the rights become unconditional. Currently, we do not have any contract assets that have not transferred to a receivable. Our deferred revenue is considered a contract liability and primarily relates to our enrollment agreements where we received payments for tuition but we have not yet delivered the related training programs to satisfying the related performance obligations. The advance consideration received from students or Title IV funding is deferred revenue until the training program has been delivered to the students.

The following table provides information about receivables and deferred revenue resulting from our enrollment agreements with students:

	December 31, 2020		September 30, 2020
Receivables, which includes tuition and notes receivable	$	49,725	$	53,144
Deferred revenue	42,616		40,694

During the three months ended December 31, 2020, the deferred revenue balance included decreases for revenues recognized during the period and increases related to new students who started their training programs during the period.

Transaction Price Allocated to the Remaining Performance Obligations

Tuition and fee revenue is recognized ratably over the term of the course or program offered. The majority of our undergraduate programs are designed to be completed in 36 to 90 weeks, and our advanced training programs range from 12 to 23 weeks in duration.

Impacts of COVID-19

During the year ended September 30, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we transitioned our on-campus, in-person education model to a blended training model that combines instructor-facilitated online teaching and demonstrations with hands-on labs. On-campus labs have been re-designed to meet the health, safety and social distancing guidelines recommended or required by the Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”) and state and local jurisdictions, while still meeting our accreditation and curriculum requirements.

All of our campuses remained open during the three months ended December 31, 2020, however, as of December 31, 2020, there were students that remained exclusively online and others with catch-up lab work outstanding. As of December 31, 2020, less than 1% of students had not returned to campus to complete the in-person labs and remained exclusively in the online portion of the curriculum, essentially only completing half of each course, while approximately 18% of students were completing catch-up lab work, but over an extended period of time. We continue to recognize revenue ratably over the term of the course or program offered, taking into consideration those only completing the online curriculum, and the catch-up period for active students and the impact it has on expected graduation dates. As a result, as of December 31, 2020, we had deferred revenue of approximately $2.0 million.

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Investments

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Investments

Investments

During the second quarter of 2020, we raised approximately $49.5 million in net proceeds from an underwritten public offering of shares of our common stock. See Note 15 on “Shareholders’ Equity - Equity Offering” included in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 3, 2020 for further details on the equity offering. We invested a portion of the proceeds from the equity offering in held-to-maturity securities, which primarily consist of corporate bonds from large cap industrial and selected financial companies with a minimum credit rating of A. We have the ability and intention to hold these investments until maturity and therefore have classified these investments as held-to-maturity and recorded them at amortized cost.

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains or losses, and fair value of investments classified as held-to-maturity at December 31, 2020 were as follows:

			Gross Unrealized				Estimated Fair
Due in less than 1 year:	Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Market Value
Corporate and municipal bonds	$	27,878	$	—	$	(20)	$	27,858
Total as of December 31, 2020	$	27,878	$	—	$	(20)	$	27,858

Investments are exposed to various risks, including interest rate, market and credit risk. As a result, it is possible that changes in the values of these investments may occur and that such changes could affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Fair Value Measurements

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

The accounting framework for determining fair value includes a hierarchy for ranking the quality and reliability of the information used to measure fair value, which enables the reader of the financial statements to assess the inputs used to develop those measurements. The fair value hierarchy consists of three tiers:

Level 1:    Defined as quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2:    Defined as inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3:    Defined as unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

Any transfers of investments between levels occurs at the end of the reporting period. Assets measured or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis consisted of the following:

			Fair Value Measurements Using
	December 31, 2020		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Money market funds(1)	$	33,999	$	33,999	$	—	$	—
Notes receivable(2)	35,321		—		—		35,321
Corporate bonds(3)	21,663		21,663		—		—
Municipal bonds and other(3)	6,195		6,195		—		—
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	$	97,178	$	61,857	$	—	$	35,321

			Fair Value Measurements Using
	September 30, 2020		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Money market funds(1)	$	43,322	$	43,322	$	—	$	—
Notes receivable(2)	32,793		—		—		32,793
Corporate bonds(3)	33,119		33,119		—		—
Municipal bonds and other(3)	4,913		4,913		—		—
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	$	114,147	$	81,354	$	—	$	32,793

(1) Money market funds and other highly liquid investments with maturity dates less than 90 days are reflected as “Cash and cash equivalents” in our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020.

(2) Notes receivable relate to our proprietary loan program.

(3) Corporate bonds and municipal bonds and other are reflected as “Held-to-maturity investments” in our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020.

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Property and Equipment, net

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property and Equipment, net

Property and Equipment, net

Property and equipment, net consisted of the following:

	Depreciable Lives (in years)	December 31, 2020		September 30, 2020
Land (1)	—	$	8,351	$	3,189
Buildings and building improvements (1)	3-35	68,159		28,046
Leasehold improvements	1-28	63,267		62,899
Training equipment	3-10	91,899		91,731
Office and computer equipment	3-10	33,591		33,524
Curriculum development	5	19,692		19,692
Software developed for internal use	1-5	11,959		11,951
Vehicles	5	1,449		1,502
Right-of-use assets for finance leases	2-3	359		359
Construction in progress	—	2,671		2,213
		301,397		255,106
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(184,760)		(182,363)
		$	116,637	$	72,743

(1) During the three months ended December 31, 2020, land and buildings and building improvements increased due to the purchase of the building and land at our Avondale, Arizona campus location. The total purchase price was approximately $45.2 million, of which $5.1 million was allocated to land and $40.1 million was allocated to buildings and building improvements based upon the appraised values.

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Goodwill	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	GoodwillOur goodwill balance of $8.2 million as of December 31, 2020 resulted from the acquisition of our motorcycle and marine education business in Orlando, Florida in 1998 and relates to our Postsecondary Education segment. Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquired business over the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Goodwill is reviewed at least annually for impairment, which may result from the deterioration in the operating performance of the acquired business, adverse market conditions, adverse changes in applicable laws or regulations and a variety of other circumstances. Any resulting impairment charge would be recognized as an expense in the period in which impairment is identified.As of December 31, 2020, while some students were taking longer than normal to graduate from their programs due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, students enrolled at our Orlando, Florida campus continue to progress through their programs under the new blended training model. There were no indicators of goodwill impairment as of December 31, 2020.

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Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate

Investment in Unconsolidated AffiliateIn 2012, we invested $4.0 million to acquire an equity interest of approximately 28% in a joint venture (“JV”) related to the lease of our Lisle, Illinois campus facility. In connection with this investment, we do not possess a controlling financial interest as we do not hold a majority of the equity interest, nor do we have the power to make major decisions without approval from the other equity member. Therefore, we do not qualify as the primary beneficiary. Accordingly, this investment is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. We recognize our proportionate share of the JV's net income or loss during each accounting period and any return of capital as a change in our investment.

Investment in unconsolidated affiliate consisted of the following and is included within “Other assets” on our condensed consolidated balance sheets:

	December 31, 2020				September 30, 2020
	Carrying Value		Ownership Percentage		Carrying Value		Ownership Percentage
Investment in JV	$	4,528	28.0	%	$	4,494	28.0	%

Investment in unconsolidated affiliate included the following activity during the period:

	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2020		2019
Balance at beginning of period	$	4,494	$	4,338
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate	107		102
Return of capital contribution from unconsolidated affiliate	(73)		(69)
Balance at end of period	$	4,528	$	4,371

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Leases

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Leases [Abstract]

Leases

Leases

As of December 31, 2020, we leased 9 of our 12 campuses and our corporate headquarters under non-cancelable operating leases, some of which contain escalation clauses and requirements to pay other fees associated with the leases. The facility leases have original lease terms ranging from 8 to 20 years and expire at various dates through 2031. In addition, the leases commonly include lease incentives in the form of rent abatements and tenant improvement allowances. We sublease certain portions of unused building space to third parties, which as of December 31, 2020, resulted in minimal income. All of the leases, other than those that may qualify for the short-term scope exception of 12 months or less, are recorded on our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Some of the facility leases are subject to annual changes in the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”). While lease liabilities are not remeasured as a result of changes to the CPI, changes to the CPI are treated as variable lease payments and recognized in the period in which the obligation for those payments was incurred. Many of our lease agreements include options to extend the lease, which we do not include in our minimum lease terms unless they are reasonably certain to be exercised. There are no early termination with penalties, residual value guarantees, restrictions or covenants imposed by our facility leases.

The components of lease expense are included in “Educational services and facilities” and “Selling, general and administrative” on the condensed consolidated statement of operations, with the exception of interest on lease liabilities, which is included in “Interest expense.” The components of lease expense during the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:

	Three Months Ended December 31,
Lease Expense	2020		2019
Operating lease expense(1)	$	6,132	$	7,521
Finance lease expense:
Amortization of leased assets	32		—
Interest on lease liabilities	2		—
Variable lease expense	907		999
Sublease income	(123)		(351)
Total net lease expense	$	6,950	$	8,169

(1) Excludes the expense for short-term leases not accounted for under ASC 842, which was not significant for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

Supplemental balance sheet, cash flow and other information related to our leases was as follows:

Leases	Classification	December 31, 2020		September 30, 2020
Assets:
Operating lease assets	Right-of-use assets for operating leases	$	140,296	$	144,663
Finance lease assets	Property and equipment, net(1)	225		257
Total leased assets		$	140,521	$	144,920
Liabilities:
Current
Operating lease liabilities	Operating lease liability, current portion	$	20,357	$	23,666
Finance lease liabilities	Other current liabilities	130		129
Noncurrent
Operating lease liabilities	Operating lease liability	132,175		134,089
Finance lease liabilities	Other liabilities	98		131
Total lease liabilities		$	152,760	$	158,015

(1) Finance lease assets are recorded net of accumulated amortization of $0.1 million as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020, respectively.

	Three Months Ended December 31,
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information and Other Information	2020		2019
Non-cash activity related to lease liabilities:
Lease assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities (1)	$	78	$	148,790
Leases assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities	—		—

(1) Includes the impact of the opening balance adjustment for the adoption of ASC 842 as of October 1, 2019 for the three months ended December 31, 2019.

Lease Term and Discount Rate	December 31, 2020		December 31, 2019
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years):
Operating leases	10.49		8.62
Finance leases	1.81		0.00
Weighted average discount rate:
Operating leases	4.52	%	4.14	%
Finance leases	3.08	%	—	%

Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:

	As of December 31, 2020
Years ending September 30,	Operating Leases		Finance Leases
Remainder of 2021	$	18,614	$	101
2022	24,042		110
2023	16,984		23
2024	16,675		—
2025	16,860		—
2026 and thereafter	95,757		—
Total lease payments	188,932		234
Less: interest	(36,400)		(6)
Present value of lease liabilities	152,532		228
Less: current lease liabilities	(20,357)		(130)
Long-term lease liabilities	$	132,175	$	98

Related Party Transactions for Leases

Rent expense includes rent paid to related parties, which was approximately $0.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Since 1991, two of our properties comprising our Orlando, Florida location have been leased from entities controlled by John C. White, who served on our board of directors until his retirement on November 30, 2020. The leases extend through August 19, 2022 and August 31, 2022 with annual base lease payments for the first year under this lease totaling approximately $0.3 million and $0.7 million, with annual adjustments based on the higher of (i) an amount equal to 4% of the total annual rent for the immediately preceding year or (ii) the percentage of increase in the CPI. These transactions were not considered significant as of December 31, 2020.

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Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses

Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses

Accounts payable and accrued expenses consisted of the following:

	December 31, 2020		September 30, 2020
Accounts payable	$	12,039	$	12,471
Accrued compensation and benefits	19,377		28,053
Other accrued expenses	11,805		11,367
Total accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	43,221	$	51,891

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Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Our income tax expense for the three months ended December 31, 2020 was $26 thousand, or 2.3% of pre-tax income, compared to income tax expense of $84 thousand, or 1.8% of pre-tax income, for the three months ended December 31, 2019. The effective income tax rate in each period differed from the federal statutory tax rate of 21% primarily as a result of changes in the valuation allowance and state taxes. The balance of the valuation allowance for our deferred tax assets was $17.4 million as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020.

As discussed in Note 13 on “Income Taxes” in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 3, 2020, during the year ended September 30, 2020, we recorded an income tax refund of approximately $11.3 million as a result of certain provisions of the CARES Act, of which $7.1 million remained outstanding as of September 30, 2020. During the three months ended December 31, 2020, we received approximately $2.8 million in refunds, leaving $4.3 million

as an income tax receivable recorded in “Receivable, net” on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020. We expect to receive the remaining $4.3 million subsequent to the filing of our consolidated tax return for our fiscal 2020 later this year.

As of December 31, 2020, we continued to have a full valuation allowance against all deferred tax assets that rely upon future taxable income for their realization and will continue to evaluate our valuation allowance in future periods for any change in circumstances that causes a change in judgment about the realizability of the deferred tax assets. The amount of the deferred tax assets considered realizable, however, could be adjusted in future periods if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period are increased, if objective negative evidence in the form of cumulative losses is no longer present and if additional weight is given to subjective evidence such as our projections for growth.

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Commitments and Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies

Legal

In the ordinary conduct of our business, we are periodically subject to lawsuits, demands in arbitration, investigations, regulatory proceedings or other claims, including, but not limited to, claims involving current or former students, routine employment matters, business disputes and regulatory demands. When we are aware of a claim or potential claim, we assess the likelihood of any loss or exposure. If it is probable that a loss will result and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, we accrue a liability for the loss. When a loss is not both probable and estimable, we do not accrue a liability. Where a loss is not probable but is reasonably possible, including if a loss in excess of an accrued liability is reasonably possible, we determine whether it is possible to provide an estimate of the amount of the loss or range of possible losses for the claim. Because we cannot predict with certainty the ultimate resolution of the legal proceedings (including lawsuits, investigations, regulatory proceedings or claims) asserted against us, it is not currently possible to provide such an estimate. The ultimate outcome of pending legal proceedings to which we are a party may have a material adverse effect on our business, cash flows and results of operations or financial condition.

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Shareholders' Equity

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Equity [Abstract]

Shareholders’ Equity

Shareholders’ Equity

Common Stock

Holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends when and as declared by our Board of Directors and have the right to one vote per share on all matters requiring shareholder approval. On June 9, 2016, our Board of Directors voted to eliminate the quarterly cash dividend on our common stock. Any future common stock dividends require the approval of a majority of the voting power of the Series A Preferred Stock.

Preferred Stock

Preferred Stock consists of 10,000,000 authorized preferred shares of $0.0001 par value each. As of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020, 700,000 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”) were issued and outstanding. The liquidation preference associated with the Series A Preferred Stock was $100 per share at December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020.

Pursuant to the terms of the Certificate of Designations of the Series A Preferred Stock, we may pay a cash dividend on each share of the Series A Preferred Stock at a rate of 7.5% per year on the liquidation preference then in effect (“Cash Dividend”). If we do not pay a Cash Dividend, the liquidation preference shall be increased to an amount equal to the current liquidation preference in effect plus an amount reflecting that liquidation preference multiplied by the Cash Dividend rate then in effect plus 2.0% per year (“Accrued Dividend”). Cash Dividends are payable semi-annually in arrears on September 30 and March 31 of each year, and begin to accrue on the first day of the applicable dividend period. We accrued $1.3 million in Cash Dividends as of December 31, 2020.

For further discussion of our preferred stock, see Note 15 on “Shareholders’ Equity” included in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 3, 2020.

Share Repurchase ProgramOn December 10, 2020, our Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase plan that would allow for the repurchase of up to $35.0 million of our common stock in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions. This new share repurchase plan replaced the previously authorized plan from fiscal 2012. Any repurchases under this new stock repurchase program require the approval of a majority of the voting power of our Series A Preferred Stock. We did not repurchase any shares during the three months ended December 31, 2020.

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Earnings per Share

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings per Share

Earnings per Share

We calculate basic earnings per common share (“EPS”) pursuant to the two-class method as a result of the issuance of the Series A Preferred Stock on June 24, 2016. Our Series A Preferred Stock is considered a participating security because, in the event that we pay a dividend or make a distribution on the outstanding common stock, we shall also pay each holder of the Series A Preferred Stock a dividend on an as-converted basis. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that determines EPS for common stock and participating securities according to dividend and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Under this method, all earnings, distributed and undistributed, are allocated to common shares and participating securities based on their respective rights to receive dividends. The Series A Preferred Stock is not included in the computation of basic EPS in periods in which we have a net loss, as the Series A Preferred Stock is not contractually obligated to share in our net losses.

Diluted EPS is calculated using the more dilutive of the two-class method or as-converted method. The two-class method uses net income available to common shareholders and assumes conversion of all potential shares other than the participating securities. The as-converted method uses net income and assumes conversion of all potential shares including the participating securities. Dilutive potential common shares include outstanding stock options, unvested restricted share units and convertible preferred stock. The basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding are the same for the three months ended December 31, 2020 as a result of the net loss available to common shareholders and anti-dilutive impact of the potentially dilutive securities.

Subsequent to the issuance of our December 31, 2019 interim financial statements, we identified that the diluted EPS disclosures incorrectly stated that diluted EPS for the three months ended December 31, 2019 was calculated using the as-converted method and not the two-class method, when in fact diluted EPS was correctly calculated internally using the two-class method. The table in the disclosure summarizing the computation of diluted EPS incorrectly added back “Income allocated to participating securities” to what is equivalent to “Net income available to common shareholders” shown below and incorrectly included the corresponding 21,021 weighted average diluted participating shares outstanding in diluted shares outstanding. The disclosure errors had no impact on reported net income per diluted share for the three months ended December 31, 2019. The disclosures below have been corrected to appropriately reflect diluted EPS under the two-class method for the three months ended December 31, 2019. We have concluded that these corrections were not material to the previously issued condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended December 31, 2019.

The following table summarizes the computation of basic and diluted EPS share under the two-class or as-converted method, as well as the anti-dilutive shares excluded:

	Three Months Ended
	December 31,
	2020		2019
Basic earnings per common share:
Net income	$	1,083	$	4,684
Less: Preferred stock dividend declared	(1,313)		(1,323)
Net (loss) income available for distribution	(230)		3,361
Income allocated to participating securities	—		(1,513)
Net (loss) income available to common shareholders	$	(230)	$	1,848

	Three Months Ended
	December 31,
	2020		2019
Weighted average basic shares outstanding	32,658		25,663
Basic (loss) income per common share	$	(0.01)	$	0.07
Diluted earnings per common share:
Method used:	Two-class		Two-class
Net (loss) income available to common shareholders	$	(230)	$	1,848
Weighted average basic shares outstanding	32,658		25,663
Dilutive effect related to employee stock plans	—		375
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding	32,658		26,038
Diluted (loss) income per common share	$	(0.01)	$	0.07
Anti-dilutive shares excluded:
Outstanding stock-based grants	436		—
Convertible preferred stock	21,021		21,021
Total anti-dilutive shares excluded	21,457		21,021
Dilutive shares under the as-converted method(1)	53,905		47,059

(1) The dilutive shares under the as-converted method assume conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock and are presented here merely for reference. In a net income position, diluted earnings per share is determined by the more dilutive of the two-class method or the as-converted method.

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Segment Information

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Information

Segment Information

Our principal business is providing postsecondary education. We also provide manufacturer-specific training, and these operations are managed separately from our campus operations. These operations do not currently meet the quantitative criteria for segments and therefore are reflected in the “Other” category. Our equity method investment and other non-postsecondary education operations are also included within the “Other” category. Corporate expenses are allocated to “Postsecondary Education” and the “Other” category based on compensation expense.

Summary information by reportable segment was as follows:

	Postsecondary Education		Other		Consolidated
Three Months Ended December 31, 2020
Revenues	$	73,560	$	2,565	$	76,125
Income (loss) from operations	1,104		(329)		775
Depreciation and amortization (1)	3,258		24		3,282
Net income (loss)	1,412		(329)		1,083

	Postsecondary Education		Other		Consolidated
Three Months Ended December 31, 2019
Revenues	$	83,320	$	3,914	$	87,234
Income (loss) from operations	4,601		(347)		4,254
Depreciation and amortization (2)	2,971		42		3,013
Net income (loss)	5,031		(347)		4,684
As of December 31, 2020
Total assets	$	428,295	$	6,292	$	434,587
As of September 30, 2020
Total assets	$	435,144	$	6,837	$	441,981

(1) Includes depreciation of training equipment obtained in exchange for services of $0.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020.

(2) Excludes depreciation of training equipment obtained in exchange for services of $0.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019.

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Government Regulation and Financial Aid

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Government Regulation and Financial Aid [Abstract]

Government Regulation And Financial Aid

Government Regulation and Financial Aid

As discussed at length in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 3, 2020, our institutions participate in a range of government-sponsored student assistance programs. The most significant of these is the federal student aid programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education (“ED”) pursuant to Title IV of the Higher Education Act (“HEA”), commonly referred to as the Title IV Programs. Generally, to participate in the Title IV Programs, an institution must be licensed or otherwise legally authorized to operate in the state where it is physically located, be accredited by an accreditor recognized by ED, be certified as an eligible institution by ED, offer at least one eligible program of education, and comply with other statutory and regulatory requirements. See “Part I, Item1. Regulatory Environment” in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 3, 2020.

State Authorization

To operate and offer postsecondary programs, and to be certified to participate in Title IV Programs, each of our institutions must obtain and maintain authorization from the state in which it is physically located (“Home State”). To engage in recruiting activities outside of its Home State, each institution also may be required to obtain and maintain authorization from the states in which it is recruiting students. The level of regulatory oversight varies substantially from state to state and is extensive in some states. State laws may establish standards for instruction, qualifications of faculty, location and nature of facilities and equipment, administrative procedures, marketing, recruiting, student outcomes reporting, disclosure obligations to students, limitations on mandatory arbitration clauses in enrollment agreements, financial operations, and other operational matters. Some states prescribe standards of financial responsibility and mandate that institutions post surety bonds. Many states have requirements for institutions to disclose institutional data to current and prospective students, as well as to the public. And some states require that our schools meet prescribed performance standards as a condition of continued approval.

Accreditation

Accreditation is a non-governmental process through which an institution voluntarily submits to ongoing qualitative reviews by an organization of peer institutions. Institutional accreditation by an ED-recognized accreditor is required for an institution to be certified to participate in Title IV Programs. All of our institutions are accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (“ACCSC”), which is an accrediting agency recognized by ED. ACCSC reviews the academic quality of each institution’s instructional programs, as well as the administrative and financial operations of the institution to ensure that it has the resources necessary to perform its educational mission, implement continuous improvement processes, and support student success. Our institutions must submit annual reports, and at times, supplemental reports, to demonstrate ongoing compliance and improvement. ACCSC requires institutions to disclose certain institutional information to current and prospective students, as well as to the public, and requires that our schools and programs meet various performance standards as a condition of continued accreditation. Institutions must periodically renew their accreditation by completing a comprehensive renewal of accreditation process. See “Part I, Item1. Regulatory Environment - Accreditation” in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 3, 2020 for further details and the current status of our campus accreditation. We believe that each of our institutions is in substantial compliance with ACCSC accreditation standards.

Title IV Programs

The federal government provides a substantial part of its support for postsecondary education through Title IV Programs in the form of grants and loans to students who can use those funds at any institution that has been certified as eligible to participate by ED. All of our institutions are certified to participate in Title IV Programs. Significant factors relating to Title IV Programs that could adversely affect us include:

•The 90/10 Rule. As a condition of participation in Title IV Programs, proprietary institutions must agree when they sign their PPA to derive at least 10% of their revenues for each fiscal year from sources other than Title IV Program funds. A proprietary institution is subject to sanctions if it exceeds the 90% level for a single year, and loses its eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs if it derives more than 90% of its revenue from Title IV Programs for two consecutive fiscal years.

•Administrative Capability. To continue its participation in Title IV Programs, an institution must demonstrate that it remains administratively capable of providing the education it promises and of properly managing the Title IV Programs. ED assesses the administrative capability of each institution that participates in Title IV Programs under a series of standards listed in the regulations, which cover a wide range of operational and administrative topics, including the designation of capable and qualified individuals, the quality and scope of written procedures, the adequacy of institutional communication and processes, the timely resolution of issues, the sufficiency of recordkeeping, and the frequency of findings of noncompliance, to name a few. ED’s administrative capability standards also include thresholds and expectations for federal student loan cohort default rates (discussed below), satisfactory academic progress, and loan counseling. Failure to satisfy any of the standards may lead ED to find the institution ineligible to participate in Title IV Programs, require the institution to repay Title IV Program funds, change the method of payment of Title IV Program funds, or place the institution on provisional certification as a condition of its continued participation or take other actions against the institution.

•Three-Year Student Loan Default Rates. To remain eligible to participate in Title IV Programs, institutions also must maintain federal student loan cohort default rates below specified levels. An institution whose three-year cohort default rate is 15% or greater for any one of the three preceding years is subject to a 30-day delay in receiving the first disbursement on federal student loans for first-time borrowers.

•Financial Responsibility. All institutions participating in Title IV Programs also must satisfy specific ED standards of financial responsibility. Among other things, an institution must meet all of its financial obligations, including required refunds to students and any Title IV Program liabilities and debts, be current in its debt payments, comply with certain past performance requirements, not receive an adverse, qualified, or disclaimed opinion by its accountants in its audited financial statements. Each year, ED also evaluates institutions’ financial responsibility by calculating a “composite

score,” which utilizes information provided in the institutions’ annual audited financial statements. The composite score is based on three ratios: (1) the equity ratio which measures the institution’s capital resources, ability to borrow and financial viability; (2) the primary reserve ratio which measures the institution’s ability to support current operations from expendable resources; and (3) the net income ratio which measures the institution’s ability to operate at a profit. Between composite score calculations, ED also will reevaluate the financial responsibility of an institution following the occurrence of certain “triggering events,” which must be timely reported to the agency.

•Title IV Program Rulemaking. ED is almost continuously engaged in one or more negotiated rulemakings, which is the process pursuant to which it revisits, revises, and expands the complex and voluminous Title IV Program regulations. Recent and significant negotiated rulemakings include the Gainful Employment Rulemaking, the Borrower Defense to Repayment Rulemaking, and the Accreditation and Innovation Rulemaking. New regulations associated with these rulemakings took effect on July 1, 2020, and additional, new rules will take effect on July 1, 2021. We devote significant effort to understanding the effects of these regulations on our business and to developing compliant solutions that also are congruent with our business, culture, and mission to serve our students and industry relationships. However, we cannot predict with certainty how these new and developing regulatory requirements will be applied or whether each of our schools will be able to comply with all of the requirements in the future.

Other Federal and State Student Aid Programs

Some of our students also receive financial aid from federal sources other than Title IV Programs, such as the programs administered by the VA, the Department of Defense (“DOD”) and under the Workforce Investment Act. Additionally, some states provide financial aid to our students in the form of grants, loans or scholarships. Our Long Beach, Rancho Cucamonga and Sacramento, California campuses, for example, are currently eligible to participate in the Cal Grant program. All of our institutions must comply with the eligibility and participation requirements applicable to each of these funding programs, which vary by funding agency and program.

Each year we derive a portion of our revenues, on a cash basis, from veterans’ benefits programs, which include the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill, the Reserve Education Assistance Program (“REAP”) and VA Vocational Rehabilitation. To continue participation in veterans’ benefits programs, an institution must comply with certain requirements established by the VA.

COVID-19, the CARES Act, and the CRRSAA

On March 13, 2020, the United States declared a national emergency concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, effective March 1, 2020. ED, consistent with its authority under then-existing statutes and regulations, issued guidance on March 5, 2020, outlining a range of accommodations intended to address interruptions of study related to COVID-19. On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed the CARES Act, which provided additional flexibilities and accommodations, beyond those offered by the ED in its March 5, 2020 guidance, particularly with regard to the campus-based assistance programs, the measurement of satisfactory academic progress and the return of unearned Title IV Program funds to ED. Shortly thereafter, on April 3, 2020, ED issued further guidance, providing additional regulatory flexibilities, and in some cases, implementing the accommodations provided for in the CARES Act. ED periodically updated and supplemented this guidance over the following months. Guidance also was published regarding immigration, discrimination, safety, and privacy issues, as well as the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (“HEERF”) established under the CARES Act.

On December 11, 2020, ED published a notice in the Federal Register extending the end dates of COVID-19-related waivers and modifications, and introducing several new flexibilities using its authority granted by the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students (“HEROES”) Act of 2003.

On December 27, 2020, President Trump signed a $2.3 trillion spending bill that combined a $1.4 trillion omnibus appropriations bill for federal fiscal year 2021 with $900 billion in supplemental appropriations to provide relief for the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the omnibus appropriations bill, Congress simplifies the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, provides a $15 million increase to the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant program, and adds an additional $10 million for Federal Work Study. This latter piece of legislation is known as the Coronavirus Response and

Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (“CRRSAA”). The CRRSAA extends the Paycheck Protection Program and allocates to it an additional $284.5 billion, and includes The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund II (“HEERF II”), which makes an addition $22.7 billion available to higher education institutions to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Of this amount, private, proprietary institutions are allocated approximately $681 million. On January 14, 2021, ED made extensive guidance available regarding the administration of the HEERF II program.

We have reviewed and implemented many of the flexibilities created by the CARES Act and ED’s guidance, including the opportunity to temporarily offer distance education, discussed below, and we presently are evaluating the flexibilities and funding opportunities created by the CRRSAA. We continue to review new guidance from ED and to implement available legislative and regulatory relief as applicable.

Distance Education

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ED provided broad approval for institutions to use distance learning modalities without going through the standard ED approval process for payment periods that begin on or before December 31, 2020, or the end of the payment period that includes the end date for the federally-declared emergency related to COVID-19, whichever occurs later. ED also permitted accreditors to waive their distance education review requirements. In its December 11, 2020 Federal Register notice, ED extended these flexibilities through the end of the payment period that begins after the date on which the federally-declared national emergency related to COVID-19 is rescinded. This extra payment period beyond the national emergency end date will facilitate a successful transition to non-pandemic requirements following the end of the national emergency.

ACCSC has granted institutions temporary approval to offer distance education through December 31, 2020 for the end of the emergency and continues to allow schools to offer distance education as long as applications were submitted by December 31, 2020. State agencies have also provided distance education flexibility, but the processes and expiration dates for temporary distance education approval vary by state, and states have been granting extensions to these temporary approvals as they approach expiration. We have availed ourselves of this temporary flexibility in all our programs and believe we are in substantial compliance with all state and ACCSC requirements.

To afford us additional flexibility beyond the current temporary approval period(s), we have initiated the approval process with ACCSC, state agencies, or both to be able of offer distance education and a blended learning format for all of our programs on a more permanent basis. Additionally, as a result of previously implementing a blended learning format for certain of our Automotive, Diesel and Automotive/Diesel programs in 2010, we are currently approved to offer distance education at our Avondale, Arizona, Rancho Cucamonga, California, Sacramento, California, Orlando, Florida, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas, Long Beach, California and Bloomfield, New Jersey campuses for those programs by ACCSC, state agencies, or both.

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Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund under the CARES Act

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Unusual or Infrequent Items, or Both [Abstract]

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund under the CARES Act

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund under the CARES Act

As discussed in “Note 21 - Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund under the CARES Act” in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 3, 2020, in May 2020, we were granted approximately $33.0 million in HEERF funds for emergency grants to student and to cover institutional costs associated with significant changes to the delivery of instruction due to coronavirus. As of September 30, 2020, we had awarded all $16.5 million designated for emergency student grants to approximately 9,000 students.

HEERF Funds for Significant Changes to the Delivery of Instruction

In May 2020, we received $16.5 million to cover institutional costs associated with significant changes to the delivery of instruction due to coronavirus. Such funds may be used to provide additional emergency financial aid grants to students, to cover institutional costs associated with significant changes to the delivery of instruction due to coronavirus, or not used at all and returned to the government. The allowable institutional costs for these institutional HEERF funds are described in “Note 21 - Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund under the CARES Act” in our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 3, 2020.

During the year ended September 30, 2020, we incurred $15.1 million in allowable costs related to the changes in the delivery of instruction due to the coronavirus. Additionally, during the year ended September 30, 2020, we used $0.6 million of the institutional funds for additional emergency grants to our students. Including the additional student grants, the total institutional funds spent during fiscal 2020 was approximately $15.7 million. As of September 30, 2020, we had drawn down $13.9 million of the institutional funds into our operating cash account as partial reimbursement for the $15.7 million of eligible costs incurred during the year ended September 30, 2020. We drew down the remaining $1.8 million for the eligible costs incurred during the year ended September 30, 2020 in October 2020.

During the three months ended December 31, 2020, we incurred $0.9 million in allowable costs related to the changes in the delivery of instruction due to the coronavirus, thereby utilizing the remaining available funds. Of the $0.9 million incurred, $0.3 million was recorded in “Educational services and facilities” and $0.6 million was recorded in “Selling, general and administrative” on the condensed consolidated statements of operation for the three months ended December 31, 2020. The $0.9 million was drawn down prior to December 31, 2020 and is included in our “Cash and cash equivalents” on our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020.

Subsequent Events Related to Additional Grants of HEERF Funds for Student Grants

As noted above, the CRRSAA includes HEERF II, which makes an additional $22.7 billion available to higher education institutions. Of this amount, private, proprietary institutions are allocated approximately $681 million. The statute permits proprietary institutions to use HEERF II funds to provide financial aid grants to students, and requires that institutions prioritize the grants to students with exceptional need, such as students who receive Pell Grants. On January 14, 2021, ED issued guidance regarding the administration of the HEERF II program, and released an allocation schedule indicating that we will receive approximately $16.8 million for purposes of funding HEERF II student grants. We have submitted the appropriate applications for these funds and the ED has confirmed receipt.

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Recently Accounting Pronouncements

Effective the First Quarter of Fiscal 2021

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (Topic 326). This update significantly changes the way that entities measure credit losses. The new standard requires that entities estimate credit losses based upon an “expected credit loss” approach rather than the historical “incurred loss” approach. The new approach requires entities to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable forecasts of collectability. The change in approach impacts the timing of recognition of credit losses. This standard is effective for financial statements issued by public companies for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019. These changes became

effective for our fiscal year beginning October 1, 2020. Upon adoption on October 1, 2020, we recorded an increase in our receivables balance related to our proprietary loan program of $1.6 million, with the corresponding amount recorded as an increase to retained earnings. No other adjustments were deemed necessary in applying this new guidance.

Effective the First Quarter of Fiscal 2022

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The amendments in this standard simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740. The amendments also improve consistent application of and simplify GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. We are currently evaluating the impact that the update will have on our results of operations, financial condition and financial statement disclosures.

Nature of Goods and Services/Contract Balances

Nature of Goods and Services

Postsecondary Education

Revenues consist primarily of student tuition and fees derived from the programs we provide after reductions are made for discounts and scholarships that we sponsor and for refunds for students who withdraw from our programs prior to specified dates. We apply the five-step model outlined in ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts from Customers. Tuition and fee revenue is recognized ratably over the term of the course or program offered. The majority of our programs are designed to be completed in 36 to 90 weeks, and our advanced training programs range from 12 to 23 weeks in duration. We supplement our revenues with sales of textbooks and program supplies and other revenues, which are recognized as the transfer of goods or services occurs. Deferred revenue represents the excess of tuition and fee payments received as compared to tuition and fees earned and is reflected as a current liability in our condensed consolidated balance sheets because it is expected to be earned within the next 12 months.

Additionally, certain students participate in a proprietary loan program that extends repayment terms for their tuition.  We purchase said loans from the lender and, based on historical collection rates, believe a portion of these loans are collectible. Accordingly, we recognize tuition and loan origination fees financed by the loan and any related interest revenue under the effective interest method required under the loan based on the amount we expect to collect, and we recognize these revenues ratably over the term of the course or program offered.

Other

We provide dealer technician training or instructor staffing services to manufacturers. Revenues are recognized as transfer of the services occurs.

We provide postsecondary education and other services in the same geographical market, the United States. The impact of economic factors on the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows is consistent among our various postsecondary education programs. See Note 16 for disaggregated segment revenue information.

Contract Balances

Contract assets primarily relate to our rights to consideration for a student’s progress through our training program in relation to our services performed but not billed at the reporting date. The contract assets are transferred to the receivables when the rights become unconditional. Currently, we do not have any contract assets that have not transferred to a receivable. Our deferred revenue is considered a contract liability and primarily relates to our enrollment agreements where we received payments for tuition but we have not yet delivered the related training programs to satisfying the related performance obligations. The advance consideration received from students or Title IV funding is deferred revenue until the training program has been delivered to the students.

Fair Value Measurement

Fair Value Measurements

The accounting framework for determining fair value includes a hierarchy for ranking the quality and reliability of the information used to measure fair value, which enables the reader of the financial statements to assess the inputs used to develop those measurements. The fair value hierarchy consists of three tiers:

Level 1:    Defined as quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2:    Defined as inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3:    Defined as unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

Any transfers of investments between levels occurs at the end of the reporting period.

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Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability

The following table provides information about receivables and deferred revenue resulting from our enrollment agreements with students:

	December 31, 2020		September 30, 2020
Receivables, which includes tuition and notes receivable	$	49,725	$	53,144
Deferred revenue	42,616		40,694

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Investments (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]

Schedule of Held-to-Maturity Investments

The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains or losses, and fair value of investments classified as held-to-maturity at December 31, 2020 were as follows:

			Gross Unrealized				Estimated Fair
Due in less than 1 year:	Amortized Cost		Gains		Losses		Market Value
Corporate and municipal bonds	$	27,878	$	—	$	(20)	$	27,858
Total as of December 31, 2020	$	27,878	$	—	$	(20)	$	27,858

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Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Summary of Fair Value of Our Trading Securities, Money Market Funds, Notes Receivable and Corporate Bonds

Assets measured or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis consisted of the following:

			Fair Value Measurements Using
	December 31, 2020		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Money market funds(1)	$	33,999	$	33,999	$	—	$	—
Notes receivable(2)	35,321		—		—		35,321
Corporate bonds(3)	21,663		21,663		—		—
Municipal bonds and other(3)	6,195		6,195		—		—
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	$	97,178	$	61,857	$	—	$	35,321

			Fair Value Measurements Using
	September 30, 2020		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Money market funds(1)	$	43,322	$	43,322	$	—	$	—
Notes receivable(2)	32,793		—		—		32,793
Corporate bonds(3)	33,119		33,119		—		—
Municipal bonds and other(3)	4,913		4,913		—		—
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	$	114,147	$	81,354	$	—	$	32,793

(1) Money market funds and other highly liquid investments with maturity dates less than 90 days are reflected as “Cash and cash equivalents” in our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020.

(2) Notes receivable relate to our proprietary loan program.

(3) Corporate bonds and municipal bonds and other are reflected as “Held-to-maturity investments” in our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020.

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Property and Equipment, net (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

Property and Equipment, Net

Property and equipment, net consisted of the following:

	Depreciable Lives (in years)	December 31, 2020		September 30, 2020
Land (1)	—	$	8,351	$	3,189
Buildings and building improvements (1)	3-35	68,159		28,046
Leasehold improvements	1-28	63,267		62,899
Training equipment	3-10	91,899		91,731
Office and computer equipment	3-10	33,591		33,524
Curriculum development	5	19,692		19,692
Software developed for internal use	1-5	11,959		11,951
Vehicles	5	1,449		1,502
Right-of-use assets for finance leases	2-3	359		359
Construction in progress	—	2,671		2,213
		301,397		255,106
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(184,760)		(182,363)
		$	116,637	$	72,743

(1) During the three months ended December 31, 2020, land and buildings and building improvements increased due to the purchase of the building and land at our Avondale, Arizona campus location. The total purchase price was approximately $45.2 million, of which $5.1 million was allocated to land and $40.1 million was allocated to buildings and building improvements based upon the appraised values.

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Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Equity Method Investment

Investment in unconsolidated affiliate consisted of the following and is included within “Other assets” on our condensed consolidated balance sheets:

	December 31, 2020				September 30, 2020
	Carrying Value		Ownership Percentage		Carrying Value		Ownership Percentage
Investment in JV	$	4,528	28.0	%	$	4,494	28.0	%

Investment in unconsolidated affiliate included the following activity during the period:

	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2020		2019
Balance at beginning of period	$	4,494	$	4,338
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate	107		102
Return of capital contribution from unconsolidated affiliate	(73)		(69)
Balance at end of period	$	4,528	$	4,371

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Leases (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Leases [Abstract]

Components of Lease Expense

The components of lease expense during the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:

	Three Months Ended December 31,
Lease Expense	2020		2019
Operating lease expense(1)	$	6,132	$	7,521
Finance lease expense:
Amortization of leased assets	32		—
Interest on lease liabilities	2		—
Variable lease expense	907		999
Sublease income	(123)		(351)
Total net lease expense	$	6,950	$	8,169

(1) Excludes the expense for short-term leases not accounted for under ASC 842, which was not significant for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

Supplemental Information

Supplemental balance sheet, cash flow and other information related to our leases was as follows:

Leases	Classification	December 31, 2020		September 30, 2020
Assets:
Operating lease assets	Right-of-use assets for operating leases	$	140,296	$	144,663
Finance lease assets	Property and equipment, net(1)	225		257
Total leased assets		$	140,521	$	144,920
Liabilities:
Current
Operating lease liabilities	Operating lease liability, current portion	$	20,357	$	23,666
Finance lease liabilities	Other current liabilities	130		129
Noncurrent
Operating lease liabilities	Operating lease liability	132,175		134,089
Finance lease liabilities	Other liabilities	98		131
Total lease liabilities		$	152,760	$	158,015

(1) Finance lease assets are recorded net of accumulated amortization of $0.1 million as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020, respectively.

	Three Months Ended December 31,
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information and Other Information	2020		2019
Non-cash activity related to lease liabilities:
Lease assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities (1)	$	78	$	148,790
Leases assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities	—		—

(1) Includes the impact of the opening balance adjustment for the adoption of ASC 842 as of October 1, 2019 for the three months ended December 31, 2019.

Lease Term and Discount Rate	December 31, 2020		December 31, 2019
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years):
Operating leases	10.49		8.62
Finance leases	1.81		0.00
Weighted average discount rate:
Operating leases	4.52	%	4.14	%
Finance leases	3.08	%	—	%

Maturities of Operating Lease Liabilities After Adoption of 842

Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:

	As of December 31, 2020
Years ending September 30,	Operating Leases		Finance Leases
Remainder of 2021	$	18,614	$	101
2022	24,042		110
2023	16,984		23
2024	16,675		—
2025	16,860		—
2026 and thereafter	95,757		—
Total lease payments	188,932		234
Less: interest	(36,400)		(6)
Present value of lease liabilities	152,532		228
Less: current lease liabilities	(20,357)		(130)
Long-term lease liabilities	$	132,175	$	98

Maturities of Finance Lease Liabilities After Adoption of 842

Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:

	As of December 31, 2020
Years ending September 30,	Operating Leases		Finance Leases
Remainder of 2021	$	18,614	$	101
2022	24,042		110
2023	16,984		23
2024	16,675		—
2025	16,860		—
2026 and thereafter	95,757		—
Total lease payments	188,932		234
Less: interest	(36,400)		(6)
Present value of lease liabilities	152,532		228
Less: current lease liabilities	(20,357)		(130)
Long-term lease liabilities	$	132,175	$	98

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Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses

Accounts payable and accrued expenses consisted of the following:

	December 31, 2020		September 30, 2020
Accounts payable	$	12,039	$	12,471
Accrued compensation and benefits	19,377		28,053
Other accrued expenses	11,805		11,367
Total accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	43,221	$	51,891

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Earnings per Share (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Summary of Calculation of Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding Used in Computing Basic and Diluted Net Income Loss Per Share

The following table summarizes the computation of basic and diluted EPS share under the two-class or as-converted method, as well as the anti-dilutive shares excluded:

	Three Months Ended
	December 31,
	2020		2019
Basic earnings per common share:
Net income	$	1,083	$	4,684
Less: Preferred stock dividend declared	(1,313)		(1,323)
Net (loss) income available for distribution	(230)		3,361
Income allocated to participating securities	—		(1,513)
Net (loss) income available to common shareholders	$	(230)	$	1,848

	Three Months Ended
	December 31,
	2020		2019
Weighted average basic shares outstanding	32,658		25,663
Basic (loss) income per common share	$	(0.01)	$	0.07
Diluted earnings per common share:
Method used:	Two-class		Two-class
Net (loss) income available to common shareholders	$	(230)	$	1,848
Weighted average basic shares outstanding	32,658		25,663
Dilutive effect related to employee stock plans	—		375
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding	32,658		26,038
Diluted (loss) income per common share	$	(0.01)	$	0.07
Anti-dilutive shares excluded:
Outstanding stock-based grants	436		—
Convertible preferred stock	21,021		21,021
Total anti-dilutive shares excluded	21,457		21,021
Dilutive shares under the as-converted method(1)	53,905		47,059

(1) The dilutive shares under the as-converted method assume conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock and are presented here merely for reference. In a net income position, diluted earnings per share is determined by the more dilutive of the two-class method or the as-converted method.

Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share

The following table summarizes the computation of basic and diluted EPS share under the two-class or as-converted method, as well as the anti-dilutive shares excluded:

	Three Months Ended
	December 31,
	2020		2019
Basic earnings per common share:
Net income	$	1,083	$	4,684
Less: Preferred stock dividend declared	(1,313)		(1,323)
Net (loss) income available for distribution	(230)		3,361
Income allocated to participating securities	—		(1,513)
Net (loss) income available to common shareholders	$	(230)	$	1,848

	Three Months Ended
	December 31,
	2020		2019
Weighted average basic shares outstanding	32,658		25,663
Basic (loss) income per common share	$	(0.01)	$	0.07
Diluted earnings per common share:
Method used:	Two-class		Two-class
Net (loss) income available to common shareholders	$	(230)	$	1,848
Weighted average basic shares outstanding	32,658		25,663
Dilutive effect related to employee stock plans	—		375
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding	32,658		26,038
Diluted (loss) income per common share	$	(0.01)	$	0.07
Anti-dilutive shares excluded:
Outstanding stock-based grants	436		—
Convertible preferred stock	21,021		21,021
Total anti-dilutive shares excluded	21,457		21,021
Dilutive shares under the as-converted method(1)	53,905		47,059

(1) The dilutive shares under the as-converted method assume conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock and are presented here merely for reference. In a net income position, diluted earnings per share is determined by the more dilutive of the two-class method or the as-converted method.

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Segment Information (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Summary of Information by Reportable Segment

Summary information by reportable segment was as follows:

	Postsecondary Education		Other		Consolidated
Three Months Ended December 31, 2020
Revenues	$	73,560	$	2,565	$	76,125
Income (loss) from operations	1,104		(329)		775
Depreciation and amortization (1)	3,258		24		3,282
Net income (loss)	1,412		(329)		1,083

	Postsecondary Education		Other		Consolidated
Three Months Ended December 31, 2019
Revenues	$	83,320	$	3,914	$	87,234
Income (loss) from operations	4,601		(347)		4,254
Depreciation and amortization (2)	2,971		42		3,013
Net income (loss)	5,031		(347)		4,684
As of December 31, 2020
Total assets	$	428,295	$	6,292	$	434,587
As of September 30, 2020
Total assets	$	435,144	$	6,837	$	441,981

(1) Includes depreciation of training equipment obtained in exchange for services of $0.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020.

(2) Excludes depreciation of training equipment obtained in exchange for services of $0.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019.

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Nature of the Business - Narrative (Details) technician in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020 location technician
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of campuses through which undergraduate degree, diploma and certificate programs are offered | location	12
Number of graduated technicians | technician	220

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Oct. 01, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Retained earnings	$ (31,557)		$ (32,971)
Accounting Standards Update 2016-13
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Receivables balance		$ 1,600
Retained earnings		$ 1,600

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Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Receivables, which includes tuition and notes receivable	$ 49,725	$ 53,144
Deferred revenue	$ 42,616	40,694
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Percentage of students not returned to campus	1.00%
Percentage of students completing catch up labs	18.00%
Deferred revenue	$ 42,616	$ 40,694
Students
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Deferred revenue	2,000
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	$ 2,000

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Investments - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($)
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Proceeds from equity offering	$ 49.5

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Investments - Schedule of Held-to-Maturity Investments (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	$ 27,878
Gross Unrealized Gains	0
Gross Unrealized Losses	(20)
Estimated Fair Market Value	27,858
Corporate and municipal bonds
Schedule of Held-to-maturity Securities [Line Items]
Amortized Cost	27,878
Gross Unrealized Gains	0
Gross Unrealized Losses	(20)
Estimated Fair Market Value	$ 27,858

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Fair Value Measurements - Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - Estimate of Fair Value Measurement - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	$ 97,178	$ 114,147
Money market funds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	33,999	43,322
Notes receivable
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	35,321	32,793
Corporate bonds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	21,663	33,119
Municipal bonds and other(3)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	6,195	4,913
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	61,857	81,354
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Money market funds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	33,999	43,322
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Notes receivable
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	0	0
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Corporate bonds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	21,663	33,119
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Municipal bonds and other(3)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	6,195	4,913
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Money market funds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Notes receivable
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Corporate bonds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Municipal bonds and other(3)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	35,321	32,793
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Money market funds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Notes receivable
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	35,321	32,793
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Corporate bonds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Municipal bonds and other(3)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	$ 0	$ 0

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Property and Equipment, net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Right-of-use assets for finance leases	$ 359		$ 359
Property and equipment and Right-of-use assets for finance leases, gross	301,397		255,106
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(184,760)		(182,363)
Property and equipment and Right-of-use assets for finance leases, net	116,637		72,743
Total purchase price	47,293	$ 1,811
Land
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	8,351		3,189
Purchase price allocation	5,100
Building and building improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	68,159		28,046
Purchase price allocation	$ 40,100
Building and building improvements | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives (in years)	3 years
Building and building improvements | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives (in years)	35 years
Leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 63,267		62,899
Leasehold improvements | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives (in years)	1 year
Leasehold improvements | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives (in years)	28 years
Training equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 91,899		91,731
Training equipment | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives (in years)	3 years
Training equipment | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives (in years)	10 years
Office and computer equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 33,591		33,524
Office and computer equipment | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives (in years)	3 years
Office and computer equipment | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives (in years)	10 years
Curriculum development
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives (in years)	5 years
Property and equipment, gross	$ 19,692		19,692
Software developed for internal use
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 11,959		11,951
Software developed for internal use | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives (in years)	1 year
Software developed for internal use | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives (in years)	5 years
Vehicles
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives (in years)	5 years
Property and equipment, gross	$ 1,449		1,502
Right of use assets for finance leases | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives (in years)	2 years
Right of use assets for finance leases | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciable Lives (in years)	3 years
Construction in progress
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 2,671		$ 2,213
Land and building and building improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total purchase price	$ 45,200

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Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	$ 8,222	$ 8,222

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Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate - Narrative (Details) - Investment in JV - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2012
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Carrying Value	$ 4,528	$ 4,494	$ 4,371	$ 4,338	$ 4,000
Ownership Percentage	28.00%	28.00%			28.00%

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Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate - Unconsolidated Affiliate Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Roll Forward]
Return of capital contribution from unconsolidated affiliate	$ (73)	$ (69)
Investment in JV
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	4,494	4,338
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate	107	102
Return of capital contribution from unconsolidated affiliate	(73)	(69)
Balance at end of period	$ 4,528	$ 4,371

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Leases - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($) location	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Number of lease contracts | location	9
Number of campuses | location	12
Operating lease, rent expense including related parties	$ 500	$ 500
Operating lease payments due	$ 188,932
Minimum annual rent increase, percent	4.00%
Number of Properties Subject to Ground Leases | location	2
John C. White, Property One
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Operating lease payments due	$ 300
John C. White, Property Two
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Operating lease payments due	$ 700
Minimum
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lease term	8 years
Maximum
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lease term	20 years

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Leases - Components of Lease Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Operating lease expense	$ 6,132	$ 7,521
Finance lease expense:
Amortization of leased assets	32	0
Interest on lease liabilities	2	0
Variable lease expense	907	999
Sublease income	(123)	(351)
Total net lease expense	$ 6,950	$ 8,169

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Leases - Supplemental Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020
Assets:
Operating lease assets	$ 140,296		$ 144,663
Finance lease assets	225		257
Total leased assets	$ 140,521		$ 144,920
Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	us-gaap:PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization		us-gaap:PropertyPlantAndEquipmentAndFinanceLeaseRightOfUseAssetAfterAccumulatedDepreciationAndAmortization
Current
Operating lease liabilities	$ 20,357		$ 23,666
Finance lease liabilities	130		129
Noncurrent
Operating lease liabilities	132,175		134,089
Financing obligation	98		131
Total lease liabilities	$ 152,760		$ 158,015
Finance Lease, Liability, Current, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	us-gaap:OtherLiabilitiesCurrent		us-gaap:OtherLiabilitiesCurrent
Finance Lease, Liability, Noncurrent, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible List]	us-gaap:OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent		us-gaap:OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent
Finance lease, accumulated amortization	$ 100		$ 100
Non-cash activity related to lease liabilities:
Lease assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities (1)	78	$ 148,790
Leases assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities	$ 0	$ 0
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years):
Weighted-average remaining lease term, operating leases	10 years 5 months 26 days	8 years 7 months 13 days
Weighted-average remaining lease term, finance leases	1 year 9 months 21 days	0 years
Weighted average discount rate:
Weighted average discount rate, operating leases	4.52%	4.14%
Weighted average discount rate, finance leases	3.08%	0.00%

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Leases - Maturities of Operating Leases After Adoption of 842 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020
Operating Leases
Remainder of 2021	$ 18,614
2022	24,042
2023	16,984
2024	16,675
2025	16,860
2026 and thereafter	95,757
Total lease payments	188,932
Less: interest	(36,400)
Present value of lease liabilities	152,532
Less: current lease liabilities	(20,357)	$ (23,666)
Operating lease liabilities	132,175	134,089
Finance Leases
Remainder of 2021	101
2022	110
2023	23
2024	0
2025	0
2026 and thereafter	0
Total lease payments	234
Less: interest	(6)
Present value of lease liabilities	228
Less: current lease liabilities	(130)	(129)
Long-term lease liabilities	$ 98	$ 131

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Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accounts payable	$ 12,039	$ 12,471
Accrued compensation and benefits	19,377	28,053
Other accrued expenses	11,805	11,367
Total accounts payable and accrued expenses	$ 43,221	$ 51,891

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Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax expense (benefit)	$ 26	$ 84
Income tax rate, percent	2.30%	1.80%
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets	$ 17,400		$ 17,400
Tax refund	19		11,300
Income Taxes Receivable			$ 7,100
Refund	2,800
Receivable, net	$ 4,300

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Shareholders' Equity - Narrative (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($) vote $ / shares shares	Dec. 10, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($) $ / shares shares	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Number of voting rights | vote	1
Preferred stock (in shares) | shares	10,000,000		10,000,000
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.0001		$ 0.0001
Preferred stock (in shares) | shares	700,000		700,000
Preferred stock, liquidation preference (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 100		$ 100
Dividends payable | $	$ 1,313		$ 0	$ 1,323
Repurchase of common stock authorized by Board of Directors | $		$ 35,000
Series A Preferred Stock
Stockholders Equity Note [Line Items]
Preferred stock (in shares) | shares	10,000,000
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.0001
Preferred stock (in shares) | shares	700,000
Preferred stock, liquidation preference (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 100
Preferred stock, dividend rate, percentage	7.50%
Additional percentage to cash dividend rate	2.00%

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Earnings per Share - Calculation of earnings per share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Basic earnings per common share:
Net income	$ 1,083	$ 4,684
Less: Preferred stock dividend declared	(1,313)	(1,323)
Net (loss) income available for distribution	(230)	3,361
Income allocated to participating securities	0	(1,513)
Net (loss) income available to common shareholders	$ (230)	$ 1,848
Weighted average basic shares outstanding (in shares)	32,658	25,663
Basic loss per common share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ 0.07
Diluted earnings per common share:
Net (loss) income available to common shareholders	$ (230)	$ 1,848
Weighted average basic shares outstanding (in shares)	32,658	25,663
Dilutive effect related to employee stock plans (in shares)	0	375
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding (in shares)	32,658	26,038
Diluted loss per common share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.01)	$ 0.07

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Earnings per Share - Schedule of antidilutive securities (Details) - shares	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total anti-dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	21,457,000	21,021,000
Dilutive effect related to preferred stock (in shares)	53,905,000	47,059,000
Participating securities
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total anti-dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	21,021
Outstanding stock-based grants
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total anti-dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	436,000	0
Convertible preferred stock
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Total anti-dilutive shares excluded (in shares)	21,021,000	21,021,000

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Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 76,125	$ 87,234
Income (loss) from operations	775	4,254
Depreciation and amortization	3,282	3,013
Net income	1,083	4,684
Total assets	434,587		$ 441,981
Depreciation of training equipment obtained in exchange for services	317	332
Operating Segments | Postsecondary Education
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	73,560	83,320
Income (loss) from operations	1,104	4,601
Depreciation and amortization	3,258	2,971
Net income	1,412	5,031
Total assets	428,295		435,144
Corporate, Non-Segment | Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	2,565	3,914
Income (loss) from operations	(329)	(347)
Depreciation and amortization	24	42
Net income	(329)	$ (347)
Total assets	$ 6,292		$ 6,837

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Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund under the CARES Act (Details) student in Thousands, $ in Thousands		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 14, 2021 USD ($)	May 31, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($) student	Oct. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Unusual or Infrequent Item, or Both [Line Items]
Amount of HEERF funds granted		$ 33,000
Grants awarded				$ 16,500
Number of students awarded grants | student				9
Funds received to offset costs		$ 16,500
Sanitization supplies, partitions, labor hours and other related expenses			$ 900	$ 15,100
Institutional emergency grants to students				600
Total funds spent				15,700
CARES Act funds received for institutional costs (See Note 18)			880	$ 13,900	$ 1,800	$ 0
Amount available for higher education institution			22,700,000
Amount aloocated for private and proprietary institution			681,000
Subsequent Event
Unusual or Infrequent Item, or Both [Line Items]
HEERF funds received	$ 16,800
Educational services and facilities
Unusual or Infrequent Item, or Both [Line Items]
Sanitization supplies, partitions, labor hours and other related expenses			300
Selling, general and administrative
Unusual or Infrequent Item, or Both [Line Items]
Sanitization supplies, partitions, labor hours and other related expenses			$ 600

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Label	Element	Value
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member]
Accounting Standards Update [Extensible List]	us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdateExtensibleList	us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201905Member