10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2012

or

o 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 000-51371

LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

New Jersey	57-1150621
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)
200 Executive Drive, Suite 340	07052
West Orange, NJ	(Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)

(973) 736-9340

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

No change

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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 x  No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files).  Yes x  No o

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

Large accelerated filer o	Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Smaller reporting company o

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

As of November 5, 2012, there were 22,780,987 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

PART I.	FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.	Financial Statements	1
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 (unaudited)	1
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 (unaudited)	3
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 (unaudited)	4
	Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 (unaudited)	5
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 (unaudited)	6
	Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	8
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	16
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	27
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	27
PART II.	OTHER INFORMATION	28
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	28
Item 6.	Exhibits	28

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share amounts)

(Unaudited)

	September 30,		December 31,
	2012		2011
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	20,429	$	26,524
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $18,156 and $20,194 at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively		19,574		19,696
Inventories		3,099		3,051
Prepaid income taxes and income taxes receivable		19,966		11,743
Deferred income taxes, net		8,101		8,725
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		2,322		2,919
Total current assets		73,491		72,658
PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES - At cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $137,172 and $122,274 at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively		158,492		180,014
OTHER ASSETS:
Noncurrent receivables, less allowance of $1,622 and $1,664 at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively		5,431		5,572
Deferred finance charges		842		329
Deferred income taxes, net		7,153		1,877
Goodwill		83,856		97,371
Other assets, net		4,663		4,430
Total other assets		101,945		109,579
TOTAL	$	333,928	$	362,251

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

1

LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share amounts)

(Unaudited)

(Continued)

	September 30,			December 31,
	2012			2011
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations	$	409		$	481
Unearned tuition		41,120			43,242
Accounts payable		14,027			15,468
Accrued expenses		14,750			11,296
Other short-term liabilities		244			631
Total current liabilities		70,550			71,118
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
Long-term debt and lease obligations, net of current portion		35,725			36,027
Pension plan liabilities		6,755			6,594
Accrued rent		8,707			8,365
Other long-term liabilities		1,080			1,122
Total liabilities		122,817			123,226
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock, no par value - 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011		-			-
Common stock, no par value - authorized 100,000,000 shares at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, issued and outstanding 28,714,071 shares at September 30, 2012 and 28,548,274 shares at December 31, 2011		141,377			141,377
Additional paid-in capital		21,650			19,535
Treasury stock at cost - 5,910,541 shares at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively		(82,860	)		(82,860	)
Retained earnings		137,660			167,689
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(6,716	)		(6,716	)
Total stockholders' equity		211,111			239,025
TOTAL	$	333,928		$	362,251

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

2

LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2012			2011			2012			2011
REVENUE	$	104,144		$	123,482		$	309,380		$	397,064
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Educational services and facilities		51,569			57,419			153,148			171,054
Selling, general and administrative		53,282			60,732			165,486			192,858
Loss (gain) on sale of assets		8			(3	)		(32	)		5
Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets		-			10,377			23,683			10,377
School closing costs		1,746			-			1,746			-
Total costs & expenses		106,605			128,525			344,031			374,294
OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME		(2,461	)		(5,043	)		(34,651	)		22,770
OTHER:
Interest income		-			2			2			8
Interest expense		(1,051	)		(1,091	)		(3,412	)		(3,277	)
Other income		3			4			14			17
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES		(3,509	)		(6,128	)		(38,047	)		19,518
(BENEFIT) PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES		(2,025	)		(2,202	)		(12,800	)		8,158
NET (LOSS) INCOME	$	(1,484	)	$	(3,926	)	$	(25,247	)	$	11,360
Basic
Net (loss) income per share	$	(0.07	)	$	(0.18	)	$	(1.14	)	$	0.52
Diluted
Net (loss) income per share	$	(0.07	)	$	(0.18	)	$	(1.14	)	$	0.51
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic		22,195			22,045			22,172			21,996
Diluted		22,195			22,045			22,172			22,153

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2012			2011			2012			2011
Net (loss) income	$	(1,484	)	$	(3,926	)	$	(25,247	)	$	11,360
Other comprehensive (loss) income
Employee pension plan adjustments, net of taxes		-			-			-			-
Comprehensive (loss) income	$	(1,484	)	$	(3,926	)	$	(25,247	)	$	11,360

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

(In thousands, except share amounts)

(Unaudited)

															Accumulated
						Additional									Other
	Common Stock					Paid-in			Treasury			Retained			Comprehensive
	Shares			Amount		Capital			Stock			Earnings			Loss			Total
BALANCE - January 1, 2012		28,548,274		$	141,377	$	19,535		$	(82,860	)	$	167,689		$	(6,716	)	$	239,025
Net loss		-			-		-			-			(25,247	)		-			(25,247	)
Stock-based compensation expense
Restricted stock		190,285			-		2,342			-			-			-			2,342
Stock options		-			-		267			-			-			-			267
Tax deficiency of stock-based awards and cancels		-			-		(282	)		-			-			-			(282	)
Net share settlement for equity-based compensation		(24,488	)		-		(212	)		-			-			-			(212	)
Cash dividend of $0.21 per common share		-			-		-			-			(4,782	)		-			(4,782	)
BALANCE - September 30, 2012		28,714,071		$	141,377	$	21,650		$	(82,860	)	$	137,660		$	(6,716	)	$	211,111

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30,
	2012			2011
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net (loss) income	$	(25,247	)	$	11,360
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		20,449			21,269
Amortization of deferred finance charges		147			272
Deferred income taxes		(4,672	)		(1,121	)
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets		(32	)		5
Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets		23,683			10,377
Provision for doubtful accounts		16,091			23,723
Stock-based compensation expense		2,609			2,742
Tax benefit associated with exercise of share based payments		-			(98	)
Deferred rent		488			493
(Increase) decrease in assets, net of acquisition of business:
Accounts receivable		(15,763	)		(9,293	)
Inventories		(1	)		172
Prepaid income taxes and income taxes receivable		(8,485	)		(13,718	)
Prepaid expenses and current assets		775			(534	)
Other assets		(129	)		484
Increase (decrease) in liabilities, net of acquisition of business:
Accounts payable		(1,842	)		(2,126	)
Accrued expenses		3,293			(12,188	)
Pension plan liabilities		(544	)		(204	)
Unearned tuition		(2,994	)		(4,597	)
Other liabilities		275			155
Total adjustments		33,348			15,813
Net cash provided by operating activities		8,101			27,173
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Restricted cash		-			693
Capital expenditures		(6,779	)		(30,850	)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		82			36
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired		(1,472	)		-
Net cash used in investing activities		(8,169	)		(30,121	)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payments on borrowings		-			(20,000	)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		-			581
Tax benefit associated with exercise of share based payments		-			98
Net share settlement for equity-based compensation		(212	)		(378	)
Dividends paid		(4,782	)		(16,907	)
Payment of deferred finance fees		(659	)		-
Principal payments under capital lease obligations		(374	)		(308	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(6,027	)		(36,914	)
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS		(6,095	)		(39,862	)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—Beginning of period		26,524			65,995
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—End of period	$	20,429		$	26,133

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

(Continued)

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30,
	2012			2011
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest	$	3,070		$	3,103
Income taxes	$	226		$	23,096
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Cash paid during the year for:
Fair value of assets acquired	$	2,876		$	-
Net cash paid for the acquisition		(1,472	)		-
Liabilities assumed	$	1,404		$	-
Liabilities accrued for the purchase of fixed assets	$	599		$	1,925

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

7

LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2012 AND 2011

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts and unless otherwise stated)

(Unaudited)

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business Activities – Lincoln Educational Services Corporation and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) is a provider of diversified career-oriented post-secondary education. The Company offers recent high school graduates and working adults degree and diploma programs in five principal areas of study: Health Science, Automotive Technology, Skilled Trades, Business and Information Technology and Hospitality Services. The Company currently has 46 schools and five training sites in 17 states across the United States.

Basis of Presentation – The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements have been omitted or condensed pursuant to such regulations.  These statements, which should be read in conjunction with the December 31, 2011 consolidated financial statements of the Company, reflect all adjustments, consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments including impairments, necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for such periods.  The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period.  On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates the estimates and assumptions, including those related to revenue recognition, bad debts, fixed assets, goodwill and other intangible assets, stock-based compensation, income taxes, benefit plans and certain accruals and contingencies.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Stock-Based Compensation –The accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations include stock-based compensation expense of approximately $0.6 million for each of the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, and $2.6 million and $2.7 million for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011.  The Company uses the Black-Scholes valuation model for stock options and utilizes straight-line amortization of compensation expense over the requisite service period of the grant.  The Company makes an estimate of expected forfeitures at the time options are granted.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an amendment to an existing accounting standard which requires companies to present net income and other comprehensive income in one continuous statement or in two separate, but consecutive, statements. In addition, in December 2011, the FASB issued an amendment to an existing accounting standard which defers the requirement to present components of reclassifications of other comprehensive income on the face of the income statement.  The Company early adopted this amendment and has presented statements of comprehensive (loss) income.

In September 2011, the FASB issued a revised standard on testing for goodwill impairment. The revised standard allows an entity to first assess qualitatively whether it is necessary to perform step one of the two-step annual goodwill impairment test. An entity is required to perform step one only if the entity concludes that it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount, a likelihood of more than 50 percent. An entity can choose to perform the qualitative assessment on none, some, or all of its reporting units. Moreover, an entity can bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period and proceed directly to step one of the impairment test, and then perform the qualitative assessment in any subsequent period. The revised standard is effective for the Company for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed beginning after January 1, 2012 for the Company. The Company does not believe this guidance will have any impact on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.

8

2. WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES

The weighted average number of common shares used to compute basic and diluted (loss) income per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was as follows:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2012		2011		2012		2011
Basic shares outstanding		22,194,731		22,045,104		22,171,757		21,995,977
Dilutive effect of stock options		-		-		-		157,301
Diluted shares outstanding		22,194,731		22,045,104		22,171,757		22,153,278

For the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, options to acquire 27,995 and 414,583 shares, respectively, were excluded from the above table because the Company reported a net loss for the quarter and therefore their impact on reported earnings per share would have been antidilutive.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, options to acquire 304,333 shares were excluded from the above table because the Company reported a net loss and therefore their impact on reported earnings per share would have been antidilutive.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, options to acquire 293,333 shares were excluded from the above table because they have an exercise price that is greater than the average market price of the Company’s common stock and therefore their impact on reported earnings per share would have been antidilutive.

On April 29, 2011, the Company issued certain employees performance shares that vest when certain performance conditions are met.  These performance conditions were not met as of December 31, 2011 with respect to the Company’s performance shares.  As a result, the Company has determined these shares to be contingently issuable.  Accordingly, 134,131 shares of outstanding performance shares have been excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011.  Refer to Note 6 for more information on performance shares.

3. BUSINESS ACQUISITION

On April 18, 2012, the Company acquired all of the rights, title and interest in certain assets and liabilities of Florida Medical Training Institute, Inc. (“FMTI”) for total consideration of $1.7 million, net of cash acquired.  FMTI has five locations in Florida: Melbourne, Jacksonville, Tampa, Miami and Coral Springs.  FMTI currently offers certificate programs in the fields of Emergency Medical Technician, Paramedic, EKG/Phlebotomy, Nursing Assistant, Fire Fighter and Associate of Science Degrees in Emergency Medical Services and Fire Science Technology.

4. GOODWILL AND LONG-LIVED ASSETS

The Company reviews intangible assets for impairment when indicators of impairment exist.  Annually, or more frequently if necessary, the Company evaluates goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives for impairment, with any resulting impairment reflected as an operating expense.  The Company concluded that the decrease in the Company’s market capitalization as of June 30, 2012 was an indicator of potential impairment and, accordingly, the Company tested goodwill for impairment.  The tests indicated that five of the Company’s reporting units were impaired as a result of lower than expected student population, which resulted in a pre-tax non-cash charge of $15.4 million in the second quarter of 2012.  The fair values of these reporting units were estimated using the expected present value of future cash flows.  There was no impairment during the third quarter ended September 30, 2012.

The Company reviews long-lived assets for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable.  The Company concluded that as of June 30, 2012 there was an indicator of potential impairment and, accordingly, the Company tested long-lived assets for impairment and determined that 10 campuses were impaired.  This resulted in a pre-tax non-cash charge of $8.3 million which included leasehold improvements of $8.1 million and definite-lived intangible assets of $0.2 million.

9

The carrying amount of goodwill at September 30, 2012 is as follows:

Balance as of January 1, 2012
Goodwill	$	115,303
Accumulated impairment losses		(17,932	)
		97,371
Goodwill acquired pursuant to business acquisition-FMTI		1,837
Goodwill impairment		(15,352	)
Balance as of September 30, 2012
Goodwill		117,140
Accumulated impairment losses		(33,284	)
	$	83,856

Intangible assets, which are included in other assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets, consist of the following:

	Student Contracts		Indefinite Trade Name		Trade Name			Accreditation		Curriculum			Non-compete		Total
Gross carrying amount at December 31, 2011	$	-	$	180	$	509		$	1,268	$	1,150		$	1,980	$	5,087
Acquisition of FMTI		25		-		25			-		224			200		474
Impairment		-		-		(168	)		-		(250	)		-		(418	)
Gross carrying amount at September 30, 2012		25		180		366			1,268		1,124			2,180		5,143
Accumulated amortization at December 31, 2011		-		-		262			-		620			1,952		2,834
Amortization		23		-		61			-		100			46		230
Impairment		-		-		(127	)		-		(85	)		-		(212	)
Accumulated amortization at September 30, 2012		23		-		196			-		635			1,998		2,852
Net carrying amount at September 30, 2012	$	2	$	180	$	170		$	1,268	$	489		$	182	$	2,291
Weighted average amortization period (years)		1	Indefinite			7		Indefinite			9			3

Amortization of intangible assets was approximately $0.1 million and $0.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and approximately $0.2 million and $1.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

10

The following table summarizes the estimated future amortization expense:

Year Ending December 31,
Remainder of 2012	$	60
2013		225
2014		224
2015		156
2016		112
Thereafter		66
	$	843

5. LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS

Long-term debt and lease obligations consist of the following:

	September 30,			December 31,
	2012			2011
Credit agreement (a)	$	-		$	-
Credit agreement (b)		-			-
Finance obligation (c)		9,672			9,672
Auto loan		7			-
Capital lease-property (rate of 8.0%) (d)		26,440			26,715
Capital leases-equipment (rates ranging from 5.0% to 8.5%)		15			121
		36,134			36,508
Less current maturities		(409	)		(481	)
	$	35,725		$	36,027

(a) On April 5, 2012, the Company, as borrower, and certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, as guarantors, entered into a secured revolving credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with a syndicate of four lenders led by Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, swing line lender and letter of credit issuer, for an aggregate principal amount of up to $85 million.  The Credit Agreement replaces the Company’s prior $115 million Credit Facility with Bank of America, N.A. and other lenders, which was due to expire on December 1, 2012.  The old Credit Agreement (as defined below) was terminated concurrently with the effective date of the Credit Agreement.

Under the Credit Agreement, the Company has the right to increase the aggregate amount available under the Credit Facility by up to $50 million upon satisfaction of certain conditions.  The Credit Facility may be used to finance capital expenditures and permitted acquisitions, to pay transaction expenses, for the issuance of letters of credit and for general corporate purposes.  The Credit Agreement includes a $5 million swing line sublimit and a $25 million letter of credit sublimit.  Borrowings under the Credit Facility are secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of the tangible and intangible assets of the Company and its subsidiaries exclusive of real estate.  The term of the Credit Facility is 36 months, maturing on April 5, 2015.

Amounts borrowed as revolving loans under the Credit Facility will bear interest, at the Company’s option, at either (i) an interest rate based on LIBOR and adjusted for any reserve percentage obligations under Federal Reserve Bank regulations (the “Eurodollar Rate”) for specified interest periods or (ii) the Base Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement), in each case, plus an applicable margin rate as determined under the Credit Agreement.  The “Base Rate”, as defined under the Credit Agreement, is the highest of (a) the prime rate, (b) the Federal Funds rate plus 0.50% and (c) a daily rate equal to the one-month LIBOR rate plus 1.0%.  Under the Credit Agreement, the margin interest rate is subject to adjustment within a range of 1.25% to 2.75% based upon changes in the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio and depending on whether the Company has chosen the Eurodollar Rate or the Base Rate option.  Swing line loans will bear interest at the Base Rate plus the applicable margin rate.  Letters of credit will require a fee equal to the applicable margin rate multiplied by the daily amount available to be drawn under each issued letter of credit plus an agreed upon fronting fee and customary issuance, presentation, amendment and other processing fees associated with letters of credit.  At September 30, 2012, the Company had outstanding letters of credit aggregating $1.6 million, which were primarily comprised of letters of credit for the Department of Education, or DOE, matters and real estate leases.

The Credit Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants including consolidated adjusted net worth, consolidated leverage ratio, consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio, minimum financial responsibility composite score, cohort default rate and other financial covenants, certain restrictions on capital expenditures as well as affirmative and negative covenants and events of default customary for facilities of this type.  In addition, the Company is paying fees to the lenders that are customary for facilities of this type.

11

As of September 30, 2012, the Company had no amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement.

(b) The Company previously had a credit agreement (the “old Credit Agreement”) with a syndicate of banks which was terminated on April 5, 2012.  Under the terms of the agreement, the syndicate provided the Company with a $115 million credit facility.  The old Credit Agreement permitted the issuance of up to $25 million in letter of credit, the amount of which reduces the availability of permitted borrowings under the agreement. At December 31, 2011, the Company had outstanding letters of credit aggregating $1.6 million, which were primarily comprised of letters of credit for the DOE matters and real estate leases.

As of December 31, 2011, the Company had no amounts outstanding under the old Credit Agreement.

(c) The Company completed a sale and a leaseback of several facilities on December 28, 2001. The Company retains a continuing involvement in the lease and, as a result, it is prohibited from utilizing sale-leaseback accounting. Accordingly, the Company has treated this transaction as a finance lease. The lease expires on December 31, 2016.

(d) In 2009, the Company assumed real estate capital leases in Fern Park, Florida and Hartford, Connecticut.  These leases bear interest at 8% and expire in 2032 and 2031, respectively.

Scheduled maturities of long-term debt and lease obligations at September 30, 2012 are as follows:

Year ending December 31,
2012	$	409
2013		433
2014		462
2015		515
2016		733
Thereafter		33,582
	$	36,134

6. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Restricted Stock

The Company has two stock incentive plans:  a Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”) and a Non-Employee Directors Restricted Stock Plan (the “Non-Employee Directors Plan”).

Under the LTIP, certain employees received awards of restricted shares of common stock based on service and performance.  The number of shares granted to each employee is based on the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of grant.

All service-based restricted shares granted prior to February 23, 2011 vest ratably on the first through fifth anniversaries of the grant date.  The service-based restricted shares granted on or after February 23, 2011 vest ratably on the grant date and the first through fourth anniversaries of the grant date except for the service-based restricted shares granted on March 2, 2012 which vest fully on the first anniversary of the grant date.

On April 29, 2011, performance-based shares were granted which vest over four years based upon the attainment of (i) a specified operating income margin during any one or more of the fiscal years in the period beginning January 1, 2011 and ending December 31, 2014 and (ii) the attainment of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization targets during each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 through 2014.  There is no vesting period on the right to vote or the right to receive dividends on any of the restricted shares.

Pursuant to the Non-Employee Directors Plan, each non-employee director of the Company receives an annual award of restricted shares of common stock on the date of the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders.  The number of shares granted to each non-employee director is based on the fair market value of a share of common stock on that date.  The restricted shares vest ratably on the first through third anniversary of the grant date; however, there is no vesting period on the right to vote or the right to receive dividends on these restricted shares.  Beginning in 2010, all new awards of restricted shares of common stock granted under the

Non-Employee Directors Plan vest fully on the first anniversary of the grant date.

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For the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company completed a net share settlement for 24,488 and 24,527 restricted shares and stock options exercised, respectively, on behalf of certain employees that participate in the LTIP upon the vesting of the restricted shares pursuant to the terms of the LTIP or exercise of the stock options.  The net share settlement was in connection with income taxes incurred on restricted shares or stock option exercises that vested and were transferred to the employee during 2012 and/or 2011, creating taxable income for the employee.   At the employees’ request, the Company will pay these taxes on behalf of the employees in exchange for the employees returning an equivalent value of restricted shares or stock options to the Company.  These transactions resulted in a decrease of approximately $0.2 million and $0.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, to equity on the consolidated balance sheets as the cash payment of the taxes effectively was a repurchase of the restricted shares or stock options granted in previous years.

The following is a summary of transactions pertaining to restricted stock:

	Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Nonvested restricted stock outstanding at December 31, 2011		501,551		$	16.10
Restricted stock awarded		190,285			7.68
Restricted stock vested		(102,176	)		14.64
Nonvested restricted stock outstanding at September 30, 2012		589,660			13.64

The restricted stock expense for the each of the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was $0.5 million. The restricted stock expense for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was $2.3 million and $2.5 million, respectively. The unrecognized restricted stock expense as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 was $5.8 million and $6.8 million, respectively.  As of September 30, 2012, outstanding restricted shares under the LTIP had aggregate intrinsic value of $2.5 million.

Stock Options

The fair value of the stock options used to compute stock-based compensation is the estimated present value at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.  The weighted average fair values of options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $2.52 using the following weighted average assumptions for grants:

	As of September 30, 2012
Expected volatility	51.25%
Expected dividend yield	3.59%
Expected life (term)	4.65 years
Risk-free interest rate	0.87%
Weighted-average exercise price during the year	$7.79

The expected volatility considers the volatility of the Company’s common stock that has been traded for a period commensurate with the expected life.  The expected term of options granted represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free interest rate used is based on the published U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for instruments with a similar life.

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The following is a summary of transactions pertaining to stock options:

	Shares			Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
Outstanding December 31, 2011		533,375		$	16.60		4.68 years	$	-
Granted		157,000			7.79				-
Canceled		(22,500	)		10.09
Exercised		-			-				-
Outstanding September 30, 2012		667,875			14.75		5.11 years		-
Vested or expected to vest		632,676			15.02		4.89 years		-
Exercisable as of September 30, 2012		491,881			16.49		3.69 years		-

As of September 30, 2012, the unrecognized pre-tax compensation expense for all unvested stock option awards was $0.4 million.  This amount will be expensed over the weighted-average period of approximately 2.22 years.

The following table presents a summary of stock options outstanding:

	At September 30, 2012
	Stock Options Outstanding						Stock Options Exercisable
Range of Exercise Prices	Shares		Contractual Weighted Average Life (years)		Weighted Average Price		Shares		Weighted Exercise Price
$4.00-$13.99		268,292		7.32	$	9.68		121,292	$	11.97
$14.00-$19.99		277,083		3.44		16.42		262,421		16.22
$20.00-$25.00		122,500		4.06		22.07		108,168		22.23
		667,875		5.11		14.75		491,881		16.49

7. INCOME TAXES

The benefit for income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2012 was $2.0 million, or 57.7% of pretax loss, compared to a benefit for income taxes of $2.2 million, or 35.9% of pretax income for the three months ended September 30, 2011.  The increase in the effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to September 30, 2011 was due to updated projected taxable results for the year offset by the effect of nondeductible permanent items.  The benefit for income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $12.8 million, or 33.6% of pretax loss, compared to a provision for income taxes of $8.2 million, or 41.8% of pretax income for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The effective tax rate decrease was due to the effect of nondeductible permanent items mainly comprised of certain goodwill impairment charges offset by updated projected taxable results for the year.

8. CONTINGENCIES

In the ordinary conduct of its business, the Company is subject to lawsuits, investigations and claims, including, but not limited to, claims involving students or graduates and routine employment matters. Although the Company cannot predict with certainty the ultimate resolution of lawsuits, investigations and claims asserted against it, the Company does not believe that any currently pending legal proceedings to which it is a party will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations or cash flows.

9. PENSION PLAN

The Company sponsors a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all of the Company’s union employees.  Benefits are provided based on employees’ years of service and earnings.  This plan was frozen on December 31, 1994 for non-union employees.  The total amount of the Company’s contributions paid under its pension plan was $0.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.  The net periodic benefit cost was $0.2 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $0.6 million and $0.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011.

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10.  DIVIDENDS

On July 31, 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.07 per share of common stock outstanding, which was paid on September 28, 2012 to shareholders of record on September 14, 2012.  The dividend was recorded as a reduction to retained earnings as of September 30, 2012.  The establishment of future record and payment dates is subject to the final determination of the Company’s Board of Directors.

11.  CAMPUS CLOSINGS

On July 31, 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a plan to cease operations at seven of our campuses.  The adjustments made to the Company’s business model to better align with the DOE’s increased emphasis on student outcomes and the Company’s efforts to comply with the 90/10 rule and cohort default rates greatly impacted the population at these campuses.  In addition, the current economic environment and regulatory changes under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012, which eliminated the ability to enroll “ability to benefit” (“ATB”) students, have made these campuses no longer viable.  Accordingly, the Company has decided to cease operations at these campuses and has stopped enrolling new students.  Once all operations have ceased at these campuses, the results of operations will be reflected as discontinued operations in the financial statements.

The results of operations at these seven campuses for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and each of the three year periods ended December 31, 2011 were as follows (in thousands):

	Nine Months Ended September 30,			Year Ended December 31,
	2012			2011			2010			2009
Revenue	$	9,134		$	20,803		$	34,733		$	25,790
Operating expenses		(26,304	)		(26,063	)		(27,075	)		(17,497	)
	$	(17,170	)	$	(5,260	)	$	7,658		$	8,293

Amounts include impairments of goodwill and long-lived assets for these campuses of $9.4 million, $2.1 million and $1.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, and the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

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

The following discussion may contain forward-looking statements regarding us, our business, prospects and our results of operations that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties posed by many factors and events that could cause our actual business, prospects and results of operations to differ materially from those that may be anticipated by such forward-looking statements.  Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those described in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and in our other filings with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report.  We undertake no obligation to revise any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may subsequently arise.  Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by us in this report and in our other reports filed with the SEC that advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business.

The interim financial statements filed on this Form 10-Q and the discussions contained herein should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements and notes included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, as filed with the SEC, which includes audited consolidated financial statements for our three fiscal years ended December 31, 2011.

General

We are a leading provider of diversified career-oriented post-secondary education. We offer recent high school graduates and working adults degree and diploma programs in five areas of study: health sciences, automotive technology, skilled trades, business and information technology and hospitality services. Each area of study is specifically designed to appeal to and meet the educational objectives of our student population, while also satisfying the criteria established by industry and employers. The resulting diversification limits dependence on any one industry for enrollment growth or placement opportunities and broadens potential opportunities for introducing new programs. As of September 30, 2012, we enrolled 19,028 students in diploma and above at our 46 campuses and enrolled an additional 536 students in short certificate programs at some of these campuses as well as our 5 training sites across 17 states. Our campuses primarily attract students from their local communities and surrounding areas, although our five destination campuses attract students from across the United States, and in some cases, from abroad.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our discussions of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period.  On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions, including those related to revenue recognition, bad debts, fixed assets, goodwill and other intangible assets, income taxes and certain accruals and contingencies.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  The critical accounting policies discussed herein are not intended to be a comprehensive list of all of our accounting policies.  In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by GAAP and does not result in significant management judgment in the application of such principles. There are also areas in which management’s judgment in selecting any available alternative would not produce a materially different result from the result derived from the application of our critical accounting policies. We believe that the following accounting policies are most critical to us in that they represent the primary areas where financial information is subject to the application of management’s estimates, assumptions and judgment in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

Revenue recognition.  Revenues are derived primarily from programs taught at our schools.  Tuition revenues, textbook sales and one-time fees, such as nonrefundable application fees and course material fees, are recognized on a straight-line basis over the length of the applicable program, which is the period of time from a student’s start date through his or her graduation date, including internships or externships that take place prior to graduation.  If a student withdraws from a program prior to a specified date, any paid but unearned tuition is refunded.  Refunds are calculated and paid in accordance with federal, state and accrediting agency standards.  Other revenues, such as tool sales and contract training revenues are recognized as goods are delivered or services are performed.  On an individual student basis, tuition earned in excess of cash received is recorded as accounts receivable, and cash received in excess of tuition earned is recorded as unearned tuition.

Allowance for uncollectible accounts.  Based upon our experience and judgment and economic trends impacting our business, we establish an allowance for uncollectible accounts with respect to tuition receivables.  We use an internal group of collectors, augmented by third-party collectors as deemed appropriate, in our collection efforts.  In establishing our allowance for uncollectible accounts, we consider, among other things, a student’s status (in-school or out-of-school), whether or not additional financial aid funding will be collected from Title IV Programs or other sources, whether or not a student is currently making payments and overall collection history.  Changes in trends in any of these areas may impact the allowance for uncollectible accounts.  The receivable balances of withdrawn students with delinquent obligations are reserved based on our collection history.  Although we believe that our reserves are adequate, if the financial condition of our students deteriorates, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be necessary, which will result in increased selling, general and administrative expenses in the period such determination is made.

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Our bad debt expense as a percentage of revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was 6.3% and 7.8%, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was 5.2% and 6.0%, respectively.  Our exposure to changes in our bad debt expense could impact our operations.  A 1% increase in our bad debt expense as a percentage of revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 would have resulted in an increase in bad debt expense of $1.0 million and $1.2 million, respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 would have resulted in an increase in bad debt expense of $3.1 million and $4.0 million, respectively.

We do not believe that there is any direct correlation between tuition increases, the credit we extend to students and our loan commitments.  Our loan commitments to our students are made on a student-by-student basis and are predominantly a function of the specific student’s financial condition.   We only extend credit to the extent there is a financing gap between the tuition charged for the program and the amount of grants, loans and parental loans each student receives.  Each student’s funding requirements are unique.  Factors that determine the amount of aid available to a student are student status (whether they are dependent or independent students), Pell Grants awarded, Plus loans awarded or denied to parents and family contributions. As a result, it is extremely difficult to predict the number of students that will need us to extend credit to them. Our tuition increases have ranged historically from 3% to 5% annually and have not meaningfully impacted overall funding requirements, since the amount of financial aid funding available to students in recent years has increased at greater rates than our tuition increases.

Because a substantial portion of our revenue is derived from Title IV programs, any legislative or regulatory action that significantly reduces the funding available under Title IV programs or the ability of our students, schools, or educational programs to participate in Title IV programs could have a material effect on our ability to realize our receivables.

Goodwill.  We test our goodwill for impairment annually, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate an impairment may have occurred, by comparing its fair value to its carrying value. Impairment may result from, among other things, deterioration in the performance of the acquired business, adverse market conditions, adverse changes in applicable laws or regulations, including changes that restrict the activities of the acquired business, and a variety of other circumstances. If we determine that impairment has occurred, we are required to record a write-down of the carrying value and charge the impairment as an operating expense in the period the determination is made. In evaluating the recoverability of the carrying value of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, we must make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows and other factors to determine the fair value of the acquired assets. Changes in strategy or market conditions could significantly impact these judgments in the future and require an adjustment to the recorded balances.

Goodwill represents a significant portion of our total assets. As of September 30, 2012, goodwill represented approximately $83.9 million, or 25.1%, of our total assets.

We test our goodwill for impairment using a two-step approach.  The first step is conducted utilizing the multiple of earnings approach and comparing the carrying value of our reporting units to their implied fair value.  If necessary, the second step is conducted utilizing a discounted cash flow approach and comparing the carrying value of our reporting units to their estimated fair value.

At December 31, 2011, we tested our goodwill for impairment and determined we did not have an impairment. We concluded that the decrease in our market capitalization as of June 30, 2012 was an indicator of potential impairment and accordingly we tested goodwill for impairment.  Our tests indicated that five of our reporting units were impaired which resulted in a non-cash charge of $15.4 million in the second quarter of 2012.  There was no impairment during the third quarter ended September 30, 2012.

Long-lived assets.  We review our long-lived assets for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable.  We tested long-lived assets for impairment as of June 30, 2012 and determined that 10 campuses were impaired.  This resulted in a pre-tax non-cash charge of $8.3 million which included leasehold improvements of $8.1 million and definite lived intangible assets of $0.2 million.  There was no impairment during the third quarter ended September 30, 2012.

Bonus costs.  We accrue the estimated cost of our bonus programs using current financial information as compared to target financial achievements and key performance objectives.  Although our recorded liability for bonuses is based on our best estimate of the obligation, actual results could differ and require adjustment of the recorded balance.

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Effect of Inflation

Inflation has not had a material effect on our operations.

Results of Operations

Certain reported amounts in our analysis have been rounded for presentation purposes.

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

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2012			2011			2012			2011
Revenue		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%
Costs and expenses:
Educational services and facilities		49.5	%		46.5	%		49.5	%		43.1	%
Selling, general and administrative		51.1	%		49.2	%		53.4	%		48.5	%
Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets		0.0	%		8.4	%		7.7	%		2.6	%
School closing costs		1.7	%		0.0	%		0.6	%		0.0	%
Total costs and expenses		102.3	%		104.1	%		111.2	%		94.2	%
Operating (loss) income		-2.3	%		-4.1	%		-11.2	%		5.8	%
Interest expense, net		-1.0	%		-0.9	%		-1.1	%		-0.8	%
(Loss) income before income taxes		-3.3	%		-5.0	%		-12.3	%		5.0	%
(Benefit) provision for income taxes		-1.9	%		-1.8	%		-4.1	%		2.1	%
Net (loss) income		-1.4	%		-3.2	%		-8.2	%		2.9	%

Three Months Ended September 30, 2012 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2011

Revenue.   Revenue decreased by $19.3 million, or 15.7%, to $104.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 from $123.5 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2011.   The decrease was primarily attributable to a 19.7% decrease in average student population, which decreased to 18,233 for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 from 22,712 for the quarter ended September 30, 2011, partially offset by a 5.1% increase in average revenue per student.

The decrease in average student population was primarily due to adjustments in our business model to be better aligned with the Department of Education, or DOE’s, increased emphasis on student outcomes and our efforts to comply with the 90/10 rule and cohort default rates.  In addition, the current economic environment and regulatory changes under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012, eliminated the ability to enroll ATB students.  As part of these measures, we implemented a more selective student enrollment policy to ensure that we enroll students who demonstrate a strong ability to achieve successful student outcomes, including higher graduation and repayment rates and lower student debt levels.  We also restructured certain programs and altered program offerings at some of our campuses, which resulted in lower financial aid funding availability and higher student cash contributions.  We believe these changes coupled with the current economic conditions, are resulting in an increase in the number of potential students hesitant to take on debt and thus not enrolling in our schools.  This has resulted in a significant decline in student starts and average student population.

Average revenue per student increased 5.1% for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 from the quarter ended September 30, 2011, primarily from tuition increases that averaged 3% during the quarter and from changes to some of our program offerings, which shortened the delivery time of these programs thus slightly accelerating revenue. For a general discussion of trends in our student enrollment, see “Seasonality and Trends” below.

Educational services and facilities expense.   Our educational services and facilities expense decreased by $5.9 million, or 10.2%, to $51.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 from $57.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2011.  This decrease in educational services and facilities expense was due to a $3.0 million, or 10.3%, decrease in instructional expenses, a $1.1 million, or 13.9%, decrease in books and tools expense, and a $1.8 million, or 8.6%, decrease in facilities expense.

The decrease in instructional expenses was primarily due to a reduction in the number of instructors at most of our campuses resulting from a lower student population.  The decrease in books and tools expense was attributable to a decline in student starts of approximately 1,400 for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2011. Facilities expense primarily decreased due to lower electric utilities due to rate reductions in certain states and lower repairs and maintenance expenses and dormitory expenses. In addition, facilities expense decreased due to lower depreciation expense related to an impairment charge of long-lived assets that were taken as of June 30, 2012 and lower capital expenditures during the current year.

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Education expenses contain a high fixed cost component and are not as leverageable as some of our other expenses.  As our student population decreases, we typically experience reductions in average class size and, therefore, are not always able to align these expenses with the corresponding decrease in population.

As a result of the foregoing, educational services and facilities expenses, as a percentage of revenue, increased to 49.5% for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 from 46.5% for the quarter ended September 30, 2011.

Selling, general and administrative expense.    Our selling, general and administrative expense for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 was $53.3 million, a decrease of $7.5 million, or 12.3%, from $60.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2011.  The decrease in our selling, general and administrative expense was primarily due to a $2.5 million, or 8.2%, decrease in administrative expenses, a $4.0 million, or 16.9%, decrease in sales and marketing expenses and a $0.9 million, or 15.1%, decrease in student services expenses.

The decrease in administrative expenses was mainly due to a $3.1 million reduction in bad debt expense.

The bad debt expense as a percentage of revenue was 6.3% for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 as compared to 7.8% for the quarter ended September 30, 2011. The reduction in bad debt expense as a percentage of revenue was due to a decrease in outstanding balances of our students, primarily due to lower revenue for the period.

The decrease in sales and marketing expenses during the quarter ended September 30, 2012 was primarily due to a reduction in marketing expenses and a decrease in the number of admissions in order to align our cost structure to our population.

Student services expenses decreased due to a reduction in the number of financial aid employees as we aligned our cost structure to our student population. As a percentage of revenues, selling, general and administrative expense for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 increased to 51.1% from 49.2% for the quarter ended September 30, 2011.

As of September 30, 2012, we had outstanding loan commitments to our students of $33.7 million, as compared to $29.1 million at June 30, 2012.  Loan commitments, net of interest that would be due on the loans through maturity, were $25.4 million at September 30, 2012, as compared to $22.0 million at June 30, 2012. The increase in loan commitments during the quarter is primarily attributable to seasonality due to a large number of student starts in the third quarter of the year.

Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets.At September 30, 2012 we tested our goodwill and long-lived assets for impairment and determined that no impairment existed.  At September 30, 2011, we tested our goodwill and long-lived assets for impairment and determined that an impairment of approximately $10.4 million existed for five reporting units.

School closing costs.    During the quarter ended September 30, 2012 we recorded $2.4 million of school closings costs related to employee severance, student refunds and lease buyouts.  Student refunds of approximately $0.6 million were netted against revenue.

Net interest expense.    The net interest expense for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 was $1.1 million essentially flat compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2011.

Income taxes.    The benefit for income taxes for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 was $2.0 million, or 57.7% of pretax loss, compared to a benefit for income taxes of $2.2 million, or 35.9%, of pretax loss for the quarter ended September 30, 2011. The increase in the effective tax benefit for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 from September 30, 2011 was due to the revised projected taxable results for the year offset by the effect of nondeductible permanent items.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011

Revenue.   Revenue decreased by $87.7 million, or 22.1%, to $309.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 from $397.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.   The decrease was primarily attributable to a 25.8% decrease in average student population, which decreased to 18,778 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 from 25,291 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, partially offset by a 4.9% increase in average revenue per student.

The decrease in average student population was primarily due to adjustments in our business model to be better aligned with the Department of Education, or DOE’s, increased emphasis on student outcomes and our efforts to comply with the 90/10 rule and cohort default rates.  In addition, the current economic environment and regulatory changes under the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2012, eliminated the ability to enroll ATB students.  As part of these measures, we implemented a more selective student enrollment policy to ensure that we enroll students who demonstrate a strong ability to achieve successful student outcomes, including higher graduation and repayment rates and lower student debt levels.  We also restructured certain programs and altered program offerings at some of our campuses, which resulted in lower financial aid funding availability and higher student cash contributions.  We believe these changes coupled with the current economic conditions, are resulting in an increase in the number of potential students hesitant to take on debt and thus not enrolling in our schools.  This has resulted in a significant decline in student starts and average student population.

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Average revenue per student increased 4.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 from the nine months ended September 30, 2011, primarily from tuition increases that averaged 3% during the nine months and from changes to some of our program offerings, which shortened the delivery time of these programs thus slightly accelerating revenue. For a general discussion of trends in our student enrollment, see “Seasonality and Trends” below.

Educational services and facilities expense.   Our educational services and facilities expense decreased by $17.9 million, or 10.5%, to $153.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 from $171.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.  This decrease in educational services and facilities expense was due to a $13.3 million, or 14.3%, decrease in instructional expenses, a $1.9 million, or 10.6%, decrease in books and tools expense, and a $2.7 million, or 4.5%, decrease in facilities expense.

The decrease in instructional expenses was primarily due to a reduction in the number of instructors at most of our campuses resulting from a lower student population.  The decrease in books and tools expense was attributable to a decline in student starts of approximately 900 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2011. We began 2012 with approximately 10,000, or 34.3%, fewer students than we had on January 1, 2011.   Facilities expense primarily decreased due to lower rent expense as a result of the relocation of our Denver campus, decreased repairs and maintenance expenses, as well as a reduction in utilities due to rate reductions in certain states.  In addition, facilities expense decreased due to lower depreciation expense related to an impairment charge of long-lived assets that were taken as of June 30, 2012 and lower capital expenditures during the current year.

Education expenses contain a high fixed cost component and are not as leverageable as some of our other expenses.  As our student population decreases, we typically experience reductions in average class size and, therefore, are not always able to align these expenses with the corresponding drop in population.

As a result of the foregoing, educational services and facilities expenses, as a percentage of revenue, increased to 49.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 from 43.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

Selling, general and administrative expense.    Our selling, general and administrative expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $165.5 million, a decrease of $27.4 million, or 14.2%, from $192.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.  The decrease in our selling, general and administrative expense was primarily due to an $11.8 million, or 11.7%, decrease in administrative expenses, a $12.5 million, or 17.2%, decrease in sales and marketing expenses and a $3.1 million, or 16.0%, decrease in student services expenses.

The decrease in administrative expenses was primarily due to a $7.6 million reduction in bad debt expense, a $2.0 million decrease in costs associated with the financial accounting system implemented during 2011 as well as reduced maintenance expenses for our student management system, $0.5 million lower non capitalized furniture expenses from the prior year as a result of the relocation of our Denver campus in 2011 and a $0.9 million decrease in travel expenses.

The bad debt expense as a percentage of revenue was 5.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, compared to 6.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The reduction in bad debt as a percentage of revenue was due to a decrease in outstanding balances of our students, primarily due to lower revenue for the period.

The decrease in sales and marketing expenses during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was primarily due to a reduction in marketing expenses and a decrease in the number of admissions representatives in order to align our cost structure to our population.

Student services expenses decreased due to a reduction in the number of financial aid employees as we aligned our cost structure to our student population. As a percentage of revenues, selling, general and administrative expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 increased to 53.4% from 48.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

As of September 30, 2012, we had outstanding loan commitments to our students of $33.7 million as compared to $26.4 million at December 31, 2011.  Loan commitments, net of interest that would be due on the loans through maturity, were $25.4 million at September 30, 2012 as compared to $20.2 million at December 31, 2011.  The increase in loan commitment during the year is attributable to changes we made to certain programs resulting in higher financing gaps for our students to better enable us to comply with the 90/10 Rule.

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Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets.    At September 30, 2012, we tested our goodwill and long-lived assets for impairment and determined that no impairment existed.  At June 30, 2012, we tested our goodwill and long-lived assets for impairment and determined that a non-tax pre-tax impairment charge of approximately $23.7 million existed for five reporting units related to goodwill and 10 asset groups related to long-lived assets.  At September 30, 2011, we tested our goodwill and long-lived assets for impairment and determined that an impairment of approximately $10.4 million existed for five reporting units.

School closing costs.    During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we recorded $2.4 million of school closings costs related to employee severance, student refunds and lease buyouts.  Student refunds of approximately $0.6 million were netted against revenue.

Net interest expense.    The net interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $3.4 million compared to $3.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

Income taxes.    The benefit for income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $12.8 million, or 33.6% of pretax loss, compared to a provision for income taxes of $8.2 million, or 41.8%, of pretax income for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The effective tax rate decrease was due to the effect of nondeductible permanent items mainly comprised of certain goodwill impairment charges offset by projected taxable results for the year.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary capital requirements are for facility maintenance and expansion, acquisitions and the development of new programs.  Our principal sources of liquidity have been cash provided by operating activities and borrowings under our credit facility.

The following chart summarizes the principal elements of our cash flows (in thousands):

	Nine Months Ended
	September 30,
	2012			2011
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	8,101		$	27,173
Net cash used in investing activities		(8,169	)		(30,121	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(6,027	)		(36,914	)

At September 30, 2012, we had cash and cash equivalents of $20.4 million, representing a decrease of approximately $6.1 million as compared to $26.5 million as of December 31, 2011.  Historically, we have financed our operating activities and organic growth primarily through cash generated from operations.  We have financed acquisitions primarily through borrowings under our Credit Facility and cash generated from operations.  We currently anticipate that we will be able to meet both our short-term cash needs, as well as our need to fund operations and meet our obligations beyond the next twelve months with cash generated by operations, existing cash balances and, if necessary, borrowings under our Credit Facility (as defined below).  In addition, we may also consider accessing the financial markets in the future as a source of liquidity for capital requirements, acquisitions and general corporate purposes to the extent such requirements are not satisfied by cash on hand, borrowings under our credit facility or operating cash flows.  However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to raise additional capital on favorable terms, if at all. At September 30, 2012, we had net borrowings available under our Credit Facility of approximately $83.4 million, including a $23.4 million sub-limit on letters of credit.  As of September 30, 2012, we had no amounts outstanding under our Credit Facility.  As of September 30, 2012, we had outstanding letters of credit aggregating $1.6 million which is primarily comprised of letters of credit for the DOE matters and security deposits in connection with certain of our real estate leases.  On April 5, 2012, the Company, as borrower, and certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, as guarantors, entered into a secured revolving credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with a syndicate of four lenders led by Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, swing line lender and letter of credit issuer, for an aggregate principal amount of up to $85 million (the “Credit Facility”).  The old Credit Facility was terminated concurrently with the effective date of the Credit Agreement.  Refer to Note 5 for further discussion of the Credit Agreement.

Our primary source of cash is tuition collected from our students. Most students enrolled at our schools rely on funds received under various government-sponsored student financial aid programs to pay a substantial portion of their tuition and other education-related expenses. The largest of these programs are Title IV Programs which represented approximately 84% of our cash receipts relating to revenues in 2011. Students must apply for a new loan for each academic period. Federal regulations dictate the timing of disbursements of funds under Title IV Programs and loan funds are generally provided by lenders in two disbursements for each academic year. The first disbursement is usually received approximately 31 days after the start of a student’s academic year and the second disbursement is typically received at the beginning of the sixteenth week from the start of the student’s academic year. Certain types of grants and other funding are not subject to a 30-day delay. Our diploma/certificate programs range from 22 to 112 weeks, our associate’s degree programs range from 48 to 123 weeks, and our bachelor’s degree programs range from 132 to 284 weeks.  In certain instances, if a student withdraws from a program prior to a specified date, any paid but unearned tuition or prorated Title IV financial aid is refunded according to state and federal regulations.

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As a result of the significance of the Title IV funds received by our students, we are highly dependent on these funds to operate our business. Any reduction in the level of Title IV funds that our students are eligible to receive or any impact on our ability to be able to receive Title IV funds would have a significant impact on our operations and our financial condition.  See “Risk Factors” in Item 1A, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities was $8.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to $27.2 million for nine months ended September 30, 2011.  The $19.1 million decrease in net cash provided by operating activities primarily resulted from a reduction in net income, offset by decreases in income taxes paid and other working capital items.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities decreased by $22.0 million to $8.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 from $30.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The decrease was primarily attributable to a $24.1 million reduction in cash used for capital expenditures offset by the acquisition of Florida Medical Training Institute, Inc. of $1.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2011.  Our 2012 capital expenditures mainly resulted from leasehold improvements and facility expansions as well as investments in campuses, classroom furniture and shop technology.  The decrease in capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was mainly the result of the relocation of our Denver campus in 2011.

We currently lease a majority of our campuses. We own our campuses in Grand Prairie, Texas; West Palm Beach, Florida; Nashville, Tennessee; Cincinnati (Tri-County), Ohio; Suffield, Connecticut; and Denver, Colorado.  Although our current growth strategy is to continue our organic growth, strategic acquisitions of operations will be considered. To the extent that these potential strategic acquisitions are large enough to require financing beyond available cash from operations and borrowings under our credit facilities, we may incur additional debt and/or issue additional debt or equity securities.

Capital expenditures are expected to range from 4% to 5% of revenues in 2012 as compared to 7.4% in 2011.  We expect to fund these capital expenditures with cash generated from operating activities and, if necessary, with borrowings under our credit facility.

Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities decreased by $30.9 million to $6.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 from $36.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. This decrease was primarily attributable to our payments on borrowings of $20.0 million during 2011 and a reduction in dividends paid of $12.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

On April 5, 2012, we, as borrower, and certain of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, as guarantors, entered into the Credit Agreement with a syndicate of four lenders led by Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, swing line lender and letter of credit issuer, for an aggregate principal amount of up to $85 million.

Under the Credit Agreement, we have the right to increase the aggregate amount available under the Credit Facility by up to $50 million upon satisfaction of certain conditions.  The Credit Facility may be used to finance capital expenditures and permitted acquisitions, to pay transaction expenses, for the issuance of letters of credit and for general corporate purposes.  The Credit Agreement includes a $5 million swing line sublimit and a $25 million letter of credit sublimit.  Borrowings under the Credit Facility are secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of our and our subsidiaries’ tangible and intangible assets exclusive of real estate.  The term of the Credit Facility is 36 months, maturing on April 5, 2015.

Amounts borrowed as revolving loans under the Credit Facility will bear interest, at our option, at either (i) an interest rate based on LIBOR and adjusted for any reserve percentage obligations under Federal Reserve Bank regulations (the “Eurodollar Rate”) for specified interest periods or (ii) the Base Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement), in each case, plus an applicable margin rate as determined under the Credit Agreement.  The “Base Rate”, as defined under the Credit Agreement, is the highest of (a) the prime rate, (b) the Federal Funds rate plus 0.50% and (c) a daily rate equal to the one-month LIBOR rate plus 1.0%.  Under the Credit Agreement, the margin interest rate is subject to adjustment within a range of 1.25% to 2.75% based upon changes in our consolidated leverage ratio and depending on whether we have chosen the Eurodollar Rate or the Base Rate option.  Swing line loans will bear interest at the Base Rate plus the applicable margin rate.  Letters of credit will require a fee equal to the applicable margin rate multiplied by the daily amount available to be drawn under each issued letter of credit plus an agreed upon fronting fee and customary issuance, presentation, amendment and other processing fees associated with letters of credit.  At September 30, 2012, we had outstanding letters of credit aggregating $1.6 million which is primarily comprised of letters of credit for the DOE matters and security deposits in connection with certain of our real estate leases.

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The Credit Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants including consolidated adjusted net worth, consolidated leverage ratio, consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio, minimum financial responsibility composite score, cohort default rate and other financial covenants, certain restrictions on capital expenditures as well as affirmative and negative covenants and events of default customary for facilities of this type.  In addition, we are paying fees to the lenders that are customary for facilities of this type.

The following table sets forth our long-term debt (in thousands):

	September 30,			December 31,
	2012			2011
Credit agreement	$	-		$	-
Finance obligation		9,672			9,672
Auto loan		7			-
Capital lease-property (a rate of 8.0%)		26,440			26,715
Capital leases-equipment (rates ranging from 5.0% to 8.5%)		15			121
Subtotal		36,134			36,508
Less current maturities		(409	)		(481	)
Total long-term debt	$	35,725		$	36,027

We believe that our working capital, cash flows from operations, access to operating leases and borrowings available from our Credit Facility will provide us with adequate resources for our ongoing operations through 2012 as well as our currently identified and planned capital expenditures.

Contractual Obligations

Long-term Debt.  As of September 30, 2012, our long-term debt consisted of the finance obligation in connection with our sale-leaseback transaction in 2001 and amounts due under capital lease obligations.

Lease Commitments.  We lease offices, educational facilities and equipment for varying periods through the year 2032 at base annual rentals (excluding taxes, insurance, and other expenses under certain leases).

The following table contains supplemental information regarding our total contractual obligations as of September 30, 2012 (in thousands):

	Payments Due by Period
	Total		Less than 1 year		2-3 years		4-5 years		After 5 years
Capital leases (including interest)	$	53,172	$	2,510	$	4,989	$	5,188	$	40,485
Uncertain income taxes		135		135		-		-		-
Operating leases		152,357		23,446		42,737		32,517		53,657
Rent on finance obligation		6,443		1,516		3,032		1,895		-
Total contractual cash obligations	$	212,107	$	27,607	$	50,758	$	39,600	$	94,142

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We had no off-balance sheet arrangements as of September 30, 2012, except for our letters of credit of $1.6 million which are primarily comprised of letters of credit for the DOE and security deposits in connection with certain of our real estate leases. These off-balance sheet arrangements do not adversely impact our liquidity or capital resources.

Seasonality and Trends

Seasonality

Our revenue and operating results normally fluctuate as a result of seasonal variations in our business, principally due to changes in total student population. Student population varies as a result of new student enrollments, graduations and student attrition. Historically, our schools have had lower student populations in our first and second quarters and we have experienced larger class starts in the third and fourth quarters and higher student attrition in the first half of the year. Our second half growth is largely dependent on a successful high school recruiting season. We recruit our high school students several months ahead of their scheduled start dates, and thus, while we have visibility on the number of students who have expressed interest in attending our schools, we cannot predict with certainty the actual number of new student enrollments and the related impact on revenue. Our expenses, however, typically do not vary significantly over the course of the year with changes in our student population and revenue. During the first half of the year, we make significant investments in marketing, staff, programs and facilities to ensure that we meet our second half of the year targets and, as a result, such expenses do not fluctuate significantly on a quarterly basis. To the extent new student enrollments, and related revenue, in the second half of the year fall short of our estimates, our operating results could be negatively impacted. We expect quarterly fluctuations in operating results to continue as a result of seasonal enrollment patterns. Such patterns may change as a result of new school openings, new program introductions, and increased enrollments of adult students and/or acquisitions.

90/10 Rule

The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, or the HEA, enacted in 2008, states that a proprietary institution will be ineligible to participate in Title IV programs if for any two consecutive fiscal years it derives more than 90% of its cash basis revenue from Title IV programs.    This is commonly known as the “90/10 Rule.”

We have calculated that, for our 2011 fiscal year, our institutions’ 90/10 Rule percentages ranged from 76.5% to 89.2%.  For 2011 and 2009, none of our institutions derived more than 90% of their revenues from Title IV Programs.  For 2010, our Dayton institution (consisting of a main campus and six additional locations) derived 96.9% of its revenues from Title IV programs. It was our only institution with a 90/10 Rule percentage above 90%.  We regularly monitor compliance with this requirement to minimize the risk that any of our institutions would derive more than the maximum percentage of its revenues from Title IV Programs for any fiscal year.

Effective July 1, 2008, the annual Stafford loans available for undergraduate students under the Federal Family Education Loan Program, or FFEL, increased. This increase, coupled with increases in grants from the Pell program and other Title IV loan limits, resulted in some of our schools experiencing an increase in the proportion of the revenues they receive from Title IV programs. The HEA reauthorization provided temporary relief from the impact of the loan limit increases by counting as non-Title IV revenue in the 90/10 Rule calculation amounts received from loans received between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2011 that are attributable to the increased annual loan limits.  The temporary relief under the HEA for calculating 90/10 Rule compliance expired for loans received on or after July 1, 2011 and expired for institutional loans made on or after July 1, 2012.

The HEA authorization also provided other relief by allowing institutions to include as non-Title IV revenue in its 90/10 Rule calculation the net present value of certain institutional loans subject to certain limitations and conditions.  During 2010 and continuing into the first half of 2011, we saw a reduction in the loan commitments we offer our students to help them bridge the gap between the tuition charged for their particular program and the amount of grants, third-party loans and parental assistance each student receives.  We believe that those reductions were due to increases in student loan limits available to students as well as an increase in Pell Grants.  As a result, a greater percentage of students were able to finance their educations entirely from financial aid sources.  While this provided greater opportunities for our students, it also severely impacted our ability to comply with the 90/10 Rule.  Because of the increases in Title IV student loan limits and grants in recent years, it has and will continue to be difficult for us to comply with the 90/10 Rule.  We have considered two alternatives to aid us with our compliance with the 90/10 Rule: increasing tuition prices above the applicable maximums for Title IV student loans and grants or restructuring certain of our programs to create a financing gap.  We decided to restructure program offerings. This resulted in an increase in the financing gap between tuition and the amount of financial aid available. To assist our students in closing their financing gaps we provided loans to our students.  Loan commitments to our students increased during the first nine months of 2012 by approximately $7.3 million.  If any of our institutions loses eligibility to participate in Title IV programs, that loss would cause an event of default under our credit agreement, and would also adversely affect our students’ access to various government-sponsored student financial aid programs, which could have a material adverse effect on the rate at which our students enroll in our programs and on our business and results of operations.

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Cohort Default Rates

The HEA limits participation in the Title IV Programs by institutions whose former students defaulted on the repayment of federally guaranteed or funded student loans above a prescribed rate (the “cohort default rate”).  The DOE calculates these rates based on the number of students who have defaulted, not the dollar amount of such defaults.

Under the HEA, an institution whose FFEL and Federal Direct Loan, or FDL, cohort default rate is 25% or greater for three consecutive federal fiscal years loses eligibility to participate in the FFEL, FDL, and Pell programs for the remainder of the federal fiscal year in which the DOE determines that such institution has lost its eligibility and for the two subsequent federal fiscal years. An institution whose FFEL and FDL cohort default rate for any single federal fiscal year exceeds 40% loses its eligibility to participate in the FFEL and FDL programs for the remainder of the federal fiscal year in which the DOE determines that such institution has lost its eligibility and for the two subsequent federal fiscal years.  If an institution’s cohort default rate equals or exceeds 25% in any of its three most recent fiscal years, the institution may be placed on provisional certification status.

The HEA increased the measuring period for each cohort default rate calculation by one year. Starting with the 2009 cohort, the DOE will calculate both the current two-year and the new three-year cohort default rates. Beginning with the 2011 three-year cohort default rate, which is expected to be published for each of our institutions in September 2014, the three-year rates will be applied for purposes of measuring compliance with the requirements instead of the two-year rates currently used for those purposes.   If the 2011 three-year cohort default rate exceeds 40%, the institution will cease to be eligible to participate in the FDL and Federal Stafford Loan programs for the remainder of the federal fiscal year in which the DOE determines that such institution has lost its eligibility and for the two subsequent federal fiscal years.   If the institution’s three-year cohort default rate exceeds 30% (an increase from the current 25% threshold applicable to the two-year cohort default rates) for three consecutive years, beginning with the 2009 cohort, the institution will cease to be eligible to participate in the Pell, FDL, and FFEL programs for the remainder of the federal fiscal year in which the DOE determines that such institution has lost its eligibility and for the two subsequent federal fiscal years.

In September 2011, the DOE published final two-year cohort default rates for each of our institutions for the 2009 federal fiscal year.   The rates range from 10.5% to 35.4%. We appealed all of our 2009 rates and have subsequently received revised cohort default rates for 17 institutions.  These revised rates range from 8.1% to 33.7%.  Subsequent to receiving the revised rates, two of our institutions (Philadelphia, PA and Grand Prairie, TX) had a cohort default rate (as defined by the DOE) of 25% or greater for the 2009 federal fiscal year.  The cohort default rate for Grand Prairie at 33.7% would be the institution’s second consecutive fiscal year cohort default rate of 25% or greater.  Philadelphia, PA did not have a cohort default rate of 25% or greater for the 2008 fiscal year.

On February 27, 2012, the DOE issued draft two-year cohort default rates for the 2010 federal fiscal year.  The draft rates are not final and may be subject to appeal and further upward or downward revisions before the DOE publishes final rates, which is expected to occur in December 2012.  The draft 2010 rates ranged from 12.2% to 33.7%.  Our Philadelphia, PA institution was the only institution with a cohort default rate over 25%.  We plan to appeal all of our 2010 draft rates.  The weighted average cohort default rate for 2010 was 19.2% as compared to the revised 2009 rate of 19.5%

In December 2009, the DOE released unofficial trial three-year cohort default rates for the 2005, 2006, and 2007 federal fiscal years.  In February 2011, the DOE released unofficial trial three-year cohort rates for the 2008 federal fiscal year.  The unofficial rates for our institutions under the new methodology ranged from 10.6% to 37.0% for the 2006 federal fiscal year, from 16.2% to 42.2% for the 2007 federal fiscal year, and from 14.8% to 42.8% for the 2008 federal fiscal year.  The DOE stated in its electronic announcements that the publication of these unofficial rates is for informational purposes only and that no sanctions will be imposed based on these unofficial rates.

On September 24, 2012, the DOE released final three-year cohort default rates for federal fiscal year 2009.  The rates for the 2009 federal fiscal year under the new methodology ranged from 16.9% to 49.2%.  For the 2009 federal fiscal year, 10 of our institutions had three-year cohort default rates of at least 30%.  One of these institutions had a rate above 40%.  This institution has subsequently been merged with one of our other institutions.  This new merged institution has a cohort default rate under 30%.

While we strive to improve the cohort default rates for each of our institutions, the current economic climate, combined with the demographics of the students that we traditionally serve, makes this objective even more challenging.  As a result, we have significantly increased our default management personnel to help enhance the financial literacy of our students and graduates, with the goal of helping students stay current in their loan payments. We have also engaged third-party consultants to assist those institutions who have historically had the highest cohort default rates.

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Gainful Employment

On June 13, 2011, the DOE published final regulations in the Federal Register regarding gainful employment that were scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2012 and apply to all educational programs that are subject to the DOE requirement of preparing students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation. Such educational programs include all of the Title IV-eligible educational programs at each of our institutions.  The gainful employment regulations would, among other things, measure each educational program against threshold benchmarks in each of three debt measure categories:  (1) an annual loan repayment rate, (2) an annual debt-to-annual earnings ratio, and (3) an annual debt-to-discretionary income ratio.  The various formulas are calculated under complex methodologies and definitions outlined in the regulations, and are based on data that may not be readily accessible to institutions.  If an educational program fails to achieve threshold rates in all three categories for one federal fiscal year (beginning with debt measures calculated for the 2012 federal fiscal year), the institution must, among other things, disclose the amount by which the program missed the minimum acceptable performance and the institution’s plan to improve the program. If an educational program fails to achieve threshold rates in all three categories in two out of three federal fiscal years, the institution must, among other things, warn students in the failing program that they should expect difficulty in repaying their loans, disclose the options available to the student if the program loses eligibility for Title IV funds, and disclose resources available to research other educational options and compare program costs.  If an educational program fails to achieve threshold rates in all three categories in three out of four federal fiscal years, the program loses its Title IV eligibility for a period of at least three years.  We have analyzed the available data to assess the potential impact of the new gainful employment regulations on each of our institutions and educational programs.  Although we have not identified to date any material number of educational programs that we believe are likely to lose eligibility under the new regulations’ threshold benchmarks, if the data were to change unfavorably, the new regulations could nonetheless have a material adverse effect on our business and operations by requiring us to eliminate certain educational programs, and the new disclosure requirements and related components of the new regulations could have a material adverse effect on the rate at which students enroll in our programs.

On June 30, 2012, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia issued a decision that vacated most of the gainful employment regulations and remanded those regulations to the DOE for further action.  On July 6, 2012, the DOE issued an electronic announcement acknowledging that the Court had vacated the repayment rate metric as well as the debt-to-income gainful employment metrics that would have gone into effect on July 1, 2012.  The DOE also noted that institutions are not required to comply with related regulations relating to gainful employment reporting requirements and adding new educational programs, but are required to comply with requirements to disclose certain information about educational programs.  The Court’s decision is subject to appeal by the DOE and could be modified or reversed on appeal.  Moreover, the DOE could take further action to address the Court’s concerns regarding the regulations and obtain approval to enforce the regulations, or the DOE could issue new regulations regarding gainful employment.  We cannot predict what steps the DOE will take in response to the Court’s decision, how long those steps would take, or whether those steps will result in the DOE being able to enforce the gainful employment regulations or issuing new regulations.

ATB Students

ATB students are non-GED and non-high school graduates who are allowed to enroll in post-secondary institutions by passing a DOE approved exam.  ATB students are traditionally a higher risk population who complete their programs at a lower rate and default on their student loans at a higher rate than non-ATB students.   As of September 30, 2012, approximately 5.1% of our students were classified as ATB students.  On December 23, 2011, President Obama signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012 (Public Law 112-74) (the “Appropriations Act”). This new laweliminates the ability of ATB students who first enroll after July 1, 2012 to participate in federal student financial aid programs.  As a result, we stopped enrolling ATB student as of July 1, 2012.  This reduction in ATB students will impact our total enrollment and our revenue.

Campus Closings

On July 31, 2012, our Board of Directors approved a plan to cease operations at seven of our campuses.  The adjustments made to our business model to better align with the DOE’s increased emphasis on student outcomes and our efforts to comply with the 90/10 rule and cohort default rates greatly impacted the population at these campuses.  In addition, the current economic environment and regulatory changes under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012, which eliminated the ability to enroll ATB students, have made these campuses no longer viable.  Accordingly, we have decided to cease operations at these campuses and have stopped enrolling new students.  For 2012, these campuses were expected to contribute approximately $14.5 million in revenue and 570 students to second half of 2012 student starts.  We anticipate that we will incur charges during the second half of the year of approximately $6.9 million ($2.4 million incurred through September 30, 2012 of which $0.6 million was a reduction of revenue) to shut down these facilities.  We hope to offset some of these cash charges by subleasing some of the properties impacted and transferring some students to other accredited institutions.  Once all operations have ceased at these campuses the results of operations will be reflected as discontinued operations in our financial statements.  We anticipate that the impact of this decision will be accretive to earnings in 2013 by approximately $0.21 per share.

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The results of operations at these seven campuses for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and each of the three year periods ended December 31, 2011 were comprised of the following (in thousands):

	Nine Months Ended September 30,			Year Ended December 31,
	2012			2011			2010			2009
Revenue	$	9,134		$	20,803		$	34,733		$	25,790
Operating expenses		(26,304	)		(26,063	)		(27,075	)		(17,497	)
	$	(17,170	)	$	(5,260	)	$	7,658		$	8,293

Amounts include impairments of goodwill and long-lived assets for these campuses of $9.4 million, $2.1 million and $1.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Outlook

In addition to the 90/10 Rule, cohort default rates, gainful employment and limits on the number of ATB students discussed above, changes to admissions advisor compensation policies, other changes promulgated by the DOE and the current economic slowdown have all led to significant deterioration in student enrollments. This deterioration continued into the third quarter of 2012 as we experienced a decrease in student starts of 16.7% versus the third quarter of 2011.  While this decrease was mostly expected due to July starts that started in the second quarter of 2012, the elimination of the ability to enroll ATB students commencing on July 1, 2012 and the shutdown of seven campuses, the economic environment continues to negatively impact enrollments as students and their parents are hesitant to take on debt.    We believe that the decline in student starts as compared to prior-year periods will continue to improve in the next few quarters but at a slower pace, and while we cannot accurately predict to what degree with any certainty, we believe that the loss of the ATB student enrollments coupled with what we expect to be a prolonged economic downturn will slow our rate of growth.

As we enter the fourth quarter of 2012 we expect the rate of deceleration to continue to improve but the current economic climate and regulatory activity makes it difficult to predict enrollment.  While we expect enrollments to improve, if they do not, our revenue could decline further, which could have a material adverse effect on our profitability.

In addition, these changes, individually or in the aggregate, may impact our student enrollment, persistence and retention in ways that we cannot now predict and could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Item 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to certain market risks as part of our on-going business operations.  We have a credit agreement with a syndicate of banks.  Our obligations under the credit agreement are secured by a lien on substantially all of our assets and our subsidiaries and any assets that we or our subsidiaries may acquire in the future, including a pledge of substantially all of our subsidiaries’ common stock. As of September 30, 2012, we had no outstanding borrowings under our Credit Facility.

Our interest rate risk is associated with miscellaneous capital equipment leases, which is not significant.

Item 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a)   Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.  Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) as of the end of the quarterly period covered by this report, have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are adequate and effective to reasonably ensure that material 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 by Securities and Exchange Commissions’ Rules and Forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.  Except as disclosed below, there were no changes made during our most recently completed fiscal quarter in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.  Management has determined that, as of the date of this filing on Form 10-Q, the material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting that was disclosed on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2012 with respect to accounting for the impairment of long lived assets has been remediated.  Management's remediation efforts focused on applying a correct interpretation of ASC 360-10-35 in evaluating whether the Company's long lived assets are impaired.

27

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In the ordinary conduct of our business, we are subject to periodic lawsuits, investigations and claims, including, but not limited to, claims involving students or graduates and routine employment matters.  Although we cannot predict with certainty the ultimate resolution of lawsuits, investigations and claims asserted against us, we do not believe that any currently pending legal proceeding to which we are a party will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 6.  EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT INDEX

The following exhibits are filed with or incorporated by reference into this Form 10-Q.

Exhibit Number	Description
3.1	Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (2).
3.2	Amended and Restated By-laws of the Company (3).
4.1	Management Stockholders Agreement, dated as of January 1, 2002, by and among Lincoln Technical Institute, Inc., Back to School Acquisition, L.L.C. and the Stockholders and the holders of options under the Management Stock Option Plan listed therein (1).
4.2	Assumption Agreement and First Amendment to Management Stockholders Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2007, by and among Lincoln Educational Services Corporation, Lincoln Technical Institute, Inc., Back to School Acquisition, L.L.C. and the Management Investors listed therein (4).
4.3	Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June 27, 2005, between the Company and Back to School Acquisition, L.L.C. (3).
4.4	Specimen Stock Certificate evidencing shares of common stock (5).
10.1	Credit Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2009, among the Company, the Guarantors from time to time parties thereto, the Lenders from time to time parties thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent (7).
10.2	Consulting Agreement, dated as of December 9, 2010, between the Company and David F. Carney (9).
10.3	Employment Agreement, dated as of January 17, 2011, between the Company and Scott M. Shaw (10).
10.4	Employment Agreement, dated as of January 17, 2011, between the Company and Cesar Ribeiro (10).
10.5	Employment Agreement, dated as of January 17, 2011, between the Company and Shaun E. McAlmont (10).
10.6	Employment Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2011, between the Company and Piper P. Jameson (12).
10.7	Letter Agreement, dated March 26, 2012, between the Company and Piper P. Jameson (14).
10.8	Lincoln Educational Services Corporation 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan (15).
10.9	Lincoln Educational Services Corporation 2005 Non-Employee Directors Restricted Stock Plan (15).
10.10	Lincoln Educational Services Corporation 2005 Deferred Compensation Plan (15).
10.11	Lincoln Technical Institute Management Stock Option Plan, effective January 1, 2002 (1).
10.12	Form of Stock Option Agreement, dated January 1, 2002, between Lincoln Technical Institute, Inc. and certain participants (1).

28

10.13	Form of Stock Option Agreement under our 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan (6).
10.14	Form of Restricted Stock Agreement under our 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan (6).
10.15	Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Award Agreement under our Amended & Restated 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan (11).
10.16	Management Stock Subscription Agreement, dated January 1, 2002, among Lincoln Technical Institute, Inc. and certain management investors (1).
10.17	Stock Repurchase Agreement, dated as of December 15, 2009, among Lincoln Educational Services Corporation and Back to School Acquisition, L.L.C (8).
10.18	Credit Agreement, dated as of April 5, 2012, among the Company, the Guarantors from time to time parties thereto, the Lenders from time to time parties thereto and Bank of America, N.A. as Administrative Agent (13).
31.1 *	Certification of President & 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 *	Certification of President & Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101**	The following financial statements from Lincoln Educational Services Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, filed on November 7, 2012, formatted in XBRL: (i) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity, and (v) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text and in detail.

(1) Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-123644) filed March 29, 2005.

(2) Incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-123644) filed June 7, 2005..

(3) Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed June 28, 2005.

(4) Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-148406) filed December 28, 2007.

(5) Incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-123644) filed June 21, 2005.

(6) Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

(7) Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed December 7, 2009.

(8) Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed December 21, 2009.

(9) Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed December 9, 2010.

(10) Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed January 21, 2011.

(11) Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed May 5, 2011.

(12) Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed November 8, 2011.

(13) Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 8-K filed April 11, 2012.

29

(14) Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Form 10-Q filed August 6,, 2012.

(15) Incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-123644) filed June 24, 2005.

* Filed herewith.

** As provided in Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, this information is furnished and not filed for purposes of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

30

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

		LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORPORATION
Date: November 7, 2012
	By:	/s/ Cesar Ribeiro
		Cesar Ribeiro
		Chief Financial Officer
		(Duly Authorized Officer, Principal Accounting and Financial Officer)

31

EX-31.1

EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Shaun E. McAlmont, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Lincoln Educational Services Corporation;

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 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;

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer 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: November 7, 2012

/s/ Shaun E. McAlmont

Shaun E. McAlmont

President & Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Cesar Ribeiro, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Lincoln Educational Services Corporation;

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 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;

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer 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: November 7, 2012

/s/ Cesar Ribeiro

Cesar Ribeiro

Chief Financial Officer

EX-32

EXHIBIT 32

 CERTIFICATION

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350 as adopted by

Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Each of the undersigned, Shaun E. McAlmont, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lincoln Educational Services Corporation (the “Company”), and Cesar Ribeiro, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, has executed this certification in connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2012 (the “Report”).

           Each of the undersigned hereby certifies that, to his respective knowledge:

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: November 7, 2012

/s/ Shaun E. McAlmont

Shaun E. McAlmont

President & Chief Executive Officer

/s/ Cesar Ribeiro

Cesar Ribeiro

Chief Financial Officer

XML

PENSION PLAN (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
PENSION PLAN [Abstract]
Employer contributions under pension plan			$ 0.5	$ 0.2
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 0.2	$ 0.3	$ 0.6	$ 0.8

XML

CAMPUS CLOSINGS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

CAMPUS CLOSINGS [Abstract]

Results of operations of seven campuses

The results of operations at these seven campuses for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and each of the three year periods ended December 31, 2011 were as follows (in thousands):

	Nine Months Ended September 30,			Year Ended December 31,
	2012			2011			2010			2009
Revenue	$	9,134		$	20,803		$	34,733		$	25,790
Operating expenses		(26,304	)		(26,063	)		(27,075	)		(17,497	)
	$	(17,170	)	$	(5,260	)	$	7,658		$	8,293

XML

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business Activities – Lincoln Educational Services Corporation and Subsidiaries (the "Company") is a provider of diversified career-oriented post-secondary education. The Company offers recent high school graduates and working adults degree and diploma programs in five principal areas of study: Health Science, Automotive Technology, Skilled Trades, Business and Information Technology and Hospitality Services. The Company currently has 46 schools and five training sites in 17 states across the United States.

Basis of Presentation – The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP").  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements have been omitted or condensed pursuant to such regulations.  These statements, which should be read in conjunction with the December 31, 2011 consolidated financial statements of the Company, reflect all adjustments, consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments including impairments, necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for such periods.  The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period.  On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates the estimates and assumptions, including those related to revenue recognition, bad debts, fixed assets, goodwill and other intangible assets, stock-based compensation, income taxes, benefit plans and certain accruals and contingencies.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Stock-Based Compensation –The accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations include stock-based compensation expense of approximately $0.6 million for each of the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, and $2.6 million and $2.7 million for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011.  The Company uses the Black-Scholes valuation model for stock options and utilizes straight-line amortization of compensation expense over the requisite service period of the grant.  The Company makes an estimate of expected forfeitures at the time options are granted.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued an amendment to an existing accounting standard which requires companies to present net income and other comprehensive income in one continuous statement or in two separate, but consecutive, statements. In addition, in December 2011, the FASB issued an amendment to an existing accounting standard which defers the requirement to present components of reclassifications of other comprehensive income on the face of the income statement.  The Company early adopted this amendment and has presented statements of comprehensive (loss) income.

In September 2011, the FASB issued a revised standard on testing for goodwill impairment. The revised standard allows an entity to first assess qualitatively whether it is necessary to perform step one of the two-step annual goodwill impairment test. An entity is required to perform step one only if the entity concludes that it is more likely than not that a reporting unit's fair value is less than its carrying amount, a likelihood of more than 50 percent. An entity can choose to perform the qualitative assessment on none, some, or all of its reporting units. Moreover, an entity can bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period and proceed directly to step one of the impairment test, and then perform the qualitative assessment in any subsequent period. The revised standard is effective for the Company for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed beginning after January 1, 2012 for the Company. The Company does not believe this guidance will have any impact on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.

XML

GOODWILL AND LONG-LIVED ASSETS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
GOODWILL AND LONG-LIVED ASSETS [Abstract]
Reporting units				5
Pretax non-cash charge, goodwill impairment		$ 15,400,000
Number of assets groups impaired	10			10
Non-cash charge related to long-lived asset impairment	8,300,000			8,300,000
Non cash related to leasehold improvements	8,100,000			8,100,000
Non cash charge related to definite lived intangible assets	200,000			200,000
Carrying amount of goodwill [Abstract]
Goodwill				115,303,000
Accumulated impairment losses				(17,932,000)
Goodwill				97,371,000
Goodwill acquired pursuant to business acquisition-FMTI	1,837,000			1,837,000
Goodwill	117,140,000			117,140,000
Accumulated impairment losses	(33,284,000)			(33,284,000)
Goodwill	83,856,000			83,856,000
Goodwill impairment				(15,352,000)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization	100,000		700,000	200,000	1,200,000
Net carrying amount	843,000			843,000
Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill), Total				5,087,000
Finite and IndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAcquiredDuringPeriod Total				474,000
Impairment of finite and Indefinite Lived AssetsTotal				(418,000)
Intangible Assets, Gross (Excluding Goodwill), Total	5,143,000			5,143,000
Accumulated amortization, Total				2,834,000
AmortizationOfFiniteAndIndefiniteIntangibleAssetsTotal				230,000
FiniteAndIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsImpairmentLosses, Total				(212,000)
Accumulated amortization, Total	2,852,000			2,852,000
Net carrying amount (Excluding Goodwill)	2,291,000			2,291,000
Amortization of intangible assets	100,000		700,000	200,000	1,200,000
Summarizes the estimated future amortization expense [Abstract]
Remainder of 2012	60,000			60,000
2013	225,000			225,000
2014	224,000			224,000
2015	156,000			156,000
2016	112,000			112,000
Thereafter	66,000			66,000
Net carrying amount	843,000			843,000
Indefinite Trade Name [Member]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount, beginning balance				180,000
Acquisition of FMTI				0
Impairment Indefinite Lived Assets Gross	0			0
Gross carrying amount, ending balance	180,000			180,000
Accumulated amortization, beginning balance				0
Amortization Of indefinite Intangible Assets				0
Impairment				0
Accumulated amortization, ending balance	0			0
Net carrying amount	180,000			180,000
Accreditation [Member]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount, beginning balance				1,268,000
Acquisition of FMTI				0
Impairment Indefinite Lived Assets Gross	0			0
Gross carrying amount, ending balance	1,268,000			1,268,000
Accumulated amortization, beginning balance				0
Amortization Of indefinite Intangible Assets				0
Impairment				0
Accumulated amortization, ending balance	0			0
Net carrying amount	1,268,000			1,268,000
Student Contracts [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount, beginning balance				0
Acquisition of FMTI				25,000
Impairment finite lived assets gross	0			0
Gross carrying amount, ending balance	25,000			25,000
Accumulated amortization, beginning balance				0
Amortization				23,000
Impairment				0
Accumulated amortization, ending balance	23,000			23,000
Net carrying amount	2,000			2,000
Weighted average amortization period (years)				1 year
Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets				23,000
Summarizes the estimated future amortization expense [Abstract]
Net carrying amount	2,000			2,000
Trade Name [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount, beginning balance				509,000
Acquisition of FMTI				25,000
Impairment finite lived assets gross	(168,000)			(168,000)
Gross carrying amount, ending balance	366,000			366,000
Accumulated amortization, beginning balance				262,000
Amortization				61,000
Impairment				(127,000)
Accumulated amortization, ending balance	196,000			196,000
Net carrying amount	170,000			170,000
Weighted average amortization period (years)				7 years
Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets				61,000
Summarizes the estimated future amortization expense [Abstract]
Net carrying amount	170,000			170,000
Curriculum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount, beginning balance				1,150,000
Acquisition of FMTI				224,000
Impairment finite lived assets gross	(250,000)			(250,000)
Gross carrying amount, ending balance	1,124,000			1,124,000
Accumulated amortization, beginning balance				620,000
Amortization				100,000
Impairment				(85,000)
Accumulated amortization, ending balance	635,000			635,000
Net carrying amount	489,000			489,000
Weighted average amortization period (years)				9 years
Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets				100,000
Summarizes the estimated future amortization expense [Abstract]
Net carrying amount	489,000			489,000
Non-compete [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount, beginning balance				1,980,000
Acquisition of FMTI				200,000
Impairment finite lived assets gross	0			0
Gross carrying amount, ending balance	2,180,000			2,180,000
Accumulated amortization, beginning balance				1,952,000
Amortization				46,000
Impairment				0
Accumulated amortization, ending balance	1,998,000			1,998,000
Net carrying amount	182,000			182,000
Weighted average amortization period (years)				3 years
Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Amortization of intangible assets				46,000
Summarizes the estimated future amortization expense [Abstract]
Net carrying amount	$ 182,000			$ 182,000

XML

BUSINESS ACQUISITION (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012
BUSINESS ACQUISITION [Abstract]
Total consideration paid for acquiring interest in Florida Medical Training Institute, Inc.	$ 1.7
Number of location in which FMTI operate there business in Florida	5

XML

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Long-term debt and lease obligations [Abstract]
Total	$ 36,134,000
Less current maturities	(409,000)		(481,000)
Long-term debt and lease obligations, net of current portion	35,725,000		36,027,000
Scheduled maturities of long-term debt and lease obligations [Abstract]
2012	409,000
2013	433,000
2014	462,000
2015	515,000
2016	733,000
Thereafter	33,582,000
Total	36,134,000
Credit agreement [Member]
Long-term debt and lease obligations [Abstract]
Credit agreement	0	[1]	0	[1]
Old Credit Agreement [Member]
Long-term debt and lease obligations [Abstract]
Credit agreement	0	[2]	0	[2]
Maximum borrowing capacity of credit facility	115,000,000
2012 Credit Agreement [Member]
Long-term debt and lease obligations [Abstract]
Number of lenders led by Bank of America	4
Maximum borrowing capacity of credit facility	85,000,000
Maximum aggregate amount to increase under the credit facility	50,000,000
Maturity period of credit facility	36 months
Expiration date of credit facility	Apr. 05, 2015
Variable rate of debt instrument	prime rate
Federal Funds rate plus, variable rate (in hundredths)	0.50%
Libor rate plus, variable rate (in hundredths)	1.00%
Amount outstanding under letter of credit	1,600,000
Outstanding amount of credit facility	0
2012 Credit Agreement [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Long-term debt and lease obligations [Abstract]
Interest rate of credit facility (in hundredths)	1.25%
2012 Credit Agreement [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Long-term debt and lease obligations [Abstract]
Interest rate of credit facility (in hundredths)	2.75%
Letter of Credit [Member]
Long-term debt and lease obligations [Abstract]
Maximum borrowing capacity of credit facility	25,000,000
Swing line [Member]
Long-term debt and lease obligations [Abstract]
Maximum borrowing capacity of credit facility	5,000,000
Finance obligation [Member]
Long-term debt and lease obligations [Abstract]
Capital lease and finance obligation	9,672,000	[3]	9,672,000	[3]
Capital lease-property (rate of 8.0%) [Member]
Long-term debt and lease obligations [Abstract]
Capital lease and finance obligation	26,440,000	[4]	26,715,000	[4]
Interest rate of debt instrument (in hundredths)	8.00%
Capital leases-equipment (rates ranging from 5.0% to 8.5%) [Member]
Long-term debt and lease obligations [Abstract]
Capital lease and finance obligation	15,000		121,000
Interest rate of debt instrument, minimum (in hundredths)	5.00%
Interest rate of debt instrument, maximum (in hundredths)	8.50%
Auto Loan [Member]
Long-term debt and lease obligations [Abstract]
Capital lease and finance obligation	$ 7,000		$ 0

[1] On April 5, 2012, the Company, as borrower, and certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, as guarantors, entered into a secured revolving credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement") with a syndicate of four lenders led by Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, swing line lender and letter of credit issuer, for an aggregate principal amount of up to $85 million. The Credit Agreement replaces the Company's prior $115 million Credit Facility with Bank of America, N.A. and other lenders, which was due to expire on December 1, 2012. The old Credit Agreement (as defined below) was terminated concurrently with the effective date of the Credit Agreement. Under the Credit Agreement, the Company has the right to increase the aggregate amount available under the Credit Facility by up to $50 million upon satisfaction of certain conditions. The Credit Facility may be used to finance capital expenditures and permitted acquisitions, to pay transaction expenses, for the issuance of letters of credit and for general corporate purposes. The Credit Agreement includes a $5 million swing line sublimit and a $25 million letter of credit sublimit. Borrowings under the Credit Facility are secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of the tangible and intangible assets of the Company and its subsidiaries exclusive of real estate. The term of the Credit Facility is 36 months, maturing on April 5, 2015. Amounts borrowed as revolving loans under the Credit Facility will bear interest, at the Company's option, at either (i) an interest rate based on LIBOR and adjusted for any reserve percentage obligations under Federal Reserve Bank regulations (the "Eurodollar Rate") for specified interest periods or (ii) the Base Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement), in each case, plus an applicable margin rate as determined under the Credit Agreement. The "Base Rate", as defined under the Credit Agreement, is the highest of (a) the prime rate, (b) the Federal Funds rate plus 0.50% and (c) a daily rate equal to the one-month LIBOR rate plus 1.0%. Under the Credit Agreement, the margin interest rate is subject to adjustment within a range of 1.25% to 2.75% based upon changes in the Company's consolidated leverage ratio and depending on whether the Company has chosen the Eurodollar Rate or the Base Rate option. Swing line loans will bear interest at the Base Rate plus the applicable margin rate. Letters of credit will require a fee equal to the applicable margin rate multiplied by the daily amount available to be drawn under each issued letter of credit plus an agreed upon fronting fee and customary issuance, presentation, amendment and other processing fees associated with letters of credit. At September 30, 2012, the Company had outstanding letters of credit aggregating $1.6 million, which were primarily comprised of letters of credit for the Department of Education, or DOE, matters and real estate leases. The Credit Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants including consolidated adjusted net worth, consolidated leverage ratio, consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio, minimum financial responsibility composite score, cohort default rate and other financial covenants, certain restrictions on capital expenditures as well as affirmative and negative covenants and events of default customary for facilities of this type. In addition, the Company is paying fees to the lenders that are customary for facilities of this type. As of September 30, 2012, the Company had no amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement.

[2] The Company previously had a credit agreement (the "old Credit Agreement") with a syndicate of banks which was terminated on April 5, 2012. Under the terms of the agreement, the syndicate provided the Company with a $115 million credit facility. The old Credit Agreement permitted the issuance of up to $25 million in letter of credit, the amount of which reduces the availability of permitted borrowings under the agreement. At December 31, 2011, the Company had outstanding letters of credit aggregating $1.6 million, which were primarily comprised of letters of credit for the DOE matters and real estate leases. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had no amounts outstanding under the old Credit Agreement.

[3] The Company completed a sale and a leaseback of several facilities on December 28, 2001. The Company retains a continuing involvement in the lease and, as a result, it is prohibited from utilizing sale-leaseback accounting. Accordingly, the Company has treated this transaction as a finance lease. The lease expires on December 31, 2016.

[4] In 2009, the Company assumed real estate capital leases in Fern Park, Florida and Hartford, Connecticut. These leases bear interest at 8% and expire in 2032 and 2031, respectively.

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STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended						3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 $ 4.00-$13.99 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 $ 14.00-$19.99 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 $ 20.00-$25.00 [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Performance-based shares [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Restricted Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Restricted Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Restricted Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Restricted Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Restricted Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Stock Options [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Stock Options [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Stock Options [Member]
Restricted Stock [Abstract]
Number of stock incentive plans	2
Vesting period of performance-based shares						4 years
Specified operating income margin period						one or more of the fiscal years
Net share settlement for restricted stock (in shares)									24,488
Net share settlement for stock options (in shares)													24,527
Decrease in equity due to payment of tax for employee	$ 200,000	$ 400,000
Shares
Nonvested restricted stock outstanding, beginning balance (in shares)									501,551
Restricted stock awarded (in shares)									190,285
Restricted stock vested (in shares)									(102,176)
Nonvested restricted stock outstanding, ending balance (in shares)							589,660		589,660
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Nonvested restricted stock outstanding, beginning balance (in dollars per share)									$ 16.10
Restricted stock awarded (in dollars per share)									$ 7.68
Restricted stock vested (in dollars per share)									$ 14.64
Nonvested restricted stock outstanding, ending balance (in dollars per share)							$ 13.64		$ 13.64
Recognized restricted stock expense							500,000	500,000	2,300,000	2,500,000
Unrecognized restricted stock expense							5,800,000		5,800,000		6,800,000
Aggregate intrinsic value of outstanding restricted shares							2,500,000		2,500,000
Stock Options [Abstract]
Weighted average fair values of options granted (in dollars per share)	$ 2.52
Weighted average assumptions for grants [Abstract]
Expected volatility (in hundredths)												51.25%
Expected dividend yield (in hundredths)												3.59%
Expected life (term)												4 years 7 months 24 days
Risk-free interest rate (in hundredths)												0.87%
Weighted-average exercise price during the year (in dollars per share)												$ 7.79
Shares
Outstanding, beginning balance (in shares)												533,375
Granted (in shares)												157,000
Canceled (in shares)												(22,500)
Exercised (in shares)												0
Outstanding, ending balance (in shares)												667,875		533,375
Vested or expected to vest (in shares)												632,676
Exercisable, ending balance (in shares)												491,881
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share
Outstanding, beginning balance (in dollars per share)												$ 16.60
Granted (in dollars per share)												$ 7.79
Canceled (in dollars per share)												$ 10.09
Exercised (in dollars per share)												$ 0
Outstanding, ending balance (in dollars per share)												$ 14.75		$ 16.60
Vested or expected to vest (in dollars per share)												$ 15.02
Exercisable, ending balance (in dollars per share)												$ 16.49
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term
Outstanding, beginning balance												5 years 1 month 10 days		4 years 8 months 5 days
Outstanding, ending balance												5 years 1 month 10 days		4 years 8 months 5 days
Vested or expected to vest												4 years 10 months 20 days
Exercisable, ending balance												3 years 8 months 8 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Outstanding, beginning balance												0
Granted												0
Exercised												0
Outstanding, ending balance												0		0
Vested or expected to vest												0
Exercisable, ending balance												0
Unrecognized pre-tax compensation expense												$ 400,000
Weighted average period of unrecognized pre-tax compensation												2 years 2 months 19 days
Range of Exercise Prices
Range of Exercise Prices, Minimum (in dollars per share)			$ 4.00	$ 14.00	$ 20.00
Range of Exercise Prices, Maximum (in dollars per share)			$ 13.99	$ 19.99	$ 25.00
Stock Options Outstanding
Shares (in shares)	667,875		268,292	277,083	122,500
Contractual Weighted Average Life	5 years 1 month 10 days		7 years 3 months 25 days	3 years 5 months 4 days	4 years 0 months 21 days
Weighted Average Price (in dollars per share)	$ 14.75		$ 9.68	$ 16.42	$ 22.07
Stock Options Exercisable
Shares (in shares)	491,881		121,292	262,421	108,168
Weighted Average Price (in dollars per share)	$ 16.49		$ 11.97	$ 16.22	$ 22.23

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net (loss) income	$ (25,247)	$ 11,360
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	20,449	21,269
Amortization of deferred finance charges	147	272
Deferred income taxes	(4,672)	(1,121)
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets	(32)	5
Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets	23,683	10,377
Provision for doubtful accounts	16,091	23,723
Stock-based compensation expense	2,609	2,742
Tax benefit associated with exercise of share based payments	0	(98)
Deferred rent	488	493
(Increase) decrease in assets, net of acquisition of business:
Accounts receivable	(15,763)	(9,293)
Inventories	(1)	172
Prepaid income taxes and income taxes receivable	(8,485)	(13,718)
Prepaid expenses and current assets	775	(534)
Other assets	(129)	484
Increase (decrease) in liabilities, net of acquisition of business:
Accounts payable	(1,842)	(2,126)
Accrued expenses	3,293	(12,188)
Pension plan liabilities	(544)	(204)
Unearned tuition	(2,994)	(4,597)
Other liabilities	275	155
Total adjustments	33,348	15,813
Net cash provided by operating activities	8,101	27,173
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Restricted cash	0	693
Capital expenditures	(6,779)	(30,850)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	82	36
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired	(1,472)	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(8,169)	(30,121)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payments on borrowings	0	(20,000)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	0	581
Tax benefit associated with exercise of share based payments	0	98
Net share settlement for equity-based compensation	(212)	(378)
Dividends paid	(4,782)	(16,907)
Payment of deferred finance fees	(659)	0
Principal payments under capital lease obligations	(374)	(308)
Net cash used in financing activities	(6,027)	(36,914)
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(6,095)	(39,862)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS-Beginning of period	26,524	65,995
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS-End of period	20,429	26,133
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest	3,070	3,103
Income taxes	226	23,096
Cash paid during the year for:
Fair value of assets acquired	2,876	0
Net cash paid for the acquisition	(1,472)	0
Liabilities assumed	1,404	0
Liabilities accrued for the purchase of fixed assets	$ 599	$ 1,925

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INCOME TAXES (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
INCOME TAXES [Abstract]
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	$ (2,025)	$ (2,202)	$ (12,800)	$ 8,158
Effective income tax rate (in hundredths)	57.70%	35.90%	33.60%	41.80%

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 20,429	$ 26,524
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $18,156 and $20,194 at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	19,574	19,696
Inventories	3,099	3,051
Prepaid income taxes and income taxes receivable	19,966	11,743
Deferred income taxes, net	8,101	8,725
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,322	2,919
Total current assets	73,491	72,658
PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES - At cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $137,172 and $122,274 at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	158,492	180,014
OTHER ASSETS:
Noncurrent receivables, less allowance of $1,622 and $1,664 at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	5,431	5,572
Deferred finance charges	842	329
Deferred income taxes, net	7,153	1,877
Goodwill	83,856	97,371
Other assets, net	4,663	4,430
Total other assets	101,945	109,579
TOTAL	333,928	362,251
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations	409	481
Unearned tuition	41,120	43,242
Accounts payable	14,027	15,468
Accrued expenses	14,750	11,296
Other short-term liabilities	244	631
Total current liabilities	70,550	71,118
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
Long-term debt and lease obligations, net of current portion	35,725	36,027
Pension plan liabilities	6,755	6,594
Accrued rent	8,707	8,365
Other long-term liabilities	1,080	1,122
Total liabilities	122,817	123,226
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock, no par value - 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011	0	0
Common stock, no par value - authorized 100,000,000 shares at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, issued and outstanding 28,714,071 shares at September 30, 2012 and 28,548,274 shares at December 31, 2011	141,377	141,377
Additional paid-in capital	21,650	19,535
Treasury stock at cost - 5,910,541 shares at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	(82,860)	(82,860)
Retained earnings	137,660	167,689
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(6,716)	(6,716)
Total stockholders' equity	211,111	239,025
TOTAL	$ 333,928	$ 362,251

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Total
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 141,377	$ 19,535	$ (82,860)	$ 167,689	$ (6,716)	$ 239,025
BALANCE (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011	28,548,274					28,548,274
Net loss				(25,247)		(25,247)
Stock-based compensation expense
Restricted stock		2,342				2,342
Restricted stock (in shares)	190,285
Stock options		267				267
Tax deficiency of stock-based awards and cancels		(282)				(282)
Net share settlement for equity-based compensation		(212)				(212)
Net share settlement for equity-based compensation (in shares)	(24,488)
Cash dividend of $0.21 per common share				(4,782)		(4,782)
BALANCE at Sep. 30, 2012	$ 141,377	$ 21,650	$ (82,860)	$ 137,660	$ (6,716)	$ 211,111
BALANCE (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2012	28,714,071					28,714,071

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CAMPUS CLOSINGS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 Seven Campuses [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Seven Campuses [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Seven Campuses [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Seven Campuses [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of campuses at which operations will be ceased			7
Results of operations [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 104,144	$ 123,482	$ 309,380	$ 397,064	$ 9,134	$ 20,803	$ 34,733	$ 25,790
Operating expenses					(26,304)	(26,063)	(27,075)	(17,497)
OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME	(2,461)	(5,043)	(34,651)	22,770	(17,170)	(5,260)	7,658	8,293
Impairments of goodwill and long-lived assets	$ 0	$ 10,377	$ 23,683	$ 10,377	$ 9,400	$ 2,100	$ 1,400

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GOODWILL AND LONG-LIVED ASSETS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

GOODWILL AND LONG-LIVED ASSETS [Abstract]

Carrying amount of goodwill

The carrying amount of goodwill at September 30, 2012 is as follows:

Balance as of January 1, 2012
Goodwill	$	115,303
Accumulated impairment losses		(17,932	)
		97,371
Goodwill acquired pursuant to business acquisition-FMTI		1,837
Goodwill impairment		(15,352	)
Balance as of September 30, 2012
Goodwill		117,140
Accumulated impairment losses		(33,284	)
	$	83,856

Summary of finite lived and indefinite lived intangible assets

Intangible assets, which are included in other assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets, consist of the following:

	Student Contracts		Indefinite Trade Name		Trade Name			Accreditation		Curriculum			Non-compete		Total
Gross carrying amount at December 31, 2011	$	-	$	180	$	509		$	1,268	$	1,150		$	1,980	$	5,087
Acquisition of FMTI		25		-		25			-		224			200		474
Impairment		-		-		(168	)		-		(250	)		-		(418	)
Gross carrying amount at   September 30, 2012		25		180		366			1,268		1,124			2,180		5,143
Accumulated amortization at December 31, 2011		-		-		262			-		620			1,952		2,834
Amortization		23		-		61			-		100			46		230
Impairment		-		-		(127	)		-		(85	)		-		(212	)
Accumulated amortization at   September 30, 2012		23		-		196			-		635			1,998		2,852
Net carrying amount at   September 30, 2012	$	2	$	180	$	170		$	1,268	$	489		$	182	$	2,291
Weighted average amortization  period (years)		1	Indefinite			7		Indefinite			9			3

Summarizes the estimated future amortization expense

The following table summarizes the estimated future amortization expense:

Year Ending December 31,
Remainder of 2012	$	60
2013		225
2014		224
2015		156
2016		112
Thereafter		66
	$	843

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STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]

Summary of transactions pertaining to restricted stock

The following is a summary of transactions pertaining to restricted stock:

	Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Nonvested restricted stock outstanding at December 31, 2011		501,551		$	16.10
Restricted stock awarded		190,285			7.68
Restricted stock vested		(102,176	)		14.64
Nonvested restricted stock outstanding at September 30, 2012		589,660			13.64

Weighted average assumptions for grants

The fair value of the stock options used to compute stock-based compensation is the estimated present value at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.  The weighted average fair values of options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $2.52 using the following weighted average assumptions for grants:

	As of September 30, 2012
Expected volatility		51.25	%
Expected dividend yield		3.59	%
Expected life (term)		4.65 years
Risk-free interest rate		0.87	%
Weighted-average exercise price during the year	$	7.79

Summary of transactions pertaining to stock options

The following is a summary of transactions pertaining to stock options:

	Shares			Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
Outstanding December 31, 2011		533,375		$	16.60	4.68 years	$	-
Granted		157,000			7.79			-
Canceled		(22,500	)		10.09
Exercised		-			-			-
Outstanding September 30, 2012		667,875			14.75	5.11 years		-
Vested or expected to vest		632,676			15.02	4.89 years		-
Exercisable as of September 30, 2012		491,881			16.49	3.69 years		-

Summary of stock options outstanding

The following table presents a summary of stock options outstanding:

	At September 30, 2012
	Stock Options Outstanding						Stock Options Exercisable
Range of Exercise Prices	Shares		Contractual Weighted Average Life (years)		Weighted Average Price		Shares		Weighted Exercise Price
$4.00-$13.99		268,292		7.32	$	9.68		121,292	$	11.97
$14.00-$19.99		277,083		3.44		16.42		262,421		16.22
$20.00-$25.00		122,500		4.06		22.07		108,168		22.23
		667,875		5.11		14.75		491,881		16.49

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash dividend (in dollars per share)	$ 0.07
Retained Earnings [Member]
Cash dividend (in dollars per share)	$ 0.21

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
ASSETS
Accounts receivable, allowance	$ 18,156	$ 20,194
PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES - accumulated depreciation and amortization	137,172	122,274
OTHER ASSETS :
Noncurrent receivables, allowance	$ 1,622	$ 1,664
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	28,714,071	28,548,274
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	28,714,071	28,548,274
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	5,910,541	5,910,541

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PENSION PLAN

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

PENSION PLAN [Abstract]

PENSION PLAN

9. PENSION PLAN

The Company sponsors a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all of the Company's union employees.  Benefits are provided based on employees' years of service and earnings.  This plan was frozen on December 31, 1994 for non-union employees.  The total amount of the Company's contributions paid under its pension plan was $0.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and $0.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.  The net periodic benefit cost was $0.2 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $0.6 million and $0.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011.

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Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Nov. 05, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0001286613
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		22,803,530
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2012

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DIVIDENDS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

DIVIDENDS [Abstract]

DIVIDENDS

10.  DIVIDENDS

On July 31, 2012, the Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.07 per share of common stock outstanding, which was paid on September 28, 2012 to shareholders of record on September 14, 2012.  The dividend was recorded as a reduction to retained earnings as of September 30, 2012.  The establishment of future record and payment dates is subject to the final determination of the Company's Board of Directors.

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) [Abstract]
REVENUE	$ 104,144	$ 123,482	$ 309,380	$ 397,064
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Educational services and facilities	51,569	57,419	153,148	171,054
Selling, general and administrative	53,282	60,732	165,486	192,858
Loss (gain) on sale of assets	8	(3)	(32)	5
Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets	0	10,377	23,683	10,377
School closing costs	1,746	0	1,746	0
Total costs & expenses	106,605	128,525	344,031	374,294
OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME	(2,461)	(5,043)	(34,651)	22,770
OTHER:
Interest income	0	2	2	8
Interest expense	(1,051)	(1,091)	(3,412)	(3,277)
Other income	3	4	14	17
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(3,509)	(6,128)	(38,047)	19,518
(BENEFIT) PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	(2,025)	(2,202)	(12,800)	8,158
NET (LOSS) INCOME	$ (1,484)	$ (3,926)	$ (25,247)	$ 11,360
Basic
Net (loss) income per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.18)	$ (1.14)	$ 0.52
Diluted
Net (loss) income per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.07)	$ (0.18)	$ (1.14)	$ 0.51
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	22,194,731	22,045,104	22,171,757	21,995,977
Diluted (in shares)	22,194,731	22,045,104	22,171,757	22,153,278

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GOODWILL AND LONG-LIVED ASSETS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

GOODWILL AND LONG-LIVED ASSETS [Abstract]

GOODWILL AND LONG-LIVED ASSETS

4. GOODWILL AND LONG-LIVED ASSETS

The Company reviews intangible assets for impairment when indicators of impairment exist.  Annually, or more frequently if necessary, the Company evaluates goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives for impairment, with any resulting impairment reflected as an operating expense.  The Company concluded that the decrease in the Company's market capitalization as of June 30, 2012 was an indicator of potential impairment and, accordingly, the Company tested goodwill for impairment.  The tests indicated that five of the Company's reporting units were impaired as a result of lower than expected student population, which resulted in a pre-tax non-cash charge of $15.4 million in the second quarter of 2012.  The fair values of these reporting units were estimated using the expected present value of future cash flows.  There was no impairment during the third quarter ended September 30, 2012.

The Company reviews long-lived assets for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable.  The Company concluded that as of June 30, 2012 there was an indicator of potential impairment and, accordingly, the Company tested long-lived assets for impairment and determined that 10 campuses were impaired.  This resulted in a pre-tax non-cash charge of $8.3 million which included leasehold improvements of $8.1 million and definite-lived intangible assets of $0.2 million.

The carrying amount of goodwill at September 30, 2012 is as follows:

Balance as of January 1, 2012
Goodwill	$	115,303
Accumulated impairment losses		(17,932	)
		97,371
Goodwill acquired pursuant to business acquisition-FMTI		1,837
Goodwill impairment		(15,352	)
Balance as of September 30, 2012
Goodwill		117,140
Accumulated impairment losses		(33,284	)
	$	83,856

Intangible assets, which are included in other assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets, consist of the following:

	Student Contracts		Indefinite Trade Name		Trade Name			Accreditation		Curriculum			Non-compete		Total
Gross carrying amount at December 31, 2011	$	-	$	180	$	509		$	1,268	$	1,150		$	1,980	$	5,087
Acquisition of FMTI		25		-		25			-		224			200		474
Impairment		-		-		(168	)		-		(250	)		-		(418	)
Gross carrying amount at   September 30, 2012		25		180		366			1,268		1,124			2,180		5,143
Accumulated amortization at December 31, 2011		-		-		262			-		620			1,952		2,834
Amortization		23		-		61			-		100			46		230
Impairment		-		-		(127	)		-		(85	)		-		(212	)
Accumulated amortization at   September 30, 2012		23		-		196			-		635			1,998		2,852
Net carrying amount at   September 30, 2012	$	2	$	180	$	170		$	1,268	$	489		$	182	$	2,291
Weighted average amortization  period (years)		1	Indefinite			7		Indefinite			9			3

Amortization of intangible assets was approximately $0.1 million and $0.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and approximately $0.2 million and $1.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

The following table summarizes the estimated future amortization expense:

Year Ending December 31,
Remainder of 2012	$	60
2013		225
2014		224
2015		156
2016		112
Thereafter		66
	$	843

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BUSINESS ACQUISITION

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

BUSINESS ACQUISITION [Abstract]

BUSINESS ACQUISITION

3. BUSINESS ACQUISITION

On April 18, 2012, the Company acquired all of the rights, title and interest in certain assets and liabilities of Florida Medical Training Institute, Inc. ("FMTI") for total consideration of $1.7 million, net of cash acquired.  FMTI has five locations in Florida: Melbourne, Jacksonville, Tampa, Miami and Coral Springs.  FMTI currently offers certificate programs in the fields of Emergency Medical Technician, Paramedic, EKG/Phlebotomy, Nursing Assistant, Fire Fighter and Associate of Science Degrees in Emergency Medical Services and Fire Science Technology.

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LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS [Abstract]

Long-term debt and lease obligations

Long-term debt and lease obligations consist of the following:

	September 30,			December 31,
	2012			2011
Credit agreement (a)	$	-		$	-
Credit agreement (b)		-			-
Finance obligation (c)		9,672			9,672
Auto loan		7			-
Capital lease-property (rate of 8.0%) (d)		26,440			26,715
Capital leases-equipment (rates ranging from 5.0% to 8.5%)		15			121
		36,134			36,508
Less current maturities		(409	)		(481	)
	$	35,725		$	36,027

Scheduled maturities of long-term debt and lease obligation

Scheduled maturities of long-term debt and lease obligations at September 30, 2012 are as follows:

Year ending December 31,
2012	$	409
2013		433
2014		462
2015		515
2016		733
Thereafter		33,582
	$	36,134

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CAMPUS CLOSINGS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

CAMPUS CLOSINGS [Abstract]

CAMPUS CLOSINGS

11.  CAMPUS CLOSINGS

On July 31, 2012, the Company's Board of Directors approved a plan to cease operations at seven of our campuses.  The adjustments made to the Company's business model to better align with the DOE's increased emphasis on student outcomes and the Company's efforts to comply with the 90/10 rule and cohort default rates greatly impacted the population at these campuses.  In addition, the current economic environment and regulatory changes under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012, which eliminated the ability to enroll "ability to benefit" ("ATB") students, have made these campuses no longer viable.  Accordingly, the Company has decided to cease operations at these campuses and has stopped enrolling new students.  Once all operations have ceased at these campuses, the results of operations will be reflected as discontinued operations in the financial statements.

The results of operations at these seven campuses for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and each of the three year periods ended December 31, 2011 were as follows (in thousands):

	Nine Months Ended September 30,			Year Ended December 31,
	2012			2011			2010			2009
Revenue	$	9,134		$	20,803		$	34,733		$	25,790
Operating expenses		(26,304	)		(26,063	)		(27,075	)		(17,497	)
	$	(17,170	)	$	(5,260	)	$	7,658		$	8,293

Amounts include impairments of goodwill and long-lived assets for these campuses of $9.4 million, $2.1 million and $1.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, and the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

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INCOME TAXES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

INCOME TAXES [Abstract]

INCOME TAXES

7. INCOME TAXES

The benefit for income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2012 was $2.0 million, or 57.7% of pretax loss, compared to a benefit for income taxes of $2.2 million, or 35.9% of pretax income for the three months ended September 30, 2011.  The increase in the effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to September 30, 2011 was due to updated projected taxable results for the year offset by the effect of nondeductible permanent items.  The benefit for income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $12.8 million, or 33.6% of pretax loss, compared to a provision for income taxes of $8.2 million, or 41.8% of pretax income for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The effective tax rate decrease was due to the effect of nondeductible permanent items mainly comprised of certain goodwill impairment charges offset by updated projected taxable results for the year.

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LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS [Abstract]

LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS

5. LONG-TERM DEBT AND LEASE OBLIGATIONS

Long-term debt and lease obligations consist of the following:

	September 30,			December 31,
	2012			2011
Credit agreement (a)	$	-		$	-
Credit agreement (b)		-			-
Finance obligation (c)		9,672			9,672
Auto loan		7			-
Capital lease-property (rate of 8.0%) (d)		26,440			26,715
Capital leases-equipment (rates ranging from 5.0% to 8.5%)		15			121
		36,134			36,508
Less current maturities		(409	)		(481	)
	$	35,725		$	36,027

(a) On April 5, 2012, the Company, as borrower, and certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, as guarantors, entered into a secured revolving credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement") with a syndicate of four lenders led by Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, swing line lender and letter of credit issuer, for an aggregate principal amount of up to $85 million.  The Credit Agreement replaces the Company's prior $115 million Credit Facility with Bank of America, N.A. and other lenders, which was due to expire on December 1, 2012.  The old Credit Agreement (as defined below) was terminated concurrently with the effective date of the Credit Agreement.

Under the Credit Agreement, the Company has the right to increase the aggregate amount available under the Credit Facility by up to $50 million upon satisfaction of certain conditions.  The Credit Facility may be used to finance capital expenditures and permitted acquisitions, to pay transaction expenses, for the issuance of letters of credit and for general corporate purposes.  The Credit Agreement includes a $5 million swing line sublimit and a $25 million letter of credit sublimit.  Borrowings under the Credit Facility are secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of the tangible and intangible assets of the Company and its subsidiaries exclusive of real estate.  The term of the Credit Facility is 36 months, maturing on April 5, 2015.

Amounts borrowed as revolving loans under the Credit Facility will bear interest, at the Company's option, at either (i) an interest rate based on LIBOR and adjusted for any reserve percentage obligations under Federal Reserve Bank regulations (the "Eurodollar Rate") for specified interest periods or (ii) the Base Rate (as defined in the Credit Agreement), in each case, plus an applicable margin rate as determined under the Credit Agreement.  The "Base Rate", as defined under the Credit Agreement, is the highest of (a) the prime rate, (b) the Federal Funds rate plus 0.50% and (c) a daily rate equal to the one-month LIBOR rate plus 1.0%.  Under the Credit Agreement, the margin interest rate is subject to adjustment within a range of 1.25% to 2.75% based upon changes in the Company's consolidated leverage ratio and depending on whether the Company has chosen the Eurodollar Rate or the Base Rate option.  Swing line loans will bear interest at the Base Rate plus the applicable margin rate.  Letters of credit will require a fee equal to the applicable margin rate multiplied by the daily amount available to be drawn under each issued letter of credit plus an agreed upon fronting fee and customary issuance, presentation, amendment and other processing fees associated with letters of credit.  At September 30, 2012, the Company had outstanding letters of credit aggregating $1.6 million, which were primarily comprised of letters of credit for the Department of Education, or DOE, matters and real estate leases.

The Credit Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants including consolidated adjusted net worth, consolidated leverage ratio, consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio, minimum financial responsibility composite score, cohort default rate and other financial covenants, certain restrictions on capital expenditures as well as affirmative and negative covenants and events of default customary for facilities of this type.  In addition, the Company is paying fees to the lenders that are customary for facilities of this type.

As of September 30, 2012, the Company had no amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement.

(b) The Company previously had a credit agreement (the "old Credit Agreement") with a syndicate of banks which was terminated on April 5, 2012.  Under the terms of the agreement, the syndicate provided the Company with a $115 million credit facility.  The old Credit Agreement permitted the issuance of up to $25 million in letter of credit, the amount of which reduces the availability of permitted borrowings under the agreement. At December 31, 2011, the Company had outstanding letters of credit aggregating $1.6 million, which were primarily comprised of letters of credit for the DOE matters and real estate leases.

As of December 31, 2011, the Company had no amounts outstanding under the old Credit Agreement.

(c) The Company completed a sale and a leaseback of several facilities on December 28, 2001. The Company retains a continuing involvement in the lease and, as a result, it is prohibited from utilizing sale-leaseback accounting. Accordingly, the Company has treated this transaction as a finance lease. The lease expires on December 31, 2016.

(d) In 2009, the Company assumed real estate capital leases in Fern Park, Florida and Hartford, Connecticut.  These leases bear interest at 8% and expire in 2032 and 2031, respectively.

Scheduled maturities of long-term debt and lease obligations at September 30, 2012 are as follows:

Year ending December 31,
2012	$	409
2013		433
2014		462
2015		515
2016		733
Thereafter		33,582
	$	36,134

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STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

6. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Restricted Stock

The Company has two stock incentive plans:  a Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "LTIP") and a Non-Employee Directors Restricted Stock Plan (the "Non-Employee Directors Plan").

Under the LTIP, certain employees received awards of restricted shares of common stock based on service and performance.  The number of shares granted to each employee is based on the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of grant.

All service-based restricted shares granted prior to February 23, 2011 vest ratably on the first through fifth anniversaries of the grant date.  The service-based restricted shares granted on or after February 23, 2011 vest ratably on the grant date and the first through fourth anniversaries of the grant date except for the service-based restricted shares granted on March 2, 2012 which vest fully on the first anniversary of the grant date.

On April 29, 2011, performance-based shares were granted which vest over four years based upon the attainment of (i) a specified operating income margin during any one or more of the fiscal years in the period beginning January 1, 2011 and ending December 31, 2014 and (ii) the attainment of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization targets during each of the fiscal years ended December 31, 2011 through 2014.  There is no vesting period on the right to vote or the right to receive dividends on any of the restricted shares.

Pursuant to the Non-Employee Directors Plan, each non-employee director of the Company receives an annual award of restricted shares of common stock on the date of the Company's annual meeting of shareholders.  The number of shares granted to each non-employee director is based on the fair market value of a share of common stock on that date.  The restricted shares vest ratably on the first through third anniversary of the grant date; however, there is no vesting period on the right to vote or the right to receive dividends on these restricted shares.  Beginning in 2010, all new awards of restricted shares of common stock granted under the Non-Employee Directors Plan vest fully on the first anniversary of the grant date.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, the Company completed a net share settlement for 24,488 and 24,527 restricted shares and stock options exercised, respectively, on behalf of certain employees that participate in the LTIP upon the vesting of the restricted shares pursuant to the terms of the LTIP or exercise of the stock options.  The net share settlement was in connection with income taxes incurred on restricted shares or stock option exercises that vested and were transferred to the employee during 2012 and/or 2011, creating taxable income for the employee.   At the employees' request, the Company will pay these taxes on behalf of the employees in exchange for the employees returning an equivalent value of restricted shares or stock options to the Company.  These transactions resulted in a decrease of approximately $0.2 million and $0.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, to equity on the consolidated balance sheets as the cash payment of the taxes effectively was a repurchase of the restricted shares or stock options granted in previous years.

The following is a summary of transactions pertaining to restricted stock:

	Shares			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share
Nonvested restricted stock outstanding at December 31, 2011		501,551		$	16.10
Restricted stock awarded		190,285			7.68
Restricted stock vested		(102,176	)		14.64
Nonvested restricted stock outstanding at September 30, 2012		589,660			13.64

The restricted stock expense for the each of the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was $0.5 million. The restricted stock expense for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was $2.3 million and $2.5 million, respectively. The unrecognized restricted stock expense as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 was $5.8 million and $6.8 million, respectively.  As of September 30, 2012, outstanding restricted shares under the LTIP had aggregate intrinsic value of $2.5 million.

Stock Options

The fair value of the stock options used to compute stock-based compensation is the estimated present value at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.  The weighted average fair values of options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $2.52 using the following weighted average assumptions for grants:

	As of September 30, 2012
Expected volatility		51.25	%
Expected dividend yield		3.59	%
Expected life (term)		4.65 years
Risk-free interest rate		0.87	%
Weighted-average exercise price during the year	$	7.79

The expected volatility considers the volatility of the Company's common stock that has been traded for a period commensurate with the expected life.  The expected term of options granted represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free interest rate used is based on the published U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for instruments with a similar life.

The following is a summary of transactions pertaining to stock options:

	Shares			Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
Outstanding December 31, 2011		533,375		$	16.60	4.68 years	$	-
Granted		157,000			7.79			-
Canceled		(22,500	)		10.09
Exercised		-			-			-
Outstanding September 30, 2012		667,875			14.75	5.11 years		-
Vested or expected to vest		632,676			15.02	4.89 years		-
Exercisable as of September 30, 2012		491,881			16.49	3.69 years		-

As of September 30, 2012, the unrecognized pre-tax compensation expense for all unvested stock option awards was $0.4 million.  This amount will be expensed over the weighted-average period of approximately 2.22 years.

The following table presents a summary of stock options outstanding:

	At September 30, 2012
	Stock Options Outstanding						Stock Options Exercisable
Range of Exercise Prices	Shares		Contractual Weighted Average Life (years)		Weighted Average Price		Shares		Weighted Exercise Price
$4.00-$13.99		268,292		7.32	$	9.68		121,292	$	11.97
$14.00-$19.99		277,083		3.44		16.42		262,421		16.22
$20.00-$25.00		122,500		4.06		22.07		108,168		22.23
		667,875		5.11		14.75		491,881		16.49

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CONTINGENCIES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

CONTINGENCIES [Abstract]

CONTINGENCIES

8. CONTINGENCIES

In the ordinary conduct of its business, the Company is subject to lawsuits, investigations and claims, including, but not limited to, claims involving students or graduates and routine employment matters. Although the Company cannot predict with certainty the ultimate resolution of lawsuits, investigations and claims asserted against it, the Company does not believe that any currently pending legal proceedings to which it is a party will have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, and results of operations or cash flows.

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DIVIDENDS (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012
DIVIDENDS [Abstract]
Cash dividend declared (in dollars per share)	$ 0.07

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WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES [Abstract]

Compute basic and diluted (loss) income per share

The weighted average number of common shares used to compute basic and diluted (loss) income per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was as follows:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2012		2011		2012		2011
Basic shares outstanding		22,194,731		22,045,104		22,171,757		21,995,977
Dilutive effect of stock options		-		-		-		157,301
Diluted shares outstanding		22,194,731		22,045,104		22,171,757		22,153,278

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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Business Activities [Abstract]
Number of principal area of study			5
Number of schools operates across the United States			46
Number of training sites operates across the United States			5
Number of state in which schools operates across the United States	17		17
Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 600	$ 600	$ 2,609	$ 2,742
New Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]
Number of continuous statement require to present net income and other comprehensive income			1
Number of separate but consecutive statement require to present net income and other comprehensive income			2
Likelihood goodwill impairment test (in hundredths)			50.00%

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Net (loss) income	$ (1,484)	$ (3,926)	$ (25,247)	$ 11,360
Other comprehensive (loss) income
Employee pension plan adjustments, net of taxes	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive (loss) income	$ (1,484)	$ (3,926)	$ (25,247)	$ 11,360

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WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES [Abstract]

WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES

2. WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES

The weighted average number of common shares used to compute basic and diluted (loss) income per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 was as follows:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2012		2011		2012		2011
Basic shares outstanding		22,194,731		22,045,104		22,171,757		21,995,977
Dilutive effect of stock options		-		-		-		157,301
Diluted shares outstanding		22,194,731		22,045,104		22,171,757		22,153,278

For the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, options to acquire 27,995 and 414,583 shares, respectively, were excluded from the above table because the Company reported a net loss for the quarter and therefore their impact on reported earnings per share would have been antidilutive.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, options to acquire 304,333 shares were excluded from the above table because the Company reported a net loss and therefore their impact on reported earnings per share would have been antidilutive.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, options to acquire 293,333 shares were excluded from the above table because they have an exercise price that is greater than the average market price of the Company's common stock and therefore their impact on reported earnings per share would have been antidilutive.

On April 29, 2011, the Company issued certain employees performance shares that vest when certain performance conditions are met.  These performance conditions were not met as of December 31, 2011 with respect to the Company's performance shares.  As a result, the Company has determined these shares to be contingently issuable.  Accordingly, 134,131 shares of outstanding performance shares have been excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011.  Refer to Note 6 for more information on performance shares.

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WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Shares used to compute basic and diluted loss income per share [Abstract]
Basic shares outstanding (in shares)	22,194,731	22,045,104	22,171,757	21,995,977
Dilutive effect of stock options (in shares)	0	0	0	157,301
Diluted shares outstanding (in shares)	22,194,731	22,045,104	22,171,757	22,153,278
Stock Option [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive shares excluded from computation of income (loss) per share (in shares)	27,995	414,583	304,333	293,333
Performance Shares [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive shares excluded from computation of income (loss) per share (in shares)	134,131		134,131

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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation – The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP").  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements have been omitted or condensed pursuant to such regulations.  These statements, which should be read in conjunction with the December 31, 2011 consolidated financial statements of the Company, reflect all adjustments, consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments including impairments, necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for such periods.  The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2012.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period.  On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates the estimates and assumptions, including those related to revenue recognition, bad debts, fixed assets, goodwill and other intangible assets, stock-based compensation, income taxes, benefit plans and certain accruals and contingencies.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation –The accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations include stock-based compensation expense of approximately $0.6 million for each of the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, and $2.6 million and $2.7 million for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011.  The Company uses the Black-Scholes valuation model for stock options and utilizes straight-line amortization of compensation expense over the requisite service period of the grant.  The Company makes an estimate of expected forfeitures at the time options are granted.

New Accounting Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued an amendment to an existing accounting standard which requires companies to present net income and other comprehensive income in one continuous statement or in two separate, but consecutive, statements. In addition, in December 2011, the FASB issued an amendment to an existing accounting standard which defers the requirement to present components of reclassifications of other comprehensive income on the face of the income statement.  The Company early adopted this amendment and has presented statements of comprehensive (loss) income.

In September 2011, the FASB issued a revised standard on testing for goodwill impairment. The revised standard allows an entity to first assess qualitatively whether it is necessary to perform step one of the two-step annual goodwill impairment test. An entity is required to perform step one only if the entity concludes that it is more likely than not that a reporting unit's fair value is less than its carrying amount, a likelihood of more than 50 percent. An entity can choose to perform the qualitative assessment on none, some, or all of its reporting units. Moreover, an entity can bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period and proceed directly to step one of the impairment test, and then perform the qualitative assessment in any subsequent period. The revised standard is effective for the Company for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed beginning after January 1, 2012 for the Company. The Company does not believe this guidance will have any impact on its consolidated financial position or results of operations.