10-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

þ	ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
	For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2019

or

¨	TRANSITIONREPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
	For the transition period from ___________ to ___________

Commission file number 001-38175

ASPEN GROUP, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware	27-1933597
State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization	I.R.S. Employer Identification No.
276 Fifth Avenue, Suite 505, New York, New York	10001
Address of Principal Executive Offices	Zip Code

(646) 448-5144

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.001	ASPU	The Nasdaq Stock Market (The Nasdaq Global Market)

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes ¨    No þ 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.  Yes ¨    No þ 

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

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

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

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

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

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

State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter.  Approximately $91 million based on a closing price of $5.70 on October 31, 2018.

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of July 9, 2019 was 18,648,884 shares.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant's Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated herein by reference in Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K to the extent stated herein. Such Proxy Statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of the registrant's fiscal year ended April 30, 2019.

INDEX

	PART I
Item 1.	Business.	1
Item 1A.	Risk Factors.	16
Item 1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments.	35
Item 2.	Properties.	36
Item 3.	Legal Proceedings.	36
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures.	36
	PART II
Item 5.	Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.	37
Item 6.	Selected Financial Data.	37
Item 7.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.	38
Item 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.	51
Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.	51
Item 9.	Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.	51
Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures.	51
Item 9B.	Other Information.	51
	PART III
Item 10.	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.	52
Item 11.	Executive Compensation.	52
Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.	52
Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.	52
Item 14.	Principal Accounting Fees and Services.	52
	PART IV
Item 15.	Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.	53
Item 16.	Form 10-K Summary.	53

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS.

Aspen Group, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company” or “AGI”) is a holding company. AGI has three subsidiaries, Aspen University Inc. organized in 1987, United States University Inc., and Aspen Nursing, Inc. (“ANI”). ANI is a subsidiary of Aspen University Inc. On March 13, 2012, the Company was recapitalized in a reverse merger.

All references to the “Company”, “AGI”, “Aspen Group”, “we”, “our” and “us” refer to Aspen Group, Inc., unless the context otherwise indicates.

Description of Business

AGI is an education technology holding company.  It operates two universities, Aspen University (“Aspen University” or “AUI” or “Aspen”) and United States University (“United States University” or “USU”).

AGI leverages its education technology infrastructure and expertise to allow its two universities, Aspen University and United States University, to deliver on the vision of making college affordable again. Because we believe higher education should be a catalyst to our students’ long-term economic success, we exert financial prudence by offering affordable tuition that is one of the greatest values in higher education. AGI’s primary focus relative to future growth is to target the high growth nursing profession, as today 81% of all students across both universities are degree-seeking nursing students.

In March 2014, Aspen University unveiled a monthly payment plan available to all students across every online degree program offered by the university. The monthly payment plan is designed so that students will make one payment per month, and that monthly payment is applied towards the total cost of attendance (tuition and fees, excluding textbooks). The monthly payment plan offers online associate and bachelor students the opportunity to pay their tuition and fees at $250/month, online master students $325/month, and online doctoral students $375/month, interest free, thereby giving students a monthly payment option versus taking out a federal financial aid loan.

USU began offering monthly payment plans in the summer of 2017. Today, monthly payment plans are available for the online RN to BSN program ($250/month), online MBA/M.A.Ed/MSN programs ($325/month), and the online hybrid Masters of Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner (“FNP”) program ($375/month). Effective August 2019, new student enrollments for USU’s FNP monthly payment plan will be offered a $9,000 two-year payment plan ($375/month x 24 months) designed to pay for the first year’s pre-clinical courses only (approximate cost of $9,000). The second academic year in which students complete their clinical courses (approximate cost of $18,000) will be required to be funded through conventional payment methods (either cash, private loans, corporate tuition reimbursement or federal financial aid).

Additionally, Aspen University began its first semester in July 2018 for its pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program at its initial campus in Phoenix, Arizona. Aspen’s innovative hybrid (online/on-campus) program allows most of the credits to be completed online (83 of 120 credits or 69%), with pricing offered at Aspen’s current low tuition rates of $150/credit hour for online general education courses and $325/credit hour for online core nursing courses. For high school students with no prior college credits, the total cost of attendance is less than $50,000. As a result of overwhelming demand in the Phoenix metro area, Aspen University began offering both day (July, November, and March semesters) and evening/weekend (January, May, and September semesters) programs starting in January 2019, equaling six semester starts per year. In September 2018, Aspen announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding to open a second campus in the Phoenix metro in partnership with HonorHealth, currently projected to launch in September 2019.

Since 1993, Aspen University has been nationally accredited by the DEAC, a national accrediting agency recognized by the DOE and CHEA. On February 25, 2019, the DEAC informed Aspen University that it had renewed its accreditation for five years to January 2024.

Since 2009, USU has been regionally accredited by WSCUC.

Both universities are qualified to participate under the Higher Education Act and the Federal student financial assistance programs (Title IV, HEA programs).

1

Competitive Strengths - We believe that we have the following competitive strengths:

Emphasis on Online Education - Except for our Aspen University pre-licensure BSN hybrid (online/on-campus) nursing program and USU’s hybrid (online/on-campus) MSN-FNP and International MBA programs, we have designed our courses and programs exclusively for online delivery, and we recruit and train faculty for online instruction. We provide students the flexibility to study and interact at times that suit their schedules. We design our online sessions and materials to be interactive, dynamic and user friendly.

Debt Minimization - We are committed to offering among the lowest tuition rates in the sector, which to date has alleviated the need for a significant majority of our students to take out federal financial aid loans to fund their tuition and fees requirements.

Commitment to Academic Excellence - We are committed to continuously improving our academic programs and services, as evidenced by the level of attention and resources we apply to instruction and educational support. We are committed to achieving high course completion and graduation rates compared to competitive distance learning, for-profit schools. One-on-one contact with our highly experienced faculty brings knowledge and great perspective to the learning experience. Faculty members are available by telephone and email to answer questions, discuss assignments and provide help and encouragement to our students.

Highly Scalable and Profitable Business Model - We believe our education model, our relatively low student acquisition costs, and our variable faculty cost model will enable us to expand our operating margins. As we increase student enrollments we are able to scale our online business on a variable basis the number of adjunct faculty members after we reach certain enrollment metrics (not before). A single adjunct faculty member can work with as little as two students or as many as 30 at any given time.

We also think our hybrid BSN pre-licensure nursing program has significant potential since there are large waiting lists of applicants at most public universities that offer pre-licensure BSN programs in major U.S. metropolitan areas. Specifically, there were 56,397 qualified applicants not admitted to pre-licensure BSN programs in the 2016-2017 academic year, as reported by the AACN (2018). Our experience in the Phoenix metro has confirmed the existence of the backlog. Throughout our first full fiscal year (FY’19) marketing the program, Aspen University delivered 433 new student enrollments and ended the fiscal year with 396 active students in its Pre-Licensure BSN program in Phoenix.

“One Student at a Time” personal care - We are committed to providing our students with highly responsive and personal individualized support. Every student is assigned an Academic Advisor who becomes an advocate for the student’s success. Our one-on-one approach assures contact with faculty members when a student needs it and monitoring to keep them on course. Our administrative staff is readily available to answer any questions and works with a student from initial interest through the application process and enrollment, and most importantly while the student is pursuing a degree or studies.

Admissions

In considering candidates for acceptance into any of our certificate or degree programs, we look for those who are serious about pursuing – or advancing in – a professional career, and who want to be both prepared and academically challenged in the process. We strive to maintain the highest standards of academic excellence, while maintaining a friendly learning environment designed for educational, personal and professional success. A desire to meet those standards is a prerequisite. Because our programs are designed for self-directed learners who know how to manage their time, successful students have a basic understanding of time management principles and practices, as well as good writing and research skills. Admission to Aspen is based on a thorough assessment of each applicant’s potential to complete successfully the program.

2

Industry Overview

The U.S. market for postsecondary education is a large but flattening market. From 2012 to 2016, total enrollments declined 4% from 20,928,443 to 20,082,977, according to Babson Survey Research Group.  The survey reported that private, for-profit enrollments declined significantly over the four-year period, from 1,856,538 to 1,218,646 or -34.4%. Additionally, the survey reported that students enrolled exclusively in distance education courses increased by 13.2% over the four-year period, from 2,633,515 to 2,980,854. Again, enrollments in this cohort in the private, for-profit segment declined by 24.3%, from 927,899 to 702,139. The market share increases among exclusively distance education students was split between public universities and private, non-profits as both segments increased enrollments by more than 250,000 students each. Students enrolled in “some but not all” distance education courses rose 20.1% over the four-year period, from 2,791,891 to 3,353,659. The private, for-profit segment declined at a lower rate in this cohort, from 134,319 to 125,181 students or -6.8%.

Competition

According to the 2015 Digest of Education Statistics (nces.ed.gov), there are more than 4,600 U.S. colleges and universities serving traditional college age students and adult students. Any reference to universities herein also includes colleges. Competition is highly fragmented and varies by geography, program offerings, delivery method, ownership, quality level, and selectivity of admissions. No one institution has a significant share of the total postsecondary market. While we compete in a sense with traditional “brick and mortar” universities, our primary competitors are universities that primarily enroll online students. Our primarily online university competitors that are publicly traded include: American Public Education, Inc. (Nasdaq: APEI), Adtalem Global Education(NYSE: ATGE), Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (Nasdaq: LOPE), and Strategic Education, Inc. (Nasdaq: STRA). We also compete with the privately owned Apollo Education Group, which includes University of Phoenix and is considered the market leader based on total enrollments.

These competitors have degreed enrollments ranging from approximately 38,000 to 90,000 students. As of April 30, 2019, the Company had 8,932 active degree-seeking students enrolled.

The primary mission of most traditional accredited four-year universities is to serve full-time students and conduct research. Most online universities serve working adults. Aspen Group acknowledges the differences in the educational needs between working and full-time students at “brick and mortar” schools and provides programs and services that allow our students to earn their degrees without major disruption to their personal and professional lives.

We also compete with public and private degree-granting regionally and nationally accredited universities. An increasing number of universities enroll working students in addition to the traditional 18 to 24-year-old students, and we expect that these universities will continue to modify their existing programs to serve working learners more effectively, including by offering more distance learning programs. We believe that the primary factors on which we compete are the following:

·

Active and relevant curriculum development that considers the needs of employers;

·

The ability to provide flexible and convenient access to programs and classes;

·

Cost of the program;

·

High-quality courses and services;

·

Comprehensive student support services;

·

Breadth of programs offered;

·

The time necessary to earn a degree;

·

Qualified and experienced faculty;

·

Reputation of the institution and its programs;

·

The variety of geographic locations of campuses;

·

Name recognition; and

·

Convenience.

3

Academics

Aspen University

School of Nursing

School of Education

School of Business and Technology

School of Professional Studies

United States University

College of Nursing and Health Sciences

College of Business and Technology

College of Education

Extended Studies

Sales and Marketing

Following Mr. Michael Mathews becoming Aspen’s Chief Executive Officer in May 2011, Mr. Mathews and his team made significant changes to Aspen’s sales and marketing program, specifically spending a significant amount of time, money and resources on our proprietary Internet marketing program. What is unique about our Internet marketing program is that we have not used and have no plans in the near future to utilize third-party online lead generation companies to attract prospective students. To our knowledge, most if not all for-profit online universities utilize multiple third-party online lead generation companies to obtain a meaningful percentage of their prospective student leads. Aspen’s executive officers have many years of expertise in the online lead generation and Internet advertising industry, which for the foreseeable future will allow Aspen to cost-effectively drive all prospective student leads internally. This is a competitive advantage for Aspen Group because third-party leads are typically unbranded and non-exclusive (lead generation firms typically sell prospective student leads to multiple universities), therefore the conversion rate for those leads tends to be appreciably lower than internally generated, Aspen Group university-specific branded, proprietary leads.

Additionally, in connection with the launch of the pre-licensure BSN hybrid (online/on-campus) program in Phoenix, AZ, the Company has begun to augment its Internet advertising marketing with local radio spots in the Phoenix metro area.

Employees

As of June 15, 2019, we had 232 full-time employees, and 405 adjunct professors, who are part-time employees. None of our employees are parties to any collective bargaining arrangement. We believe our relationships with our employees are good.

Corporate History

Aspen Group was incorporated on February 23, 2010 in Florida. In February 2012, Aspen Group reincorporated in Delaware under the name Aspen Group, Inc.

Aspen University Inc. was incorporated on September 30, 2004 in Delaware. Its predecessor was a Delaware limited liability company organized in Delaware in 1999. On March 13, 2012, Aspen Group, which was then inactive, acquired Aspen University Inc. in a transaction we refer to as the reverse merger. On December 1, 2017, Aspen Group acquired USU.

Available Information

Our corporate website is www.aspu.com. We make available on our website under “SEC Filings” access to our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, Proxy Statements on Schedule 14A and amendments to those materials filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), free of charge.

Regulation

Students attending our schools finance their education through a combination of individual resources, corporate reimbursement programs and federal student financial assistance funds available through our participation in the Title IV Programs. The discussion which follows outlines the extensive regulations that affect our business. Complying with these regulations entails significant effort from our executives and other employees. Further, regulatory compliance is also expensive. Beyond the internal costs, compliance with the extensive regulatory requirements also involves engagement of outside regulatory professionals.

4

To participate in Title IV Programs, a school must, among other things, be:

· Authorized to offer its programs of instruction by the applicable state education agencies in the states in which it is physically located (in our case, Colorado, Arizona and California);

· Accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the Secretary of DOE; and

· Certified as an eligible institution by DOE.

State Authorization

On December 19, 2016, DOE issued regulations regarding state authorization of distance education (the “2016 regulations”) that were originally scheduled to go into effect on July 1, 2018. Under the 2016 regulations, Title IV Program institutions, like ours, that offer postsecondary education through distance education to students in a state in which the institution is not physically located or in which it is otherwise subject to state jurisdiction as determined by that state, must meet any state requirements to offer postsecondary education to students in that state and provide specific consumer disclosures regarding educational programs. Under the 2016 regulations, an institution may meet state requirements by seeking authorization from the state or (in all states other than California) through a state authorization reciprocity agreement. The 2016 regulations would require an institution to document state approval for distance education if requested by DOE.

On May 25, 2018, the DOE published an announcement in the Federal Register (the “Notice”) that proposed a two-year delay, until July 1, 2020, of the effective date of the 2016 regulations, and on July 3, 2018, the DOE’s delay of the 2016 regulations took effect. According to the Notice, the regulatory delay was prompted by the receipt of letters from the American Council on Education, the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, the Cooperative for Educational Technologies, the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements, and the Distance Education Accrediting Commission. The organizations stated that they needed information as to how to comply with the regulations, including how the term “residence” as described in the preamble of the 2016 regulations may conflict with state laws and how to disclose to students the appropriate state complaint process when a number of states, including California, do not currently have formalized complaint processes for all out-of-state institutions. The organizations also pointed out that there is widespread confusion with respect to the public and individualized disclosures of state licensure eligibility for every discipline that requires a license to enter a profession. The Department of Education said that because of the “complexity of these issues, we are not confident that we could develop a workable solution through guidance and without the input of negotiators who have been engaged in meeting these requirements.” The Notice said that since guidance is nonbinding, negotiated rulemaking is the most appropriate vehicle to provide substantive clarification necessary to stakeholders.

On July 31, 2018, DOE announced its intention to convene a negotiated rulemaking committee (the “Committee”) to consider proposed regulations for Title IV Programs, including revisions to the 2016 regulations. The Committee convened for several meetings from January to April 2019. On June 12, 2019, DOE published a notice of proposed rulemaking, which included proposed regulations that would supplant the 2016 regulations (the “Proposed Regulations”). Like the 2016 regulations, the Proposed Regulations would require Title IV Program institutions, like ours, that offer postsecondary education through distance education to students in a state in which the institution is not physically located or in which it is otherwise subject to state jurisdiction as determined by that state, to meet any state requirements to offer postsecondary education to students who are located in that state.

The Proposed Regulations are subject to a public comment period set to conclude on July 12, 2019, and DOE has indicated that it plans to issue a final rule by November 1, 2019, meaning the Proposed Regulations would be scheduled to go into effect on July 1, 2020. We cannot predict whether the Proposed Regulations will go into effect as currently drafted or as revised.

Because we are subject to extensive regulations by the states in which we become authorized or licensed to operate, we must abide by state laws that typically establish standards for instruction, qualifications of faculty, administrative procedures, marketing, recruiting, financial operations and other operational matters. State laws and regulations may limit our ability to offer educational programs and to award degrees. Some states may also prescribe financial regulations that are different from those of DOE. If we fail to comply with state licensing requirements, we may lose our state licensure or authorizations. Failure to comply with state requirements could result in Aspen losing its authorization from the Colorado Commission on Higher Education, a department of the Colorado Department of Higher Education (“Colorado Department”) or Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education (“Arizona Board”), and USU losing its authorization from the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (“California Bureau”). In such event, the school would lose its eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs, or its ability to offer certain educational programs, any of which may force us to cease the school’s operations.

5

Additionally, Aspen, ANI and USU are Delaware corporations. Delaware law requires an institution to obtain approval from the Delaware Department of Education, or Delaware DOE, before it may incorporate with the power to confer degrees. In July 2012, Aspen received notice from the Delaware DOE that it was granted provisional approval status effective until June 30, 2015. On April 25, 2016, the Delaware DOE informed Aspen University it was granted full approval to operate with degree-granting authority in the State of Delaware until July 1, 2020. On June 6, 2018, the Delaware DOE granted an initial operating license to United States University until June 30, 2023.

Accreditation

Aspen University is accredited by the DEAC, a national accrediting agency recognized by CHEA and DOE, and USU is accredited by WSCUC, a regional accrediting agency recognized by CHEA and DOE. Accreditation is a non-governmental system for evaluating educational institutions and their programs in areas including student performance, governance, integrity, educational quality, faculty, physical resources, administrative capability and resources, and financial stability. In the U.S., this recognition comes primarily through private voluntary associations that accredit institutions and programs. To be recognized by DOE, accrediting agencies must adopt specific standards for their review of educational institutions. Accrediting agencies establish criteria for accreditation, conduct peer-review evaluations of institutions and programs for accreditation, and publicly designate those institutions or programs that meet their criteria. Accredited institutions are subject to periodic review by accrediting agencies to determine whether such institutions maintain the performance, integrity and quality required for accreditation.

Accreditation is important to our schools for several reasons. Accreditation provides external recognition and status. Employers rely on the accredited status of institutions when evaluating an employment candidate’s credentials. Corporate and government sponsors under tuition reimbursement programs look to accreditation for assurance that an institution maintains quality educational standards. Other institutions depend, in part, on our accreditation in evaluating transfers of credit and applications to graduate schools. Moreover, institutional accreditation awarded from an accrediting agency recognized by DOE is necessary for eligibility to participate in the Title IV Programs. From time to time, accrediting agencies adopt or make changes to their policies, procedures and standards. If our schools fail to comply with any of these requirements, the non-complying school’s accreditation status could be at risk.

In addition to institutional accreditation, there are numerous specialized accreditors that accredit specific programs or schools within their jurisdiction, many of which are in healthcare and professional fields. USU’s and Aspen University’s baccalaureate and master’s degree programs in nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and Aspen University’s doctoral nursing degree is currently under review for accreditation. CCNE is officially recognized by CHEA and DOE and provides accreditation for nursing programs. Accreditation by CCNE signifies that those programs have met the additional standards of that agency. We are also pleased that Aspen University’s School of Business and Technology has been awarded the status of Candidate for Accreditation by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) for its baccalaureate and master’s business programs. If we fail to satisfy the standards of specialized accreditors, we could lose the specialized accreditation for the affected programs, which could result in materially reduced student enrollments in those programs and prevent our students from seeking and obtaining appropriate licensure in their fields.

State Education Licensure and Regulation

As an institution of higher education that grants degrees and certificates, we are required to be authorized by applicable state education authorities which exercise regulatory oversight of our institutions. In addition, in order to participate in the Title IV Programs, we must be authorized by the applicable state education agencies.

Aspen University is an approved institutional participant in SARA. SARA is intended to make it easier for students to take online courses offered by postsecondary institutions based in another state. SARA is overseen by a National Council (“NC-SARA”) and administered by four regional education compacts. There is an annual renewal for participating in NC-SARA and the state-level agency, in Aspen University’s case CO-SARA, and institutions must agree to meet certain requirements to participate.

6

The only state that does not participate in SARA is California and it has imposed regulatory requirements on out-of-state educational institutions operating within its boundaries, such as those having a physical facility or conducting certain academic activities within the state. Aspen University is registered as an out-of-state institution with California until February 28, 2021. Aspen currently enrolls students in all 50 states. While we do not believe that any of the states in which our schools are currently licensed or authorized, other than Colorado, Arizona and California, are individually material to our operations, the loss of licensure or authorization in any state could prohibit us from recruiting prospective students or offering services to current students in that state, which could significantly reduce our enrollments.

Because USU is based in California, which does not participate in NC-SARA, USU must obtain authorization in every state in which it intends to market and enroll online students, which was the standard method prior to the formation of NC-SARA. USU is currently authorized to offer one or more programs in 40 states and is in the application process with 7 additional states and the District of Columbia. USU maintains its state authorizations through annual reporting and required renewals.

Individual state laws establish standards in areas such as instruction, qualifications of faculty, administrative procedures, marketing, recruiting, financial operations, and other operational matters, some of which are different than the standards prescribed by the Colorado Department, the Arizona Board and the California Bureau. Laws in some states limit schools’ ability to offer educational programs and award degrees to residents of those states. Some states also prescribe financial regulations that are different from those of DOE, and many require the posting of surety bonds. Laws, regulations, or interpretations related to online education could increase our cost of doing business and affect our ability to recruit students in particular states, which could, in turn, negatively affect enrollments and revenues and have a material adverse effect on our business.

On February 22, 2019, members of the California General Assembly proposed a legislative package that would increase regulatory compliance requirements for institutions that are approved by the California Bureau. The legislative package passed the California General Assembly but has been amended to reduce significantly the regulatory burden on institutions approved by the California Bureau. The legislative package must also pass the California Senate by September 13, 2019 before it is signed into law. We cannot predict whether the legislative package will become law.

State Professional Licensure

States have specific requirements that an individual must satisfy in order to be licensed or certified as a professional in specific fields. For example, graduates from some USU and Aspen University nursing programs often seek professional licensure in their field because they are legally required to do so in order to work in that field or because obtaining licensure enhances employment opportunities. Success in obtaining licensure depends on several factors, including each individual’s personal and professional qualifications as well as other factors related to the degree or program completed, including but not necessarily limited to:

· whether the institution and the program were approved by the state in which the graduate seeks licensure, or by a professional association;

· whether the program from which the applicant graduated meets all state requirements; and

· whether the institution and/or the program is accredited by a CHEA and DOE-recognized agency.

Professional licensure and certification requirements can vary by state and may change over time.  

Nature of Federal, State and Private Financial Support for Postsecondary Education

The federal government provides a substantial part of its support for postsecondary education through the Title IV Programs, in the form of grants and loans to students. Students can use those funds at any institution that has been certified by DOE to participate in the Title IV Programs. Aid under Title IV Programs is primarily awarded on the basis of financial need, generally defined as the difference between the cost of attending the institution and the amount a student can reasonably contribute to that cost. All recipients of Title IV Program funds must maintain satisfactory academic progress and must progress in a timely manner toward completion of their program of study. In addition, each school must ensure that Title IV Program funds are properly accounted for and disbursed in the correct amounts to eligible students.

7

Our institutional missions manifest itself through offering students the opportunity to fund their education without relying solely on student loans. In March 2014, Aspen University launched a $250 monthly payment plan for associate and bachelor degree students and a $325 monthly payment plan for master’s degree students, and subsequently a $375 monthly payment plan for doctoral students. The monthly payment plan is available to all Aspen University and United States University students except those in the Aspen University BSN Pre-licensure program.  Note that effective August 2019, new student enrollments for USU’s FNP monthly payment plan will be offered a $9,000 two-year payment plan ($375/month x 24 months) designed to pay for the first year’s pre-clinical courses only (approximate cost of $9,000). The second academic year in which students complete their clinical courses (approximate cost of $18,000) will be required to be funded through conventional payment methods (either cash, private loans, corporate tuition reimbursement or federal financial aid).

Currently, 69% of Aspen University students utilize monthly payment options, including the monthly payment plan (63%) or the installment plan (6%). In 2017, USU implemented these monthly payment options and currently has 68% of its students utilizing them, including the monthly payment plan (67%) and the installment plan (1%).

When Aspen University students seek funding from the federal government, they receive loans and grants to fund their education under the following Title IV Programs: (1) the Federal Direct Loan program, or Direct Loan and (2) the Federal Pell Grant program, or Pell. USU students are eligible for the same, plus Federal Work Study and Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grants. For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2019, approximately 19% of Aspen University’s cash-basis revenues for eligible tuition and fees were derived from Title IV Programs. Therefore, the majority of Aspen University students self-finance all or a portion of their education. For the calendar year ended December 31, 2018, approximately 30% of United States University’s cash-basis revenues for eligible tuition and fees were derived from Title IV Programs.

Additionally, students may receive full or partial tuition reimbursement from their employers. Eligible students can also access private loans through a number of different lenders for funding at current market interest rates.

Under the Direct Loan program, DOE makes loans directly to students. The Direct Loan Program includes the Direct Subsidized Loan, the Direct Unsubsidized Loan, the Direct PLUS Loan (including loans to graduate and professional students), and the Direct Consolidation Loan. The Budget Control Act of 2011 signed into law in August 2011, eliminated Direct Subsidized Loans for graduate and professional students, as of July 1, 2012. The terms and conditions of subsidized loans originated prior to July 1, 2012 are unaffected by the law.

For Pell grants, DOE makes grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need. To date, few of our students have received Pell Grants. Accordingly, the Pell Grant program currently is not material to the Company’s cash revenues.

Regulation of Federal Student Financial Aid Programs

The substantial amount of federal funds disbursed through Title IV Programs, the large number of students and institutions participating in these programs, and allegations of fraud and abuse by certain for-profit institutions have prompted DOE to exercise considerable regulatory oversight over for-profit institutions of higher learning. Accrediting agencies and state education agencies also have responsibilities for overseeing compliance of institutions in connection with Title IV Program requirements. As a result, our institutions are subject to extensive oversight and review. Because DOE periodically revises its regulations and changes its interpretations of existing laws and regulations, we cannot predict how the Title IV Program requirements will be applied in all circumstances. See the “Risk Factors” contained herein which disclose comprehensive regulatory risks.

In addition to the state authorization requirements and other regulatory requirements described herein, other significant factors relating to Title IV Programs that could adversely affect us include the following legislative action and regulatory changes:

Congressional Action. Congress reauthorizes the Higher Education Act approximately every five to six years. Congress most recently reauthorized the Higher Education Act in August 2008 through the end of 2013 and the law has been extended since that date. Congress has held hearings regarding the reauthorization of the HEA and has continued to consider new legislation regarding passage of the HEA. We cannot predict whether or when Congress might act to amend further the HEA. The elimination of additional Title IV Programs, material changes in the requirements for participation in such programs, or the substitution of materially different programs could increase our costs of compliance and could reduce the ability of certain students to finance their education at our institutions.

8

Federal Rulemaking. On July 31, 2018, DOE announced its intention to convene a negotiated rulemaking committee (the “Committee”) to prepare proposed regulations for Title IV Programs. From January 2019 to April 2019, the Committee met to consider proposed regulations on a variety of topics including the following:

· Criteria used by the Secretary of the DOE to recognize accrediting agencies;

· Clarification of the primary functions and responsibilities of accrediting agencies, state education agencies, and DOE;

· Clarification of permissible arrangements between institutions and other organizations to provide a portion of an education program;

· Revisions to rules related to distance education, direct assessment programs, and competency-based education;

· Consideration of the 2016 regulations relating to state authorization of distance education and corresponding disclosures;  

· Revisions to various regulatory definitions, including the definition of a “credit hour”; and

· Elimination of regulations related to Title IV Programs that have not been funded in recent years.

In April 2019, the Committee reached consensus on all proposed rules subject to the negotiated rulemaking. On June 12, 2019, DOE issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (“NPRM”) that proposes rules related to accreditation and state authorization. The NPRM is subject to a public comment period set to conclude on July 12, 2019, and DOE has indicated that it plans to issue a final rule by November 1, 2019, meaning the rules included in the June 12, 2019 NPRM would be scheduled to go into effect on July 1, 2020. We cannot predict whether those proposed regulations will go into effect as currently drafted or will be revised.

DOE intends to issue two additional NPRMs prior to November 1, 2019, that would include the proposed rules not included in the June 12, 2019 NPRM. We cannot predict when DOE will publish the two additional NPRMs.  

Administrative Capability. DOE regulations specify extensive criteria by which an institution must establish that it has the requisite “administrative capability” to participate in Title IV Programs. Failure to satisfy any of the standards may lead DOE to find the institution ineligible to participate in Title IV Programs or to place the institution on provisional certification as a condition of its participation. To meet the administrative capability standards, an institution must, among other things:

· Comply with all applicable Title IV Program regulations;

· Have capable and sufficient personnel to administer the federal student financial aid programs;

· Have acceptable methods of defining and measuring the satisfactory academic progress of its students;

· Have cohort default rates above specified levels;

· Have various procedures in place for safeguarding federal funds;

· Not be, and not have any principal or affiliate who is, debarred or suspended from federal contracting or engaging in activity that is cause for debarment or suspension;

· Provide financial aid counseling to its students;

· Refer to DOE’s Office of Inspector General any credible information indicating that any applicant, student, employee, or agent of the institution, has been engaged in any fraud or other illegal conduct involving Title IV Programs;

· Report annually to the Secretary of Education on any reasonable reimbursements paid or provided by a private education lender or group of lenders to any employee who is employed in the institution’s financial aid office or who otherwise has responsibilities with respect to education loans;

· Develop and apply an adequate system to identify and resolve conflicting information with respect to a student’s application for Title IV aid;

· Submit in a timely manner all reports and financial statements required by the regulations; and

· Not otherwise appear to lack administrative capability.

DOE regulations also add an administrative capability standard related to the existing requirement that students must have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent in order to be eligible for Title IV Program aid. Under the administrative capability standard, institutions must develop and follow procedures for evaluating the validity of a student’s high school diploma if the institution or the Secretary of Education has reason to believe that the student’s diploma is not valid.

If an institution fails to satisfy any of these criteria or any other DOE regulation, DOE may:

· Require the repayment of Title IV Program funds;

· Transfer the institution from the “advance” system of payment of Title IV Program funds to cash monitoring status or to the “reimbursement” system of payment;

· Place the institution on provisional certification status; or

· Commence a proceeding to impose a fine or to limit, suspend or terminate the participation of the institution in Title IV Programs.

9

If we are found not to have satisfied DOE’s “administrative capability” requirements, we could lose, or be limited in our access to, Title IV Program funding. USU had been requested to post a letter of credit (LOC) in the amount of $71,634 in response to a compliance audit that reported the university had a repeat finding related to late R2T4 (return to Title IV) returns, but that LOC, as funded by AGI expired as of March 31, 2019 and the funds are slated to return. As of May 14, 2019, United States University has been granted provisional approval to participate in the Title IV Programs and has a program participation agreement reapplication date of December 31, 2020.  As part of the provisional approval, the DOE informed USU that it must post a letter of credit in the amount of $255,708, which was funded by AGI; this letter will remain in effect for the duration of the provisional approval. USU expects to be on Heightened Cash Management 1 (“HCM1”), once formal notification is received from the DOE.

Distance Education. We offer all of our existing degree and certificate programs via Internet-based telecommunications from our headquarters in Colorado, Arizona and California. Under the Higher Education Opportunity Act, or HEOA, an accreditor that evaluates institutions offering distance education must require such institutions to have processes through which the institution establishes that a student who registers for a distance education program is the same student who participates in and receives credit for the program.

On December 16, 2016, DOE issued a final rule that requires institutions to meet all state requirements for legally offering distance education in any state in which the institution is offering distance education courses. The rule was scheduled to go into effect on July 1, 2018 which has been delayed until July 1, 2020. On June 12, 2019, DOE issued Proposed Regulations that among other things, would modify the 2016 regulations regarding state authorization of distance education. See “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this Report.

Financial Responsibility. The Higher Education Act and DOE regulations establish extensive standards of financial responsibility that institutions such as Aspen must satisfy to participate in the Title IV Programs. These standards generally require that an institution provide the resources necessary to comply with Title IV Program requirements and meet all of its financial obligations, including required refunds and any repayments to DOE for liabilities incurred in programs administered by DOE.

DOE evaluates institutions on an annual basis for compliance with specified financial responsibility standards that include a complex formula that uses line items from the institution’s audited financial statements. In addition, the financial responsibility standards require an institution to receive an unqualified opinion from its accountants on its audited financial statements, maintain sufficient cash reserves to satisfy refund requirements, meet all of its financial obligations, and remain current on its debt payments. The formula focuses on three financial ratios: (1) equity ratio (which measures the institution’s capital resources, financial viability, and ability to borrow); (2) primary reserve ratio (which measures the institution’s viability and liquidity); and (3) net income ratio (which measures the institution’s profitability or ability to operate within its means). An institution’s financial ratios must yield a composite score of at least 1.5 for the institution to be deemed financially responsible without the need for further federal oversight. DOE may also apply such measures of financial responsibility to the operating company and ownership entities of an eligible institution.

Although we believe our schools met the minimum composite score necessary to meet the financial ratio standard for fiscal year 2019, DOE may determine that our calculations are incorrect, and/or it may determine that either or both of our schools continue to not meet other financial responsibility standards. If DOE were to determine that we do not meet its financial responsibility standards, we may be able to continue to establish financial responsibility on an alternative basis. Alternative bases include, for example:

· Posting a letter of credit in an amount equal to at least 50% of the total Title IV Program funds received by us during our most recently completed fiscal year;

· Posting a letter of credit in an amount equal to at least 10% of such prior year’s Title IV Program funds received by us, accepting provisional certification, complying with additional DOE monitoring requirements and agreeing to receive Title IV Program funds under an arrangement other than DOE’s standard advance payment arrangement such as the “reimbursement” system of payment or cash monitoring; or

· Complying with additional DOE monitoring requirements and agreeing to receive Title IV Program funds under an arrangement other than DOE’s standard advance payment arrangement such as the “reimbursement” system of payment or cash monitoring.

Failure to meet DOE’s “financial responsibility” requirements, either because we do not meet DOE’s financial responsibility standards or are unable to establish financial responsibility on an alternative basis, would cause us to lose access to Title IV Program funding.

10

Third-Party Servicers. DOE regulations permit an institution to enter into a written contract with a third-party servicer for the administration of any aspect of the institution’s participation in Title IV Programs. The third-party servicer must, among other obligations, comply with Title IV Program requirements and be jointly and severally liable with the institution to the Secretary of Education for any violation by the servicer of any Title IV Program provision. An institution must report to DOE new contracts with or any significant modifications to contracts with third-party servicers as well as other matters related to third-party servicers. We contract with a third-party servicer which performs certain activities related to our participation in Title IV Programs. If our third-party servicer does not comply with applicable statutes and regulations including the Higher Education Act, we may be liable for its actions, and we could lose our eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs.

Return of Title IV Program Funds. Under DOE’s return of funds regulations, when a student withdraws, an institution must return unearned funds to DOE in a timely manner. An institution must first determine the amount of Title IV Program funds that a student “earned.” If the student withdraws during the first 60% of any period of enrollment or payment period, the amount of Title IV Program funds that the student earned is equal to a pro rata portion of the funds for which the student would otherwise be eligible. If the student withdraws after the 60% threshold, then the student has earned 100% of the Title IV Program funds. The institution must return to the appropriate Title IV Programs, in a specified order, the lesser of (i) the unearned Title IV Program funds and (ii) the institutional charges incurred by the student for the period multiplied by the percentage of unearned Title IV Program funds. An institution must return the funds no later than 45 days after the date of the institution’s determination that a student withdrew. If such payments are not timely made, an institution may be subject to adverse action, including being required to submit a letter of credit equal to 25% of the refunds the institution should have made in its most recently completed fiscal year. Under DOE regulations, late returns of Title IV Program funds for 5% or more of students sampled in the institution’s annual compliance audit or a DOE program review constitutes material non-compliance with the Title IV Program requirements.

The “90/10 Rule.” A requirement of the Higher Education Act commonly referred to as the “90/10 Rule,” applies only to “proprietary institutions of higher education.” An institution is subject to loss of eligibility to participate in the Title IV Programs if it derives more than 90% of its revenues (calculated on a cash basis and in accordance with a DOE formula) from Title IV Programs for two consecutive fiscal years. An institution whose rate exceeds 90% for any single fiscal year will be placed on provisional certification for at least two fiscal years and may be subject to other conditions specified by the Secretary of DOE. For the year ended April 30, 2019, approximately 19% of Aspen’s revenues were derived from Title IV Programs. For the year ended December 31, 2018, 30% of USU’s revenues were derived from Title IV Programs.

Student Loan Defaults. Under the Higher Education Act, an education institution may lose its eligibility to participate in some or all of the Title IV Programs if defaults on the repayment of Direct Loan Program loans by its students exceed certain levels. For each federal fiscal year, a rate of student defaults (known as a “cohort default rate”) is calculated for each institution with 30 or more borrowers entering repayment in a given federal fiscal year by determining the rate at which borrowers who become subject to their repayment obligation in that federal fiscal year default by the end of the following two federal fiscal years. For such institutions, DOE calculates a single cohort default rate for each federal fiscal year that includes in the cohort all current or former student borrowers at the institution who entered repayment on any Direct Loan Program loans during that year.

If an institution’s cohort default rate equals or exceeds 25% in any single year, the institution may be placed on provisional certification status. Provisional certification does not limit an institution’s access to Title IV Program funds; however, an institution with provisional status is subject to closer review by DOE and may be subject to summary adverse action if it violates Title IV Program requirements. If an institution’s default rate exceeds 40% for one federal fiscal year, the institution may lose eligibility to participate in some or all Title IV Programs. Aspen University’s official 3-year cohort default rates were as follows: FY2015 (5.7%), FY2014 (6.2%) and FY2013 (6.4%). USU’s official 3-year cohort default rates were as follows: FY2015 (11.4%), FY2014 (9.6%) and FY2013 (3.5%).

Incentive Compensation Rule. As a part of an institution’s program participation agreement with DOE and in accordance with the Higher Education Act, an institution may not provide any commission, bonus or other incentive payment to any person or entity engaged in any student recruitment, admissions or financial aid awarding activity based directly or indirectly on success in securing enrollments or financial aid. Failure to comply with the incentive payment rule could result in termination of participation in Title IV Programs, limitation on participation in Title IV Programs, or financial penalties. Aspen believes it is in compliance with the Incentive Compensation Rule (the “IC Rule”).

11

In recent years, other postsecondary educational institutions have been named as defendants in whistleblower lawsuits, known as “qui tam” cases, brought by current or former employees pursuant to the Federal False Claims Act, alleging that their institution’s compensation practices did not comply with the IC Rule. A qui tam case is a civil lawsuit brought by one or more individuals, referred to as a relator, on behalf of the federal government for an alleged submission to the government of a false claim for payment. The relator, often a current or former employee, is entitled to a share of the government’s recovery in the case, including the possibility of treble damages. A qui tam action is always filed under seal and remains under seal until the government decides whether to intervene in the case. If the government intervenes, it takes over primary control of the litigation. If the government declines to intervene in the case, the relator may nonetheless elect to continue to pursue the litigation at his or her own expense on behalf of the government. Any such litigation could be costly and could divert management’s time and attention away from the business, regardless of whether a claim has merit.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (the “GAO”) released a report finding that DOE has inadequately enforced the current ban on incentive payments. In response, DOE has undertaken to increase its enforcement efforts by, among other approaches, strengthening procedures provided to auditors reviewing institutions for compliance with the incentive payments ban and updating its internal compliance guidance in light of the GAO findings and DOE incentive payment rule.

Code of Conduct Related to Student Loans. As part of an institution’s program participation agreement with DOE, HEOA requires that institutions that participate in Title IV Programs adopt a code of conduct pertinent to student loans. For financial aid officers or other employees who have responsibility related to education loans, the code must forbid, with limited exceptions, gifts, consulting arrangements with lenders, and advisory board compensation other than reasonable expense reimbursement. The code also must ban revenue-sharing arrangements, “opportunity pools” that lenders offer in exchange for certain promises, and staffing assistance from lenders. The institution must post the code prominently on its website and ensure that its officers, employees, and agents who have financial aid responsibilities are informed annually of the code’s provisions. Aspen has adopted a code of conduct under the HEOA which is posted on its website. In addition to the code of conduct requirements that apply to institutions, HEOA contains provisions that apply to private lenders, prohibiting such lenders from engaging in certain activities as they interact with institutions. Failure to comply with the code of conduct provision could result in termination of our participation in Title IV Programs, limitations on participation in Title IV Programs, or financial penalties.

Misrepresentation. The Higher Education Act and current regulations authorize DOE to take action against an institution that participates in Title IV Programs for any “substantial misrepresentation” made by that institution regarding the nature of its educational program, its financial charges, or the employability of its graduates. DOE regulations define “substantial misrepresentation” to cover additional representatives of the institution and additional substantive areas and expands the parties to whom a substantial misrepresentation cannot be made. The regulations also augment the actions DOE may take if it determines that an institution has engaged in substantial misrepresentation. DOE may revoke an institution’s program participation agreement, impose limitations on an institution’s participation in Title IV Programs, or initiate proceedings to impose a fine or to limit, suspend, or terminate the institution’s participation in Title IV Programs.

Credit Hours. The Higher Education Act and current regulations use the term “credit hour” to define an eligible program and an academic year and to determine enrollment status and the amount of Title IV Program aid an institution may disburse during a payment period. Recently, both Congress and DOE have increased their focus on institutions’ policies for awarding credit hours. DOE regulations define the term “credit hour” in terms of a certain amount of time in class and outside class, or an equivalent amount of work. The regulations also require accrediting agencies to review the reliability and accuracy of an institution’s credit hour assignments. If an accreditor identifies systematic or significant noncompliance in one or more of an institution’s programs, the accreditor must notify the Secretary of Education. If DOE determines that an institution is out of compliance with the credit hour definition, DOE could require the institution to repay the incorrectly awarded amounts of Title IV Program aid. In addition, if DOE determines that an institution has significantly overstated the amount of credit hours assigned to a program, DOE may fine the institution, or limit, suspend, or terminate its participation in the Title IV Programs.

On July 31, 2018, DOE announced its intention to convene a negotiated rulemaking committee (the “Committee”) to consider proposed regulations for Title IV Programs, including revisions to the regulatory definition of “credit hour.” The Committee reached consensus on a revised definition of “credit hour” in April 2019, but DOE has not yet published a proposed rule that includes the revised definition.

12

Compliance Reviews. We are subject to announced and unannounced compliance reviews and audits by various external agencies, including DOE, its Office of Inspector General, state licensing agencies, and accrediting agencies. As part of DOE’s ongoing monitoring of institutions’ administration of Title IV Programs, the Higher Education Act and DOE regulations require institutions to submit annually a compliance audit conducted by an independent certified public accountant in accordance with Government Auditing Standards and applicable audit standards of DOE. These auditing standards differ from those followed in the audit of our consolidated financial statements contained herein. In addition, to enable DOE to make a determination of financial responsibility, institutions must annually submit audited financial statements prepared in accordance with DOE regulations. Furthermore, DOE regularly conducts program reviews of education institutions that are participating in the Title IV Programs, and the Office of Inspector General of DOE regularly conducts audits and investigations of such institutions.

Potential Effect of Regulatory Violations. If we fail to comply with the regulatory standards governing Title IV Programs, DOE could impose one or more sanctions, including transferring the non-complying school to the reimbursement or cash monitoring system of payment, seeking to require repayment of certain Title IV Program funds, requiring Aspen to post a letter of credit in favor of DOE as a condition for continued Title IV certification, taking emergency action against us, referring the matter for criminal prosecution or initiating proceedings to impose a fine or to limit, condition, suspend or terminate our participation in Title IV Programs. In addition, the failure to comply with the Title IV Program requirements by one institution could increase DOE scrutiny of the other institution and could impact the other institution’s participation in Title IV Programs.

We also may be subject, from time to time, to complaints and lawsuits relating to regulatory compliance brought not only by our regulatory agencies, but also by other government agencies and third parties, such as state attorneys general, federal and state consumer protection agencies, present or former students or employees and other members of the public.

Restrictions on Adding Educational Programs. State requirements and accrediting agency standards may, in certain instances, limit our ability to establish additional educational programs. Many states require approval before institutions can add new programs under specified conditions. The Colorado Commission on Higher Education, the Arizona Board, the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, and other state educational regulatory agencies that license or authorize us and our programs may require institutions to notify them in advance of implementing new programs, and upon notification, may undertake a review of the institution’s licensure or authorization.

On August 22, 2017, DOE recertified Aspen University to participate in Title IV Programs, and set a subsequent program participation agreement reapplication date of March 31, 2021. As of May 14, 2019, United States University has been granted provisional approval to participate in the Title IV Programs and has a program participation agreement reapplication date of December 31, 2020.  As part of the provisional approval, the DOE informed USU that it must post a letter of credit in the amount of $255,708, which was funded by AGI; this letter will remain in effect for the duration of the provisional approval. USU expects to be on HCM1, once formal notification is received from the DOE.

In the future, DOE may impose terms and conditions in any program participation agreement that it may issue, including growth restrictions or limitation on the number of students who may receive Title IV Program aid. The institution may also be required to provide certifications to DOE signed by a senior administrative official attesting that the new program meets certain accreditation and state licensure requirements.

DEAC and WSCUC require pre-approval of new courses, programs, and degrees that are characterized as a “substantive change.” An institution must obtain written notice approving such change before it may be included in the institution’s grant of accreditation. An institution is further prohibited from advertising or posting on its website information about the course or program before it has received approval. The process for obtaining approval generally requires submission of a report and course materials and may require a follow-up on-site visit by an examining committee.

Gainful Employment. Under the Higher Education Act, only proprietary school educational programs that lead to gainful employment in a recognized occupation are eligible to participate in Title IV Program funding. DOE issued final Gainful Employment (“GE”) regulations on October 31, 2014 (“2014 GE Rule”), which went into effect on July 1, 2015. The 2014 GE Rule defines the requirements that programs at proprietary institutions must meet in order to be considered a GE program that is eligible for Title IV Program funding.  Under these regulations, all GE programs must meet certain metrics regarding their graduates’ debt-to-earnings or debt-to-discretionary-income (collectively, “D/E”) ratios to maintain Title IV Program eligibility, as well as creating extensive reporting and disclosure requirements for institutions.

13

Under the 2014 GE Rule, DOE issued only one set of D/E rates, in January 2017. In the period following that publication, DOE has continued to collect and distribute information to institutions, and institutions were required to continue complying with the Rule, subject to various delays.  

On July 1, 2019, DOE issued a new final GE Rule. In this publication, DOE rescinded the entirety of Subparts Q and R of 34 CFR 668, which included all of the provisions of the 2014 GE Rule. The effective date of this new rule is July 1, 2020; however, the Secretary has provided institutions the opportunity to implement the new rule beginning on July 1, 2019. Both Aspen University and USU have opted to implement the new rule early and have internally documented their determination to take early action, following the direction provided by the DOE in Gainful Employment Electronic Announcement #122.  Therefore, as of July 1, 2019, neither Aspen University nor USU is required to comply with the 2014 GE Rule.

Eligibility and Certification Procedures. Each institution must periodically apply to DOE for continued certification to participate in Title IV Programs. Such recertification is required every six years, but may be required earlier, including when an institution undergoes a change of control. An institution may come under DOE’s review when it expands its activities in certain ways, such as opening an additional location, adding a new program, or, in certain cases, when it modifies academic credentials that it offers.

DOE may place an institution on provisional certification status if it finds that the institution does not fully satisfy all of the eligibility and certification standards and in certain other circumstances, such as when it undergoes a change in ownership and control. DOE may more closely review an institution that is provisionally certified if it applies for approval to open a new location, add an educational program, acquire another school or make any other significant change.

In addition, during the period of provisional certification, the institution must comply with any additional conditions included in its program participation agreement. If DOE determines that a provisionally certified institution is unable to meet its responsibilities under its program participation agreement, it may seek to revoke the institution’s certification to participate in Title IV Programs with fewer due process protections for the institution than if it were fully certified. Students attending provisionally certified institutions remain eligible to receive Title IV Program funds.

Borrower Defense to Repayment (“BDTR”). Pursuant to the Higher Education Act and following negotiated rulemaking, on November 1, 2016, the DOE released a final regulation (“2016 BDTR Rule”) specifying the acts or omissions of an institution that a borrower may assert as a defense to repayment of a loan made under the Direct Loan Program and the consequences of such borrower defenses for borrowers, institutions, and the DOE. Under the regulation, for Direct Loans disbursed after July 1, 2017, a student borrower may assert a defense to repayment if: (1) the student borrower obtained a state or federal court judgment against the institution; (2) the institution failed to perform on a contract with the student; and/or (3) the institution committed a “substantial misrepresentation” on which the borrower reasonably relied to his or her detriment.

These defenses are asserted through claims submitted to the DOE, and the DOE has the authority to issue a final decision. In addition, the regulation permits the DOE to grant relief to an individual or group of individuals, including individuals who have not applied to the DOE seeking relief. If a defense is successfully raised, the DOE has discretion to initiate action to collect from an institution the amount of losses incurred based on the borrower defense.

The regulation also amends the rules concerning discharge of federal student loans when a school or campus closes, requires institutions to report events that might potentially impact an institution’s financial responsibility (“financial triggers”) to allow DOE to determine if the institution needs to provide additional assurances or surety to continue participating in the Title IV programs, and prohibits pre-dispute arbitration agreements and class action waivers for borrower defense-type claims.

On January 19, 2017, the DOE issued a final procedural rule, specifically relating to the then-upcoming borrower defense rules, with request for comments. These rules were limited to updating the hearing procedures for actions to establish liability against an institution of higher education and establishing procedures for recovery proceedings under the borrower defense regulations.

Several times between June 2017 and February 2018, the DOE announced delays until July 1, 2019 for implementation of certain portions of the 2016 BDTR Rule. However, in October 2018, a judge denied a request to delay implementation, and as a result, the regulations went into effect as of October 16, 2018 and will remain in effect until such time as any new regulations are developed under the negotiated rulemaking process. DOE issued additional guidance regarding its planned implementation of the 2016 BDTR rule on March 15, 2019, which included specific processes for reporting financial responsibility trigger events occurring since July 1, 2017.

14

Prior to the court decision noted above, on June 16, 2017, the DOE announced its intent to convene a negotiated rulemaking committee to develop new and different proposed regulations related to borrower defense to replace the 2016 BDTR Rule and to address certain other related matters. Following three negotiated rulemaking sessions, on July 31, 2018, the DOE published a notice of proposed rulemaking that, among other things, would establish a new federal standard for evaluating, and a process for adjudicating, BDTR claims made on or after July 1, 2019. The DOE accepted public comments on the notice of proposed rulemaking through August 30, 2018; however, the DOE did not publish the final rule by November 1, 2018, as required by the Department’s master calendar to allow the final regulation to take effect on July 1, 2019. DOE has indicated that it still intends to publish a new BDTR Rule to replace the 2016 BDTR Rule, but has not yet done so. We cannot predict when or if DOE will issue a new BDTR Rule, or what will be proposed or ultimately adopted.

Change in Ownership Resulting in a Change of Control. In addition to school acquisitions, other types of transactions can also cause a change of control. The DOE, most state education agencies, and the DEAC all have standards pertaining to the change of control of schools, but those standards are not uniform. DOE regulations describe some transactions that constitute a change of control, including the transfer of a controlling interest in the voting stock of an institution or the institution’s parent corporation. The DOE regulations provide that a change of control of a publicly-traded corporation occurs in one of two ways: (i) if there is an event that would obligate the corporation to file a Current Report on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, disclosing a change of control or (ii) if the corporation has a shareholder that owns at least 25% of the total outstanding voting stock of the corporation and is the largest shareholder of the corporation, and that shareholder ceases to own at least 25% of such stock or ceases to be the largest shareholder. A significant purchase or disposition of our voting stock could be determined by the DOE to be a change of control under this standard. Many states include the sale of a controlling interest of common stock in the definition of a change of control requiring approval. A change of control under the definition of one of these agencies would require us to seek approval of the change in ownership and control to maintain our accreditations, state authorization or licensure. The requirements to obtain such approval from the states and the DEAC vary widely. In some cases, approval of the change of ownership and control cannot be obtained until after the transaction has occurred.

When a change of ownership resulting in a change of control occurs at a for-profit institution, the DOE applies a different set of financial tests to determine the financial responsibility of the institution in conjunction with its review and approval of the change of ownership. The institution generally is required to submit a same-day audited balance sheet reflecting the financial condition of the institution immediately following the change in ownership. The institution’s same-day balance sheet must demonstrate an acid test ratio of at least 1:1, which is calculated by adding cash and cash equivalents to current accounts receivable and dividing the sum by total current liabilities (and excluding all unsecured or uncollateralized related party receivables). The same-day balance sheet must also demonstrate positive tangible net worth. If the institution does not satisfy these requirements, the DOE may condition its approval of the change of ownership on the institution’s agreeing to post a letter of credit, provisional certification, and/or additional monitoring requirements, as described in the above section on Financial Responsibility. The time required for the DOE to act on a change in ownership and control application may vary substantially. As of May 14, 2019, United States University has been granted provisional approval to participate in the Title IV Programs and has a program participation agreement reapplication date of December 31, 2020. As part of the provisional approval, the DOE informed USU that it must post a letter of credit in the amount of $255,708; this letter will remain in effect for the duration of the provisional approval. United States University currently awaits final disposition concerning any potential Heightened Cash Monitoring 1 (HCM1); the institution has not been, nor is it currently identified on the DOE website as an HCM1 school. See “Risk Factors” contained in Item 1A of this Report.

A change of control also could occur as a result of future transactions in which Aspen is involved. Some corporate reorganizations and some changes in the composition of the Board are examples of such transactions. Moreover, the potential adverse effects of a change of control could influence future decisions by us and our shareholders regarding the sale, purchase, transfer, issuance or redemption of our stock. In addition, the regulatory burdens and risks associated with a change of control also could discourage bids for your shares of common stock and could have an adverse effect on the market price of your shares.

Possible Acquisitions. Similarly to the Company’s acquisition of USU, we may expand through acquisition of related or synergistic businesses. Our internal growth is subject to monitoring and ultimately approval by the DEAC and WSCUC. If the DEAC or WSCUC finds that the growth may adversely affect our academic quality, the DEAC or WSCUC can request us to slow the growth and potentially withdraw accreditation and require us to re-apply for accreditation. DOE may also impose growth restrictions on an institution, including in connection with a change in ownership and control.

15

Clery Act and Title IX. Both USU and Aspen University publish the required Annual Crime and Security Reports to comply with the requirements of the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (“Clery Act”). USU’s Report covers its San Diego, CA location; Aspen publishes separate reports for its Denver, CO and Phoenix, AZ locations. Both universities are committed to providing students, faculty, staff, and guests a safe and secure environment. The Reports identify policies and procedures for security and crime prevention, substance abuse, sexual misconduct/harassment (Title IX), and emergency response and evacuation.

Other Approvals. The U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (the “VA”) regulate our participation in the military’s tuition assistance program and the VA’s veterans’ education benefits program, respectively. The laws, regulations, standards and policies of these agencies cover the vast majority of our operations, including our educational programs, facilities, instructional and administrative staff, administrative procedures, marketing, recruiting, financial operations and financial condition. These regulatory requirements can also affect our ability to add new or expand existing educational programs and to change our corporate structure and ownership.

Seasonality

Our business has been seasonal with our fiscal fourth quarter (beginning February 1) being our strongest quarter and the fiscal second quarter (beginning August 1) being the next strongest. The fiscal first quarter (beginning May 1) is the weakest as it covers the summer months of June and July.  Given the growth of USU’s structured two-year MSN-FNP program and Aspen University’s six semesters per year pre-licensure BSN campus program, future seasonality may be less pronounced.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following Risk Factors before deciding whether to invest in Aspen Group. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently deem immaterial, may also impair our business operations or our financial condition. If any of the events discussed in the Risk Factors below occur, our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations or prospects could be materially and adversely affected. In such case, the value and marketability of the common stock could decline.

Risks Relating to Our Business

If we cannot manage our growth, our results of operations may suffer and could adversely affect our ability to comply with federal regulations.

The growth that we have experienced as well as any future growth that we experience, may place a significant strain on our resources and increase demands on our management information and reporting systems and financial management controls. We have experienced growth at Aspen University over the last several years and USU has grown significantly since we acquired it. Further, we lack experience in managing hybrid programs and anticipate substantial growth from this business. Managing multiple campuses in many locations will be challenging. Assuming we continue to grow as planned, it may impact our ability to manage our business. If growth negatively impacts our ability to manage our business, the learning experience for our students could be adversely affected, resulting in a higher rate of student attrition and fewer student referrals. Future growth will also require continued improvement of our internal controls and systems, particularly those related to complying with federal regulations under the Higher Education Act, as administered by DOE, including as a result of our participation in federal student financial aid programs under Title IV. If we are unable to manage our growth, we may also experience operating inefficiencies that could increase our costs and adversely affect our profitability and results of operations.

16

Because there is strong competition in the postsecondary education market, especially in the online education market, our cost of acquiring students may increase and our results of operations may be harmed.

Postsecondary education is highly fragmented and competitive. We compete with traditional public and private two-year and four-year brick and mortar colleges as well as other for-profit schools. Public and private colleges and universities, as well as other for-profit schools, offer programs similar to those we offer. Public institutions receive substantial government subsidies, and public and private institutions have access to government and foundation grants, tax-deductible contributions that create large endowments and other financial resources generally not available to for-profit schools. Accordingly, public and private institutions may have instructional and support resources that are superior to those in the for-profit sector. In addition, some of our competitors, including both traditional colleges and universities and online for-profit schools, have substantially greater name recognition and financial and other resources than we have, which may enable them to compete more effectively for potential students. We also expect to face increased competition as a result of new entrants to the online education market, including established colleges and universities that have not previously offered online education programs. Major brick and mortar universities continue to develop and advertise their online course offerings. Purdue University’s 2017 acquisition of Kaplan University is a prime example of this change.  Another example is Arizona State University which spends considerable sums on advertising its online degree programs in partnership with its Online Program Manager (OPM).

We may not be able to compete successfully against current or future competitors and may face competitive pressures including price pressures that could adversely affect our business or results of operations and reduce our operating margins. These competitive factors could cause our enrollments, revenues and profitability to materially decrease.

In the event that we are unable to update and expand the content of existing programs and develop new programs and specializations on a timely basis and in a cost-effective manner, our results of operations may be harmed.

The updates and expansions of our existing programs and the development of new programs and specializations may not be accepted by existing or prospective students or employers. If we cannot respond to changes in market requirements, our business may be adversely affected. Even if we are able to develop acceptable new programs, we may not be able to introduce these new programs as quickly as students require or as quickly as our competitors introduce competing programs. To offer a new academic program, we may be required to obtain appropriate federal, state and accrediting agency approvals, which may be conditioned or delayed in a manner that could significantly affect our growth plans. In addition, a new academic program that must prepare students for gainful employment must be approved by DOE for Title IV purposes if the institution is provisionally certified. If we are unable to respond adequately to changes in market requirements due to financial constraints, regulatory limitations or other factors, our ability to attract and retain students could be impaired and our financial results could suffer.

Establishing new academic programs or modifying existing programs may require us to make investments in management and faculty, incur marketing expenses and reallocate other resources. If we are unable to increase the number of students, or offer new programs in a cost-effective manner, or are otherwise unable to manage effectively the operations of newly established academic programs, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.

If we are unable to successfully execute our growth strategy of opening new campuses, our results of operations and future growth could be materially and adversely affected.

In addition to its original campus and the second campus it expects to open in the Phoenix metro area, Aspen University expects to open additional campuses in a number of other states as well as possibly in Arizona. This would require us to obtain appropriate state and accrediting agency approvals and to comply with any requirements from those agencies related to a new location. Adding new locations will also require significant financial investments, including capital improvements, human resource capabilities, and new clinical placement relationships. If we are unable to obtain the required approvals, attract sufficient additional students to new campus locations, offer programs at new campuses in a cost-effective manner, identify appropriate clinical placements, or otherwise manage effectively the operations of newly established campuses, our results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.

17

Because our future growth and profitability will depend in large part upon the effectiveness of our marketing and advertising efforts, if those efforts are unsuccessful we may not be profitable in the future.

Our future growth and profitability will depend in large part upon our media performance, including our ability to:

· Grow our nursing programs including Aspen University’s core Bachelor’s and Master’s online degree programs, USU’s MSN-FNP and Aspen University’s pre-licensure BSN hybrid online/campus program which began its initial classes on July 10, 2018;

· Select communities which have excess demand for nursing students interested in an on-campus model;

· Grow Aspen University’s doctoral programs;

· Replicate the success we have had with nursing in other programs;

· Achieve the same degree of success with USU;

· Create greater awareness of our schools and our programs;

· Identify the most effective and efficient level of spending in each market and specific media vehicle;

· Determine the appropriate creative message and media mix for advertising, marketing and promotional expenditures; and

· Effectively manage marketing costs (including creative and media).

Our marketing expenditures may not result in increased revenue or generate sufficient levels of brand name and program awareness. If our media performance is not effective, our future results of operations and financial condition will be adversely affected.

Because we are an almost exclusively online provider of education, we are substantially dependent on continued growth and acceptance of online education and, if the recognition by students and employers of the value of online education does not continue to grow, our ability to grow our business could be adversely impacted.  

We believe that continued growth in online education will be largely dependent on additional students and employers recognizing the value of degrees and courses from online institutions. If students and employers are not convinced that online schools are an acceptable alternative to traditional schools or that an online education provides necessary value, or if growth in the market penetration of exclusively online education slows, growth in the industry and our business could be adversely affected. Because our business model is based on online education, if the acceptance of online education does not grow, our ability to continue to grow our business and our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Although our management has successfully implemented a monthly payment business model, it may not be successful long-term.

Mr. Michael Mathews, our Chief Executive Officer, has developed a monthly payment business model designed to substantially increase our student enrollment and reduce student debt among Aspen University’s and USU’s student bodies. While results to date have been as anticipated, there are no assurances that this marketing campaign will continue to be successful. Among the risks are the following:

· Our ability to compete with existing online colleges which have substantially greater financial resources, deeper management and academic resources, and enhanced public reputations;

· The emergence of more successful competitors;

· Factors related to our marketing, including the costs of Internet advertising and broad-based branding campaigns;

· Limits on our ability to attract and retain effective employees because of the incentive compensation rule;

· Performance problems with our online systems;

· Our failure to maintain accreditation;

· Student dissatisfaction with our services and programs;

· Adverse publicity regarding us, our competitors or online or for-profit education generally;

· A decline in the acceptance of online education;

· A decrease in the perceived or actual economic benefits that students derive from our programs;

· Potential students may not be able to afford the monthly payments;

· The failure to collect our growing accounts receivable.

18

If our monthly payment plan business model does not continue to be favorably received, our revenues may not increase.

If the demand for the nursing workforce decreases or the educational requirements for nurses were relaxed, our business will be adversely affected.

Aspen Group, Inc.’s primary focus has been the continued growth of enrollment in its Nursing programs at both universities.As of April 30, 2019, approximately 81% of our active degree-seeking students were enrolled in our nursing programs. If the demand for nurses does not continue to grow (or declines) or there are changes within the healthcare industry that make the nursing occupation less attractive to learners or reduce the benefits of a bachelor’s or an advanced degree, our enrollment and results of operations will be adversely affected.

If we experience system disruptions to our online computer networks, it could impact our ability to generate revenue and damage our reputation, limiting our ability to attract and retain students.

Since early 2011, Aspen University has made significant investments to update its computer network primarily to permit accelerated student enrollment and enhance its students’ learning experience. USU is using the same information technology improvements. The performance and reliability of our technology infrastructure is critical to our reputation and ability to attract and retain students. Any system error or failure, or a sudden and significant increase in bandwidth usage, could result in the unavailability of our online classroom, damaging our reputation and could cause a loss in enrollment. Our technology infrastructure could be vulnerable to interruption or malfunction due to events beyond our control, including natural disasters, terrorist activities, hacking or cyber security issues and telecommunications failures.

If we are unable to develop awareness among, and attract and retain, high quality learners to our schools, our ability to generate significant revenue or achieve profitability will be significantly impaired.

Building awareness of Aspen University and USU and the programs we offer are critical to our ability to attract prospective learners. If we are unable to successfully market and advertise our educational programs, Aspen University’s ability to attract and enroll prospective students in such programs could be adversely affected, and consequently, our ability to increase revenue or achieve profitability could be impaired. It is also critical to our success that we convert these applicants to enrolled students in a cost-effective manner and that these students remain active in our programs. Some of the factors that could prevent us from successfully enrolling and retaining students in our programs include:

· The emergence of more successful competitors;

· Factors related to our marketing, including the costs of Internet advertising and broad-based branding campaigns;

· Performance problems with our online systems;

· Failure to maintain accreditation;

· Student dissatisfaction with our services and programs, including with our customer service and responsiveness;

· Adverse publicity regarding us, our competitors, or online or for-profit education in general;

· Price reductions by competitors that we are unwilling or unable to match;

· A decline in the acceptance of online education or our degree offerings by students or current and prospective employers;

· Increased regulation of online education, including in states in which we do not have a physical presence;

· A decrease in the perceived or actual economic benefits that students derive from our programs;

· Litigation or regulatory investigations that may damage our reputation; and

· Difficulties in executing on our strategy as a preferred provider to employers for the vertical markets we serve.

If we are unable to continue to develop awareness of Aspen University and USU and the programs we offer, and to enroll and retain students, our enrollments would suffer and our ability to increase revenues and achieve profitability would be significantly impaired.

19

If we experience any interruption to our technology infrastructure, it could prevent students from accessing their courses, could have a material adverse effect on our ability to attract and retain students and could require us to incur additional expenses to correct or mitigate the interruption.

Our computer networks may also be vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer hackers, computer viruses and other security problems. A user who circumvents security measures could misappropriate proprietary information, personal information about our students or cause interruptions or malfunctions in operations. As a result, we may be required to expend significant resources to protect against the threat of these security breaches or to alleviate problems caused by any breaches.

Because we rely on third parties to provide services in running our operations, if any of these parties fail to provide the agreed services at an acceptable level, it could limit our ability to provide services and/or cause student dissatisfaction, either of which could adversely affect our business.

We rely on third parties to provide us with services in order for us to efficiently and securely operate our business including our computer network and the courses we offer to students. Any interruption in our ability to obtain the services of these or other third parties or deterioration in their performance could impair the quality of our educational product and overall business. Generally, there are multiple sources for the services we purchase. Our business could be disrupted if we were required to replace any of these third parties, especially if the replacement became necessary on short notice, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

If we or our service providers are unable to update the technology that we rely upon to offer online education, our future growth may be impaired.

We believe that continued growth will require our service providers to increase the capacity and capabilities of their technology infrastructure. Increasing the capacity and capabilities of the technology infrastructure will require these third parties to invest capital, time and resources, and there is no assurance that even with sufficient investment their systems will be scalable to accommodate future growth. Our service providers may also need to invest capital, time and resources to update their technology in response to competitive pressures in the marketplace. If they are unwilling or unable to increase the capacity of their resources or update their resources appropriately and we cannot change over to other service providers efficiently, our ability to handle growth, our ability to attract or retain students, and our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.

Because we rely on third-party administration and hosting of learning management system software for our online classroom, if that third-party were to cease to do business or alter its business practices and services, it could have an adverse impact on our ability to operate.

Our online classrooms at Aspen University and USU employ the Desire2Learn (renamed to D2L in 2017) learning management system named Brightspace. The system is a web-based portal that stores and delivers course content, provides interactive communication between students and faculty, and supplies online evaluation tools. We rely on third parties to host and help with the administration of it. We further rely on third parties, the D2L agreement and our internal staff for ongoing support and customization and integration of the system with the rest of our technology infrastructure. If D2L were unable or unwilling to continue to provide us with service, we may have difficulty maintaining the software required for our online classroom or updating it for future technological changes. Any failure to maintain our online classroom would have an adverse impact on our operations, damage our reputation and limit our ability to attract and retain students.

Because the CAN-SPAM Act imposes certain obligations on the senders of commercial emails, it could adversely impact our ability to market Aspen University’s and USU’s educational services, and otherwise increase the costs of our business.

The Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act of 2003, or the CAN-SPAM Act, establishes requirements for commercial email and specifies penalties for commercial email that violates the CAN-SPAM Act. In addition, the CAN-SPAM Act gives consumers the right to require third parties to stop sending them commercial email.

The CAN-SPAM Act covers email sent for the primary purpose of advertising or promoting a commercial product, service, or Internet website. The Federal Trade Commission, a federal consumer protection agency, is primarily responsible for enforcing the CAN-SPAM Act, and the Department of Justice, other federal agencies, State Attorneys General, and Internet service providers also have authority to enforce certain of its provisions.

20

The CAN-SPAM Act’s main provisions include:

· Prohibiting false or misleading email header information;

· Prohibiting the use of deceptive subject lines;

· Ensuring that recipients may, for at least 30 days after an email is sent, opt out of receiving future commercial email messages from the sender;

· Requiring that commercial email be identified as a solicitation or advertisement unless the recipient affirmatively permitted the message; and

· Requiring that the sender include a valid postal address in the email message.

The CAN-SPAM Act also prohibits unlawful acquisition of email addresses, such as through directory harvesting and transmission of commercial emails by unauthorized means, such as through relaying messages with the intent to deceive recipients as to the origin of such messages.

Violations of the CAN-SPAM Act’s provisions can result in criminal and civil penalties, including statutory penalties that can be based in part upon the number of emails sent, with enhanced penalties for commercial email companies who harvest email addresses, use dictionary attack patterns to generate email addresses, and/or relay emails through a network without permission.

The CAN-SPAM Act acknowledges that the Internet offers unique opportunities for the development and growth of frictionless commerce, and the CAN-SPAM Act was passed, in part, to enhance the likelihood that wanted commercial email messages would be received.

The CAN-SPAM Act preempts, or blocks, most state restrictions specific to email, except for rules against falsity or deception in commercial email, fraud and computer crime. The scope of these exceptions, however, is not settled, and some states have adopted email regulations that, if upheld, could impose liabilities and compliance burdens in addition to those imposed by the CAN-SPAM Act.

Moreover, some foreign countries, including the countries of the European Union, have regulated the distribution of commercial email and the online collection and disclosure of personal information. Foreign governments may attempt to apply their laws extraterritorially or through treaties or other arrangements with U.S. governmental entities.

Because we use email marketing, our requirement to comply with the CAN-SPAM Act could adversely affect our marketing activities and increase its costs.

If we lose the services of key personnel, it could adversely affect our business.

Our future success depends, in part, on our ability to attract and retain key personnel. Our future also depends on the continued services of Mr. Michael Mathews, our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Gerard Wendolowski, our Chief Operating Officer, and Dr. Cheri St. Arnauld, our Chief Academic Officer, who are critical to the management of our business and operations and the development of our strategic direction and would also be difficult to replace. We have a $3 million key man life insurance policy on Mr. Mathews. The loss of the services of Mr. Mathews and other key individuals and the process to replace these individuals would involve significant time and expense and may significantly delay or prevent the achievement of our business objectives.

If we are unable to attract and retain our faculty, administrators, management and skilled personnel, we may not be able to support our growth strategy.

To execute our growth strategy, we must attract and retain highly qualified faculty, administrators, management and skilled personnel. Competition for hiring these individuals is intense, especially with regard to faculty in specialized areas. If we fail to attract new skilled personnel or faculty or fail to retain and motivate our existing faculty, administrators, management and skilled personnel, our business and growth prospects could be severely harmed. Further, we are moving to a new hybrid model focused on using full-time faculty members in addition to adjunct or part-time faculty. These efforts may not be successful resulting in the loss of faculty and difficulties in recruiting.

21

If we are unable to protect our intellectual property, our business could be harmed.

In the ordinary course of our business, we develop intellectual property of many kinds that is or will be the subject of copyright, trademark, service mark, trade secret or other protections. This intellectual property includes but is not limited to courseware materials, business know-how and internal processes and procedures developed to respond to the requirements of operating and various education regulatory agencies. We rely on a combination of copyrights, trademarks, service marks, trade secrets, domain names, agreements and registrations to protect our intellectual property. We rely on service mark and trademark protection in the U.S. to protect our rights to the mark ASPEN UNIVERSITY and the mark UNITED STATES UNIVERSITY as well as distinctive logos and other marks associated with our services. We rely on agreements under which we obtain rights to use course content developed by faculty members and other third-party content experts. We cannot assure you that the measures that we take will be adequate or that we have secured, or will be able to secure, appropriate protections for all of our proprietary rights in the U.S. or select foreign jurisdictions, or that third parties will not infringe upon or violate our proprietary rights. Despite our efforts to protect these rights, unauthorized third parties may attempt to duplicate or copy the proprietary aspects of our curricula, online resource material and other content, and offer competing programs to ours.

In particular, third parties may attempt to develop competing programs or duplicate or copy aspects of our curriculum, online resource material, quality management and other proprietary content. Any such attempt, if successful, could adversely affect our business. Protecting these types of intellectual property rights can be difficult, particularly as it relates to the development by our competitors of competing courses and programs.

We may encounter disputes from time to time over rights and obligations concerning intellectual property, and we may not prevail in these disputes. Third parties may raise a claim against us alleging an infringement or violation of the intellectual property of that third-party.

If we are subject to intellectual property infringement claims, it could cause us to incur significant expenses and pay substantial damages.

Third parties may claim that we are infringing or violating their intellectual property rights. Any such claims could cause us to incur significant expenses and, if successfully asserted against us, could require that we pay substantial damages and prevent us from using our intellectual property that may be fundamental to our business. Even if we were to prevail, any litigation regarding the intellectual property could be costly and time-consuming and divert the attention of our management and key personnel from our business operations.

If we incur liability for the unauthorized duplication or distribution of class materials posted online during our class discussions, it may affect our future operating results and financial condition.

In some instances, our faculty members or our students may post various articles or other third-party content on class discussion boards. We may incur liability for the unauthorized duplication or distribution of this material posted online for class discussions. Third parties may raise claims against us for the unauthorized duplication of this material. Any such claims could subject us to costly litigation and impose a significant strain on our financial resources and management personnel regardless of whether the claims have merit. As a result we may be required to alter the content of our courses or pay monetary damages.

Because the personal information that we or our vendors collect may be vulnerable to breach, theft or loss, any of these factors could adversely affect our reputation and operations.

Possession and use of personal information in our operations subjects us to risks and costs that could harm our business. Aspen University and USU use a third-party to collect and retain large amounts of personal information regarding our students and their families, including social security numbers, tax return information, personal and family financial data and credit card numbers. We also collect and maintain personal information of our employees in the ordinary course of our business. Some of this personal information is held and managed by certain of our vendors. Errors in the storage, use or transmission of personal information could result in a breach of student or employee privacy. Possession and use of personal information in our operations also subjects us to legislative and regulatory burdens that could require notification of data breaches, restrict our use of personal information, and cause us to lose our certification to participate in the Title IV Programs. We cannot guarantee that there will not be a breach, loss or theft of personal information that we store or our third parties store. A breach, theft or loss of personal information regarding our students and their families or our employees that is held by us or our vendors could have a material adverse effect on our reputation and results of operations and result in liability under state and federal privacy statutes and legal or administrative actions by state attorneys general, private litigants, and federal regulators and by such other international laws including the European Union’s GDPR and their respective enforcement mechanisms any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

22

If our data or our users’ content is hacked, including through privacy and data security breaches, our business could be damaged, and we could be subject to liability.

Our business is and we expect it will continue to be heavily reliant upon the Internet. Cyber security events have caused significant damage to large well-known companies. If our systems are hacked and our students’ confidential information is misappropriated, we could be subject to liability.

We may fail to detect the existence of a breach of user content and be unable to prevent unauthorized access to user and company content. The techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade service, or sabotage systems change frequently and are often not recognized until launched against a target. They may originate from less regulated third world countries where lax local enforcement and poverty create opportunities for hacking. If our security measures are breached, or our students’ content is otherwise accessed through unauthorized means, or if any such actions are believed to occur, Aspen University and USU may lose existing students and or fail to enroll new students or otherwise be materially harmed.

Our business could be harmed by any significant disruption of service on our websites.

Because of the importance of the Internet to our business, in addition to cybersecurity we face the risk that our systems will fail to function in a robust manner. Our reputation, and ability to attract, retain, and serve our students are dependent upon the reliable performance of our websites, including our underlying technical infrastructure. Our technical infrastructure may not be adequately designed with sufficient reliability and redundancy to avoid performance delays or outages that could be harmful to our business. If our websites are unavailable when students and professors attempt to access them, or if they experience frequent slowdowns or disruptions, we may lose students and professors.

If governments enact new laws to regulate Internet commerce, it may negatively affect our business.

The widespread use of the Internet has led and may in the future lead to the adoption of new laws and regulatory practices in the U.S. and to new interpretations of existing laws and regulations. As well as regulations elsewhere including the European Union. These new laws and interpretations may relate to issues such as online privacy, copyrights, trademarks and service marks, sales taxes, fair business practices and the requirement that online education institutions qualify to do business as foreign corporations or be licensed in one or more jurisdictions where they have no physical location or other presence. New laws, regulations or interpretations related to doing business over the Internet could increase our costs and materially and adversely affect our enrollments, revenues and results of operations.

If we fail to comply with laws and regulations relating to privacy, data protection, information security, advertising and consumer protection, government access requests, or, new laws in one or more of these areas are enacted, it could result in proceedings, actions, or penalties against us and could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

We rely on a variety of marketing techniques, including email, radio, display advertising, and social media marketing, targeted online advertisements, and postal mailings, and we are or may become subject to various laws and regulations that govern such marketing and advertising practices. A variety of federal, state, and international laws and regulations govern the collection, use, retention, sharing, and security of personal data, particularly in the context of online advertising, which we utilize to attract new students.

The use and storage of data, files, and information on our websites and those of our third-party service providers concerning, among others, student information is essential to their enrollment in our schools. Laws and regulations relating to privacy, data protection, information security, marketing and advertising, and consumer protection are evolving and subject to potentially differing interpretations. These requirements may be interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent from one jurisdiction to another or may conflict with other regulations or our current practices. As a result, our practices may not have complied or may not comply in the future with all such laws, regulations, requirements, and obligations. We have implemented various features, integrations, and capabilities as well as contractual obligations intended to enable us to comply with applicable privacy and security requirements in our collection, use, and transmittal of data, but these features do not ensure our compliance and may not be effective against all potential privacy concerns. In particular, as a United States company, we may be obliged to disclose data pursuant to government requests under United States law. Compliance with such requests may be inconsistent with local laws in other countries where our students reside. Any failure, or perceived failure, by us to comply with our posted privacy policies or with any privacy or consumer protection-related laws, regulations, industry self-regulatory principles, industry standards or codes of conduct, regulatory guidance, orders to which we may be subject, or other legal obligations relating to privacy or consumer protection, whether federal, state, or international, could adversely affect our reputation, brand, and business, and may result in claims, proceedings, or actions against us by governmental entities, students, users of our website, third party service providers, or others, or may require us to change our operations and/or cease using certain types of data. Any such claims, proceedings, or actions could hurt our reputation, brand, and business, force us to incur significant expenses in defense of such proceedings or actions, result in adverse publicity, distract our management, increase our costs of doing business, result in a loss of students and/or third party service providers, and result in the imposition of monetary penalties.

23

The legislative and regulatory bodies or self-regulatory organizations in various jurisdictions both inside and outside the United States may expand current laws or regulations, enact new laws or regulations, or issue revised rules or guidance regarding privacy, data protection, consumer protection, information security, and online advertising. For example, in June 2018 the State of California enacted the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (the “CCPA”), which will come into effect on January 1, 2020. The CCPA requires companies that process personal information on California residents to make new disclosures to consumers about such companies’ data collection, use, and sharing practices and inform consumers of their personal information rights such as deletion rights, allows consumers to opt out of certain data sharing with third parties, and provides a new cause of action for data breaches. The State of Nevada has also passed a law, which will take effect on October 1, 2019, that amends the state’s online privacy law to allow consumers to submit requests to prevent websites and online service providers (“Operators”) from selling personally identifiable information that Operators collect through a website or online service. Additionally, the Federal Trade Commission and many state attorneys general are interpreting federal and state consumer protection laws to impose standards for the online collection, use, dissemination, and security of data. Each of these privacy, security, and data protection laws and regulations, and any other such changes or new laws or regulations, could impose significant limitations, require changes to our business model or practices, or restrict our use or storage of personal information, which may increase our compliance expenses and make our business more costly or less efficient to conduct. In addition, any such changes could compromise our ability to develop an adequate marketing strategy and pursue our growth strategy effectively, which, in turn, could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

In addition, federal and state governmental authorities continue to evaluate the privacy implications inherent in the use of third-party “cookies” and other methods of online tracking for behavioral advertising and other purposes. The U.S. government has enacted, has considered, or is considering legislation or regulations that could significantly restrict the ability of companies and individuals to utilize online behavioral tracking, such as by regulating the level of consumer notice and consent required before a company can employ cookies or other electronic tracking tools or the use of data gathered with such tools. Additionally, some providers of consumer devices and web browsers have implemented, or announced plans to implement, means to make it easier for Internet users to prevent the placement of cookies or to block other tracking technologies, which could, if widely adopted, result in the use of third-party cookies and other methods of online tracking becoming significantly less effective. The regulation of the use of these cookies and other current online tracking and advertising practices or a loss in our ability to make effective use of services that employ such technologies could increase our costs of operations and limit our ability to acquire new students on cost-effective terms and consequently, materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

If there is new tax treatment of companies engaged in Internet commerce, this may adversely affect the commercial use of our marketing services and our financial results.

Due to the growing budgetary problems facing state and local governments, it is possible that governments might attempt to tax our activities. New or revised tax regulations may subject us to additional sales, income and other taxes. In 2018 the United States Supreme Court ruled that states can tax the sale of goods sold to residents of their respective state. We cannot predict the effect of current or future attempts to impose taxes on commerce over the Internet. New or revised taxes and, in particular, sales or use taxes, would likely increase the cost of doing business online which could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

If our goodwill on our balance sheet arising from the USU Acquisition becomes impaired, it would require us to record a material charge to earnings in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

As a result of our acquisition of USU, we recorded approximately $5 million of goodwill which is currently shown as an asset on our balance sheet at April 30, 2019.  Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) require us to test our goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if indicators for potential impairment exist. The testing required by GAAP involves estimates and judgments by management. Although we believe our assumptions and estimates are reasonable and appropriate, any changes in key assumptions, including a failure to meet business plans or other unanticipated events and circumstances, may affect the accuracy or validity of such estimates. If in the future we determine an impairment exists, we may be required to record a material charge to earnings in our consolidated financial statements during the period in which any impairment of our goodwill is determined.

24

If our assumptions with respect to our long-term accounts receivable prove to be inaccurate, we may be required to take a charge to our accounts receivable and incur a material non-cash charge to earnings.

As a result of the growing acceptance of our monthly payment plans, our long-term accounts receivable balance has grown from $1,315,050 at April 30, 2018 to $3,085,243 at April 30, 2019. The primary component consists of students who make monthly payments over 36 and 39 months. The average student completes their academic program in 30 months, therefore most of the Company’s accounts receivable are short-term. Our ability to collect the sums owed directly by students in contrast to the federal government or other third parties is directly tied to the future ability of students to pay us and their other obligations stemming from a variety of factors  including the impact of an economic decline in the United States, the students’ individual and family financial conditions, including unemployment and under-employment, health issues which affect students, and/or family members and whether students continue with their courses or cease taking courses. While our management, based on its experience, makes assumptions which affect the reserves we take to our long-term accounts receivable, these assumptions may be incorrect and the above or other factors may cause us to increase our reserves and reduce the long-term accounts receivable on our balance sheet. The amount of any future reductions we take may be a non-cash material charge to future earnings.

Because our expansion of our hybrid nursing program requires material capital expenditures, if we do not begin to generate material cash from operations by the end of the fiscal year ending April 30, 2020, we will have to draw down on our remaining line of credit or close a new financing.

While our online businesses have grown as expected, we made a strategic decision to enter the pre-licensure BSN campus nursing business. That business has the potential to generate higher returns than our legacy online businesses but like any new business venture it requires time to generate income and positive cash flow. Further, as we continue to expand the campus business, we will need cash for, among other things, capital improvements and equipment and general working capital and corporate purposes including employees. This may require us to draw on our remaining line of credit and/or close a new financing. There can be no assurances that we will not encounter obstacles which result in our inability to draw on the line of credit, which is with an individual and not a commercial lender. For example, in the event something were to happen to the lender’s principal executive, including disability or death, we may no longer have him as a source of funding nor can we have any assurance that his estate would agree to continue funding under the line of credit. Further additional borrowings under the line of credit will require additional material debt service payments and a new financing will likely result in dilution to our shareholders.

If we are unable to repay our outstanding indebtedness under our senior secured loan agreements, we could lose our business.

Our obligations under the Loan Agreements in the aggregate principal amount of $10 million, entered into in March 2019, are secured by a first priority lien in certain deposit accounts of the Company, all current and future accounts receivable of Aspen University and USU, certain of the deposit accounts of Aspen University and USU and a pledge of all of the outstanding capital stock of Aspen University and USU. As of April 30, 2019, there was a total of $10,000,000 outstanding under the Loan Agreements. The Loan Agreements mature on September 6, 2020, subject to one 12-month extension upon the Company’s option. If an acceleration event occurs under the Loan Agreements, our entire indebtedness under the Loan Agreements will immediately become due and payable and, if we do not have sufficient funds to repay the indebtedness, the lenders would have the right to proceed against the collateral in which we granted a security interest to them.

Risks Related to the Regulation of Our Industry

If we fail to comply with the extensive regulatory requirements for our business, we could face penalties and significant restrictions on our operations, including loss of access to Title IV Program funds.

We are subject to extensive regulation by (1) the federal government through DOE under the Higher Education Act, (2) state regulatory bodies and (3) accrediting agencies recognized by DOE, including DEAC, a “national accrediting agency” recognized by DOE, and WSCUC, a “regional accrediting agency” recognized by DOE. In addition, the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs regulate our participation in the military’s tuition assistance program and the VA’s veterans education benefits program, respectively. The laws, regulations, standards and policies of these agencies cover the vast majority of our operations, including our educational programs, facilities, instructional and administrative staff, administrative procedures, marketing, recruiting, financial operations and financial condition. These regulatory requirements can also affect our ability to add new or expand existing educational programs and to change our corporate structure and ownership.

25

Institutions of higher education that grant degrees, diplomas, or certificates must be authorized by an appropriate state education agency or agencies. In addition, in certain states, as a condition of continued authorization to grant degrees, a school must be accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education. Accreditation is a non-governmental process through which an institution submits to qualitative review by an organization of peer institutions, based on the standards of the accrediting agency and the stated aims and purposes of the institution. Accreditation is also required in order to participate in various federal programs, including tuition assistance programs of the United States Armed Forces and the federal programs of student financial assistance administered pursuant to Title IV of the Higher Education Act. The Higher Education Act and its implementing regulations require accrediting agencies recognized by DOE to review and monitor many aspects of an institution’s operations and to take appropriate action when the institution fails to comply with the accrediting agency’s standards.

Our operations are also subject to regulation due to our participation in Title IV Programs. Title IV Programs, which are administered by DOE, include loans made directly to students by DOE and several grant programs for students with economic need as determined in accordance with the Higher Education Act and DOE regulations. To participate in Title IV Programs, a school must receive and maintain authorization by the appropriate state education agencies, be accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and be certified as an eligible institution by DOE. Our growth strategy is partly dependent on being able to offer financial assistance through Title IV Programs as it may increase the number of potential students who may choose to enroll in our programs.

The laws, regulations, standards, and policies of DOE, state education agencies, and our accrediting agencies change frequently. Recent and impending changes in, or new interpretations of, applicable laws, regulations, standards, or policies, or our noncompliance with any applicable laws, regulations, standards, or policies, could have a material adverse effect on our accreditation, authorization to operate in various states, activities, receipt of funds under tuition assistance programs of the United States Armed Forces, our ability to participate in Title IV Programs, receipt of veterans education benefits funds, or costs of doing business. Findings of noncompliance with these laws, regulations, standards and policies also could result in our being required to pay monetary damages, or subjected to fines, penalties, injunctions, limitations on our operations, termination of our ability to grant degrees, revocation of our accreditation, restrictions on or loss of our access to Title IV Program funds or other censure that could have a material adverse effect on our business.

If we do not maintain authorization in Colorado, Arizona and California, our operations would be curtailed, and we may not grant degrees.

Aspen University is headquartered in Colorado and is authorized by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education to grant degrees, diplomas or certificates. Aspen’s BSN pre-licensure hybrid program is authorized by the Arizona Board, and USU is headquartered in California and is authorized by the California Bureau to grant degrees, diplomas or certificates. If Aspen were to lose its authorization from the Colorado Commission on Higher Education, Aspen would be unable to provide educational services in Colorado and would lose its eligibility to participate in the Title IV Programs. If Aspen were to lose its authorization from the Arizona Board, it would be unable to provide educational services in Arizona. If USU were to lose its authorization from the California Bureau, it would be unable to provide educational services in California and would lose its eligibility to participate in the Title IV Programs.

Our failure to comply with regulations of various states could have a material adverse effect on our enrollments, revenues, and results of operations.

Various states impose regulatory requirements on education institutions operating within their boundaries. Several states assert jurisdiction over online education institutions that have no physical location or other presence in the state but offer education services to students who reside in the state or advertise to or recruit prospective students in the state. State regulatory requirements for online education are inconsistent among states and not well developed in many jurisdictions. As such, these requirements change frequently and, in some instances, are not clear or are left to the discretion of state regulators.

26

State laws typically establish standards for instruction, qualifications of faculty, administrative procedures, marketing, recruiting, financial operations, and other operational matters. To the extent that we have obtained, or obtain in the future, state authorizations or licensure, changes in state laws and regulations and the interpretation of those laws and regulations by the applicable regulators may limit our ability to offer educational programs and award degrees. Some states may also prescribe financial regulations that are different from those of DOE. If we fail to comply with state licensing or authorization requirements, we may be subject to the loss of state licensure or authorization. If we fail to comply with state requirements to obtain licensure or authorization, we may be the subject of injunctive actions or other penalties or fines. Loss of licensure or authorization or the failure to obtain required licensures or authorizations could prohibit us from recruiting or enrolling students in particular states, reduce significantly our enrollments and revenues and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. 

In addition, DOE’s new distance education rule was scheduled to go into effect on July 1, 2018. However, on May 25, 2018, the DOE published an announcement in the Federal Register that proposes a two-year delay, until July 1, 2020, of the effective date of the final state authorization of distance education regulations. The new rule requires us to (i) obtain authorization to offer our programs from each state where authorization is required or through participation in a reciprocity agreement, and (ii) provide specific consumer disclosures regarding our educational programs. If we fail to obtain required state authorization to provide postsecondary distance education in a specific state before the effective date for the new distance education rule, we could lose our ability to award Title IV aid to students within that state or be required to refund Title IV funds related to jurisdictions in which we failed to have state authorization. We must be able to document state approval for distance education if requested by DOE. In addition, the consumer disclosures required pursuant to the distance education rule are detailed and include disclosures regarding licensure and certification requirements, state authorization, student complaints, adverse actions by state and accreditation agencies, and refund policies. These disclosure requirements will require a considerable amount of data gathering needed to support such disclosures and will require our institutions to closely track where students enrolled in online programs reside during the course of their studies. These various disclosure requirements could subject us to financial penalties from DOE and heighten the risk of potential federal and private misrepresentation claims. On July 3, 2018, the DOE published a final rule in the Federal Register that implemented a two-year delay, until July 1, 2020, of the effective date of the final state authorization of distance education regulations.

Moreover, in the event we are found not to be in compliance with a state’s new or existing requirements for offering distance education within that state, the state could seek to restrict one or more of our business activities within its boundaries, we may not be able to recruit students from that state, and we may have to cease providing service to students in that state. In addition, a state may impose penalties on an institution for failure to comply with state requirements related to an institution’s activities in a state, including the delivery of distance education to persons in that state.

If our pre-licensure BSN nursing programs fail to have a required minimum pass rate on the NCLEX, it could result in sanctions and could adversely affect our business, results of operations and future growth.

Our pre-licensure BSN nursing degree program must comply with state regulations which require approval from the local nursing board and compliance with local laws and regulations. State nursing boards in the states where we currently have or plan to open pre-licensure nursing campuses require that these nursing programs have a certain minimum pass rate on the relevant National Council Licensure Examination (the “NCLEX”). If the NCLEX pass rate falls below the required minimum for multiple years, our program in a state may be put on probation and ultimately terminated, which would materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and future growth.

If DOE determines that borrowers of federal student loans who attended our institutions have a defense to repayment of their federal student loans based on a state law claim against our institution, our institution’s repayment liability to DOE could have a material adverse effect on our enrollments, revenues and results of operations.

DOE’s BDTR regulations as published on November 1, 2016 and put into effect by court order issued on October 16, 2018, provide borrowers of loans under the Direct Loan program a defense against repayment under certain circumstances outlined in the rule. In the event the borrower’s defense against repayment is successful, DOE has the authority to discharge all or part of the student’s obligation to repay the loan and may require the institution to repay the amount of the loan to which the defense applies.

27

Bases for borrowers to file claims: The regulations set out three grounds for a borrower defense to repayment claim: (1) the student borrower obtained a state or federal court judgment against the institution; (2) the institution failed to perform on a contract with the student; and/or (3) the institution committed a “substantial misrepresentation” on which the borrower reasonably relied to his or her detriment. Claims based on a court judgment or claims to assert a defense against loan payments that are still due can be made any time (with no statute of limitations), while other claims (such as to recoup loan funds already repaid to DOE) must be made within six years.

Claim resolution process: The regulations call for DOE to set up a fact-finding process to resolve claims. The structure includes providing the institution with notice and an opportunity to submit evidence. In addition, DOE has also given itself authority to process claims on a group basis, and to take the initiative to create groups and include borrowers who have not filed a claim. Borrowers who file successful claims may have their loans forgiven in whole or in part, with DOE reserving the right to calculate the amount of forgiveness in various ways.

Recovering funds: For debts relieved for individual borrowers, the regulations give DOE the authority to initiate a proceeding to seek repayment from the institution for any loan amounts forgiven.

Financial Responsibility “Triggers”: The BDTR rule amends the existing financial responsibility regulations to describe numerous operational or financial events that would potentially indicate that the institution will have difficulty meeting its financial or administrative obligations. If one of the enumerated triggering events occur, the institution is required to report to DOE according to the reporting requirements included in the regulation.

For certain of the triggers, DOE will assess the potential liability or fiscal impact reported and recalculate the institution’s composite score.  If the institution’s composite score drops below 1.0, DOE may require the institution to provide additional surety to continue Title IV participation.  The regulations also include “discretionary trigger” events or conditions that institutions must report, and which DOE will review to determine whether they are reasonably likely to have a materially adverse effect on the institution’s fiscal or operational condition.

If based on these events and DOE’s assessment, it is determined that the institution is not financially responsible, DOE will require the institution to become provisionally certified and post a letter of credit in an amount specified, generally at least 10% of the Title IV received in the most recent award year.  In addition, if the institution does not provide the required letter of credit within 45 days of DOE’s request, DOE may offset the institution's future Title IV funds for up to nine months until DOE is able to capture the amount of the letter of credit.

Prohibited mandatory pre-dispute arbitration clauses and class action waivers: The regulations would prohibit an institution from requiring a student to agree to resolve a borrower defense-related claim (meaning related to the making of a Direct Loan or the educational services for which the Direct Loan was issued) through arbitration, or from waiving the right to join a class action for similar types of claims. If an institution’s contracts currently contain a pre-dispute arbitration provision or a class waiver, the institution will be required to amend the agreement, and for those who already signed an arbitration or class action waiver, provide a specific notice to students, using language provided by DOE.

In addition, institutions are now required to report and provide DOE with arbitral and judicial records when a student files a borrower defense-related claim.

Required warnings to students of new repayment rate and financial responsibility triggers: The BDTR rules include two additional notice provisions.  For for-profit institutions only, institutions will be required to disclose a new form of loan repayment rate in a variety of public materials, to serve as a warning to current and potential students, when the loan repayment rate falls below a “median borrower” rate, determined by DOE. All Title IV institutions would be required to publish a notice to students regarding certain financial responsibility triggering events.  In its March 15, 2019 guidance, DOE indicated that it will not implement either of these provisions until it has conducted consumer testing to determine the best means to delivery these warnings.

If DOE determines that borrowers of Direct Loan program loans who attended Aspen or USU have a defense to repayment of their Direct Loan program loans based on our acts or omissions, the repayment liability to DOE could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

If Aspen or USU were to experience an event that DOE determines is an indication that either institution is not financial responsible, we could be forced to post letter(s) of credit and be moved to provisional certification, both of which could have a material adverse effects on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

28

Additionally, if DOE finalizes the notice requirements currently delayed for consumer testing, and Aspen or USU were required to issue warnings to current and prospective students describing the low repayment rate or triggering event that could have a material adverse effect on our enrollments, revenues, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.

If we fail to maintain our institutional accreditation, we would lose our ability to participate in the tuition assistance programs of the U.S. Armed Forces and also to participate in Title IV Programs.

Aspen University is accredited by the DEAC, which is a national accrediting agency and USU is accredited by WSCUC, which is a regional accrediting agency. Both DEAC and WSCUC are recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education for Title IV purposes. Accreditation by an accrediting agency that is recognized by the Secretary of Education is required for an institution to become and remain eligible to participate in Title IV Programs as well as in the tuition assistance programs of the United States Armed Forces. The DEAC or WSCUC may impose restrictions on our accreditation or may terminate our accreditation. To remain accredited, we must continuously meet certain criteria and standards relating to, among other things, performance, governance, institutional integrity, educational quality, faculty, administrative capability, resources and financial stability. Failure to meet any of these criteria or standards could result in the loss of accreditation at the discretion of the accrediting agency. The loss of accreditation would, among other things, render our students and us ineligible to participate in the tuition assistance programs of the U.S. Armed Forces or Title IV Programs and have a material adverse effect on our enrollments, revenues and results of operations. In addition, although the loss of accreditation by one school would not necessarily result in the loss of accreditation by the other school, the accreditor may consider the loss of accreditation by one school as a factor in considering the on-going qualification for accreditation of the other school.

Because we participate in Title IV Programs, our failure to comply with the complex regulations associated with Title IV Programs would have a significant adverse effect on our operations and prospects for growth.

Aspen and USU participate in Title IV Programs. Compliance with the requirements of the Higher Education Act and Title IV Programs is highly complex and imposes significant additional regulatory requirements on our operations, which require additional staff, contractual arrangements, systems and regulatory costs. We have a limited demonstrated history of compliance with these additional regulatory requirements. If we fail to comply with any of these additional regulatory requirements, DOE could, among other things, impose monetary penalties, place limitations on our operations, and/or condition or terminate the eligibility of one or both of our schools to receive Title IV Program funds, which would limit our potential for growth and materiality and adversely affect our enrollment, revenues and results of operations. In addition, the failure to comply with the Title IV Program requirements by one institution could increase DOE scrutiny of the other institution and could impact the other institution’s participation in the Title IV Programs.

Because USU is provisionally certified by DOE, we must reestablish our eligibility and certification to participate in the Title IV Programs, and there are no assurances that DOE will recertify us to participate in the Title IV Programs.

An institution generally must seek recertification from DOE at least every six years and possibly more frequently depending on various factors. In certain circumstances, DOE provisionally certifies an institution to participate in Title IV Programs, such as when it is an initial participant in Title IV Programs or has undergone a change in ownership and control.

As mentioned previously, as of May 14, 2019, United States University has been granted provisional approval to participate in the Title IV Programs and has a program participation agreement reapplication date of December 31, 2020. As part of the provisional approval, the DOE informed USU that it must post a letter of credit in the amount of $255,708; this letter will remain in effect for the duration of the provisional approval.

Under provisional certification, an institution must obtain prior DOE approval to add an educational program or make other significant changes and may be subject to closer scrutiny by DOE. In addition, if DOE determines that a provisionally certified institution is unable to meet its responsibilities to comply with the Title IV requirements, DOE may revoke the institution’s certification to participate in the Title IV Programs without advance notice or opportunity to challenge the action. USU expects to be on HCM1, once formal notification is received from the DOE.

29

Subsequent to a compliance audit covering the period from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015, USU recognized that it had not fully complied with all requirements for calculating and making timely returns of Title IV funds (R2T4). USU was required to post an irrevocable letter of credit in the amount of 25% of the 2015 Title IV returns. An irrevocable letter of credit was established in favor of the Secretary of Education in the amount of $71,634 as a result of this finding. In the 2016 compliance audit, USU had a material finding related to the same issue and was required to maintain the irrevocable letter of credit in the same amount. USU will be required to maintain the letter of credit until it has experienced two consecutive audit periods without a repeat finding. As a result of the change of ownership, the previous letter of credit established by USU was replaced by one provided by AGI.

If DOE does not ultimately approve USU’s certification to participate in Title IV Programs, USU students would no longer be able to receive Title IV Program funds, which would have a material adverse effect on our enrollments, revenues and results of operations. In addition, regulatory restraints related to the addition of new programs or substantive change of existing programs or imposition of a letter of credit could impair our ability to attract and retain students and could negatively affect our financial results.

Because DOE may conduct compliance reviews of us, we may be subject to adverse actions and future litigation which could affect our ability to offer Title IV student loans.

Because we operate in a highly regulated industry, we are subject to compliance reviews and claims of non-compliance and lawsuits by government agencies, regulatory agencies, and third parties, including claims brought by third parties on behalf of the federal government. If the results of compliance reviews or other proceedings are unfavorable to us, or if we are unable to defend successfully against lawsuits or claims, we may be required to pay monetary damages or be subject to fines, limitations, loss of Title IV funding, injunctions or other penalties, including the requirement to make refunds. Even if we adequately address issues raised by any compliance review or successfully defend a lawsuit or claim, we may have to divert significant financial and management resources from our ongoing business operations to address issues raised by those reviews or to defend against those lawsuits or claims. Claims and lawsuits brought against us may damage our reputation, even if such claims and lawsuits are without merit.

If the percentage of our revenues derived from Title IV Programs is too high, we could lose our ability to participate in Title IV Programs.

Under the Higher Education Act, an institution is subject to loss of eligibility to participate in the Title IV Programs if, on a cash accounting basis, it derives more than 90% of its fiscal year revenue from Title IV Program funds, for two consecutive fiscal years. This rule is known as the 90/10 rule. Our online programs are well below this threshold due to our monthly payment plans. However, our hybrid campus/online nursing program tuition is too high to justify use of our monthly payment plans.

An institution whose rate exceeds 90% for any single fiscal year is placed on provisional certification for at least two fiscal years and may be subject to other conditions specified by the U.S. Secretary of Education. We must monitor compliance with the 90/10 rule by both Aspen and USU. Failure to comply with the 90/10 rule for one fiscal year may result in restrictions on the amounts of Title IV funds that may be distributed to students; restrictions on expansion; requirements related to letters of credit or any other restrictions imposed by DOE. Additionally, if we fail to comply with the 90/10 rule for two consecutive years, we will be ineligible to participate in Title IV Programs and any disbursements of Title IV Program funds made while ineligible must be repaid to DOE. 

Further, due to scrutiny of the sector, legislative proposals have been introduced in Congress that would revise the requirements of the 90/10 rule to be stricter, including proposals that would reduce the 90% maximum under the rule to 85% and/or prohibit tuition derived from military benefit programs to be considered when determining whether the institution has adequate non-Title IV revenue to meet the requirements of the rule.

30

If our competitors are subject to further regulatory claims and adverse publicity, it may affect our industry and reduce our future enrollment.

We are one of a number of for-profit institutions serving the postsecondary education market. In recent years, regulatory investigations and civil litigation have been commenced against several companies that own for-profit educational institutions. These investigations and lawsuits have alleged, among other things, deceptive trade practices and non-compliance with DOE regulations. These allegations have attracted adverse media coverage and have been the subject of federal and state legislative hearings. Although the media, regulatory and legislative focus has been primarily on the allegations made against specific companies, broader allegations against the overall for-profit school sector may negatively affect public perceptions of other for-profit educational institutions, including Aspen University and USU. In addition, in recent years, reports on student lending practices of various lending institutions and schools, including for-profit schools, and investigations by a number of state attorneys general, Congress and governmental agencies have led to adverse media coverage of postsecondary education. For example, large competitors such as ITT Tech and Corinthian Colleges, sold or shut down their schools due to substantial regulatory investigations and DOE actions. Adverse media coverage regarding other companies in the for-profit school sector or regarding Aspen or USU directly could damage our reputation, could result in lower enrollments, revenues and operating profit, and could have a negative impact on our stock price. Such allegations could also result in increased scrutiny and regulation by DOE, Congress, accrediting bodies, state legislatures or other governmental authorities with respect to all for-profit institutions, including Aspen and USU.

Due to new regulations or congressional action or reduction in funding for Title IV Programs, our future enrollment may be reduced and costs of compliance increased.

The Higher Education Act comes up for reauthorization by Congress approximately every five to six years. When Congress does not act on complete reauthorization, there are typically amendments and extensions of authorization. Additionally, Congress reviews and determines appropriations for Title IV Programs on an annual basis through the budget and appropriations process. There is no assurance that Congress will not in the future enact changes that decrease Title IV Program funds available to students, including students who attend our institutions. Any action by Congress that significantly reduces funding for Title IV Programs or the ability of our schools or students to participate in these programs would require us to arrange for other sources of financial aid and would materially decrease our enrollment. Such a decrease in enrollment would have a material adverse effect on our revenues and results of operations. Congressional action may also require us to modify our practices in ways that could result in increased administrative and regulatory costs and decreased profit margin.

Further, there has been growing regulatory action and investigations of for-profit companies that offer online education. We are not in a position to predict with certainty whether any legislation will be passed by Congress or signed into law in the future. The reallocation of funding among Title IV Programs, material changes in the requirements for participation in such programs, or the substitution of materially different Title IV Programs could reduce the ability of students to finance their education at our institutions and adversely affect our revenues and results of operations.

If our efforts to comply with DOE regulations are inconsistent with how DOE interprets those provisions, either due to insufficient time to implement the necessary changes, uncertainty about the meaning of the rules, or otherwise, we may be found to be in noncompliance with such provisions and DOE could impose monetary penalties, place limitations on our operations, and/or condition or terminate the eligibility of our schools to receive Title IV Program funds. We cannot predict with certainty the effect the new and impending regulatory provisions will have on our business.

31

Because we are subject to sanctions if we fail to calculate correctly and return timely Title IV Program funds for students who stop participating before completing their educational program, our future operating results may be adversely affected.

A school participating in Title IV Programs must correctly calculate the amount of unearned Title IV Program funds that have been disbursed to students who withdraw from their educational programs before completion and must return those unearned funds in a timely manner, generally within 45 days after the date the school determines that the student has withdrawn. Under recently effective DOE regulations, institutions that use the last day of attendance at an academically related activity must determine the relevant date based on accurate institutional records (not a student’s certificate of attendance). For online classes, “academic attendance” means engaging in an academically-related activity, such as participating in class through an online discussion or initiating contact with a faculty member to ask a question; simply logging into an online class does not constitute “academic attendance” for purposes of the return of funds requirements. Under DOE regulations, late return of Title IV Program funds for 5% or more of students sampled in connection with the institution’s annual compliance audit or a program review constitutes material non-compliance. If unearned funds are not properly calculated and timely returned, we may have to repay Title IV funds, post a letter of credit in favor of DOE or otherwise be sanctioned by DOE, which could increase our cost of regulatory compliance and adversely affect our results of operations. This may have an impact on our systems, our future operations and cash flows.

If we fail to demonstrate “financial responsibility,” Aspen and USU may lose their eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs or be required to post a letter of credit in order to maintain eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs.

To participate in Title IV Programs, an eligible institution must satisfy specific measures of financial responsibility prescribed by DOE, or post a letter of credit in favor of DOE and possibly accept other conditions, such as additional reporting requirements or regulatory oversight, on its participation in Title IV Programs. DOE may also apply its measures of financial responsibility to the operating company and ownership entities of an eligible institution and, if such measures are not satisfied by the operating company or ownership entities, require the institution to meet alternative standards for continued participation in the Title IV Programs. Any of these alternative standards would increase our costs of regulatory compliance. If we were unable to meet these alternative standards, we would lose our eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs. If we fail to demonstrate financial responsibility and thus lose our eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs, our students would lose access to Title IV Program funds for use in our institutions, which would limit our potential for growth and adversely affect our enrollment, revenues and results of operations.

If we fail to demonstrate “administrative capability,” we may lose eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs.

DOE regulations specify extensive criteria an institution must satisfy to establish that it has the requisite “administrative capability” to participate in Title IV Programs. If an institution fails to satisfy any of these criteria or comply with any other DOE regulations, DOE may require the repayment of Title IV funds, transfer the institution from the “advance” system of payment of Title IV funds to cash monitoring status or to the “reimbursement” system of payment, place the institution on provisional certification status, or commence a proceeding to impose a fine or to limit, suspend or terminate the participation of the institution in Title IV Programs. If we are found not to have satisfied DOE’s “administrative capability” requirements we could be limited in our access to, or lose, Title IV Program funding, which would limit our potential for growth and adversely affect our enrollment, revenues and results of operations.

Because we rely on a third-party to administer our participation in Title IV Programs, its failure to comply with applicable regulations could cause our schools to lose our eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs.

We rely on third-party assistance to comply with the complex administration of participation in Title IV Programs for each of our schools. A third party assists us with administration of our participation in Title IV Programs, and if it does not comply with applicable regulations, we may be liable for its actions and we could lose our eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs. In addition, if the third-party servicer is no longer able to provide the services to us, we may not be able to replace it in a timely or cost-efficient manner, or at all, and we could lose our ability to comply with the requirements of Title IV Programs, which would limit our potential for growth and adversely affect our enrollment, revenues and results of operation.

32

If we pay impermissible commissions, bonuses or other incentive payments to individuals involved in recruiting, admissions or financial aid activities, we will be subject to sanctions.

A school participating in Title IV Programs may not provide any commission, bonus or other incentive payment based, directly or indirectly, on success in enrolling students or securing financial aid to any person involved in student recruiting or admission activities or in making decisions regarding the awarding of Title IV Program funds. If we pay a bonus, commission, or other incentive payment in violation of applicable DOE rules, we could be subject to sanctions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business. The incentive payment rule and related uncertainty as to how it will be interpreted also may influence our approach, or limit our alternatives, with respect to employment policies and practices and consequently may affect negatively our ability to recruit and retain employees, and as a result our business could be materially and adversely affected.

In addition, the GAO has issued a report critical of DOE’s enforcement of the incentive payment rule, and DOE has undertaken to increase its enforcement efforts. If DOE determines that an institution violated the incentive payment rule, it may require the institution to modify its payment arrangements to DOE’s satisfaction. DOE may also fine the institution or initiate action to limit, suspend, or terminate the institution’s participation in the Title IV Programs. DOE may also seek to recover Title IV funds disbursed in connection with the prohibited incentive payments. In addition, third parties may file “qui tam” or “whistleblower” suits on behalf of DOE alleging violation of the incentive payment provision. Such suits may prompt DOE investigations. Particularly in light of the uncertainty surrounding the incentive payment rule, the existence of, the costs of responding to, and the outcome of, qui tam or whistleblower suits or DOE investigations could have a material adverse effect on our reputation causing our enrollments to decline and could cause us to incur costs that are material to our business, among other things. As a result, our business could be materially and adversely affected.

If their student loan default rates are too high, our schools may lose eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs.

The DOE regulations provide that an institution’s participation in Title IV Programs ends when historical default rates reach a certain level in a single year or for a number of years. Because of our limited experience enrolling students who are participating in these programs, we have limited historical default rate information. Relatively few students are expected to enter the repayment phase in the near term, which could result in defaults by a few students having a relatively large impact on our default rate. If Aspen University or USU loses its eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs because of high student loan default rates, our students would no longer be eligible to use Title IV Program funds in our institution, which would significantly reduce our enrollments and revenues and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

If either institutional accrediting agency loses recognition by the U.S. Secretary of Education or we fail to maintain institutional accreditation for Aspen and USU, we may lose our ability to participate in Title IV Programs.

Increased regulatory scrutiny of accrediting agencies and their accreditation of universities is likely to continue. While Aspen University and USU are each accredited by a DOE-recognized accrediting body, if the DOE were to limit, suspend, or terminate either accreditor’s recognition that institution could lose its ability to participate in the Title IV Programs. If we were unable to rely on accreditation in such circumstances, among other things, our students and our institution would be ineligible to participate in the Title IV Programs, and such consequence would have a material adverse effect on enrollments, revenues and results of operations. In addition, increased scrutiny of accrediting agencies by the Secretary of Education in connection with the DOE’s recognition process may result in increased scrutiny of institutions by accrediting agencies.

Furthermore, based on continued scrutiny of the for-profit education sector, it is possible that accrediting bodies will respond by adopting additional criteria, standards and policies that are intended to monitor, regulate or limit the growth of for-profit institutions like Aspen and USU. Actions by, or relating to, an accredited institution, including any change in the legal status, form of control, or ownership/management of the institution, any significant changes in the institution’s financial position, or any significant growth or decline in enrollment and/or programs, could open up an accredited institution to additional reviews by the applicable accreditor.

33

If we fail to comply with DOE’s substantial misrepresentation rules, it could result in sanctions against our schools.

The DOE may take action against an institution in the event of substantial misrepresentation by the institution concerning the nature of its educational programs, its financial charges or the employability of its graduates. The DOE has expanded the activities that constitute a substantial misrepresentation. Under the DOE regulations, an institution engages in substantial misrepresentation when the institution itself, one of its representatives, or an organization or person with which the institution has an agreement to provide educational programs, marketing, advertising, or admissions services, makes a substantial misrepresentation directly or indirectly to a student, prospective student or any member of the public, or to an accrediting agency, a state agency, or to the Secretary of Education. The regulations define misrepresentation as any false, erroneous or misleading statement, and they define a misleading statement as any statement that has the likelihood or tendency to deceive or confuse. The regulations define substantial misrepresentation as any misrepresentation on which the person to whom it was made could reasonably be expected to rely, or has reasonably relied, to the person’s detriment. If the DOE determines that an institution has engaged in substantial misrepresentation, the DOE may revoke an institution’s program participation agreement, impose limitations on an institution’s participation in the Title IV Programs, deny participation applications made on behalf of the institution, or initiate a proceeding against the institution to fine the institution or to limit, suspend or termination the institution’s participation in the Title IV Programs. We expect that there could be an increase in our industry of administrative actions and litigation claiming substantial misrepresentation, which at a minimum would increase legal costs associated with defending such actions, and as a result our business could be materially and adversely affected.

If we fail to comply with DOE’s credit hour requirements, it could result in sanctions against our schools.

The DOE has defined “credit” hour for Title IV purposes. The credit hour is used for Title IV purposes to define an eligible program and an academic year and to determine enrollment status and the amount of Title IV aid that an institution may disburse in a payment period. The regulations define credit hour as an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates certain specified time in class and out of class and an equivalent amount of work for other academic activities. The final regulations also require institutional accreditors to review an institution’s policies, procedures, and administration of policies and procedures for assignment of credit hours. An accreditor must take appropriate actions to address an institution’s credit hour deficiencies and to notify the DOE if it finds systemic noncompliance or significant noncompliance in one or more programs. The DOE has indicated that if it finds an institution to be out of compliance with the credit hour definition for Title IV purposes, it may require the institution to repay the amount of Title IV awarded under the incorrect assignment of credit hours and, if it finds significant overstatement of credit hours, it may fine the institution or limit, suspend, or terminate its participation in Title IV Programs, as a result of which our business could be materially and adversely affected.

The U.S. Congress continues to examine the for-profit postsecondary education sector which could result in legislation or additional DOE rulemaking that may limit or condition Title IV Program participation of proprietary schools in a manner that may materially and adversely affect our business.

In recent years, the U.S. Congress has increased its focus on for-profit education institutions, including with respect to their participation in the Title IV Programs, and has held hearings regarding such matters. In addition, the GAO released a series of reports following undercover investigations critical of for-profit institutions. We cannot predict the extent to which, or whether, these hearings and reports will result in legislation, further rulemaking affecting our participation in Title IV Programs, or more vigorous enforcement of Title IV requirements. Additionally, the DOE recently created a special unit for the purpose of monitoring publicly traded for-profit educational institutions. Moreover, political consideration could result in a reduction of Title IV funding. To the extent that any laws or regulations are adopted that limit or condition Title IV Program participation of proprietary schools or the amount of federal student financial aid for which proprietary school students are eligible, our business could be materially and adversely affected.

Failure to comply with the federal campus safety and security reporting requirements as implemented by DOE would result in sanctions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operation.

We must comply with certain campus safety and security reporting requirements as well as other requirements in the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act of 1990 (the “Clery Act”), as amended by the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013. The Clery Act requires an institution to report to DOE and disclose in its annual security report, for the three most recent calendar years, statistics concerning the number of certain crimes that occurred within the institution’s so-called “Clery geography.” Failure to comply with the Clery Act requirements or regulations promulgated by DOE could result in fines or suspension or termination of our eligibility to participate in Title IV programs, could lead to litigation, or could harm our reputation, each of which could, in turn, have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

34

Other Risks

Due to factors beyond our control, our stock price may be volatile.

Any of the following factors could affect the market price of our common stock:

· Our failure to generate increasing material revenues;

· Our failure to become profitable or achieve positive adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization;

· Our failure to meet financial analysts’ performance expectations;

· Changes in earnings estimates and recommendations by financial analysts;

· A decline in our growth rate including new student enrollments and class starts;

· Our public disclosure of the terms of any financing which we consummate in the future;

· Disclosure of the results of our monthly payment plan and collections;

· A decline in the economy in the United States which is severe enough to impact our ability to collect our accounts receivable;

· Announcements by us or our competitors of significant contracts, new services, acquisitions, commercial relationships, joint ventures or capital commitments;

· The loss of Title IV funding or other regulatory actions;

· The sale of large numbers of shares of common stock;

· Short selling activities; or

· Changes in market valuations of similar companies.

In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, securities class action litigation has often been instituted. A securities class action suit against us could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s time and attention, which would otherwise be used to benefit our business.

Because we may issue preferred stock without the approval of our shareholders and have other anti-takeover defenses, it may be more difficult for a third-party to acquire us and could depress our stock price.

Our Board of Directors (the “Board”) may issue, without a vote of our shareholders, one or more additional series of preferred stock that have more than one vote per share. This could permit our Board to issue preferred stock to investors who support us and our management and give effective control of our business to our management. Additionally, issuance of preferred stock could block an acquisition resulting in both a drop in our stock price and a decline in interest of our common stock. This could make it more difficult for shareholders to sell their common stock. This could also cause the market price of our common stock shares to drop significantly, even if our business is performing well.

As a result of the limited number of shares in the public float, we believe that major financial institutions including mutual funds and large hedge funds may be reluctant to purchase shares of our common stock.

We have a relatively low number of shares in the public float, and our common stock does not normally trade actively. Our Chief Executive Officer believes, partly based upon conversations with potential mutual funds and large hedge funds that some major financial institutions are unable to purchase our common stock due to the lack of public float and since their minimum size purchase would likely cause an artificial rise in our common stock price. Unless our public float increases, we believe our stock price will be adversely affected.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.

None.

35

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

We lease approximately 88,600 square feet of office and classroom space in the Phoenix metro area, San Diego, New York, Denver and Moncton, New Brunswick Canada. Our lease cost for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2019 was $2,278,642.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

From time-to-time, we may be involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of business. As of the date of this report, except as discussed below, we are not aware of any other pending or threatened lawsuits that could reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the results of our operations and there are no proceedings in which any of our directors, officers or affiliates, or any registered or beneficial shareholder, is an adverse party or has a material interest adverse to our interest.

On February 11, 2013, Higher Education Management Group, Inc. (“HEMG”) and Mr. Patrick Spada sued the Company, certain senior management members and our directors in state court in New York seeking damages arising principally from (i) allegedly false and misleading statements in the filings with the SEC and DOE where the Company disclosed that HEMG and Mr. Spada borrowed $2.2 million without Board authority, (ii) the alleged breach of an April 2012 agreement whereby the Company had agreed, subject to numerous conditions and time limitations, to purchase certain shares of the Company from HEMG, and (iii) alleged diminution to the value of HEMG’s shares of the Company due to Mr. Spada’s disagreement with certain business transactions the Company engaged in, all with Board approval. On November 8, 2013, the state court in New York granted the Company’s motion to dismiss nearly all of the claims. On December 10, 2013, the Company answered an amended complaint filed by HEMG and Mr. Spada in April 2013.

On December 10, 2013, the Company also filed a series of counterclaims against HEMG and Mr. Spada in the same state court of New York. By order dated August 4, 2014, the New York court denied HEMG and Spada’s motion to dismiss the fraud counterclaim the Company asserted against them.

The litigation has been stayed since HEMG’s 2015 bankruptcy filing.

While the Company has been advised by its counsel that HEMG’s and Spada’s claims in the New York lawsuit is baseless, the Company cannot provide any assurance as to the ultimate outcome of the case. Defending the lawsuit maybe expensive and will require the expenditure of time which could otherwise be spent on the Company’s business. While unlikely, if Mr. Spada’s and HEMG’s claims in the New York litigation were to be successful, the damages the Company could pay could potentially be material.

In November 2014, the Company and Aspen University sued HEMG seeking to recover sums due under two 2008 Agreements where Aspen University sold course materials to HEMG in exchange for long-term future payments. On September 29, 2015, the Company and Aspen University obtained a default judgment in the amount of $772,793. This default judgment precipitated the bankruptcy petition discussed in the next paragraph.

On October 15, 2015, HEMG filed bankruptcy pursuant to Chapter 7. As a result, the remaining claims and Aspen’s counterclaims in the New York lawsuit are currently stayed. The bankrupt estate’s sole asset consists of 208,000 shares of AGI common stock. The principal creditors are AGI which holds the judgment and has several other claims. During the fiscal year ended April 30, 2019, the Court reduced Aspen’s unsecured claim to $888,632. The other primary claimant is a secured creditor which alleges it is owed a principal amount of $1,200,000. AGI alleges that because HEMG, a Nevada corporation, had failed to pay annual fees to Nevada it lacked the legal authority to create a security interest.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

Not applicable.

36

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

Our stock trades on The Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “ASPU”. Prior to June 24, 2019 our stock traded on The Nasdaq Capital Market and prior to August 2, 2017, our stock traded on the OTCQB.  

The last reported sale price of our common stock as reported by Nasdaq on July 8, 2019 was $4.28. As of that date, we had 150 record holders. A substantially greater number of holders of our common stock are “street name” or beneficial holders, whose shares are held of record by banks, brokers, and other financial institutions.

Dividend Policy

We have not paid cash dividends on our common stock and do not plan to pay such dividends in the foreseeable future. Our Board will determine our future dividend policy on the basis of many factors, including results of operations, capital requirements, and general business conditions.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

On April 10, 2019, the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Executive Committee”) approved a grant to a consultant of the Company and such consultant’s designated affiliate of a total of 25,000 shares of the Company’s restricted common stock in exchange for services. Of these restricted shares, 5,000 shares were deemed vested as of the date of the grant and the remaining 20,000 shares vest quarterly over a one-year period.

In addition, on April 10, 2019, the Executive Committee approved a grant to a member of the Company’s Advisory Board of five-year warrants to purchase 50,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $4.89 per share, which shall vest annually over a three-year period beginning one year from the grant date, subject to continued service on the Company’s Advisory Board.

Both awards were exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 506(b) promulgated thereunder.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

Not applicable.

37

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

You should read the following discussion in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements, which are included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contain forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates, and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include those discussed in the Risk Factors contained herein.

Company Overview

AGI is an educational technology holding company.  AGI has three subsidiaries, Aspen University, ANI and USU. On March 13, 2012, the Company acquired Aspen University. On December 1, 2017, the Company acquired USU.

AGI leverages its education technology infrastructure and expertise to allow its two universities, Aspen University and United States University, to deliver on the vision of making college affordable again. Because we believe higher education should be a catalyst to our students’ long-term economic success, we exert financial prudence by offering affordable tuition that is one of the greatest values in higher education.  AGI’s primary focus relative to future growth is to target the high growth nursing profession, as today 81% of all students across both universities are degree-seeking nursing students.

In March 2014, Aspen University unveiled a monthly payment plan available to all students across every online degree program offered by the university. The monthly payment plan is designed so that students will make one payment per month, and that monthly payment is applied towards the total cost of attendance (tuition and fees, excluding textbooks). The monthly payment plan offers online associate and bachelor students the opportunity to pay their tuition and fees at $250/month, online master’s students $325/month, and online doctoral students $375/month, interest free, thereby giving students a monthly payment option versus taking out a federal financial aid loan.

USU began offering monthly payment plans in the summer of 2017. Today, monthly payment plans are available for the online RN to BSN program ($250/month), online MBA/M.A.Ed/MSN programs ($325/month), and the online hybrid Masters of Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner (“FNP”) program ($375/month). Effective August 2019, new student enrollments for USU’s FNP monthly payment plan will be offered a $9,000 two-year payment plan ($375/month x 24 months) designed to pay for the first year’s pre-clinical courses only (approximate cost of $9,000). The second academic year in which students complete their clinical courses (approximate cost of $18,000) will be required to be funded through conventional payment methods (either cash, private loans, corporate tuition reimbursement or federal financial aid).

Since 1993, Aspen University has been nationally accredited by the DEAC, a national accrediting agency recognized by the DOE. In February 2019, the DEAC informed Aspen University that it had renewed its accreditation for five years to January 2024.

Since 2009, USU has been regionally accredited by WSCUC.

Both universities are qualified to participate under the Higher Education Act and the Federal student financial assistance programs (Title IV, HEA programs).

AGI Student Population Overview*

AGI’s total active student body (includes both Aspen University and USU) grew 27% year-over-year from 7,057 to 8,932. Of the 8,932 total active students at both universities, 81% or 7,213 are degree-seeking Nursing students.

Aspen University’s total active degree-seeking student body grew 20% year-over-year from 6,500 to 7,784. Aspen’s School of Nursing grew 28% year-over-year, from 4,807 to 6,164 active students, which includes 396 active students in the BSN Pre-Licensure program in Phoenix, AZ.

USU’s total active degree-seeking student body grew sequentially from 961 to 1,148 students or a sequential increase of 19%. Of the 1,148 total active students at USU, 970 or 84% are enrolled in the MSN-FNP degree program.

38

* Note: “Active Degree-Seeking Students” are defined as degree-seeking students who were enrolled in a course during the quarter reported or are registered for an upcoming course.

AGI New Student Enrollments

AGI delivered 1,560 new student enrollments for the fiscal fourth quarter, a 23% increase year-over-year. Aspen University accounted for 1,243 new student enrollments (includes 113 Doctoral enrollments and 186 Pre-licensure BSN AZ campus enrollments). USU accounted for 317 new student enrollments (primarily MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner (“FNP”) enrollments), a 79% increase year-over-year. Enrollments for Aspen University’s Pre-Licensure BSN program increased 92% sequentially as the university began accepting enrollments for prerequisite students taking online courses in anticipation of entering the HonorHealth final two-year core campus program targeted to launch this upcoming September.

Below is a table reflecting unconditional acceptance new student enrollments for the past five quarters:

	New Student Enrollments											EAs		EAs	Enrolls/ Month/EA
	Q4’18		Q1’19		Q2’19		Q3’19		Q4’19			Q4’18		Q4’19
Aspen (Nursing + Other)		980		882		1,104		895		944			49	48		6.6
Aspen (Doctoral)		116		118		133		120		113			6	5		7.5
Aspen (Pre-Licensure BSN, AZ)				93		57		97		186	1		1	5		12.4
USU (FNP + Other)		177		221		271		251		317			8	14		7.5
Total		1,273		1,314		1,565		1,363		1,560			64	72

———————

¹Includes prerequisite students for HonorHealth Campus and students registered for upcoming start dates awaiting financial clearance.

In terms of enrollment center staffing, the Aspen (Nursing + Other) unit was staffed with 48 Enrollment Advisors (EAs), Aspen Doctoral (5), Aspen Pre-Licensure BSN (5) and USU (14). Note that enrollment center staffing on a year-over-year basis increased by 10 EAs across its two newest business units; USU and Aspen’s Pre-Licensure BSN program, while the Aspen (Nursing + Other) and Aspen (Doctoral) staffing decreased year-over-year by one EA in each unit, respectively.

Throughout the 2019 fiscal year just ended, the Company has focused the majority of its growth resources on these two newest business units as the Company has materially higher LTV’s (see ‘Marketing Efficiency Ratio Analysis’ section). By maintaining a relatively flat monthly spend rate ($375,000 - $430,000) and EA staffing plan (45 – 50 EAs) since January 2018 in its Aspen Nursing + Other unit, this allowed the Company to achieve Adjusted EBITDA positive results earlier than expected. However, the Company is planning to increase its EA staffing in its Aspen Nursing + Other unit by 10-20% starting in the summer months and as a result expects year-over-year enrollments to increase during the current fiscal year.

Monthly Payment Programs Overview

Aspen offers two monthly payment programs, a monthly payment plan in which students make payments every month over a fixed period depending on the degree program, and a monthly installment plan in which students pay three monthly installments (day 1, day 31 and day 61 after the start of each course).

39

Aspen University students paying tuition and fees through a monthly payment method grew by 19% year-over-year, from 4,532 to 5,404. Those 5,404 students paying through a monthly payment method represent 69% of Aspen University’s total active student body. The total contractual value of Aspen University’s monthly payment plan students now exceeds $40 million which currently delivers monthly recurring tuition cash payments exceeding $1,200,000.

USU students paying tuition and fees through a monthly payment method grew from 602 to 758 students sequentially. Those 758 students paying through a monthly payment method represent 66% of USU’s total active student body. The total contractual value of United States University’s monthly payment plan students now exceeds $10 million which currently delivers monthly recurring tuition cash payments exceeding $200,000.

Marketing Efficiency Ratio (MER) Analysis

AGI has developed a marketing efficiency ratio to continually monitor the performance of its business model.

	Revenue per Enrollment (RPE)
Marketing Efficiency Ratio (MER) =	—————————————
	Cost per Enrollment (CPE)

Cost per Enrollment (CPE)

The Cost per Enrollment measures the advertising investment spent in a given six month period, divided by the number of new student enrollments achieved in that given six month period, in order to obtain an average CPE for the period measured.

Revenue per Enrollment (RPE)

The Revenue per Enrollment takes each quarterly cohort of new degree-seeking student enrollments, and measures the amount of earned revenue including tuition and fees to determine the average RPE for the cohort measured. For the later periods of a cohort, we have used reasonable projections based off of historical results to determine the amount of revenue we will earn in later periods of the cohort.

The current Marketing Efficiency Ratio (MER = revenue-per-enrollment or LTV/cost-per-enrollment or CAC) for our four degree units is reflected in the below table:

	Enrollments		Cost-of- Enrollment			LTV			MER
Aspen (Nursing + Other)		944	$	1,361	2	$	7,350			5.4X
Aspen (Doctoral)		113	$	2,892	2	$	12,600			4.4X
USU (FNP + Other)		317	$	1,619	2	$	17,820	3		11.0X
Aspen (Pre-Licensure BSN, AZ)		186	$	402	4	$	30,000	5		74.6X

———————

²Based on 6-month rolling average

³LTV for USU’s MSN-FNP Program

⁴Based on 3-month rolling average

⁵Preliminary LTV estimate for Aspen’s Pre-Licensure BSN Program

Bookings Analysis (FY’2018 v. FY’2019)

In the charts below, we have provided a full-year comparison of enrollments and bookings from fiscal year 2018 to fiscal year 2019. Note that the Company’s enrollments rose 36% year-over-year, however, the bookings increased 90% year-over-year.

Growing enrollments by 36% year-over-year yet achieving a 90% increase in bookings translates to a 39% average revenue per unit/enrollment (ARPU) increase year-over-year. This result is why the Company focused its growth spending on these three new business units during fiscal year 2019.

	Lifetime Value (LTV)		FY'2018		FY'2018		FY'2019		FY'2019
	Per Enrollment		Enrollments		Bookings		Enrollments		Bookings
AU Online (Nursing + Other) Unit	$	7,350		3,858	$	28,356,300		3,825	$	28,113,750
AU (Doctoral) Unit	$	12,600		116	$	1,461,600		484	$	6,098,400
AU (Pre-Licensure BSN) Unit	$	30,000		—	$	—		433	$	12,990,000
USU (FNP + Other) Unit	$	17,820		280	$	4,989,600		1,060	$	18,889,200
Total				4,254	$	34,807,500		5,802	$	66,091,350
Average Revenue Per User (ARPU)					$	8,182			$	11,391

40

* Note: “Bookings” are defined by multiplying LTV by new student enrollments for each operating unit. “Average Revenue Per User or (ARPU)” is defined by dividing total bookings by total enrollments.

ASPEN UNIVERSITY’S PRE-LICENSURE BSN HYBRID (ONLINE/ON-CAMPUS) DEGREE PROGRAM

In July 2018, Aspen University through ANI began its Pre-Licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program at its initial campus in Phoenix, Arizona. As a result of overwhelming demand in the Phoenix metro, in January 2019 Aspen began offering both day (July, November, March semesters) and evening/weekend (January, May, September semesters) programs, equaling six semester starts per year. Moreover, in September 2018, Aspen entered into a memorandum of understanding to open a second campus in the Phoenix metro area in partnership with HonorHealth (the initial semester at HonorHealth is currently targeted to begin in September 2019).

Aspen’s innovative hybrid (online/on-campus) program allows most of the credits to be completed online (83 of 120 credits or 69%), with pricing offered at Aspen’s current low tuition rates of $150/credit hour for online general education courses and $325/credit hour for online core nursing courses. For students with no prior college credits, the total cost of attendance is less than $50,000.

Aspen’s Pre-Licensure BSN program is offered as a full-time, three-year (nine semester) program that is specifically designed for students who do not currently hold a state nursing license and have no prior nursing experience. Aspen is admitting students into one of two program components: (1) a pre-professional nursing component for students that have less than the required 41 general education credits completed (Year 1), and (2) the nursing core component for students that ready to participate in the competitive evaluation process for entry (Years 2-3).

New student enrollments for Aspen University’s Pre-Licensure BSN program increased from 97 to 186 or 92% sequentially, as in the fiscal fourth quarter the university began accepting enrollments for prerequisite students taking online courses in anticipation of entering the HonorHealth final two-year nursing core component of the program targeted to launch this upcoming September. Aspen University ended the fiscal year with 396 active students in its Pre-Licensure BSN program.

The Company has been carefully tracking the persistence rates of the first BSN Pre-Licensure cohort of students that began in July 2018. Of the 127 students that entered into the final 2-year nursing core program with all general education courses completed, 123 remain active in the program three semesters later, which represents a 3% attrition rate to date so we are currently modeling less than a 10% attrition rate for this cohort. Additionally, today we have an additional 273 students in the first-year pre-requisite phase of the program and we’re comfortable at this time predicting a two-thirds matriculation rate in this cohort that will successfully complete their 41 first-year credits and thereby enter the final two-year core clinical  As a result, we expect that our Aspen University BSN Pre-Licensure business will deliver the highest LTV’s among all degree programs offered by the Company, and that the LTV per enrollment for the program will be approximately $30,000.

41

The first quarter of fiscal year 2020 (ending July 31, 2019) will mark the completion of the first year of Aspen’s inaugural campus in Phoenix, AZ. Revenues in this first campus are expected to rise to approximately 7% - 8% of the Company’s revenues for the first quarter of fiscal year 2020. The Company expects this inaugural campus to  be profitable in the current first fiscal quarter of fiscal year 2020.

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLES AND MONTHLY PAYMENT PLAN

Since the inception of the monthly payment plan in the spring of 2014, the accounts receivable balance, both short-term and long-term, has grown from a net number of $649,890 at April 30, 2014 to a net number of $13,741,713 at April 30, 2019. This growth could be portrayed as the engine of the monthly payment plan. The attractive aspect of being able to pay for a degree over a fixed period of time has fueled the growth of this plan and, as a result, the increase of the accounts receivable balance.

Each student’s receivable account is different depending on how many classes a student takes each period. If a student takes two classes each eight-week period while paying $250, $325 or $375 a month, that student’s account receivable balance will rise accordingly. The converse is true also. A student who takes courses at a slower pace, even taking time off between eight-week terms, could have a balance due to them. It is much more likely however that a student participating in the monthly payment plan will have an accounts receivable balance, as the majority of students complete their degree program of study prior to the completion of the fixed monthly payment plan.

The common thread is the actual monthly payment, which functions as a retail installment contract with no interest that each student commits to pay over a fixed number of months. If a student stops paying, that person can no longer register for a class. If a student decides to withdraw from the university, their account will be settled, either through collection of their balance or disbursement of the amount owed them. Aspen University students paying tuition and fees through a monthly payment method grew by 19% year-over-year, from 4,532 to 5,404. Those 5,404 students paying through a monthly payment method represent 69% of Aspen University’s total active student body.

USU students paying tuition and fees through a monthly payment method grew from 602 to 758 students sequentially. Those 758 students paying through a monthly payment method represent 66% of USU’s total active student body.

Relationship Between Accounts Receivable and Revenue

The gross accounts receivable balance for any period is the net effect of the following three factors:

1. Revenue;

2. Cash receipts, and;

3. The net change in deferred revenue.

All three factors equally determine the gross accounts receivable. If one quarter experiences particularly high cash receipts, the gross accounts receivable will go down. The same effect if cash receipts are lower or if there are significant changes in either of the other factors.

Simply looking at the change in revenue does not translate into an equally similar change in gross accounts receivable. The relative change in cash and the deferral must also be considered. For net accounts receivable, the changes in the reserve must also be considered. Any additional reserve or write-offs will influence the balance.

As it is a straight mathematical formula for both gross accounts receivable and net accounts receivable, and most of the information is public, one can reasonably calculate the two non-public pieces of information, namely the cash receipts in gross accounts receivable and the write-offs in net accounts receivable.

For revenue, the quarterly change is primarily billings and the net impact of deferred revenue. The deferral from the prior quarter or year is added to the billings and the deferral at the end of the period is subtracted from the amount billed. The total deferred revenue at the end of every period is reflected in the liability section of the balance sheet. Deferred revenue can vary for many reasons, but seasonality and the timing of the class starts in relation to the end of the quarter will cause changes in the balance.

42

As mentioned in the accounts receivable section, the change in revenue cannot be compared to the change in accounts receivable. Revenue does not have the impact of cash received whereas accounts receivable does. Depending on the month and the amount of cash received, it is likely that revenue or accounts receivable will increase at a rate different from the other. The impact of cash is easy to substantiate as it agrees to deposits in our bank accounts.

At April 30, 2019, the allowance for doubtful accounts was $1,247,031 which represents 8.3% of the gross accounts receivable balance of $14,988,744, the sum of both short-term and long-term receivables.

The Introduction of Long-Term Accounts Receivable

When a student signs up for the monthly payment plan, there is a contractual amount that the Company can expect to earn over the life of the student’s program. This contractual amount cannot be recorded as an account receivable as the student does have the option to stop attending. As a student takes a class, revenue is earned over that eight-week class. Some students accelerate their program, taking two classes every eight-week period, and as we discussed, that increases the student’s accounts receivable balance. If any portion of that balance will be paid in a period greater than 12 months, that portion is reflected as long-term accounts receivable. At April 30, 2019 and 2018, those balances are $3,085,243 and $1,315,050, respectively.

As a result of the growing acceptance of our monthly payment plans, our long-term accounts receivable balance has grown from $1,315,050 at April 30, 2018 to $3,085,243 at April 30, 2019. The primary component consist of students who make monthly payments over 36 and 39 months. The average student completes their academic program in 24 months, therefore most of the Company’s accounts receivable are short-term.

Here is a graphic of both short-term and long-term receivables, as well as contractual value:

A	B	C
Classes Taken less monthly payments received	Payments for classes taken that are greater than 12 months	Expected classes to be taken over balance of program.
Short-Term Accounts Receivable	Long-term Accounts Receivable	Not recorded in financial statements
The Sum of A, B and C will equal the total cost of the program.

Seasonality Briefing and Revenue Guidance

As Aspen University continues to scale its traditional online Nursing student body, seasonality in that unit has become more pronounced. As previously disclosed, the Company’s first fiscal quarter (May – July) is the seasonal low point because it falls during the summer months and therefore our primarily working professional students tend to take less courses during that quarter relative to the other three fiscal quarters.

By way of example, in Q4 fiscal 2018 (quarter ending April 30, 2018), Aspen University’s revenues were $6,167,367. In the following quarter (Q1 fiscal 2019), revenues sequentially declined 4% or $234,081 to $5,933,286. The following quarter (Q2 fiscal 2019), revenues rose sequentially by 11% or $650,883 to $6,584,169.

The Company expects a similar seasonality effect with Aspen University’s online degree program to occur in the first quarter of the current 2020 fiscal year. Consequently, Aspen University online degree program revenues are expected to decline in Q1 relative to Q4, however as a result of the growing revenue contribution from USU and AU’s pre-licensure BSN campus program, overall Company revenues are expected to be at least $10 million for the 2020 first fiscal quarter.

43

Results of Operations

For the Year Ended April 30, 2019 Compared with the Year Ended April 30, 2018

*Note that the USU acquisition closed on December 1, 2017, therefore year-over-year comparatives include only five months of USU in the 2018 Period.

Revenue

Revenue from operations for the year ended April 30, 2019 (“2019 Period”) increased to $34,025,418 from $22,021,512 for the year ended April 30, 2018 (“2018 Period”), an increase of $12,003,906 or 55%.

Aspen University’s revenues increased 27% year-over-year in its traditional post-licensure online nursing + other degree programs; and Aspen University’s Pre-Licensure BSN program delivered approximately 4% of the company’s revenues following its first campus launching in Phoenix in July 2018.

USU contributed approximately 20% of the total revenues for the full fiscal year.

Cost of Revenues (exclusive of amortization)

The Company’s cost of revenues consists of instructional costs and services and marketing and promotional costs.

Instructional Costs and Services

Instructional costs and services for the 2019 Period rose to $6,880,668 from $4,424,991 for the 2018 Period, an increase of $2,455,677 or 55%.

Aspen University instructional costs and services represented 18% of Aspen University revenues for the 2019 period, while USU instructional costs and services equaled 29% of USU revenues for the 2019 period.

Marketing and Promotional

Marketing and promotional costs for the 2019 Period were $9,096,550 compared to $5,428,828 for the 2018 Period, an increase of $3,667,722 or 68%.

Aspen University marketing and promotional expenses represented 24% of Aspen University revenues for the 2019 Period, while USU marketing and promotional expenses equaled 24% of USU revenues for the 2019 period.

AGI corporate marketing expenses equaled $852,904 for the 2019 Period compared to $201,190 for the 2018 Period, an increase of $651,714 or 324%. The AGI corporate marketing increase was a result of the initiation of an outside sales force in early calendar year 2018.

Gross profit fell to 51% of revenues or $17,299,195 for the 2019 Period from 53% of revenues or $11,636,809 for the 2018 Period.

Aspen University gross profit represented 55% of Aspen University revenues for the 2019 Period, while USU gross profit equaled 47% of USU revenues for the 2019 Period.

Costs and Expenses

General and Administrative

General and administrative costs for the 2019 Period were $24,987,828 compared to $16,328,580 during the 2018 Period, an increase of $8,659,248 or 53%.

Aspen University general and administrative costs represented 47% of Aspen University revenues for the 2019 Period, while USU general and administrative costs equaled 88% of USU revenues for the 2019 Period. It is anticipated that USU’s general and administrative expenses as a percent of revenues will decline over time as USU’s revenues increase.

44

Aspen Group, Inc. general and administrative costs which are included in the above amount for the 2019 Period equaled approximately $6.14 million, including corporate employees in the NY corporate office, IT, rent, non-cash AGI stock based compensation, and professional fees (legal, accounting, and IR).

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization costs for the 2019 Period increased to $2,170,098 from $1,092,283 for the 2018 Period, an increase of $1,077,815 or 99%. The increase in depreciation expense is mainly due to the depreciation of intangible assets acquired with USU.  Additionally, Aspen has begun making capital investments in the ground campus business and that will cause depreciation expense to continue to increase in the near future.

Other (Expense)

Other expense, net for the 2019 Period decreased to ($168,491) from ($1,807,891) in the 2018 Period, a decrease of $1,639,400 or 91%. The other expenses in the 2018 period consists primarily of expenses associated with the early repayment in April 2018 of the $7,500,000 credit facility with Runway Growth Credit Fund.

Income Taxes

Income taxes expense (benefit) for the comparable years was $0 as Aspen Group experienced operating losses in both periods. As management made a full valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets stemming from these losses, there was no tax benefit recorded in the statement of operations in both periods.

Net Loss

Net loss for 2019 Period was ($9,278,217) as compared to ($7,061,061) for the 2018 Period, an increase in the loss of $2,217,156 or approximately 31%.  The primary reason for the increased loss was that USU is operating at a loss and it had a full year of operation in the 2019 Period but only a partial year of operation in the 2018 Period.  

Aspen University generated approximately $1.9 million of net income for the 2019 period, while USU experienced a net loss of approximately ($3.77) million for the 2019 period.

AGI corporate incurred $7.41 million of operating expenses for the 2019 period, including $0.44 million interest expense.

For the Quarter Ended April 30, 2019 Compared with the Quarter Ended April 30, 2018

Revenue

Revenue from operations for the quarter ended April 30, 2019 (“2019 Quarter”) increased to $10,214,143 from $7,225,029 for the quarter ended April 30, 2018 (“2018 Quarter”), an increase of $2,989,114 or 41%.

Aspen University’s revenues in the 2019 Quarter increased 18% year-over-year in its traditional post-licensure online nursing + other degree programs. Aspen University’s Pre-Licensure BSN program delivered approximately 5% of the Company’s revenues following its first campus launching in Phoenix in July, 2018.

USU contributed approximately 24% of the total revenues for the 2019 Quarter.

Cost of Revenues (exclusive of amortization)

The Company’s cost of revenues consists of instructional costs and services and marketing and promotional costs.

Instructional Costs and Services

Instructional costs and services for the 2019 Quarter rose to $1,974,846 or 19% of revenues from $1,531,173 or 21% of revenues for the 2018 Quarter, an increase of $443,673 or 29%.

Aspen University instructional costs and services represented 17% of Aspen University revenues for the 2019 quarter, while USU instructional costs and services equaled 25% of USU revenues during the 2019 quarter.

45

Marketing and Promotional

Marketing and promotional costs for the 2019 Quarter were $2,337,486 or 23% of revenues compared to $2,039,832 or 28% of revenues for the 2018 Quarter, an increase of $297,654 or 15%.

Aspen University marketing and promotional costs represented 21% of Aspen University revenues for the 2019 Quarter, while USU marketing and promotional costs equaled 19% of USU revenues for the 2019 Quarter.

AGI corporate marketing expenses equaled $201,190 for the 2019 Quarter compared to $247,835 for the 2018 Quarter, a decrease of $46,645 or 19%.

Gross profit rose to 56% of revenues or $5,683,536 for the 2019 Quarter from 49% of revenues or $3,506,254 for the 2018 Quarter.

Aspen University gross profit represented 58% of Aspen University revenues for the 2019 Quarter, while USU gross profit equaled 55% of USU revenues during the 2019 Quarter.

Costs and Expenses

General and Administrative

General and administrative costs for the 2019 Quarter were $6,669,767 compared to $5,353,495 during the 2018 Quarter, an increase of $1,316,272 or 25%.

Aspen University general and administrative costs which are included in the above amount represented 43% of Aspen University revenues for the 2019 Quarter, while USU general and administrative costs equaled 65% of USU revenues for the 2019 Quarter. As a percentage of revenue, the AU percentage is higher than the previous year’s 4^th quarter percentage of 27%.  In the 2018 Quarter a full year adjustment was made moving expenses from the subsidiary to the parent causing the variance between the two quarters.

AGI’s general and administrative costs for the 2019 Quarter which is included in the above amount equaled approximately $1.73 million, including corporate employees in the NY corporate office, IT, rent, non-cash AGI stock based compensation, and professional fees (legal, accounting, and IR).

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization costs for the 2019 Quarter increased to $592,634 from $460,314 for the 2018 Quarter, an increase of $132,320 or 29%. The increase in depreciation expense is mainly due to the depreciation of intangible assets acquired with USU.  Additionally, Aspen has begun making capital investments in the Phoenix campus and that will cause depreciation expense to continue to increase in the near future.

Other Income (Expense)

Other income, net for the 2019 Quarter decreased to $(249,333) from ($1,504,701) in the 2018 Quarter, a decrease of $1,255,368 or 83%. The other expenses in the 2018 period consists primarily expenses associated with the payoff of the $7,500,000 credit facility.

Income Taxes

Income taxes expense (benefit) for the comparable years was $0 as Aspen Group experienced operating losses in both periods. As management made a full valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets stemming from these losses, there was no tax benefit recorded in the statement of operations in both periods.

Operating Income and Loss

Aspen University generated $1.1 million of operating income for the 2019 Quarter, USU experienced an operating loss of ($0.51) million during the 2019 Quarter, while AGI corporate incurred $2.2 million of total expenses for the 2019 Quarter.

46

Net Loss

Net loss applicable to shareholders was ($1,609,923) or net loss per share of $(0.09) for the 2019 Quarter as compared to ($3,664,486) for the 2018 Quarter, a decrease in the loss of $2,054,563.

Non-GAAP – Financial Measures

The following discussion and analysis includes both financial measures in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, or GAAP, as well as non-GAAP financial measures. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s performance, financial position or cash flows that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally included or excluded in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed as supplemental to, and should not be considered as alternatives to net income, operating income, and cash flow from operating activities, liquidity or any other financial measures. They may not be indicative of the historical operating results of Aspen Group nor are they intended to be predictive of potential future results. Investors should not consider non-GAAP financial measures in isolation or as substitutes for performance measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.

Our management uses and relies on EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, which are non-GAAP financial measures. We believe that both management and shareholders benefit from referring to the following non-GAAP financial measures in planning, forecasting and analyzing future periods. Our management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in evaluating its financial and operational decision making and as a means to evaluate period-to-period comparison. Our management recognizes that the non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations because of the described excluded items.

Aspen Group defines Adjusted EBITDA as earnings (or loss) from continuing operations before the items in the table below including non-recurring charges of $497,300 in 2019 and $764,253 in 2018. Adjusted EBITDA is an important measure of our operating performance because it allows management, investors and analysts to evaluate and assess our core operating results from period-to-period after removing the impact of items of a non-operational nature that affect comparability.

We have included a reconciliation of our non-GAAP financial measures to the most comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP. We believe that providing the non-GAAP financial measures, together with the reconciliation to GAAP, helps investors make comparisons between the Company and other companies. In making any comparisons to other companies, investors need to be aware that companies use different non-GAAP measures to evaluate their financial performance. Investors should pay close attention to the specific definition being used and to the reconciliation between such measure and the corresponding GAAP measure provided by each company under applicable SEC rules.

The following table presents a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net loss allocable to common shareholders, a GAAP financial measure:

	For the Years Ended April 30,
	2019			2018
Net loss	$	(9,278,217	)	$	(7,061,061	)
Interest expense		441,961			1,860,391
Taxes		9,276			—
Depreciation & amortization		2,170,098			1,092,283
EBITDA (loss)		(6,656,882	)		(4,108,387	)
Bad debt expense		854,008			535,366
Acquisition expenses		—			828,566
Non-recurring charges		497,300			764,253
Stock-based compensation		1,190,385			642,566
Adjusted EBITDA (Loss)	$	(4,115,189	)	$	(1,337,636	)

	For the Quarters Ended April 30,
	2019			2018
Net loss	$	(1,609,923	)	$	(3,664,486	)
Interest expense		285,437			1,504,701
Depreciation & amortization		592,634			460,314
EBITDA (Loss)		(731,852	)		(1,699,471	)
Bad debt expense		373,942			317,222
Non-recurring charges		106,589			186,147
Stock-based compensation		324,256			176,098
Adjusted EBITDA (Loss)	$	72,935		$	(1,020,004	)

47

Aspen University generated $3.9 million of Adjusted EBITDA for the 2019 Period and $1.8 million of Adjusted EBITDA for the 2019 Quarter.

USU experienced an Adjusted EBITDA loss of $(2.2) million during the 2019 Period and an Adjusted EBITDA loss of $(0.1) million during the 2019 Quarter.

Aspen Group corporate incurred $7.0 million of operating expenses to the $(4.1) million Aspen Group Adjusted EBITDA loss for the 2019 Period and $(1.6) million of operating expenses to the $72,935 Adjusted EBITDA result for the 2019 Quarter.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

A summary of our cash flows is as follows:

	For the Years Ended
	April 30,
	2019			2018
Net cash used in operating activities	$	(10,216,014	)	$	(5,609,935	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(2,623,043	)		(3,521,325	)
Net cash provided by financing activities		8,003,744			21,178,108
Net increase in cash	$	(4,835,313	)	$	12,046,848

Net Cash Used in Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities during the 2019 Period totaled ($10,216,014) and resulted primarily from the net loss of($9,278,217), offset by $4,380,549 in non-cash items and a $5,318,346 decrease in operating assets and liabilities. The most significant item change in operating assets and liabilities was an increase in accounts receivable of $6,477,948 which is primarily attributed to the growth in revenues from students paying through the monthly payment plan. The most significant non-cash items were depreciation and amortization expense of $2,170,098 and stock-based compensation expense of $1,190,385.

Net cash used in operating activities during the 2018 Period totaled ($5,609,935) and resulted primarily from the net loss of ($7,061,061) and a net change in operating assets and liabilities of ($1,704,389), both offset by non-cash items of $3,212,898. The most significant change in operating assets and liabilities was an increase of $3,360,277 in accounts receivable reflecting the expansion of the monthly payment plan. The most significant non-cash item was $1,092,283 in Depreciation and Amortization.

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities during the 2019 Period totaled ($2,623,043) mostly attributed to investments in the purchase of property and equipment as we build up our campuses in Arizona.

Net cash used in investing activities during the 2018 Period totaled ($3,521,325), reflecting primarily fixed asset purchases of $1,836,618 and the cash paid for the acquisition totaling $2,589,719.

Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities during the 2019 Period totaled $8,003,744 which reflects the early repayment of the remaining outstanding principal of the Convertible Note, issued in connection with the USU acquisition, offset by the proceeds from the senior secured term loans.

Net cash provided by financing activities during the 2018 Period totaled $21,178,108, reflecting primarily net proceeds of equity offerings, totaling approximately $20.8 million.

48

Liquidity

The Company had cash of $5,500,000  on July 9, 2019, including $448,400 of restricted cash. This included the proceeds of the Term Loan, which was funded in March 2019. In addition to its cash, the Company also had access to the $5 million Revolving Credit Facility, which is unused. The Company has sufficient cash resources to meet its working capital needs for at least the next 12 months.

Our cash balances are kept liquid to support our growing infrastructure needs. The majority of our cash is concentrated in large financial institutions.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

In response to financial reporting release FR-60, Cautionary Advice Regarding Disclosure About Critical Accounting Policies, from the SEC, we have selected our more subjective accounting estimation processes for purposes of explaining the methodology used in calculating the estimate, in addition to the inherent uncertainties pertaining to the estimate and the possible effects on our financial condition. There were no material changes to our principal accounting estimates during the period covered by this report.

Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue

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

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable

All students are required to select both a primary and secondary payment option with respect to amounts due to Aspen for tuition, fees and other expenses. The most common payment option for Aspen’s students is personal funds or payment made on their behalf by an employer. In instances where a student selects financial aid as the primary payment option, he or she often selects personal cash as the secondary option. If a student who has selected financial aid as his or her primary payment option withdraws prior to the end of a course but after the date that Aspen’s institutional refund period has expired, the student will have incurred the obligation to pay the full cost of the course. If the withdrawal occurs before the date at which the student has earned 100% of his or her financial aid, Aspen will have to return all or a portion of the Title IV funds to the DOE and the student will owe Aspen all amounts incurred that are in excess of the amount of financial aid that the student earned and that Aspen is entitled to retain. In this case, Aspen must collect the receivable using the student’s second payment option.

For accounts receivable from students, Aspen records an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability, failure or refusal of its students to make required payments, which includes the recovery of financial aid funds advanced to a student for amounts in excess of the student’s cost of tuition and related fees. Aspen determines the adequacy of its allowance for doubtful accounts using a general reserve method based on an analysis of its historical bad debt experience, current economic trends, and the aging of the accounts receivable and student status. Aspen applies reserves to its receivables based upon an estimate of the risk presented by the age of the receivables and student status. Aspen writes off accounts receivable balances at the time the balances are deemed uncollectible. Aspen continues to reflect accounts receivable with an offsetting allowance as long as management believes there is a reasonable possibility of collection.

49

For accounts receivable from primary payors other than students, Aspen estimates its allowance for doubtful accounts by evaluating specific accounts where information indicates the customers may have an inability to meet financial obligations, such as bankruptcy proceedings and receivable amounts outstanding for an extended period beyond contractual terms. In these cases, Aspen uses assumptions and judgment, based on the best available facts and circumstances, to record a specific allowance for those customers against amounts due to reduce the receivable to the amount expected to be collected. These specific allowances are re-evaluated and adjusted as additional information is received. The amounts calculated are analyzed to determine the total amount of the allowance. Aspen may also record a general allowance as necessary.

Direct write-offs are taken in the period when Aspen has exhausted its efforts to collect overdue and unpaid receivables or otherwise evaluate other circumstances that indicate that Aspen should abandon such efforts.

Business Combinations

We include the results of operations of businesses we acquire from the date of the respective acquisition. We allocate the purchase price of acquisitions to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at fair value. The excess of the purchase price of an acquired business over the amount assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. We expense transaction costs associated with business combinations as incurred.

Goodwill and Intangibles

Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the fair market value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed from Educacion Significativa, LLC. Goodwill has an indefinite life and is not amortized. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment.

Intangible assets represent both indefinite lived and definite lived assets. Accreditation and regulatory approvals and Trade name and trademarks are deemed to have indefinite useful lives and accordingly are not amortized but are tested annually for impairment. Student relationships and curriculums are deemed to have definite lives and are amortized accordingly.

Related Party Transactions

See Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements included herein for additional description of related party transactions that had a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not engage in any activities involving variable interest entities or off-balance sheet arrangements.

New Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 13 to our consolidated financial statements included herein for discussion of recent accounting pronouncements.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including statements regarding the effect of bookings on future revenue, attrition rates from the three programs AGI is focusing on, the future effect of seasonality on our operating results, expected income from Aspen University’s inaugural campus, our expected future revenues, expected continued increase in our depreciation expense, projections with respect to our marketing efficiency ratio, and liquidity.  All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this report, including statements regarding our future financial position, liquidity, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “should,” “plan,” “could,” “target,” “potential,” “is likely,” “will,” “expect” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that we believe may affect our financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs.

The results anticipated by any or all of these forward-looking statements might not occur. Important factors, uncertainties and risks that may cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements are contained in the Risk Factors contained in Item 1A. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as the result of new information, future events or otherwise. For more information regarding some of the ongoing risks and uncertainties of our business, see the Risk Factors and our other filings with the SEC.

50

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

Not applicable.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

The financial statements and the other information required by this Item can be found beginning on page F-1.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

Not applicable.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Our management carried out an evaluation, with the participation of our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, required by Rule 13a-15 or 15d-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based on their evaluation, our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the end of the period covered by this report to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.  Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Our management, under the supervision and with the participation of our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of the end of the period covered by this report. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsor Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework as issued in 2013. In evaluating our information technology controls, management also used components of the framework contained in the Control Objectives for Information and Related Technology, which was developed by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association’s IT Governance Institute, as a complement to the COSO internal control framework. Based on these evaluations, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective based on these criteria.

Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision of our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of our financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP. Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate.

The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, Salberg & Company, PA, audited the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Salberg & Company, PA has issued an audit report with respect to our internal control over financial reporting, which appears in Part IV, Item 15 of this Report on Form 10-K.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.

None.

51

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of the fiscal year ended April 30, 2019.

Our Board of Directors has adopted a Code of Ethics applicable to all officers, directors and employees, which is available on our website (http://ir.aspen.edu/governance-docs) under "Corporate Governance." We intend to satisfy the disclosure requirement under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of our Code of Ethics and by posting such information on our website at the address and location specified above.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of the fiscal year ended April 30, 2019.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of the fiscal year ended April 30, 2019.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of the fiscal year ended April 30, 2019.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.

The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to our Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of the fiscal year ended April 30, 2019.

52

PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

(a) Documents filed as part of the report.

(1) Financial Statements. See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements, which appears on page F-1 hereof. The financial statements listed in the accompanying Index to Consolidated Financial Statements are filed herewith in response to this Item.

(2) Financial Statements Schedules. All schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or because the required information is contained in the consolidated financial statements or notes included in this report.

(3) Exhibits. See the Exhibit Index.

ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY.

Not applicable.

53

SIGNATURES

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

	Aspen Group, Inc.
Date: July 9, 2019	By:	/s/ Michael Mathews
		Michael Mathews
		Chief Executive Officer
		(Principal Executive Officer)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature	Title	Date
/s/ Michael Mathews	Principal Executive Officer and Director	July 9, 2019
Michael Mathews
/s/ Joseph Sevely	Chief Financial Officer	July 9, 2019
Joseph Sevely	(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Janet Gill	Chief Accounting Officer	July 9, 2019
Janet Gill	(Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ Norman Dicks	Director	July 9, 2019
Norman Dicks
	Director
C. James Jensen
/s/ Andrew Kaplan	Director	July 9, 2019
Andrew Kaplan
/s/ Malcolm MacLean IV	Director	July 9, 2019
Malcolm MacLean IV
/s/ Frank Cotroneo	Director	July 9, 2019
Frank Cotroneo
/s/ Sanford Rich	Director	July 9, 2019
Sanford Rich

54

Aspen Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Index to Consolidated Financial Statements

	Page
Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of April 30, 2019 and 2018	F-4
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018	F-6
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018	F-7
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018	F-8
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	F-10

F-1

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of:

Aspen Group, Inc.

Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Aspen Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of April 30, 2019 and 2018, and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended April 30, 2019, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company as of April 30, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended April 30, 2019, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.

2295 NW Corporate Blvd., Suite 240 • Boca Raton, FL 33431-7328

Phone: (561) 995-8270 • Toll Free: (866) CPA-8500 • Fax: (561) 995-1920

www.salbergco.com • info@salbergco.com

Member National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts • Registered with the PCAOB

Member CPAConnect with Affiliated Offices Worldwide • Member AICPA Center for Audit Quality

F-2

Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/ Salberg & Company, P.A.

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2012

SALBERG & COMPANY, P.A.

Boca Raton, Florida

July 9, 2019

F-3

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

	April 30,			April 30,
	2019			2018
Assets
Current assets:
Cash	$	9,519,352		$	14,612,559
Restricted cash		448,400			190,506
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,247,031 and $468,174, respectively		10,656,470			6,802,723
Prepaid expenses		410,745			199,406
Other receivables		2,145			184,569
Total current assets		21,037,112			21,989,763
Property and equipment:
Call center equipment		193,774			140,509
Computer and office equipment		327,621			230,810
Furniture and fixtures		1,381,271			932,454
Software		4,314,198			2,878,753
		6,216,864			4,182,526
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		(1,825,524	)		(1,320,360	)
Total property and equipment, net		4,391,340			2,862,166
Goodwill		5,011,432			5,011,432
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $1,558,333 and 458,333, respectively		8,541,667			9,641,667
Courseware, net		161,930			138,159
Accounts receivable, secured - net of allowance of $625,963, and $625,963, respectively		45,329			45,329
Long term contractual accounts receivable		3,085,243			1,315,050
Debt issue cost, net		300,824			—
Deposits and other assets		629,626			584,966
Total assets	$	43,204,503		$	41,588,532

(Continued)

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

F-4

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (CONTINUED)

	April 30,			April 30,
	2019			2018
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	1,699,221		$	2,227,214
Accrued expenses		651,418			658,854
Deferred revenue		2,456,865			1,814,136
Refunds due students		1,174,501			815,841
Deferred rent, current portion		47,436			8,160
Convertible notes payable, current portion		50,000			1,050,000
Other current liabilities		270,786			203,371
Total current liabilities		6,350,227			6,777,576
Convertible note payable		—			1,000,000
Senior secured loan payable, net of discount of $353,328		9,646,672			—
Deferred rent		746,176			77,365
Total liabilities		16,743,075			7,854,941
Commitments and contingencies - See Note 11
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized,
0 issued and outstanding at April 30, 2019 and April 30, 2018		—			—
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 40,000,000 shares authorized,
18,665,551 issued and 18,648,884 outstanding at April 30, 2019
18,333,521 issued and 18,316,854 outstanding at April 30,2018		18,666			18,334
Additional paid-in capital		68,562,727			66,557,005
Treasury stock (16,667 shares)		(70,000	)		(70,000	)
Accumulated deficit		(42,049,965	)		(32,771,748	)
Total stockholders’ equity		26,461,428			33,733,591
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	43,204,503		$	41,588,532

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

F-5

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

	For the
	Years Ended
	April 30,
	2019			2018
Revenues	$	34,025,418		$	22,021,512
Operating expenses
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)		15,977,218			9,853,819
General and administrative		24,987,828			16,328,580
Depreciation and amortization		2,170,098			1,092,283
Total operating expenses		43,135,144			27,274,682
Operating loss		(9,109,726	)		(5,253,170	)
Other income (expense):
Other income		276,189			149,761
Gain on extinguishment of warrant liability		—			52,500
Interest expense		(444,680	)		(2,010,152	)
Total other income (expense), net		(168,491	)		(1,807,891	)
Loss before income taxes		(9,278,217	)		(7,061,061	)
Income tax expense (benefit)		—			—
Net loss	$	(9,278,217	)	$	(7,061,061	)
Net loss per share allocable to common stockholders - basic and diluted	$	(0.50	)	$	(0.50	)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: basic and diluted		18,409,459			14,215,868

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

F-6

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

FOR THE YEARS ENDED APRIL 30, 2019 AND APRIL 30, 2018

For the year ended April 30, 2019

					Additional									Total
	Common Stock				Paid-In			Treasury			Accumulated			Stockholders'
	Shares		Amount		Capital			Stock			Deficit			Equity
Balance at April 30, 2018		18,333,521	$	18,334	$	66,557,005		$	(70,000	)	$	(32,771,748	)	$	33,733,591
Stock-based compensation		—		—		1,190,385			—			—			1,190,385
Common stock issued for cashless stock options exercised		111,666		112		(112	)		—			—			—
Common stock issued for stock options exercised for cash		56,910		56		128,145			—			—			128,201
Common stock issued for cashless warrant exercise		119,594		120		(120	)		—			—			—
Common stock issued for warrants exercised for cash		43,860		44		99,956			—			—			100,000
Warrants issued with debt financing		—		—		615,587			—			—			615,587
Warrants issued for services		—		—		1,713			—			—			1,713
Purchase of treasury stock, net of broker fees		—		—					(7,370,000	)		—			(7,370,000	)
Re-sale of treasury stock, net of broker fees		—		—		—			7,370,000			—			7,370,000
Fees associated with equity raise		—		—		(29,832	)		—			—			(29,832	)
Net loss, for the year ended April 30, 2019		—		—		—			—			(9,278,217	)		(9,278,217	)
Balance at April 30, 2019		18,665,551	$	18,666	$	68,562,727		$	(70,000	)	$	(42,049,965	)	$	26,461,428

For the year ended April 30, 2018

					Additional									Total
	Common Stock				Paid-In			Treasury			Accumulated			Stockholders'
	Shares		Amount		Capital			Stock			Deficit			Equity
Balance at April 30, 2017		13,504,012	$	13,504	$	33,607,423		$	(70,000	)	$	(25,710,687	)	$	7,840,240
Stock-based compensation		—		—		642,566			—			—			642,566
Common stock issued for stock options exercised for cash		136,563		137		475,688			—			—			475,825
Common stock issued for cashless warrant exercise		171,962		172		(172	)		—			—			—
Common stock issued for warrants exercised for cash		87,775		88		246,292			—			—			246,380
Warrants issued with senior secured term loan		—		—		478,428			—			—			478,428
Fees associated with equity raise		—		—		(2,215,730	)		—			—			(2,215,730	)
Restricted stock issued for services		10,000		10		88,689			—			—			88,699
Common stock issued for acquisition		1,203,209		1,203		10,214,041			—			—			10,215,244
Common stock issued in equity raise		3,220,000		3,220		23,019,780			—			—			23,023,000
Net loss, for the year ended April 30, 2018		—		—		—			—			(7,061,061	)		(7,061,061	)
Balance at April 30, 2018		18,333,521	$	18,334	$	66,557,005		$	(70,000	)	$	(32,771,748	)	$	33,733,591

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

F-7

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

	For the			For the
	Year ended			Year ended
	April 30,			April 30,
	2019			2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$	(9,278,217	)	$	(7,061,061	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Bad debt expense		854,008			535,366
Gain on extinguishment of warrant liability		—			(52,500	)
Depreciation and amortization		2,170,098			1,092,283
Stock-based compensation		1,190,385			642,566
Warrants awarded to directors for service		1,713			—
Loss on asset disposition		—			27,590
Amortization and write-off origination fees		—			829,794
Amortization of debt discounts		40,881			—
Amortization of debt issue costs		54,247			—
Cash paid to settle convertible debt		60,932			—
Amortization of prepaid shares for services		8,285			80,415
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		(6,477,948	)		(3,360,277	)
Prepaid expenses		(219,624	)		(13,593	)
Accrued interest receivable		—			(45,400	)
Other receivables		182,424			(103,105	)
Other assets		(44,660	)		(528,549	)
Accounts payable		(527,993	)		1,319,268
Accrued expenses		(7,436	)		280,697
Deferred rent		663,376			22,079
Refunds due students		358,660			505,265
Deferred revenue		642,729			(1,953	)
Other liabilities		112,126			221,180
Net cash used in operating activities		(10,216,014	)		(5,609,935	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of courseware and accreditation		(91,522	)		(48,388	)
Purchases of property and equipment		(2,531,521	)		(1,836,618	)
Notes receivable		—			900,000
Cash paid in acquisition		—			(2,589,719	)
Proceeds from promissory note interest receivable		—			53,400
Net cash used in investing activities		(2,623,043	)		(3,521,325	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of convertible note payable		(2,000,000	)		—
Proceeds of equity offering		—			23,023,000
Disbursements for equity offering costs		(29,832	)		(2,215,730	)
Proceeds from senior secured term loan		—			7,500,000
Repayment of senior secured loan		—			(7,500,000	)
Proceeds of stock options and warrants exercised		228,201			722,205
Purchase of treasury stock		(7,370,000	)		—
Re-sale of treasury stock		7,370,000			—
Offering costs paid on debt financing		(100,000	)		(351,367	)
Closing costs of senior secured loans		(33,693	)		—
Cash paid to settle convertible debt		(60,932	)		—
Proceeds of senior secured loan		10,000,000			—
Net cash provided by financing activities		8,003,744			21,178,108

 (Continued)

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

F-8

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)

	For the			For the
	Year ended			Year ended
	April 30,			April 30,
	2019			2018
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	$	(4,835,313	)	$	12,046,848
Cash, restricted cash, and cash equivalents at beginning of year		14,803,065			2,756,217
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	9,967,752		$	14,803,065
Supplemental disclosure cash flow information
Cash paid for interest	$	118,217		$	540,341
Cash paid for income taxes	$	—		$	—
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities
Warrants issued as part of revolving credit facility	$	255,071		$	—
Warrants issued as part of senior secured term loans	$	360,516		$	478,428
Assets acquired net of liabilities assumed for non-cash consideration	$	—		$	12,215,244
Common stock issued for services	$	29,809		$	88,699

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and restricted cash reported within the consolidated balance sheet that sum to the same such amounts shown in the consolidated statement of cash flows:

	For the		For the
	Year ended		Year ended
	April 30,		April 30,
	2019		2018
Cash	$	9,519,352	$	14,612,559
Restricted cash		448,400		190,506
Total cash and restricted cash	$	9,967,752	$	14,803,065

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

F-9

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

April 30, 2019 and 2018

Note 1. Nature of Operations and Liquidity

Overview

Aspen Group, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company,” “Aspen,” or “AGI”) is a holding company, which has three subsidiaries. They are Aspen University, Inc. (“Aspen University”) organized in 1987, Aspen Nursing, Inc. (“ANI”) (a subsidiary of Aspen University) formed in July 2018 and United States University, Inc. (“USU”) formed in May 2017. USU was the vehicle we used to acquire United States University on December 1, 2017. (See Note 5). When we refer to USU in this Report, we refer to either the online university which has operated under the name United States University or our subsidiary which operates this university, as the context implies.

AGI is an education technology holding company that leverages its infrastructure and expertise to allow its two universities, Aspen University and United States University, to deliver on the vision of making college affordable again. Because we believe higher education should be a catalyst to our students’ long-term economic success, we exert financial prudence by offering affordable tuition that is one of the greatest values in higher education.  AGI’s primary focus relative to future growth is to target the high growth nursing profession, as today 81% of all students across both universities are degree-seeking nursing students.

Since 1993, Aspen University has been nationally accredited by the Distance Education and Accrediting Council (“DEAC”), a national accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (the “DOE”). In February 2019, the DEAC informed Aspen University that it had renewed its accreditation for five years through January 2024.

Since 2009, USU has been regionally accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission. (“WSCUC”).

Both universities are qualified to participate under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA) and the Federal student financial assistance programs (Title IV, HEA programs). USU has a provisional certification resulting from the ownership change of control on December 1, 2017.

Liquidity

At April 30, 2019, the Company had a cash balance of $9,519,352 with an additional $448,400 in restricted cash.

In April 2018, the Company raised $23,023,000 in equity through the sale of 3,220,000 shares at $7.15 per share. With the proceeds, the Company repaid a $7.5 million senior secured term loan.

On November 5, 2018 the Company entered into a three year, $5,000,000 senior revolving credit facility. There is currently no outstanding balance under that facility.

The Company paid $1,160,000 of principal and accrued interest related to a convertible note on December 3, 2018, as explained in Note 9. Also, on February 25, 2019, the Company paid a total of $1,080,000, which included the remaining $1 million of principal, $19,068 of accrued unpaid interest and settlement expense of $60,932 to prepay the debt and eliminate the holder’s conversion option. This was the final payment for the acquisition of USU and was originally due on December 1, 2019. (See Note 9).

The Company also anticipates ongoing investment spending, including an expected investment of approximately $600,000 related to the new campus for its Pre-Licensure BSN Program with Honor Health.

F-10

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

April 30, 2019 and 2018

In March 2019, the Company entered into loan agreements and received proceeds of $10 million.  In connection with the loan agreements, the Company issued 18 month senior secured promissory notes, with the right to extend the term of the loan for an additional 12 months by paying a 1% one-time extension fee. Also, as a term of the loan agreement, the February 25, 2019 payment detailed above was made. (See Note 10)

During the year ended April 30, 2019 the Company used cash of $4,835,313, which included using $10,216,014 in operating activities. The Company expects revenue growth to continue, and expenses to grow at a slower pace. As a result, the Company expects cash used in operations to decline in future quarters as compared to the quarter ending April 30, 2019.

The Company has analyzed its liquidity position and believes its current resources are adequate to meet anticipated liquidity needs for the next 12 months.

Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

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

Use of Estimates

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

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash

For the purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of six months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. There were no cash equivalents at April 30, 2019 and 2018. The Company maintains its cash in bank and financial institution deposits that at times may exceed federally insured limits of $250,000 per financial institution. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts from inception through April 30, 2019. As of April 30, 2019 and 2018, there were deposits totaling $9,359,208 and $14,422,499 respectively, held in two separate institutions greaterthan the federally insured limits.

ASU No 2016-18 – In November 2016, FASB issue ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) Restricted Cash (ASU 2016- 18), requiring restricted cash and cash equivalents to be included with cash and cash equivalents of the statement of cash flows. The new standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods with those year, beginning December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this new ASU at May 1, 2018.

As of April 30, 2019, restricted cash of $448,400 consists of $120,864 which is collateral for a letter of credit issued by the bank and required under the USU facility operating lease. Also, included is $71,828 and an additional $255,708, which is collateral for a letter of credit issued by the bank and related to USU’s receipt of Title IV funds and is required by DOE in connection with the change of control of USU. (See Note 11). Restricted cash as of April 30, 2018 was $190,506.

F-11

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

April 30, 2019 and 2018

Goodwill and Intangibles

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of USU over the fair market value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed from Educacion Significativa, LLC. Goodwill has an indefinite life and is not amortized. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment.

ASU 2017-04 - In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-04: "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350)” - to simplify how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Step 2 measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company early adopted this standard effective April 30, 2018.

Intangible assets represent both indefinite lived and definite lived assets. Accreditation and regulatory approvals and trade name and trademarks are deemed to have indefinite useful lives and accordingly are not amortized but are tested annually for impairment. Student relationships and curriculums are deemed to have definite lives and are amortized accordingly.

Fair Value Measurements

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

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

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

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

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

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable

All students are required to select both a primary and secondary payment option with respect to amounts due to Aspen for tuition, fees and other expenses. The monthly payment plan represents approximately 69% of the payments that are made by students, making it the most common payment type. In instances where a student selects financial aid as the primary payment option, he or she often selects personal cash as the secondary option. If a student who has selected financial aid as his or her primary payment option withdraws prior to the end of a course but after the date that Aspen’s institutional refund period has expired, the student will have incurred the obligation to pay the full cost of the course. If the withdrawal occurs before the date at which the student has earned 100% of his or her financial aid, Aspen may have to return all or a portion of the Title IV funds to the DOE and the student will owe Aspen all amounts incurred that are in excess of the amount of financial aid that the student earned, and that Aspen is entitled to retain. In this case, Aspen must collect the receivable using the student’s second payment option.

F-12

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

April 30, 2019 and 2018

For accounts receivable from students, Aspen records an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability, failure or refusal of its students to make required payments, which includes the recovery of financial aid funds advanced to a student for amounts in excess of the student’s cost of tuition and related fees. Aspen determines the adequacy of its allowance for doubtful accounts using an allowance method based on an analysis of its historical bad debt experience, current economic trends, and the aging of the accounts receivable and each student’s status. Aspen estimates the amounts to increase the allowance based upon the risk presented by the age of the receivables and student status. Aspen writes off accounts receivable balances at the time the balances are deemed uncollectible. Aspen continues to reflect accounts receivable with an offsetting allowance as long as management believes there is a reasonable possibility of collection.

For accounts receivable from primary payors other than students, Aspen estimates its allowance for doubtful accounts by evaluating specific accounts where information indicates the customers may have an inability to meet financial obligations, such as bankruptcy proceedings and receivable amounts outstanding for an extended period beyond contractual terms. In these cases, Aspen uses assumptions and judgment, based on the best available facts and circumstances, to record a specific allowance for those customers against amounts due to reduce the receivable to the amount expected to be collected. These specific allowances are re-evaluated and adjusted as additional information is received. The amounts calculated are analyzed to determine the total amount of the allowance. Aspen may also record a general allowance as necessary.

Direct write-offs are taken in the period when Aspen has exhausted its efforts to collect overdue and unpaid receivables or otherwise evaluate other circumstances that indicate that Aspen should abandon such efforts. (See Note 14)

When a student signs up for the monthly payment plan, there is a contractual amount that the Company can expect to earn over the life of the student’s program. This contractual amount cannot be recorded as an accounts receivable because, the student does have the option to stop attending. As a student takes a class, revenue is earned over the class term. Some students accelerate their program, taking two or more classes every eight week period, which increases the student’s accounts receivable balance. If any portion of that balance will be paid in a period greater than 12 months, that portion is reflected as long-term accounts receivable. At April 30, 2019 and 2018, those balances are $3,085,243 and $1,315,050, respectively. The Company has determined that the long term accounts receivable do not constitute a significant financing component as the list price, cash selling price and promised consideration are equal.  Further, the interest free financing portion of the monthly payment plans are not considered significant to the contract.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets per the following table.

Category	Useful Life
Call center equipment	5 years
Computer and office equipment	5 years
Furniture and fixtures	7 years
Library (online)	3 years
Software	5 years

Costs incurred to develop internal-use software during the preliminary project stage are expensed as incurred. Internal-use software development costs are capitalized during the application development stage, which is after: (i) the preliminary project stage is completed; and (ii) management authorizes and commits to funding the project and it is probable the project will be completed and used to perform the function intended. Capitalization ceases at the point the software project is substantially complete and ready for its intended use, and after all substantial testing is completed. Upgrades and enhancements are capitalized if it is probable that those expenditures will result in additional functionality. Depreciation is provided for on a straight-line basis over the expected useful life of five years of the internal-use software development costs and related upgrades and enhancements. When existing software is replaced with new software, the unamortized costs of the old software are expensed when the new software is ready for its intended use.

Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful lives of the leasehold improvements.

Upon the retirement or disposition of property and equipment, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed and a gain or loss is recorded in the consolidated statements of operations. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed in the period incurred.

F-13

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

April 30, 2019 and 2018

Courseware and Accreditation

The Company records the costs of courseware and accreditation in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 350 “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other”.

Generally, costs of courseware creation and enhancement are capitalized. Accreditation renewal or extension costs related to intangible assets are capitalized as incurred. Courseware is stated at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is provided for on a straight-line basis over the expected useful life of five years.

Long-Lived Assets

The Company assesses potential impairment to its long-lived assets when there is evidence that events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Events and circumstances considered by the Company in determining whether the carrying value of identifiable intangible assets and other long-lived assets may not be recoverable include, but are not limited to: significant changes in performance relative to expected operating results, significant changes in the use of the assets, significant negative industry or economic trends, a significant decline in the Company’s stock price for a sustained period of time, and changes in the Company’s business strategy. An impairment loss is recorded when the carrying amount of the long-lived asset is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. Any required impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a long-lived asset exceeds fair value and is recorded as a reduction in the carrying value of the related asset and an expense to operating results.

Refunds Due Students

The Company receives Title IV funds from the Department of Education to cover tuition and living expenses. After deducting tuition and fees, the Company sends checks for the remaining balances to the students.

Leases

The Company enters into various lease agreements in conducting its business. At the inception of each lease, the Company evaluates the lease agreement to determine whether the lease is an operating or capital lease. Leases may contain initial periods of free rent and/or periodic escalations. When such items are included in a lease agreement, the Company records rent expense on a straight-line basis over the initial term of a lease. The difference between the rent payment and the straight-line rent expense is recorded as a deferred rent liability. The Company expenses any additional payments under its operating leases for taxes, insurance or other operating expenses as incurred. The company plans to implement ASU 2016-02 on May 1, 2019, and does not anticipate any material changes to our consolidated financial statements other than additional assets and off-setting liabilities, see “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” below.

Treasury Stock

Purchases and sales of treasury stock are accounted for using the cost method. Under this method, shares acquired are recorded at the acquisition price directly to the treasury stock account. Upon sale, the treasury stock account is reduced by the original acquisition price of the shares and any difference is recorded in equity. This method does not allow the company to recognize a gain or loss to income from the purchase and sale of treasury stock.

Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue

On May 1, 2018, the company adopted Accounting Standards Codification 606 (ASC 606). ASC 606 is based on the principle that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This ASC also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer purchase orders, including significant judgments. Our adoption of this ASC, resulted in no change to our results of operations or our balance sheet.

F-14

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

April 30, 2019 and 2018

Revenues consist primarily of tuition and course fees derived from courses taught by the Company online as well as from related educational resources and services that the Company provides to its students. Under ASC 606, this tuition revenue is recognized pro-rata over the applicable period of instruction and are not considered separate performance obligations.  Non-tuition related revenue and fees are recognized as services are provided or when the goods are received by the student.  (See Note 14)

The Company had revenues from students outside the United States representing 1.62% and 2.3% of the revenues for the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018 respectively.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of revenues consists of two categories of cost, instructional costs and services, and marketing and promotional costs.

Instructional Costs and Services

Instructional costs and services consist primarily of costs related to the administration and delivery of the Company's educational programs. This expense category includes compensation costs associated with online faculty, technology license costs and costs associated with other support groups that provide services directly to the students and are included in cost of revenues.

Marketing and Promotional Costs

Marketing and promotional costs include costs associated with producing marketing materials and advertising. Such costs are generally affected by the cost of advertising media, the efficiency of the Company's marketing and recruiting efforts, and expenditures on advertising initiatives for new and existing academic programs. Non-direct response advertising activities are expensed as incurred, or the first time the advertising takes place, depending on the type of advertising activity. Total marketing and promotional costs were $9,096,550 and $5,428,828 for year ended April 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively and are included in cost of revenues.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses include compensation of employees engaged in corporate management, finance, human resources, information technology, academic operations, compliance and other corporate functions. General and administrative expenses also include professional services fees, bad debt expense related to accounts receivable, financial aid processing costs, non-capitalizable courseware and software costs, travel and entertainment expenses and facility costs.

Legal Expenses

All legal costs for litigation are charged to expense as incurred.

Income Tax

The Company uses the asset and liability method to compute the differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and the related financial statement amounts. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that more likely than not will be realized. The Company has deferred tax assets and liabilities that reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Deferred tax assets are subject to periodic recoverability assessments. Realization of the deferred tax assets, net of deferred tax liabilities, is principally dependent upon achievement of projected future taxable income.

F-15

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

April 30, 2019 and 2018

The Company records a liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes using a two-step approach for evaluating tax positions. Step one, recognition, occurs when the Company concludes that a tax position, based solely on its technical merits, is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination. Step two, measurement, is only addressed if the position is more likely than not to be sustained. Under step two, the tax benefit is measured as the largest amount of benefit, determined on a cumulative probability basis, which is more likely than not to be realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

Accounting for Derivatives

The Company evaluates its convertible instruments, options, warrants or other contracts to determine if those contracts or embedded components of those contracts qualify as derivatives to be separately accounted for under ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”. The result of this accounting treatment is that the fair value of the derivative is marked-to-market each balance sheet date and recorded as a liability. In the event that the fair value is recorded as a liability, the change in fair value is recorded in the statement of operations as other income (expense). Upon conversion, exercise, or other extinguishment (transaction) of a derivative instrument, the instrument is marked to fair value at the transaction date and then that fair value is recognized as an extinguishment gain or loss. Equity instruments that are initially classified as equity that become subject to reclassification under ASC Topic 815 are reclassified to liability at the fair value of the instrument on the reclassification date.

The Company has early adopted FASB ASU 2017-11, which simplifies the accounting for certain equity-linked financial instruments and embedded features with down round features that reduce the exercise price when the pricing of a future round of financing is lower. This allows the company to treat such instruments or their embedded features as equity instead of considering them as a derivative. If such a feature is triggered in a stand-alone instrument treated as equity, the value is measured pre-trigger and post-trigger. The difference in these two measurements is treated as a dividend, reducing income. The value recognized as a dividend is not subsequently remeasured, but in instances where the feature is triggered multiple times each instance is recognized.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation expense is measured at the grant date fair value of the award and is expensed over the requisite service period. For employee stock-based awards, the Company calculates the fair value of the award on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Determining the fair value of stock-based awards at the grant date under this model requires judgment, including estimating volatility, employee stock option exercise behaviors and forfeiture rates. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based awards represent the Company's best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. For non-employee stock-based awards, the Company has early adopted ASU 2018-07, which substantially aligns share based compensation for employees and non-employees.  See “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” below.

Business Combinations

We include the results of operations of businesses we acquire from the date of the respective acquisition. We allocate the purchase price of acquisitions to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at fair value. The excess of the purchase price of an acquired business over the amount assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. We expense transaction costs associated with business combinations as incurred.

Net Loss Per Share

Net loss per common share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Options to purchase 3,409,154 and 2,980,010 common shares, warrants to purchase 731,152 and 651,286 common shares, unvested restricted stock of 64,116 and 0, and $50,000 and $50,000 of convertible debt (convertible into 4,167 and 4,167 common shares) were outstanding at April 30, 2019 and April 30, 2018, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted net loss per share because the effects would have been anti-dilutive. The options, warrants and convertible debt are considered to be common stock equivalents and are only included in the calculation of diluted earnings per common share when their effect is dilutive.

F-16

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

April 30, 2019 and 2018

Segment Information

The Company operates in one reportable segment as a single educational delivery operation using a core infrastructure that serves the curriculum and educational delivery needs of its online students regardless of geography. The Company's chief operating decision makers, its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Academic Officer, manage the Company's operations as a whole, and no revenue, expense or operating income information is evaluated by the chief operating decision makers on any component level.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Financial Accounting Standards Board, Accounting Standard Updates which are not effective until after April 30, 2019, are not expected to have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

ASU 2018-07 - In June 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-07, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718). This update is intended to reduce cost and complexity and to improve financial reporting for share-based payments issued to non-employees (for example, service providers, external legal counsel, suppliers, etc.). The ASU expands the scope of Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation, which currently only includes share-based payments issued to employees, to also include share-based payments issued to non-employees for goods and services. Consequently, the accounting for share-based payments to non-employees and employees will be substantially aligned. This standard will be effective for financial statements issued by public companies for the annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption of the standard is permitted. The standard will be applied in a retrospective approach for each period presented. The company implemented this standard in February 2019.

ASU 2016-02 - In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02: “Leases (Topic 842)” whereby lessees will need to recognize almost all leases on their balance sheet as a right of use asset and a lease liability. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company does not anticipate this ASU to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements when implemented on May 1, 2019.

Note 3. Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable consisted of the following at April 30, 2019 and 2018:

	April 30,
	2019			2018
Accounts receivable	$	14,988,744		$	8,585,947
Long term contractual accounts receivable		(3,085,243	)		(1,315,050	)
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts		(1,247,031	)		(468,174	)
Accounts receivable, net	$	10,656,470		$	6,802,723

Bad debt expense for the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018, were $854,008 and $535,366 respectively.

F-17

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

April 30, 2019 and 2018

Note 4. Property and Equipment

As property and equipment reach the end of their useful lives, the fully expired asset is written off against the associated accumulated depreciation. There is no expense impact for such write offs. Property and equipment consisted of the following at April 30, 2019 and April 30, 2018:

	For the Years Ended April 30,
	2019			2018
Call center hardware	$	193,774		$	140,509
Computer and office equipment		327,621			230,810
Furniture and fixtures		1,381,271			932,454
Software		4,314,198			2,878,753
		6,216,864			4,182,526
Accumulated depreciation		(1,825,524	)		(1,320,360	)
Property and equipment, net	$	4,391,340		$	2,862,166

Software consisted of the following at April 30, 2019 and 2018:

	For the Years Ended April 30,
	2019			2018
Software	$	4,314,198		$	2,878,753
Accumulated depreciation		(1,351,193	)		(1,146,008	)
Software, net	$	2,963,005		$	1,732,745

Depreciation expense and amortization for all Property and Equipment as well as the portion for just software is presented below for the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018:

	For the
	Years Ended April 30,
	2019		2018
Depreciation and amortization Expense	$	1,002,347	$	578,244
Software amortization Expense	$	684,871	$	475,178

The following is a schedule of estimated future amortization expense of software at April 30, 2019:

Year Ending April 30,
2020	$	826,918
2021		754,471
2022		664,998
2023		504,758
Thereafter		211,860
Total	$	2,963,005

F-18

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

April 30, 2019 and 2018

Note 5. USU Goodwill and Intangibles

On December 1, 2017, USU acquired United States University and assumed certain liabilities from Educacion Significativa, LLC (“ESL”). USU is a wholly owned subsidiary of AGI and was formed for the purpose of completing the asset purchase transaction. For purposes of purchase accounting, AGI is referred to as the acquirer. AGI acquired the assets and assumed certain liabilities of ESL for a purchase price of approximately $14.8 million. The purchase consideration consisted of a cash payment of $2,500,000 less an adjustment for working capital of approximately $110,000 plus approximately $200,000 of additional costs paid to/on behalf of and for the benefit of the seller, a convertible note of $2,000,000 and 1,203,209 shares of AGI stock valued at the quoted closing price of $8.49 per share as of November 30, 2017. The stock consideration represents $10,215,244 of the purchase consideration.

The acquisition was accounted for by AGI in accordance with the acquisition method of accounting pursuant to ASC 805 “Business Combinations” and pushdown accounting was applied to record the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed on United States University, Inc. Under this method, the purchase price is allocated to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The excess of the amount paid over the estimated fair values of the identifiable net assets was $5,011,432 which has been reflected in the consolidated balance sheet as goodwill.

The following is a summary of the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition:

	Purchase Price Allocation			Useful Life
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—
Current assets acquired		244,465
Other assets acquired		176,667
Intangible assets
Accreditation and regulatory approvals		6,200,000
Trade name and trademarks		1,700,000
Student relationships		2,000,000		2 years
Curriculum		200,000		1 year
Goodwill		5,011,432
Less: Current liabilities assumed		(727,601	)
Total purchase price	$	14,804,963

We determined the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on assumptions that reasonable market participants would use while employing the concept of highest and best use of the respective items. We used the following assumptions, the majority of which include significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), and valuation methodologies to determine fair value:

·

Intangibles - We used the multiple period excess earnings method to value the Accreditation and regulatory approvals. The Trade name and trademarks were valued using the relief-from-royalty method, which represents the benefit of owning these intangible assets rather than paying royalties for their use. The Student relationships were valued using the excess earnings method. The curriculum was valued using the replacement cost approach.

·

Other assets and liabilities - The carrying value of all other assets and liabilities approximated fair value at the time of acquisition.

The goodwill resulting from the acquisition may become deductible for tax purposes in the future. The goodwill resulting from the acquisition is principally attributable to the future earnings potential associated with enrollment growth and other intangibles that do not qualify for separate recognition such as the assembled workforce.

We have selected an April 30^th annual goodwill impairment test date.

F-19

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

April 30, 2019 and 2018

We assigned an indefinite useful life to the accreditation and regulatory approvals and the trade name and trademarks as we believe they have the ability to generate cash flows indefinitely. In addition, there are no legal, regulatory, contractual, economic or other factors to limit the intangibles’ useful life and we intend to renew the intangibles, as applicable, and renewal can be accomplished at little cost. We determined all other acquired intangibles are finite-lived and we are amortizing them on either a straight-line basis or using an accelerated method to reflect the pattern in which the economic benefits of the assets are expected to be consumed. Amortization expense for the year ended April 30, 2019 was $1,100,000.

Intangible assets consisted of the following at April 30, 2019 and 2018:

	April 30,			April 30,
	2019			2018
Intangible assets	$	10,100,000		$	10,100,000
Accumulated amortization		(1,558,333	)		(458,333	)
Net intangible assets	$	8,541,667		$	9,641,667

Note 6. Courseware and Accreditation

Courseware costs capitalized were $34,422 for the year ended April 30, 2019 and $48,388 for the year ended April 30, 2018. As courseware reaches the end of its useful life, it is written off against the accumulated amortization. There is no expense impact for such write-offs.

Courseware consisted of the following at April 30, 2019 and 2018:

	April 30,
	2019			2018
Courseware	$	325,987		$	298,064
Accreditation		57,100			—
Accumulated amortization		(221,157	)		(159,905	)
Courseware, net	$	161,930		$	138,159

The Company capitalized $57,100 in accreditation costs associated with intangible assets during the year ended April 30, 2019.

Amortization expense of courseware for the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018:

	For the
	Years Ended April 30,
	2019		2018
Amortization expense	$	67,751	$	55,706

F-20

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

April 30, 2019 and 2018

The following is a schedule of estimated future amortization expense of courseware at April 30, 2019:

Year Ending April 30,
2020	$	63,610
2021		36,645
2022		28,758
2023		23,219
Thereafter		9,698
Total	$	161,930

Note 7. Secured Note and Accounts Receivable

On March 30, 2008 and December 1, 2008, Aspen University sold courseware pursuant to marketing agreements to Higher Education Management Group, Inc. (“HEMG”,) which was then a related party and principal stockholder of the Company. The sold courseware amounts were $455,000 and $600,000, respectively; UCC filings were filed accordingly. Under the marketing agreements, the receivables were due net 60 months. On September 16, 2011, HEMG pledged 772,793 Series C preferred shares (automatically converted to 54,571 common shares on March 13, 2012) of the Company as collateral for this account receivable which at that time had a remaining balance of $772,793. Based on the reduction in value of the collateral to $2.28 based on the then current price of the Company’s common stock, the Company recognized an expense of $123,647 during the year ended April 30, 2014 as an additional allowance. As of April 30, 2019, and April 30, 2018, the balance of the account receivable, net of allowance, was $45,329.

HEMG failed to pay to Aspen University any portion of the $772,793 amount due as of September 30, 2014. Consequently, on November 18, 2014 Aspen University filed a complaint vs. HEMG in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, to collect the full amount due to the Company. HEMG defaulted and Aspen University obtained a default judgment. In addition, Aspen University gave notice to HEMG that it intended to privately sell the 54,571 shares after March 10, 2015. On April 29, 2015, the Company sold those shares to a private investor for $1.86 per share or $101,502, which proceeds reduced the receivable balance to $671,291 with a remaining allowance of $625,963, resulting in a net receivable of $45,329. (See Note 11)

Note 8. Accrued Expenses  

Accrued expenses consisted of the following at April 30, 2019 and 2018:

	April 30,
	2019		2018
Accrued compensation	$	226,805	$	202,664
Accrued interest		135,115		79,853
Other accrued expenses		289,498		376,337
Accrued expenses	$	651,418	$	658,854

Note 9. Convertible Notes and Convertible Notes – Related Party

On February 29, 2012, a loan payable of $50,000 was converted into a two-year convertible promissory note, interest of 0.19% per annum. Beginning March 31, 2012, the note was convertible into common shares of the Company at the rate of $12.00 per share. This loan (now a convertible promissory note) was originally due in February 2014. The amount due under this note has been reserved for payment upon the note being tendered to the Company by the note holder.

F-21

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

April 30, 2019 and 2018

On December 1, 2017, the Company completed the acquisition of USU and, as part of the consideration, a $2.0 million convertible note (the “Note”) was issued, bearing 8% annual interest that matures over a two-year period after the closing. (See Note 5) At the option of the Note holder, on each of the first and second anniversaries of the closing date, $1,000,000 of principal and accrued interest under the Note will be convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock based on the volume weighted average price per share for the ten preceding trading days (subject to a floor of $2.00 per share) or become payable in cash. There was no beneficial conversion feature on the note date and the conversion terms of the note exempt it from derivative accounting. Subsequently the note was assigned to a third party. On December 1, 2018 the Company paid the first payment of $1 million principal and $60,000 in interest. On February 25, 2019, the Company paid the remaining principal of $1 million and $80,000 of interest and fees.

Convertible notes payable consisted of the following at April 30, 2019 and 2018:

	April 30,
	2019			2018
Convertible note payable - originating December 1, 2017; no monthly payments required; bearing an annual rate of interest at 8%; $1,000,000 maturing on December 1, 2018 and $1,000,000 maturing on December 1, 2019	$	0		$	2,000,000
Convertible note payable - originating February 29, 2012; no monthly payments required; bearing interest at 0.19%; maturing at February 29, 2014		50,000			50,000
		50,000			2,050,000
Less: Current maturities		(50,000	)		(1,050,000	)
Total	$	0		$	1,000,000

Note 10. Convertible Notes, Senior Secured Term Loans and Revolving Credit Facility

On February 29, 2012, a loan payable of $50,000 was converted into a two-year convertible promissory note, interest of 0.19% per annum. Beginning March 31, 2012, the note was convertible into common shares of the Company at the rate of $12.00 per share. The Company evaluated the convertible note and determined that, for the embedded conversion option, there was no beneficial conversion value to record as the conversion price is considered to be the fair market value of the common shares on the note issue date. This loan (now a convertible promissory note) was originally due in February 2014. The amount due under this note has been reserved for payment upon the note being tendered to the Company by the note holder. However, this $50,000 note is derived from $200,000 of loans made to Aspen University prior to 2011, which was prior to the merger of Aspen University and EGC, the acquisition vehicle led by Michael Mathews, the Company’s current Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The bankruptcy judge in the HEMG bankruptcy proceedings has recently ruled that the Company may pursue remedies for these undisclosed loans.

On December 1, 2017, the Company completed the acquisition of USU and, as part of the consideration, a $2,000,000 convertible note (the “Note”) was issued, bearing 8% annual interest that matured over a two-year period after the closing. (See Note 8) At the option of the Note holder, on each of the first and second anniversaries of the closing date, $1,000,000 of principal and accrued interest under the Note would have been convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock based on the volume weighted average price per share for the ten preceding trading days (subject to a floor of $2.00 per share) or become payable in cash. There was no beneficial conversion feature on the note date and the conversion terms of the note exempt it from derivative accounting. Subsequently the note was assigned to a third party.

On December 1, 2018 the Company paid scheduled principal and interest on the note of $1,160,000.  On February 25, 2019, the Company paid the remaining principal of $1,000,000, accrued interest $19,068, and a settlement expense $60,932. Upon the receipt of the payment, the Note was terminated. This prepayment eliminated the note holder’s option to convert principal and interest into the Company’s common stock on the scheduled maturity date and also was pre-condition for borrowing the $10,000,000 under the Senior Secured Loans dated March 6, 2019. (See Note 9).

F-22

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

April 30, 2019 and 2018

Revolving Credit Facility

On November 5, 2018, the Company entered into a loan agreement (the “Credit Facility Agreement”) with the Leon and Toby Cooperman Family Foundation (the “Lender”). The Credit Facility Agreement provides for a $5,000,000 revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) evidenced by a revolving promissory note (the “Revolving Note”). Borrowings under the Credit Facility Agreement will bear interest at 12% per annum. The Facility matures on November 4, 2021.

Pursuant to the terms of the Credit Facility Agreement, the Company agreed to pay to the Foundation a $100,000 one-time upfront Facility fee. The Company also agreed to pay to the Foundation a commitment fee, payable quarterly at the rate of 2% per annum on the undrawn portion of the Facility. The Company has not borrowed any sum under the Facility.

The Credit Facility Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, events of default and covenants. Pursuant to the Loan Agreement and the Revolving Note, all future or contemporaneous indebtedness incurred by the Company, other than indebtedness expressly permitted by the Credit Facility Agreement and the Revolving Note, will be subordinated to the Facility.

Pursuant to the Credit Facility Agreement, on November 5, 2018 the Company issued to the Foundation warrants to purchase 92,049 shares of the Company’s common stock exercisable for five years from the date of issuance at the exercise price of $5.85 per share which were deemed to have a relative fair value of $255,071. The relative fair value of the warrants along with the Facility fee were treated as debt issue costs, as the facility has not been drawn on, assets to be amortized over the term of the loan.

On March 6, 2019, in connection with entering into the Senior Secured Loans, the Company amended and restated the Credit Facility Agreement (the “Amended and Restated Facility Agreement”) and the related revolving promissory note. The Amended and Restated Facility Agreement provides among other things that the Company’s obligations thereunder are secured by a first priority lien in the Collateral, on a pari passu basis with the Lenders.

Senior Secured Term Loans

On July 25, 2017, the Company signed a $10 million senior secured term loan with Runway Growth Capital Fund (formerly known as GSV Growth Capital Fund). The Company drew $5 million under the facility at closing, then subsequently drew $2.5 million in December 2017, following the closing of the Company’s acquisition of substantially all the assets of Educacion Significativa, LLC (ESL), including receipt of all required regulatory approvals, among other conditions to funding. Terms of the 4-year senior loan included a 10% over 3-month LIBOR per annum interest rate.

The Company would have been required to begin making principal repayments upon the 24-month anniversary of the initial closing (July 24, 2019), and each month thereafter would have been required to repay 1/24th of the total loan amount outstanding.  Should the Company achieve both annualized revenue growth of at least 30% and operating margin of at least 7.5% for any 12-month trailing period, then at the quarter-end of that 12-month trailing period, the Company could have elected to extend the interest only period for the quarter immediately following the 12-month trailing period throughout the duration of the loan.

Additionally, the Company paid a 0.25% origination fee on the initial $5 million draw and paid another 0.25% origination fee upon the second $2.5 million draw, and issued 224,174 5-year warrants at an exercise price of $6.87. The relative fair value of the warrants was $478,428 and was recorded as debt discount along with other direct costs of the term loan and was being amortized to interest expense over the term of the loan.

On April 23, 2018, the Company repaid the entire $7.5 million outstanding senior secured term loan plus early termination and closing fees of approximately $600,000. The Company paid this using the funding received in the equity raise on April 18, 2018.

F-23

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

April 30, 2019 and 2018

On March 6, 2019, the Company entered into loan agreements (each a “Loan Agreement” and together, the “Loan Agreements”) with the Leon and Toby Cooperman Family Foundation, of which Mr. Leon Cooperman, a stockholder of the Company, is the trustee, and another stockholder of the Company (each a “Lender” and together, the “Lenders”). Each Loan Agreement provides for a $5 million term loan (each a “Loan” and together, the “Loans”), evidenced by a term promissory note and security agreement (each a “Note” and together, the “Term Notes”), for combined total proceeds of $10 million. The Company borrowed $5 Million from each Lender that day. The Term Notes bear interest at 12% per annum and mature on September 6, 2020, subject to one 12-month extension upon the Company’s option, and upon payment of a 1% one-time extension fee.

Pursuant to the Loan Agreements and the Term Notes, all future or contemporaneous indebtedness incurred by the Company, including any sums borrowed under the $5 Million Credit Facility Agreement, other than indebtedness expressly permitted by the Loan Agreements and the Term Notes, will be subordinated to the Loans.

The Company’s obligations under the Loan Agreements are secured by a first priority lien in certain deposit accounts of the Company, all current and future accounts receivable of Aspen University and USU, subsidiaries of the Company (the “Subsidiaries”), certain of the deposit accounts of the Subsidiaries and all of the outstanding capital stock of the Subsidiaries (the “Collateral”).

Pursuant to the Loan Agreements, on March 6, 2019 the Company issued to each Lender warrants to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock exercisable for five years from the date of issuance at the exercise price of $6.00 per share. The two warrants were deemed to have a combined relative fair value of $360,516. The relative fair value along with closing costs of $33,693 were treated as debt discounts to be amortized over the term of the loan.

On March 6, 2019, in connection with entering into the Loan Agreements, the Company also entered into an intercreditor agreement (the “Intercreditor Agreement”) among the Company, the Lenders and the lender under the Credit Facility Agreement. The Intercreditor Agreement provides among other things that the Company’s obligations under, and the security interests in the Collateral granted pursuant to, the Loan Agreements and the Amended and Restated Facility Agreement shall rank pari passu to one another.

Note 11. Commitments and Contingencies

Operating Leases

On September 18, 2017 the Company signed a six year lease for its corporate headquarters in New York, NY commencing December 1, 2017. The rent amount is $186,060 per year, subject to an increase annually, and is payable at a rate of $15,505 per month. Related to this lease the Company produced a security deposit of $32,500, which is included in other assets and security deposits on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

On December 17, 2018 the Company entered into an agreement to terminate the New York lease and replace it with a new lease for a larger office within the same location. The new lease is for five years commencing on February 15, 2019. The rent is $325,882 per year, subject to an increase annually, and is, payable at a rate of $27,157 per month. Related to this lease the Company produced an additional security deposit of $21,814, which is included in other assets and security deposits on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

In October 2018, the Company signed a 62 month lease beginning October 1, 2018 and expiring on December 31, 2023 for our office located in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. The monthly base rent is $13,241 CAD which is approximately $10,100 USD.

The Company leased office space for its developers in Dieppe, New Brunswick, Canada under a three year agreement commencing March 1, 2017. The monthly rent payment is $4,367 CAD which is approximately $3,200 USD. This lease was terminated on March 31, 2019.

The Company leases office space for its Denver, Colorado location under a two year lease commencing January 1, 2017. The monthly rent payment was $10,756. This lease was extended for twelve months, through December 31, 2019. The monthly base rent is $11,028.

F-24

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

April 30, 2019 and 2018

On December 5, 2017 the Company signed a 92 month lease with Sky Harbor Tower, for the campus located in Phoenix, Arizona. The operating lease granted eight initial months of free rent and had a monthly rent of $66,696, subject to and increases after 12 months. Related to this lease the Company produced a security deposit of $519,271, which is included in other assets and security deposits on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

On February 1, 2016, the Company entered into a 64-month lease agreement for its call center in Phoenix, Arizona. The operating lease granted four initial months of free rent and had a monthly base rent of $10,718 and then increases 2% per year after. This facility was vacated and staff was moved to the Sky Harbor Tower. As the Company continues to grow this may be used for additional expansion space.

United States University’s lease commenced July 1, 2016 and expires on June 30, 2022. The initial monthly base rent was $51,270 for the first 10 months and increases each year.

The following is a schedule by years of future minimum rental payments required under operating leases that have initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of April 30, 2019.

Year Ending April 30,
2020	$	2,282,260
2021		2,332,558
2022		2,264,523
2023		1,702,609
2024		1,497,027
2025		1,134,718
2026		779,287
Total minimum payments required	$	11,992,982

Rent expense for the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018 were $2,278,642 and $853,145, respectively.

Employment Agreements

From time to time, the Company enters into employment agreements with certain of its employees. These agreements typically include bonuses, some of which may or may not be performance-based in nature.

Legal Matters

From time to time, we may be involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of business. As of April 30, 2019, except as discussed below, there were no other pending or threatened lawsuits that could reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the results of our operations and there are no proceedings in which any of our directors, officers or affiliates, or any registered or beneficial shareholder, is an adverse party or has a material interest adverse to our interest.

On February 11, 2013, Higher Education Management Group, Inc., (“HEMG”) and its Chairman, Mr. Patrick Spada, sued the Company, certain senior management members and our directors in state court in New York seeking damages arising principally from (i) allegedly false and misleading statements in the filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the DOE where the Company disclosed that HEMG and Mr. Spada borrowed $2.2 million without board authority, (ii) the alleged breach of an April 2012 agreement whereby the Company had agreed, subject to numerous conditions and time limitations, to purchase certain shares of the Company from HEMG, and (iii) alleged diminution to the value of HEMG’s shares of the Company due to Mr. Spada’s disagreement with certain business transactions the Company engaged in, all with Board approval.

On December 10, 2013, the Company filed a series of counterclaims against HEMG and Mr. Spada in the same state court of New York. By order dated August 4, 2014, the New York court denied HEMG and Spada’s motion to dismiss the fraud counterclaim the Company asserted against them.

F-25

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

April 30, 2019 and 2018

While the Company has been advised by its counsel that HEMG’s and Spada’s claims in the New York lawsuit is baseless, the Company cannot provide any assurance as to the ultimate outcome of the case. Defending the lawsuit maybe expensive and will require the expenditure of time which could otherwise be spent on the Company’s business. While unlikely, if Mr. Spada’s and HEMG’s claims in the New York litigation were to be successful, the damages the Company could pay could potentially be material.

In November 2014, the Company and Aspen University sued HEMG seeking to recover sums due under two 2008 Agreements where Aspen University sold course materials to HEMG in exchange for long-term future payments. On September 29, 2015, the Company and Aspen University obtained a default judgment in the amount of $772,793. This default judgment precipitated the bankruptcy petition discussed in the next paragraph.

On October 15, 2015, HEMG filed bankruptcy pursuant to Chapter 7. As a result, the remaining claims and Aspen’s counterclaims in the New York lawsuit are currently stayed. The bankrupt estate’s sole asset consists of 208,000 shares of AGI common stock, plus a claim filed by the bankruptcy trustee against Spada’s brother and a third party to recover approximately 167,000 shares. The Company filed a proof of claim against the bankruptcy estate which included approximately $670,000 on the judgment and approximately $2.2 million from the misappropriation. The other creditor is a secured creditor which alleges it is owed the principal amount of $1,200,000. AGI alleges that because HEMG, a Nevada corporation, had failed to pay annual fees to Nevada it lacked the legal authority to create the security interest and that AGI has priority. In February 2019, the bankruptcy court dismissed the Company’s misappropriation claim leaving its judgment and a $200,000 claim that HEMG fraudulently failed to disclose $200,000 of notes payable.

Regulatory Matters

The Company’s subsidiaries, Aspen University and United States University, are subject to extensive regulation by Federal and State governmental agencies and accrediting bodies. In particular, the Higher Education Act (the “HEA”) and the regulations promulgated thereunder by the DOE subject the subsidiaries to significant regulatory scrutiny on the basis of numerous standards that schools must satisfy to participate in the various types of federal student financial assistance programs authorized under Title IV of the HEA.

On August 22, 2017, the DOE informed Aspen University of its determination that the institution has qualified to participate under the HEA and the Federal student financial assistance programs (Title IV, HEA programs) and set a subsequent program participation agreement reapplication date of March 31, 2021.

USU currently has provisional certification to participate in the Title IV Programs due to its acquisition by the Company. The provisional certification allows the school to continue to receive Title IV funding as it did prior to the change of ownership.

The HEA requires accrediting agencies to review many aspects of an institution's operations in order to ensure that the education offered is of sufficiently high quality to achieve satisfactory outcomes and that the institution is complying with accrediting standards. Failure to demonstrate compliance with accrediting standards may result in the imposition of probation, the requirements to provide periodic reports, the loss of accreditation or other penalties if deficiencies are not remediated.

Because our subsidiaries operate in a highly regulated industry, each may be subject from time to time to audits, investigations, claims of noncompliance or lawsuits by governmental agencies or third parties, which allege statutory violations, regulatory infractions or common law causes of action.

Return of Title IV Funds

An institution participating in Title IV Programs must correctly calculate the amount of unearned Title IV Program funds that have been disbursed to students who withdraw from their educational programs before completion and must return those unearned funds in a timely manner, no later than 45 days of the date the school determines that the student has withdrawn. Under the DOE regulations, failure to make timely returns of Title IV Program funds for 5% or more of students sampled on the institution's annual compliance audit in either of its two most recently completed fiscal years can result in the institution having to post a letter of credit in an amount equal to 25% of its required Title IV returns during its most recently completed fiscal year. If unearned funds are not properly calculated and returned in a timely manner, an institution is also subject to monetary liabilities or an action to impose a fine or to limit, suspend or terminate its participation in Title IV Programs.

F-26

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

April 30, 2019 and 2018

Subsequent to a compliance audit, in 2015, Educacion Significativa, LLC (“ESL”) the predecessor to USU recognized that it had not fully complied with all requirements for calculating and making timely returns of Title IV funds (R2T4). In 2016, ESL, the predecessor to USU, had a material finding related to the same issue and is required to maintain a letter of credit in the amount of $71,634 as a result of this finding. The letter of credit was been provided to the Department of Education by AGI since it assumed this obligation in its purchase of USU.  This letter of credit expired in early 2019 and the cash is expected to be returned.

USU also was asked to post a new letter of credit for $255,708, which was funded by AGI in April 2019 and was also notified that it would be required to follow Heightened Cash Management 1, which requires that funds to students be sent earlier.  USU is waiting for formal notification from the DOE.  

Delaware Approval to Confer Degrees

Aspen University is a Delaware corporation. Delaware law requires an institution to obtain approval from the Delaware Department of Education (“Delaware DOE”) before it may incorporate with the power to confer degrees. The Delaware DOE granted full approval to operate with degree-granting authority in the State of Delaware until July 1, 2020. Aspen University is authorized by the Colorado Commission on Education to operate in Colorado as a degree granting institution.

USU is also a Delaware corporation and received initial approval from the Delaware DOE to confer degrees through June 2023.

Note 12. Stockholders’ Equity

Preferred Stock

The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of “blank check” preferred stock with designations, rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by our Board of Directors. As of April 30, 2019 and April 30, 2018, we had no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding. On June 28, 2019 the Company’s Stockholders voted to reduce the number of Authorized Shares of Common Stock from 250 million to 40 million shares.  The number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock was also reduced from 10 million to 1 million shares.

Common Stock

Effective May 24, 2017, the Company entered into waiver agreements with all of its investors in the April 2017 common stock offering. In consideration for waiving their registration rights, the Company paid to each of the investors 1.5% of their investment amount in the offering. The total amount paid was $112,500 and was recorded in general and administrative expenses during the quarter ended July 31, 2017.

In November 2017, the company issued 5,000 restricted shares each to two consultants assisting with establishing the new campus. The shares were valued at $88,699 based on the trading price of $8.87 on the grant date and recorded as a prepaid asset being amortized over the six month term of the agreement.

On December 1, 2017 certain assets were acquired and certain liabilities assumed from Educacion Significativa, LLC (dba United States University) by United States University, Inc. United States University, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aspen Group Inc. (“AGI”). As part of the purchase price the company issued 1,203,209 shares of AGI stock were valued at the quoted closing price of $8.49 per share as of November 30, 2017. (See Note 5)

On April 18, 2018 and April 23, 2018, the Company raised a total of $23,023,000 through an equity raise of 3,220,000 shares of common stock at $7.15 per share. The number of shares raised on April 18, 2018 was 2,800,000 and then another 420,000 shares were raised on April 23, 2018. The cost of raising these funds was approximately $2.2 million and was recorded as a reduction of equity. Proceeds from the equity raise were first used to repay the senior secured term loan and the remainder to support the operations of USU and the pre-licensure campus.

During fiscal 2018, the Company issued 171,962 shares of common stock upon the cashless exercise of warrants.

F-27

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

April 30, 2019 and 2018

During fiscal 2018, the Company issued 87,775 shares of common stock upon the exercise of warrants and received proceeds of $246,380.

During fiscal 2018, the Company issued 136,563 shares of common stock upon the exercise of stock options and received proceeds of $475,825.

During the year ended April 30, 2019, the Company issued 111,666 shares of common stock upon the cashless exercise of stock options.

During the year ended April 30, 2019, the Company issued 119,594 shares of common stock upon the cashless exercise of 218,323 stock warrants.

During the year ended April 30, 2019, the Company issued 56,910 shares of common stock upon the exercise of stock options for cash and received proceeds of $128,201.

During the year ended April 30, 2019, the Company issued 43,860 shares of common stock upon the exercise of 43,860 stock warrants for cash and received proceeds of $100,000.

Restricted Stock

On September 6, 2018, the Board approved a grant of 25,000 shares of restricted stock to the Chief Financial Officer. The stock vests over 36 months and the stock price was $7.15 on the date of the grant. The value of the compensation was approximately $180,000 and will be recognized over 36 months.

On December 24, 2018, the Compensation Committee of the Board approved a grant of a total of 24,672 shares or restricted common stock to certain directors pursuant to the Aspen Group, Inc. 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan”). The restricted shares shall vest in three equal annual increments on December 24, 2019, December 24, 2020 and December 24, 2021, subject to continued service as a director of the Company, on each applicable vesting date. The compensation of these restricted shares is approximately $127,000 and will be recognized over 36 months. Also, one director opted for an annual payment in cash of $35,000, which will be paid quarterly, in lieu of the restricted stock grant. Expense recognition for the restricted stock and the cash payment commenced on December 24, 2018.

On April 10, 2019, the Company granted 25,000 shares to its investor relations firm, of which 5,000 were vested and the balance vest quarterly over one year, subject to continued service. The total value was $122,250 since the stock closed at $4.89 on April 10, 2019, which will be recognized over the service period.

There were no unvested shares outstanding at April 30, 2018. During fiscal 2019, 10,556 shares of the above restricted stock issuances vested leaving 64,116 total unvested shares at April 30, 2019. Total unrecognized compensation expense related to the unvested common shares as April 30, 2019 amounted to approximately $340,000 which will be amortized over the remaining vesting periods.

Treasury Stock

On July 19, 2018, AGI in simultaneous transactions repurchased 1,000,000 shares of common stock at $7.40 per share and re-sold the shares to a large well-known institutional money manager at $7.40 per share. The shares were purchased by the Company from ESL pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement dated July 18, 2018. The purchaser paid $30,000 to a broker-dealer in connection with the transaction. (See Note 14)

F-28

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

April 30, 2019 and 2018

Warrants

A summary of the Company’s warrant activity during the year ended April 30, 2019 is presented below:

						Weighted
				Weighted		Average
				Average		Remaining		Aggregate
	Number of			Exercise		Contractual		Intrinsic
Warrants	Shares			Price		Term		Value
Balance Outstanding, April 30, 2018		651,286		$	3.80		2.4	$	2,581,450
Granted		342,049			5.80		4.78		—
Exercised		(262,183	)		—		—		—
Surrendered		—			—		—		—
Expired		—			—		—		—
Balance Outstanding, April 30, 2019		731,152		$	5.28		3.29	$	413,296
Exercisable, April 30, 2019		681,152		$	5.31		3.17	$	413,296

ALL WARRANTS				EXERCISABLE WARRANTS
		Weighted			Weighted	Weighted
		Average	Outstanding		Average	Average	Exercisable
Exercise		Exercise	No. of		Exercise	Remaining Life	No. of
Price		Price	Warrants		Price	In Years	Warrants
	$2.28	$2.28	164,929		$2.28	0.29	164,929
	$4.89	$4.89	50,000		$4.89	4.95	—
	$5.85 to $6.00	$5.95	292,049		$5.85 to $6.00	4.75	292,049
	$6.87	$6.87	224,174		$6.87	3.24	224,174
			731,152				681,152

In connection with the Senior Secured Term Loan that was finalized on July 25, 2017, the Company issued 224,174 5-year warrants at an exercise price of $6.87.

In the year ended April 30, 2018, the Company issued 259,737 shares of Common Stock in conjunction with the cash and cashless exercise of 398,526 warrants. The Company received $246,380 in conjunction with the cash exercises.

As noted in Note 10, 92,049 warrants were granted as part of the Credit Facility Agreement executed on November 8, 2018.  The warrants are five year warrants and exercisable at a price of $5.85.

The Company granted 200,000 warrants on March 5, 2019 related to senior secured loans.

The Company granted 50,000 warrants on April 10, 2019 to an advisory board member for services. The warrants vest ratably over three years.

During the year ended April 30, 2019, 262,183 warrants were exercised. Of these, 218,323 warrants were cashless exercises resulting in 119,594 shares being issued and 43,860 were exercised for cash resulting in 43,860 shares being issued and generating $100,000 in proceeds.

On June 3, 2019, a former director did a cashless exercise of 21,930 warrants, receiving 9,806 shares. On June 7, 2019, the CEO did a cashless exercise for the same amount receiving 9,597 shares.

F-29

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

April 30, 2019 and 2018

Stock Incentive Plan and Stock Option Grants to Employees and Directors

On March 13, 2012, the Company adopted the Aspen Group, Inc. 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2012 Plan”) that provides for the grant of 3,500,000 shares in the form of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, restricted shares, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock units to employees, consultants, officers and directors. As of April 30, 2019, there were 322,712 shares remaining available for future issuance under the 2012 Plan.

On December 13, 2018, the stockholders of the Company approved the “2018 Plan” that provides for the grant of 500,000 shares in the form of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, restricted shares, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock units to employees, consultants, officers and directors. As of April 30, 2019, there were approximately 8,000 shares remaining available for future issuance under the Plan.

The Company estimates the fair value of share-based compensation utilizing the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which is dependent upon several variables such as the expected option term, expected volatility of the Company’s stock price over the expected term, expected risk-free interest rate over the expected option term, expected dividend yield rate over the expected option term, and an estimate of expected forfeiture rates. The Company believes this valuation methodology is appropriate for estimating the fair value of stock options granted to employees and directors which are subject to ASC Topic 718 requirements. These amounts are estimates and thus may not be reflective of actual future results, nor amounts ultimately realized by recipients of these grants. The Company recognizes compensation on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each award. The following table summarizes the assumptions the Company utilized to record compensation expense for stock options granted to employees during the period ended.

	April 30,
	2019			2018
Expected life (years)		3.5			4-5
Expected volatility		50.1	%		40% - 43	%
Risk-free interest rate		2.63	%		0.38	%
Dividend yield		0.00	%		0.00	%
Expected forfeiture rate		n/a			n/a

The Company utilized the simplified method to estimate the expected life for stock options granted to employees. The simplified method was used as the Company does not have sufficient historical data regarding stock option exercises. The expected volatility is based on historical volatility. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yields with terms equivalent to the expected life of the related option at the time of the grant. Dividend yield is based on historical trends. While the Company believes these estimates are reasonable, the compensation expense recorded would increase if the expected life was increased, a higher expected volatility was used, or if the expected dividend yield increased.

A summary of the Company’s stock option activity for employees and directors during the year ended April 30, 2019, is presented below:

						Weighted
				Weighted		Average
				Average		Remaining		Aggregate
	Number of			Exercise		Contractual		Intrinsic
Options	Shares			Price		Term		Value
Balance Outstanding, April 30, 2018		2,980,010		$	3.62		3.15	$	16,558,373
Granted		1,006,542			6.88		—		—
Exercised		(251,186	)		2.30		—		—
Forfeited		(326,212	)		6.47		—		—
Expired		—			—		—		—
Balance Outstanding, April 30, 2019		3,409,154		$	4.44		2.90	$	6,880,644
Exercisable, April 30, 2019		2,244,861		$	3.35		2.31	$	6,868,206

F-30

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

April 30, 2019 and 2018

ALL OPTIONS				EXERCISABLE OPTIONS
		Weighted			Weighted	Weighted
		Average	Outstanding		Average	Average	Exercisable
Exercise		Exercise	No. of		Exercise	Remaining Life	No. of
Price		Price	Options		Price	In Years	Options
	$1.57 to $2.10	$1.96	919,390		$1.96	2.06	919,390
	$2.28 to $2.76	$2.32	471,081		$2.32	1.43	471,081
	$3.24 to $4.38	$4.20	333,224		$3.86	2.39	261,834
	$4.50 to $5.20	$4.96	718,292		$4.90	3.04	336,833
	$5.95 to $6.28	$6.07	80,417		$6.13	3.18	36,806
	$7.17 to $7.55	$7.39	662,417		$7.51	4.17	144,139
	$8.57 to $9.07	$8.97	224,333		$8.97	3.69	74,778
	Options only		3,409,154				2,244,861

On May 13, 2017, the Company granted its executive officers a total of 500,000 five-year options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock under the Plan. The options vest annually over three years, subject to continued employment at each applicable vesting date, and are exercisable at $4.90 per share. The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer received 200,000 options with a fair value of $282,000, the Chief Operating Officer received 200,000 options with a fair value of $282,000, the Chief Academic Officer received 70,000 options with a fair value of $98,700 and the Chief Financial Officer received 30,000 options with a fair value of $42,300.

In May 2017, the Company issued 5,500 stock options to various employees at exercise prices ranging from $4.95 to $5.10 per share.

Effective June 11, 2017, the Company granted the Chief Academic Officer 30,000 five-year options. The options vest quarterly over a three-year period in 12 equal quarterly increments with the first vesting date being September 11, 2017, subject to continued employment on each applicable vesting date. The options are exercisable at $6.28 per share and the fair value is $54,000.

On August 21, 2017, 52,250 options were issued to 24 employees with an exercise price of $5.95 per share and a fair value of $89,348.

On January 4, 2018, 180,000 options were issued to the board of directors with an exercise price of $9.07 per share and a fair value of $421,200.

On January 17, 2018, 74,000 options were issued to 23 employees with an exercise price of $8.57 per share and a fair value of $149,480.

On February 12, 2018, 31,000 options were granted to 21 employees with an exercise price of $7.31 per share and a fair value of $54,250.

On April 5, 2018, 19,000 options were granted to 24 employees with an exercise price of $7.31 per share and a fair value of $33,250.

F-31

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

April 30, 2019 and 2018

During the year ended April 30, 2018, the company issued 113,597 shares of common stock in conjunction with the exercise of 63,838 stock options. The company received $455,387 related to these exercises.

During the year ended April 30, 2019, the Company issued 111,666 shares of common stock upon the cashless exercise of stock options.

During the year ended April 30, 2019, the Company issued 56,910 shares of common stock upon the exercise of stock options for cash and received proceeds of $128,202.

On July 19, 2018, the Board granted 200,000 five year options to the Chief Executive Officer and 180,000 options to each of the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Academic Officer. The fair value per option was $2.56 or $1,433,600 for all 560,000 options granted. The exercise price is $7.55 per share. As of September 6, 2018, the Board approved 180,000 five-year options to the Chief Financial Officer and 50,000 five-year options to the Chief Accounting Officer. The fair value of the two grants on September 6, 2018 was $257,400 for the Chief Financial Officer and $71,500 for the Chief Accounting Officer. As required by the rules of the Nasdaq Stock market, both option grants subject to shareholder approval which occurred on December 13, 2018, which will be the measurement date for recording the transaction and the compensation will be recognized over 33 months. In April 2019, the CEO rescinded his grant and the expenses associated with the unvested options previously recorded was reversed during the year ended April 30, 2019.

On December 13, 2018, the Company granted 67,000 options to 61 employees who had been hired throughout 2018. The fair value of these options was approximately $136,000 and will be recognized over 36 month. The exercise price is $5.20.

On December 24, 2018, the Company granted 61,667 options to three directors, 41,667 to one director, and 10,000 each to two others. The exercise price is $5.1445 and the total fair value was approximately $123,000, which will be recognized over 36 months.

In April 30, 2019, the Company granted 65,750 options to 44 new and continuing employees. The exercise price is $4.56 and the fair value was approximately $117,000.

Effective May 13, 2019, the Company granted 10,000 five-year non-qualified stock options to each of three former directors exercisable at $4.12 per share. On June 18, 2019, as a result of errors in a third party software system used to track stock options, the Company granted Andrew Kaplan, a current director, and two former directors (not recipients of the options in the first sentence) 5,131, 15,000 and 10,000 shares of restricted common stock, respectively.

The Company recorded compensation expense of $1,190,385 for the year ended April 30, 2019 in connection with employee stock options and restricted stock grants.

As of April 30, 2019, there was $1,917,367 of unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested share-based option arrangements. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.5 years.

Note 13. Related party

On July 19, 2018, AGI in simultaneous transactions repurchased 1,000,000 shares of common stock (the “Shares”) at $7.40 per share and re-sold the Shares to a large well-known institutional money manager (the “Purchaser”) at $7.40 per share. The Shares were purchased by the Company from ESL pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement. The Shares were sold to the Purchaser through Craig-Hallum Capital Group, LLC (“Craig Hallum”). Craig-Hallum acted as a dealer in this transaction and received an ordinary brokerage commission from the Purchaser.

The Purchaser initiated the transaction by contacting the Company seeking to buy a large block of common stock. The Company approached ESL which had acquired the Shares on December 1, 2017 when it sold United States University to the Company. Ms. Oksana Malysheva, the sole manager of ESL, became a director of the Company as part of the purchase of United States University and is no longer a director of the Company.

F-32

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

April 30, 2019 and 2018

Note 14. Revenue

Revenues consist primarily of tuition and fees derived from courses taught by the Company online as well as from related educational resources that the Company provides to its students, such as access to our online materials and learning management system. The Company’s educational programs have starting and ending dates that differ from its fiscal quarters. Therefore, at the end of each fiscal quarter, a portion of revenue from these programs is not yet earned and is therefore deferred. The Company also charges students fees for library and technology costs, which are recognized over the related service period and are not considered separate performance obligations. Other services, books, and exam fees are recognized as services are provided or when goods are received by the student. The Company’s contract liabilities are reported as deferred revenue and refunds due students. Deferred revenue represents the amount of tuition, fees, and other student invoices in excess of the portion recognized as revenue and it is included in current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

The following table represents our revenues disaggregated by the nature and timing of services:

	For the
	Years Ended
	April 30,
	2019		2018
Tuition - recognized over period of instruction	$	31,032,677	$	20,765,165
Course fees - recognized over period of instruction		2,488,232		884,739
Book fees - recognized at a point in time		106,819		82,788
Exam fee - recognized at a point in time		189,090		140,500
Service fees - recognized at a point in time		208,600		148,320
	$	34,025,418	$	22,021,512

Contract Balances and Performance Obligations

The Company recognizes deferred revenue as a student participates in a course which continues past the balance sheet date. Deferred revenue at April 30, 2019 was $2,456,865 which is future revenue that has not yet been earned for courses in progress. The Company has $1,174,501 of refunds due students, which mainly represents Title IV funds due to students after deducting their tuition payments.

Of the total revenue earned during the year ended April 30, 2019, approximately $1.8 million came from revenues which were deferred at April 30, 2018.

The Company begins providing the performance obligation by beginning instruction in a course, a contract receivable is created, resulting in accounts receivable. The Company accounts for receivables in accordance with ASC 310, Receivables. The Company uses the portfolio approach, as discussed below.

Aspen records an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability, failure or refusal of its students to make required payments, which includes the recovery of financial aid funds advanced to a student for amounts in excess of the student’s cost of tuition and related fees. Aspen determines the adequacy of its allowance for doubtful accounts using an allowance method based on an analysis of its historical bad debt experience, current economic trends, and the aging of the accounts receivable and student status. Aspen applies reserves to its receivables based upon an estimate of the risk presented by the age of the receivables and student status. Aspen writes off accounts receivable balances at the time the balances are deemed uncollectible. Aspen continues to reflect accounts receivable with an offsetting allowance as long as management believes there is a reasonable possibility of collection.

F-33

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

April 30, 2019 and 2018

Cash Receipts

Our students finance costs through a variety of funding sources, including, among others, monthly payment plans, installment plans, federal loan and grant programs (Title IV), employer reimbursement, and various veterans and military funding and grants, and cash payments. Most students elect to use our monthly payment plan. This plan allows them to make continuous monthly payments during the length of their program and through the length of their payment plan. Title IV and military funding typically arrives during the period of instruction. Students who receive reimbursement from employers typically do so after completion of a course. Students who choose to pay cash for a class typically do so before beginning the class.

Significant Judgments

We analyze revenue recognition on a portfolio approach under ASC 606-10-10-4. Significant judgment is utilized in determining the appropriate portfolios to assess for meeting the criteria to recognize revenue under ASC Topic 606. We have determined that all of our students can be grouped into one portfolio. Students behave similarly, regardless of their payment method or academic program. Enrollment agreements and refund policies are similar for all of our students. We do not expect that revenue earned for the portfolio is significantly different as compared to revenue that would be earned if we were to assess each student contract separately.

The Company maintains institutional tuition refund policies, which provides for all or a portion of tuition to be refunded if a student withdraws during stated refund periods. Certain states in which students reside impose separate, mandatory refund policies, which override the Company’s policy to the extent in conflict. If a student withdraws at a time when a portion or none of the tuition is refundable, then in accordance with its revenue recognition policy, the Company recognizes as revenue the tuition that was not refunded. Since the Company recognizes revenue pro-rata over the term of the course and because, under its institutional refund policy, the amount subject to refund is never greater than the amount of the revenue that has been deferred, under the Company’s accounting policies revenue is not recognized with respect to amounts that could potentially be refunded.

The Company had revenues from students outside the United States representing 1.62% and 2.3% of the revenues for the year ended April 30, 2019 and 2018 respectively.

Note 15. Income Taxes

The components of income tax expense (benefit) are as follows:

	For the Years Ended
	April 30,
	2019		2018
Current:
Federal	$	—	$	—
State		—		—
		—		—
Deferred:
Federal		—		—
State		—		—
		—		—
Total Income tax expense (benefit)	$	—	$	—

F-34

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

April 30, 2019 and 2018

Significant components of the Company's deferred income tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

	April 30,
	2019			2018
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforward	$	9,033,235		$	7,163,547
Allowance for doubtful accounts (recovery)		181,774			105,122
Deferred rent		180,154			20,574
Stock-based compensation		954,586			687,067
Contributions carryforward		60			60
Total deferred tax assets		10,349,809			7,976,370
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment		(234,336	)		(132,042	)
Intangibles		(64,439	)		(6,573)
Total deferred tax liabilities		(298,775	)		(138,615	)
Deferred tax assets, net		10,051,034			7,837,755
Valuation allowance:
Beginning of year		(7,837,755	)		(9,471,662	)
Decrease (increase) during period		(2,213,279	)		1,633,907
Ending balance		(10,051,034	)		(7,837,755	)
Net deferred tax asset	$	—		$	—

A valuation allowance is established if it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company recorded a valuation allowance at April 30, 2019 and 2018 due to the uncertainty of realization. Management believes that based upon its projection of future taxable operating income for the foreseeable future, it is more likely than not that the Company will not be able to realize the tax benefit associated with deferred tax assets. The net change in the valuation allowance during the year ended April 30, 2019 was an increase of $2,213,279.

At April 30, 2019, the Company had approximately $37,500,000 of net operating loss carryforwards which will expire from 2033 to 2038. The Company believes its tax positions are all highly certain of being upheld upon examination. As such, the Company has not recorded a liability for unrecognized tax benefits. As of April 30, 2019, tax years 2015 through 2018 remain open for IRS audit. The Company has received no notice of audit from the Internal Revenue Service for any of the open tax years. Changes to the Federal Tax Code per the Tax Cuts and Jobs Acts that went into effect during the Fiscal Year ended April 30, 2018 are integrated into the tax rate calculation below. A reconciliation of income tax computed at the U.S. statutory rate to the effective income tax rate is as follows:

	April 30,
	2019			2018
Statutory U.S. federal income tax rate		21.0	%		34.0	%
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit		3.6			3.0
Other		(0.8	)		(0.9	)
Effect of change in federal tax rates		0			(13.0	)
Change in valuation allowance		(23.8	)		(23.1	)
Effective income tax rate		0.0	%		0.0	%

F-35

ASPEN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

April 30, 2019 and 2018

Note 16. Concentrations

Concentration of Credit Risk

As of April 30, 2019, the Company’s bank balances exceed FDIC insurance by $9,359,208.

Note 17. Fair Value Measurements – Warrant Derivative liability

The accounting standard for fair value measurements provides a framework for measuring fair value and requires expanded disclosures regarding fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for an asset or the exit price that would be paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The accounting standard established a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs, where available. This hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels as follows. Level 1 input are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs based on the Company’s own assumptions used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value. An asset or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis consisted of the following at April 30, 2018 which related to 62,500 warrants which contained price protection:

	Carrying
	Value at
	April 30,		Fair value Measurements at April 30, 2017
	2017		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Warrant derivative liability	$	52,500	$	—	$	—	$	52,500

The following is a summary of activity of Level 3 liabilities for the years ended April 30, 2018

Balance April 30, 2017	$	52,500
Gain on extinguishment of warrant liability		(52,500	)
Balance April 30, 2018	$	—

Changes in fair value of the warrant derivative liability are included in other income (expense) in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

There were no changes in the valuation techniques during years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018.

Note 18. Subsequent Events

The Company held a special meeting of shareholders (the “Special Meeting”) of the Company on June 28, 2019. At the Special Meeting, the Company’s shareholders approved a proposal to reduce the number of authorized shares of common stock from 250,000,000 to 40,000,000 shares, and the number of authorized shares of preferred stock from 10,000,000 to 1,000,000 shares (the “Authorized Share Reduction”), and a corresponding Amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, to effect the Authorized Share Reduction.

On June 28, 2019, the Company then amended its Certificate of Incorporation by reducing its authorized common stock to 40,000,000 and preferred stock to 1,000,000 shares.

F-36

EXHIBIT INDEX

			Incorporated by Reference			Filed or Furnished
Exhibit #	Exhibit Description		Form	Date	Number	Herewith
3.1	Certificate of Incorporation, as amended					Filed
3.2	Bylaws, as amended		10-Q	3/15/18	3.2
4.1	Description of securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act of 1934					Filed
4.2	Form of Senior Indenture		S-3	4/11/18	4.5
10.1	2012 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended*		10-Q	3/15/18	10.11
10.1(a)	Amendment No. 10 to the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan		8-K	3/22/18	10.1
10.2	Employment Agreement dated November 2, 2016 - Michael Mathews*		10-Q	3/9/17	10.1
10.3	Employment Agreement dated November 24, 2014 - Gerard Wendolowski*		10-K	7/28/15	10.19
10.4	Employment Agreement dated June 11, 2017 – St. Arnauld*		10-K	7/25/17	10.5
10.5	Registration Rights Agreement – Runway - July 25, 2017		8-K	7/28/17	10.2
10.6	Warrant Agreement – Runway - July 25, 2017+		8-K	7/28/17	10.3
10.7	Employment Agreement dated September 11, 2018 - Joseph Sevely*		8-K	9/12/18	10.1
10.8	Employment Agreement dated September 11, 2018 - Janet Gill*		8-K	9/12/18	10.2
10.9	Loan Agreement, dated November 5, 2018		8-K	11/5/18	10.1
10.10	Revolving Promissory Note, dated November 5, 2018		8-K	11/5/18	10.2
10.11	Warrant to purchase 92,049 shares of common stock, dated November 5, 2018		8-K	11/5/18	4.1
10.12	Form of Term Promissory Note and Security Agreement dated March 6, 2019	,	10-Q	3/11/19	10.1
10.13	Form of Loan Agreement, dated March 6, 2019		10-Q	3/11/19	10.2
10.14	Form of Intercreditor Agreement, dated March 6, 2019		10-Q	3/11/19	10.3
10.15	Form of Warrant for the Purchase of 100,000 shares of common stock, dated March 6, 2019		10-Q	3/11/19	10.4
10.16	Amended and Restated Revolving Promissory Note and Security Agreement, dated March 6, 2019		10-Q	3/11/19	10.5
10.17	Aspen Group, Inc. 2018 Equity Incentive Plan*		DEF 14A	10/31/18	Annex A
21.1	Subsidiaries		10-K	7/13/18	21.1
23.1	Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm					Filed
31.1	Certification of Principal Executive Officer (302)					Filed
31.2	Certification of Principal Financial Officer (302)					Filed
32.1	Certification of Principal Executive and Principal Financial Officer (906)					Furnished**
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document					Filed
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document					Filed
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document					Filed
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document					Filed
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document					Filed
101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document					Filed

———————

*

Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

**

This exhibit is being furnished rather than filed and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing, in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

+

Certain schedules, appendices and exhibits to this agreement have been omitted in accordance with Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. A copy of any omitted schedule and/or exhibit will be furnished supplementally to the Securities and Exchange Commission staff upon request.

Copies of this report (including the financial statements) and any of the exhibits referred to above will be furnished at no cost to our shareholders who make a written request to Aspen Group, Inc., at the address on the cover page of this report, Attention: Corporate Secretary.

EX-3.1

EXHIBIT 3.1

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

ASPEN GROUP, INC.

1.

The name of the corporation is Aspen Group, Inc. (the “Company”).

2.

The address of its registered office in the State of Delaware, County of New Castle, is Vcorp Services, LLC, 1811 Silverside Road, Wilmington, Delaware 19810.

3.

The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or promoted is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the Delaware General Corporation Law.

4.

The total number of shares of stock of all classes and series the Company shall have authority to issue is 65,000,000 shares consisting of (i) 60,000,000 shares of common stock, par value of $0.001 per share and (ii) 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 with such rights, preferences and limitations as may be set from time to time by resolution of the board of directors and the filing of a certificate of designation as required by the Delaware General Corporation Law.

5.

The name and mailing address of the incorporator is as follows:

Michael D. Harris

3507 Kyoto Gardens Drive

Suite 320

Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410

6.

The Company is to have perpetual existence.  In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the board of directors is expressly authorized to make, amend, alter or repeal the bylaws of the Company.

7.

Elections of directors need not be by written ballot unless the bylaws of the Company shall so provide.

8.

Meetings of shareholders may be held within or without the State of Delaware as the bylaws may provide.  The books of the Company may be kept (subject to any provision contained in the statutes) outside the State of Delaware at such place or places as may be designated from time to time by the board of directors or in the bylaws of the Company.

9.

The Company reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this certificate of incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, and all rights conferred upon shareholders herein are granted subject to this reservation.

1

10.

No director of this Company shall be personally liable to the Company or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. Nothing in this paragraph shall serve to eliminate or limit the liability of a director (a) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to this Company or its shareholders, (b) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (c) under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, or (d) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.  If the Delaware General Corporation Law is amended after approval by the shareholders of this article to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Company shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as so amended.

Any repeal or modification of the foregoing paragraph by the shareholders of the Company shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the Company existing at the time of such repeal or modification.

11.

(a)           Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding (except as provided in Section 11 (f)) whether civil, criminal or administrative, (a “Proceeding”), or is contacted by any governmental or regulatory body in connection with any investigation or inquiry (an “Investigation”), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or executive officer (as such term is utilized pursuant to interpretations under Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans (an “Indemnitee”), whether the basis of such Proceeding or Investigation is alleged action in an official capacity or in any other capacity as set forth above shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company to the fullest extent authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Company to provide broader indemnification rights than such law permitted the Company to provide prior to such amendment), against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such Indemnitee in connection therewith and such indemnification shall continue as to an Indemnitee who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the Indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators. The right to indemnification conferred in this Section shall be a contract right and shall include the right to be paid by the Company the expenses incurred in defending any such Proceeding in advance of its final disposition (an “Advancement of Expenses”); provided, however, that an Advancement of Expenses shall be made only upon delivery to the Company of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such Indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal that such Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Section or otherwise (an “Undertaking”).

2

(b)           If a claim under paragraph (a) of this Section is not paid in full by the Company within 60 days after a written claim has been received by the Company, except in the case of a claim for an Advancement of Expenses, in which case the applicable period shall be 20 days, the Indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Company to recover the unpaid amount of the claim.  If successful in whole or in part in any such suit or in a suit brought by the Company to recover an Advancement of Expenses pursuant to the terms of an Undertaking, the Indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting or defending such suit.  In

(i) any suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right to an Advancement of Expenses) it shall be a defense that, and

(ii) any suit by the Company to recover an Advancement of Expenses pursuant to the terms of an Undertaking the Company shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that,

the Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law.  Neither the failure of the Company (including its board of directors, independent legal counsel, or its shareholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit that indemnification of the Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law, nor an actual determination by the Company (including its board of directors, independent legal counsel, or its shareholders) that the Indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the Indemnitee, be a defense to such suit.  In any suit brought by the Indemnitee to enforce a right hereunder, or by the Company to recover an Advancement of Expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified or to such Advancement of Expenses under this Section or otherwise shall be on the Company.

(c)           The rights to indemnification and to the Advancement of Expenses conferred in this Section shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, this certificate of incorporation, bylaw, agreement, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

3

(d)           The Company may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the Delaware General Corporation Law.

(e)           The Company may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the board of directors, grant rights to indemnification and to the Advancement of Expenses, to any employee or agent of the Company to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Section with respect to the indemnification and Advancement of Expenses of directors, and executive officers of the Company.

(f)           Notwithstanding the indemnification provided for by this Section 11, the Company’s bylaws, or any written agreement, such indemnity shall not include any expenses incurred by such Indemnitees relating to or arising from any Proceeding in which the Company asserts a direct claim against an Indemnitee, or an Indemnitee asserts a direct claim against the Company, whether such claim is termed a complaint, counterclaim, crossclaim, third-party complaint or otherwise.

11.

This Certificate of Incorporation and the internal affairs of the Company shall be governed by and interpreted under the laws of the State of Delaware, excluding its conflict of laws principles. Unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director or officer (or affiliate of any of the foregoing) of the Company to the Company or the Company’s shareholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law or the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, or (iv) any other action asserting a claim arising under, in connection with, and governed by the internal affairs doctrine.

12.

All action by holders of the Company’s outstanding voting securities shall be taken at an annual or special meeting of the shareholders following notice as provided by law or in the Bylaws and shareholders of the Company shall not have the power to act by means of written consent.

4

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of Incorporation as of the 9th day of February 2012.

ELITE NUTRITIONAL BRANDS, INC.
By:	/s/ Don Ptalis
	Don Ptalis, Chief Executive Officer

5

STATE OF DELAWARE

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

ASPEN GROUP, INC.

The corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware does hereby certify:

FIRST:

That at a meeting of the Board of Directors of Aspen Group, Inc. (the “Corporation”) resolutions were duly adopted setting forth a proposed amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, declaring said amendment to be advisable and calling a meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation for consideration thereof.  The resolution setting forth the proposed amendment is as follows:

RESOLVED, that the Certificate of Incorporation be amended by changing Articles thereof numbered Fourth relating to the authorized shares of the Corporation so that, as amended, said Article shall be read as follows:

“FOURTH:

The total number of shares of stock of all classes and series the Company shall have authority to issue is 130,000,000 shares consisting of (i) 120,000,000 shares of common stock, par value of $0.001 per share and (ii) 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 with such rights, preferences and limitations as may be set from time to time by resolution of the board of directors and the filing of a certificate of designation as required by the Delaware General Corporation Law.

SECOND:

That thereafter, pursuant to resolutions of its Board of Directors, a special meeting of the stockholders of said corporation was duly called and held upon notice in accordance with section 222 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware at which meeting the necessary number of shares as required by statute were voted in favor of the amendment.

THIRD:

That said amendment was duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

FOURTH:

That the capital of said corporation shall not be reduced under or by reason of said amendment.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate on the 14th day of February, 2012.

/s/ Don Ptalis

Don Ptalis, Chief Executive Officer

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

Aspen Group, Inc. (the ‘‘Company’’), a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, hereby certifies as follows:

FIRST: That at a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company resolutions were duly adopted setting forth a proposed amendment to  the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, declaring said amendment to be advisable and calling a meeting of the stockholders of said corporation for consideration thereof. The resolution setting forth the proposed amendment is as follows:

RESOLVED, that the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company be amended by changing the Fourth Article thereof so that, as amended, said Article shall be and read as follows:

The total number of shares of stock of all classes and series the Company shall have authority to issue is 260,000,000 shares consisting of (i) 250,000,000 shares of common stock, par value of $0.001 per share and (ii) 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 with such rights, preferences and limitations as may be set from time to time by resolution of the board of directors and the filing of a certificate of designation as required by the Delaware General Corporation Law.

SECOND: That thereafter, pursuant to resolution of its Board of Directors, a meeting of the stockholders of the Company was duly called and held upon notice in accordance with Section 222 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware at which meeting the necessary number of shares as required by statute and by the Certificate of Incorporation were voted in favor of the amendment.

THIRD: That said amendment was duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

Signature Page Follows

7

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this certificate to be executed as of this ______day of September, 2014.

ASPEN GROUP, INC.
By:	/s/ Michael Mathews
Name:	Michael Mathews
Title:	Chief Executive Officer and Director

8

AMENDMENT TO

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

Aspen Group, Inc. (the ‘‘Company’’), a corporation organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the ‘‘Delaware General Corporation Law’’), hereby certifies as follows:

1.

Pursuant to Sections 242 and 228 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the amendment herein set forth has been duly approved by the Board of Directors and holders of a majority of the outstanding capital stock of the Company.

2.

The Certificate of Incorporation is amended by replacing the entirety of Section 4 with the following:

“The total number of shares of stock of all classes and series the Company shall have authority to issue is 260,000,000 shares consisting of (i) 250,000,000 shares of common stock, par value of $0.001 per share and (ii) 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 with such rights, preferences and limitations as may be set from time to time by resolution of the board of directors and the filing of a certificate of designation as required by the Delaware General Corporation Law.  As of 9:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on December 14, 2016 (the “Effective Time”) pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law of this Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, each twelve (12) shares of Common Stock either issued and outstanding or held by the Corporation in treasury stock immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, automatically and without any action on the part of the respective holders thereof, be combined and converted into one (1) share of Common Stock (the “Reverse Stock Split”). No fractional shares shall be issued in connection with the Reverse Stock Split. Stockholders who otherwise would be entitled to receive fractional shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive cash (without interest or deduction) from the Corporation’s transfer agent in lieu of such fractional share interests upon the submission of a transmission letter by a stockholder holding the shares in book-entry form and, where shares are held in certificated form, upon the surrender of the stockholder’s Old Certificates (as defined below), in an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying (a) the closing price per share of the Common Stock as reported on the principal market for the Corporation’s common stock as of the date of the Effective Time, by (b) the fraction of one share owned by the stockholder. Each certificate that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented shares of Common Stock (“Old Certificates”), shall thereafter represent that number of shares of Common Stock into which the shares of Common Stock represented by the Old Certificate shall have been combined, subject to the elimination of fractional share interests as described above.”

9

3.

This Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation was duly adopted and approved by the shareholders of the Company on the 17^th day of November, 2016 in accordance with Section 242 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation as of the 6^th day of December, 2016.

ASPEN GROUP, INC.
By:	/s/ Michael Mathews
	Michael Mathews
	Chief Executive Officer

10

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

OF CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

ASPEN GROUP, INC.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, Aspen Group, Inc., a Delaware Corporation (the “Corporation”), in order to amend its Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, hereby certifies as follows:

FIRST:  The name of the Corporation is Aspen Group, Inc.

SECOND:  That the Board of Directors of the Corporation adopted resolutions setting forth a proposed amendment to the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, declaring said amendment to be advisable and in the best interests of the Corporation and its stockholders, and calling a meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation for consideration thereof. The resolution setting forth the proposed amendment is as follows:

RESOLVED, that the Board has determined it to be advisable and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to amend Section 4 of the Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of the Company (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) by replacing the first sentence of said Section with the following sentence:

The total number of shares of stock of all classes and series the Company shall have authority to issue is 41,000,000 shares consisting of (i) 40,000,000 shares of common stock, par value of $0.001 per share, and (ii) 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, with such rights, preferences and limitations as may be set from time to time by resolution of the board of directors and the filing of a certificate of designation as required by the Delaware General Corporation Law.

THIRD: That thereafter, pursuant to resolution of the Board of Directors, a special meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation was duly called and held upon notice in accordance with Section 222 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware at which meeting the necessary number of shares as required by statute were voted in favor of the amendment.

FOURTH: That said amendment was duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this certificate to be signed this 28th day of June, 2019.

ASPEN GROUP, INC.
By:	/s/ Michael Mathews
Name:	Michael Mathews
Title:	Chief Executive Officer

11

EX-4.1

EXHIBIT 4.1

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

REGISTERED UNDER SECTION 12 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Capital Stock

Aspen Group, Inc. (the “Company”) is authorized to issue (i) 40,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”) and (ii) 1,000,000 shares of “blank check” preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, with such rights, preferences and limitations as may be set by a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company.

The Common Stock is registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

The holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders, including the election of directors. There is no cumulative voting in the election of directors. The directors of the Company are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the shareholders. On all other matters submitted to the shareholders, the affirmative vote of the majority of the votes cast for or against a proposal shall be the act of the shareholders unless otherwise provided by the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”) or the bylaws of the Company.

In the event of liquidation or dissolution, the holders of Common Stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities and the liquidation preferences of any outstanding shares of preferred stock. Holders of Common Stock have no preemptive rights and have no right to convert their Common Stock into any other securities and there are no redemption provisions applicable to our Common Stock.

The holders of Common Stock are entitled to any dividends that may be declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available for payment of dividends subject to the prior rights of holders of preferred stock and any contractual restrictions we have against the payment of dividends on Common Stock. We have not paid dividends on our Common Stock since inception and do not plan to pay dividends on our Common Stock in the foreseeable future.

Certain Provisions of Our Charter and Bylaws

Anti-takeover Provisions

In general, Section 203 of the DGCL prohibits a Delaware corporation with a class of voting stock listed on a national securities exchange or held of record by 2,000 or more shareholders from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested shareholder” for a three-year period following the time that this shareholder becomes an interested shareholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. A “business combination” includes, among other things, a merger, asset or stock sale or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested shareholder. An “interested shareholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or did own within three years prior to the determination of interested shareholder status, 15% or more of the corporation’s voting stock. Under Section 203, a business combination between a corporation and an interested shareholder is prohibited unless it satisfies one of the following conditions:

· before the shareholder became interested, the board of directors approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the shareholder becoming an interested shareholder;

· upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the shareholder becoming an interested shareholder, the interested shareholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding, shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers, and employee stock plans, in some instances; or

· at or after the time the shareholder became interested, the business combination was approved by the board of directors of the corporation and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the shareholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested shareholder.

The DGCL permits a corporation to opt out of, or choose not to be governed by, its anti-takeover statute by expressly stating so in its original certificate of incorporation (or subsequent amendment to its certificate of incorporation or bylaws approved by its shareholders). The Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended, does not contain a provision expressly opting out of the application of Section 203 of the DGCL; therefore the Company is subject to the anti-takeover statute.

Issuance of “Blank check” Preferred Stock

As stated above the Board of Directors may authorize the issuance of preferred stock with voting or conversion rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of Common Stock. The issuance of preferred stock, while providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes could, under some circumstances, have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company.

Special Shareholder Meetings and Action by Written Consent

Under our bylaws, special meetings of the shareholders shall be held when directed by the Board of Directors. Our bylaws do not permit meetings of shareholders to be called by any other person. This could have the effect of delaying or preventing unsolicited takeovers and changes in control or changes in our management.

Pursuant to Item 202(a), the information regarding the Common Stock contained herein does not constitute a complete legal description of the Common Stock and is qualified in all material respects by the provisions of the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and bylaws, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

EX-23.1

EXHIBIT 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 previously filed on December 13, 2016, as amended by Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 filed on November 21, 2018 (File No. 333-215075), and the Registration Statement on Form S-3 previously filed on April 11, 2018 (File No. 333-224230) of our report dated July 9, 2019 on the consolidated financial statements of Aspen Group, Inc. as of and for the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Aspen Group, Inc. as of April 30, 2019, which report is included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Aspen Group, Inc. for the year ended April 30, 2019.

/s/ Salberg & Company, P.A.

_____________________________

SALBERG & COMPANY, P.A.

Boca Raton, Florida

July 9, 2019

EX-31.1

EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER

I, Michael Mathews, certify that:

1.

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Aspen Group, Inc.;

2.

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

3.

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

4.

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

a)

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

b)

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

c)

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

d)

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

5.

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

a)

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

b)

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

Date: July 9, 2019

/s/ Michael Mathews

Michael Mathews

Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

EX-31.2

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER

I, Joseph Sevely, certify that:

1.

I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Aspen Group, Inc.;

2.

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

3.

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

4.

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

a)

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

b)

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

c)

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

d)

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

5.

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

a)

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

b)

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

Date: July 9, 2019

/s/ Joseph Sevely

Joseph Sevely

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

EX-32.1

EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the annual report of Aspen Group, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2019, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, I, Michael Mathews, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

1.

The annual 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 annual report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ Michael Mathews

Michael Mathews

Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

Dated: July 9, 2019

In connection with the annual report of Aspen Group, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2019, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, I, Joseph Sevely, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

1.

The annual 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 annual report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ Joseph Sevely

 Joseph Sevely

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

Dated: July 9, 2019

XML

Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2019	Jul. 09, 2019	Oct. 31, 2018
Document And Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	ASPEN GROUP, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0001487198
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Apr. 30, 2019
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--04-30
Is Entity a Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Is Entity a Voluntary Filer	No
Is Entity's Reporting Status Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 91
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		18,648,884
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes

XML

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018
Current assets:
Cash	$ 9,519,352	$ 14,612,559
Restricted cash	448,400	190,506
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,247,031 and $468,174, respectively	10,656,470	6,802,723
Prepaid expenses	410,745	199,406
Other receivables	2,145	184,569
Total current assets	21,037,112	21,989,763
Property and equipment:
Call center equipment	193,774	140,509
Computer and office equipment	327,621	230,810
Furniture and fixtures	1,381,271	932,454
Software	4,314,198	2,878,753
Total	6,216,864	4,182,526
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,825,524)	(1,320,360)
Total property and equipment, net	4,391,340	2,862,166
Goodwill	5,011,432	5,011,432
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $1,558,333 and 458,333, respectively	8,541,667	9,641,667
Courseware, net	161,930	138,159
Accounts receivable, secured - net of allowance of $625,963, and $625,963, respectively	45,329	45,329
Long term contractual accounts receivable	3,085,243	1,315,050
Debt issue cost, net	300,824
Deposits and other assets	629,626	584,966
Total assets	43,204,503	41,588,532
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	1,699,221	2,227,214
Accrued expenses	651,418	658,854
Deferred revenue	2,456,865	1,814,136
Refunds due students	1,174,501	815,841
Deferred rent, current portion	47,436	8,160
Convertible notes payable, current portion	50,000	1,050,000
Other current liabilities	270,786	203,371
Total current liabilities	6,350,227	6,777,576
Convertible note payable		1,000,000
Senior secured loan payable, net of discount of $353,328	9,646,672
Deferred rent	746,176	77,365
Total liabilities	16,743,075	7,854,941
Commitments and contingencies - See Note 11
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized, 0 issued and outstanding at April 30, 2019 and April 30, 2018
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 40,000,000 shares authorized, 18,665,551 issued and 18,648,884 outstanding at April 30, 2019 18,333,521 issued and 18,316,854 outstanding at April 30, 2018	18,666	18,334
Additional paid-in capital	68,562,727	66,557,005
Treasury stock (16,667 shares)	(70,000)	(70,000)
Accumulated deficit	(42,049,965)	(32,771,748)
Total stockholders' equity	26,461,428	33,733,591
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 43,204,503	$ 41,588,532

XML

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018
Assets
Allowance for doubtful accounts, current accounts receivables	$ 1,247,031	$ 468,174
Allowance for doubtful accounts, noncurrent accounts receivables	625,963	625,963
Accumulated amortization of intangible assets	1,558,333	$ 458,333
Discount senior secured loan payable	$ 353,328
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Common stock, shares authorized	40,000,000	40,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	18,665,551	18,333,521
Common stock, shares outstanding	18,648,884	18,316,854
Treasury stock, shares	16,667	16,667

XML

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 34,025,418	$ 22,021,512
Operating expenses
Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below)	15,977,218	9,853,819
General and administrative	24,987,828	16,328,580
Depreciation and amortization	2,170,098	1,092,283
Total operating expenses	43,135,144	27,274,682
Operating loss	(9,109,726)	(5,253,170)
Other income (expense):
Other income	276,189	149,761
Gain on extinguishment of warrant liability		52,500
Interest expense	(444,680)	(2,010,152)
Total other income (expense), net	(168,491)	(1,807,891)
Loss before income taxes	(9,278,217)	(7,061,061)
Income tax expense (benefit)
Net loss	$ (9,278,217)	$ (7,061,061)
Net loss per share allocable to common stockholders - basic and diluted	$ (0.50)	$ (0.50)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding: basic and diluted	18,409,459	14,215,868

XML

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($)	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Total
Balance at Apr. 30, 2017	$ 13,504	$ 33,607,423	$ (70,000)	$ (25,710,687)	$ 7,840,240
Balance, shares at Apr. 30, 2017	13,504,012
Stock-based compensation		642,566			642,566
Common stock issued for stock options exercised for cash	$ 137	475,688			475,825
Common stock issued for stock options exercised for cash, shares	136,563
Common stock issued for cashless warrant exercise	$ 172	(172)
Common stock issued for cashless warrant exercise, shares	171,962
Common stock issued for warrants exercised for cash	$ 88	246,292			246,380
Common stock issued for warrants exercised for cash, shares	87,775
Warrants issued with senior secured term loan		478,428			478,428
Fees associated with equity raise		(2,215,730)			(2,215,730)
Restricted stock issued for services	$ 10	88,689			88,699
Restricted stock issued for services, shares	10,000
Common stock issued for acquisition	$ 1,203	10,214,041			10,215,244
Common stock issued for acquisition, shares	1,203,209
Common stock issued in equity raise	$ 3,220	23,019,780			23,023,000
Common stock issued in equity raise, shares	3,220,000
Net loss				(7,061,061)	(7,061,061)
Balance at Apr. 30, 2018	$ 18,334	66,557,005	(70,000)	(32,771,748)	33,733,591
Balance, shares at Apr. 30, 2018	18,333,521
Stock-based compensation		1,190,385			1,190,385
Common stock issued for cashless stock options exercised	$ 112	(112)
Common stock issued for cashless stock options exercised, shares	111,666
Common stock issued for stock options exercised for cash	$ 56	128,145			128,201
Common stock issued for stock options exercised for cash, shares	56,910
Common stock issued for cashless warrant exercise	$ 120	(120)
Common stock issued for cashless warrant exercise, shares	119,594
Common stock issued for warrants exercised for cash	$ 44	99,956			100,000
Common stock issued for warrants exercised for cash, shares	43,860
Warrants issued with debt financing		615,587			615,587
Warrants issued for services		1,713			1,713
Purchase of treasury stock, net of broker fees			(7,370,000)		(7,370,000)
Re-sale of treasury stock, net of broker fees			7,370,000		7,370,000
Fees associated with equity raise		(29,832)			(29,832)
Net loss				(9,278,217)	(9,278,217)
Balance at Apr. 30, 2019	$ 18,666	$ 68,562,727	$ (70,000)	$ (42,049,965)	$ 26,461,428
Balance, shares at Apr. 30, 2019	18,665,551

XML

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (9,278,217)	$ (7,061,061)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Bad debt expense	854,008	535,366
Gain on extinguishment of warrant liability		(52,500)
Depreciation and amortization	2,170,098	1,092,283
Stock-based compensation	1,190,385	642,566
Warrants awarded to directors for service	1,713
Loss on asset disposition		27,590
Amortization and write-off origination fees		829,794
Amortization of debt discounts	40,881
Amortization of debt issue costs	54,247
Cash paid to settle convertible debt	60,932
Amortization of prepaid shares for services	8,285	80,415
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(6,477,948)	(3,360,277)
Prepaid expenses	(219,624)	(13,593)
Accrued interest receivable		(45,400)
Other receivables	182,424	(103,105)
Other assets	(44,660)	(528,549)
Accounts payable	(527,993)	1,319,268
Accrued expenses	(7,436)	280,697
Deferred rent	663,376	22,079
Refunds due students	358,660	505,265
Deferred revenue	642,729	(1,953)
Other liabilities	112,126	221,180
Net cash used in operating activities	(10,216,014)	(5,609,935)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of courseware and accreditation	(91,522)	(48,388)
Purchases of property and equipment	(2,531,521)	(1,836,618)
Notes receivable		900,000
Cash paid in acquisition		(2,589,719)
Proceeds from promissory note interest receivable		53,400
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,623,043)	(3,521,325)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of convertible note payable	(2,000,000)
Proceeds of Equity offering		23,023,000
Disbursements for equity offering costs	(29,832)	(2,215,730)
Proceeds from senior secured term loan		7,500,000
Repayment of senior secured loan		(7,500,000)
Proceeds of stock options and warrants exercised	228,201	722,205
Purchase of treasury stock	(7,370,000)
Re-sale of treasury stock	7,370,000
Offering costs paid on debt financing	(100,000)	(351,367)
Closing costs of senior secured loans	(33,693)
Cash paid to settle convertible debt	(60,932)
Proceeds of senior secured loan	10,000,000
Net cash provided by financing activities	8,003,744	21,178,108
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(4,835,313)	12,046,848
Cash, restricted cash, and cash equivalents at beginning of year	14,803,065	2,756,217
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	9,967,752	14,803,065
Supplemental disclosure cash flow information
Cash paid for interest	118,217	540,341
Cash paid for income taxes
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities
Warrants issued as part of revolving credit facility	255,071
Warrants issued as part of senior secured term loans	360,516	478,428
Assets acquired net of liabilities assumed for non-cash consideration		12,215,244
Common stock issued for services	$ 29,809	$ 88,699

XML

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical) - USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Cash	$ 9,519,352	$ 14,612,559
Restricted cash	448,400	190,506
Total cash and restricted cash	$ 9,967,752	$ 14,803,065

XML

Nature of Operations and Liquidity

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2019

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Nature of Operations and Liquidity

Note 1. Nature of Operations and Liquidity

Overview

Aspen Group, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company,” “Aspen,” or “AGI”) is a holding company, which has three subsidiaries. They are Aspen University, Inc. (“Aspen University”) organized in 1987, Aspen Nursing, Inc. (“ANI”) (a subsidiary of Aspen University) formed in July 2018 and United States University, Inc. (“USU”) formed in May 2017. USU was the vehicle we used to acquire United States University on December 1, 2017. (See Note 5). When we refer to USU in this Report, we refer to either the online university which has operated under the name United States University or our subsidiary which operates this university, as the context implies.

AGI is an education technology holding company that leverages its infrastructure and expertise to allow its two universities, Aspen University and United States University, to deliver on the vision of making college affordable again. Because we believe higher education should be a catalyst to our students’ long-term economic success, we exert financial prudence by offering affordable tuition that is one of the greatest values in higher education.  AGI’s primary focus relative to future growth is to target the high growth nursing profession, as today 81% of all students across both universities are degree-seeking nursing students.

Since 1993, Aspen University has been nationally accredited by the Distance Education and Accrediting Council (“DEAC”), a national accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (the “DOE”). In February 2019, the DEAC informed Aspen University that it had renewed its accreditation for five years through January 2024.

Since 2009, USU has been regionally accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission. (“WSCUC”).

Both universities are qualified to participate under the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (HEA) and the Federal student financial assistance programs (Title IV, HEA programs). USU has a provisional certification resulting from the ownership change of control on December 1, 2017.

Liquidity

At April 30, 2019, the Company had a cash balance of $9,519,352 with an additional $448,400 in restricted cash.

In April 2018, the Company raised $23,023,000 in equity through the sale of 3,220,000 shares at $7.15 per share. With the proceeds, the Company repaid a $7.5 million senior secured term loan.

On November 5, 2018 the Company entered into a three year, $5,000,000 senior revolving credit facility. There is currently no outstanding balance under that facility.

The Company paid $1,160,000 of principal and accrued interest related to a convertible note on December 3, 2018, as explained in Note 9. Also, on February 25, 2019, the Company paid a total of $1,080,000, which included the remaining $1 million of principal, $19,068 of accrued unpaid interest and settlement expense of $60,932 to prepay the debt and eliminate the holder’s conversion option. This was the final payment for the acquisition of USU and was originally due on December 1, 2019. (See Note 9).

The Company also anticipates ongoing investment spending, including an expected investment of approximately $600,000 related to the new campus for its Pre-Licensure BSN Program with Honor Health.

In March 2019, the Company entered into loan agreements and received proceeds of $10 million.  In connection with the loan agreements, the Company issued 18 month senior secured promissory notes, with the right to extend the term of the loan for an additional 12 months by paying a 1% one-time extension fee. Also, as a term of the loan agreement, the February 25, 2019 payment detailed above was made. (See Note 10)

During the year ended April 30, 2019 the Company used cash of $4,835,313, which included using $10,216,014 in operating activities. The Company expects revenue growth to continue, and expenses to grow at a slower pace. As a result, the Company expects cash used in operations to decline in future quarters as compared to the quarter ending April 30, 2019.

The Company has analyzed its liquidity position and believes its current resources are adequate to meet anticipated liquidity needs for the next 12 months.

XML

Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2019

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Significant Accounting Policies

Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

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

Use of Estimates

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

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash

For the purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of six months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. There were no cash equivalents at April 30, 2019 and 2018. The Company maintains its cash in bank and financial institution deposits that at times may exceed federally insured limits of $250,000 per financial institution. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts from inception through April 30, 2019. As of April 30, 2019 and 2018, there were deposits totaling $9,359,208 and $14,422,499 respectively, held in two separate institutions greaterthan the federally insured limits.

ASU No 2016-18 – In November 2016, FASB issue ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) Restricted Cash (ASU 2016- 18), requiring restricted cash and cash equivalents to be included with cash and cash equivalents of the statement of cash flows. The new standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods with those year, beginning December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this new ASU at May 1, 2018.

As of April 30, 2019, restricted cash of $448,400 consists of $120,864 which is collateral for a letter of credit issued by the bank and required under the USU facility operating lease. Also, included is $71,828 and an additional $255,708, which is collateral for a letter of credit issued by the bank and related to USU’s receipt of Title IV funds and is required by DOE in connection with the change of control of USU. (See Note 11). Restricted cash as of April 30, 2018 was $190,506.

Goodwill and Intangibles

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of USU over the fair market value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed from Educacion Significativa, LLC. Goodwill has an indefinite life and is not amortized. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment.

ASU 2017-04 - In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-04: "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350)” - to simplify how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Step 2 measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company early adopted this standard effective April 30, 2018.

Intangible assets represent both indefinite lived and definite lived assets. Accreditation and regulatory approvals and trade name and trademarks are deemed to have indefinite useful lives and accordingly are not amortized but are tested annually for impairment. Student relationships and curriculums are deemed to have definite lives and are amortized accordingly.

Fair Value Measurements

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

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

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

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

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

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable

All students are required to select both a primary and secondary payment option with respect to amounts due to Aspen for tuition, fees and other expenses. The monthly payment plan represents approximately 69% of the payments that are made by students, making it the most common payment type. In instances where a student selects financial aid as the primary payment option, he or she often selects personal cash as the secondary option. If a student who has selected financial aid as his or her primary payment option withdraws prior to the end of a course but after the date that Aspen’s institutional refund period has expired, the student will have incurred the obligation to pay the full cost of the course. If the withdrawal occurs before the date at which the student has earned 100% of his or her financial aid, Aspen may have to return all or a portion of the Title IV funds to the DOE and the student will owe Aspen all amounts incurred that are in excess of the amount of financial aid that the student earned, and that Aspen is entitled to retain. In this case, Aspen must collect the receivable using the student’s second payment option.

For accounts receivable from students, Aspen records an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability, failure or refusal of its students to make required payments, which includes the recovery of financial aid funds advanced to a student for amounts in excess of the student’s cost of tuition and related fees. Aspen determines the adequacy of its allowance for doubtful accounts using an allowance method based on an analysis of its historical bad debt experience, current economic trends, and the aging of the accounts receivable and each student’s status. Aspen estimates the amounts to increase the allowance based upon the risk presented by the age of the receivables and student status. Aspen writes off accounts receivable balances at the time the balances are deemed uncollectible. Aspen continues to reflect accounts receivable with an offsetting allowance as long as management believes there is a reasonable possibility of collection.

For accounts receivable from primary payors other than students, Aspen estimates its allowance for doubtful accounts by evaluating specific accounts where information indicates the customers may have an inability to meet financial obligations, such as bankruptcy proceedings and receivable amounts outstanding for an extended period beyond contractual terms. In these cases, Aspen uses assumptions and judgment, based on the best available facts and circumstances, to record a specific allowance for those customers against amounts due to reduce the receivable to the amount expected to be collected. These specific allowances are re-evaluated and adjusted as additional information is received. The amounts calculated are analyzed to determine the total amount of the allowance. Aspen may also record a general allowance as necessary.

Direct write-offs are taken in the period when Aspen has exhausted its efforts to collect overdue and unpaid receivables or otherwise evaluate other circumstances that indicate that Aspen should abandon such efforts. (See Note 14)

When a student signs up for the monthly payment plan, there is a contractual amount that the Company can expect to earn over the life of the student’s program. This contractual amount cannot be recorded as an accounts receivable because, the student does have the option to stop attending. As a student takes a class, revenue is earned over the class term. Some students accelerate their program, taking two or more classes every eight week period, which increases the student’s accounts receivable balance. If any portion of that balance will be paid in a period greater than 12 months, that portion is reflected as long-term accounts receivable. At April 30, 2019 and 2018, those balances are $3,085,243 and $1,315,050, respectively. The Company has determined that the long term accounts receivable do not constitute a significant financing component as the list price, cash selling price and promised consideration are equal.  Further, the interest free financing portion of the monthly payment plans are not considered significant to the contract.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets per the following table.

Category	Useful Life
Call center equipment	5 years
Computer and office equipment	5 years
Furniture and fixtures	7 years
Library (online)	3 years
Software	5 years

Costs incurred to develop internal-use software during the preliminary project stage are expensed as incurred. Internal-use software development costs are capitalized during the application development stage, which is after: (i) the preliminary project stage is completed; and (ii) management authorizes and commits to funding the project and it is probable the project will be completed and used to perform the function intended. Capitalization ceases at the point the software project is substantially complete and ready for its intended use, and after all substantial testing is completed. Upgrades and enhancements are capitalized if it is probable that those expenditures will result in additional functionality. Depreciation is provided for on a straight-line basis over the expected useful life of five years of the internal-use software development costs and related upgrades and enhancements. When existing software is replaced with new software, the unamortized costs of the old software are expensed when the new software is ready for its intended use.

Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful lives of the leasehold improvements.

Upon the retirement or disposition of property and equipment, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed and a gain or loss is recorded in the consolidated statements of operations. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed in the period incurred.

Courseware and Accreditation

The Company records the costs of courseware and accreditation in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 350 “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other”.

Generally, costs of courseware creation and enhancement are capitalized. Accreditation renewal or extension costs related to intangible assets are capitalized as incurred. Courseware is stated at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is provided for on a straight-line basis over the expected useful life of five years.

Long-Lived Assets

The Company assesses potential impairment to its long-lived assets when there is evidence that events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Events and circumstances considered by the Company in determining whether the carrying value of identifiable intangible assets and other long-lived assets may not be recoverable include, but are not limited to: significant changes in performance relative to expected operating results, significant changes in the use of the assets, significant negative industry or economic trends, a significant decline in the Company’s stock price for a sustained period of time, and changes in the Company’s business strategy. An impairment loss is recorded when the carrying amount of the long-lived asset is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. Any required impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a long-lived asset exceeds fair value and is recorded as a reduction in the carrying value of the related asset and an expense to operating results.

Refunds Due Students

The Company receives Title IV funds from the Department of Education to cover tuition and living expenses. After deducting tuition and fees, the Company sends checks for the remaining balances to the students.

Leases

The Company enters into various lease agreements in conducting its business. At the inception of each lease, the Company evaluates the lease agreement to determine whether the lease is an operating or capital lease. Leases may contain initial periods of free rent and/or periodic escalations. When such items are included in a lease agreement, the Company records rent expense on a straight-line basis over the initial term of a lease. The difference between the rent payment and the straight-line rent expense is recorded as a deferred rent liability. The Company expenses any additional payments under its operating leases for taxes, insurance or other operating expenses as incurred. The company plans to implement ASU 2016-02 on May 1, 2019, and does not anticipate any material changes to our consolidated financial statements other than additional assets and off-setting liabilities, see “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” below.

Treasury Stock

Purchases and sales of treasury stock are accounted for using the cost method. Under this method, shares acquired are recorded at the acquisition price directly to the treasury stock account. Upon sale, the treasury stock account is reduced by the original acquisition price of the shares and any difference is recorded in equity. This method does not allow the company to recognize a gain or loss to income from the purchase and sale of treasury stock.

Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue

On May 1, 2018, the company adopted Accounting Standards Codification 606 (ASC 606). ASC 606 is based on the principle that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This ASC also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer purchase orders, including significant judgments. Our adoption of this ASC, resulted in no change to our results of operations or our balance sheet.

Revenues consist primarily of tuition and course fees derived from courses taught by the Company online as well as from related educational resources and services that the Company provides to its students. Under ASC 606, this tuition revenue is recognized pro-rata over the applicable period of instruction and are not considered separate performance obligations.  Non-tuition related revenue and fees are recognized as services are provided or when the goods are received by the student.  (See Note 14)

The Company had revenues from students outside the United States representing 1.62% and 2.3% of the revenues for the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018 respectively.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of revenues consists of two categories of cost, instructional costs and services, and marketing and promotional costs.

Instructional Costs and Services

Instructional costs and services consist primarily of costs related to the administration and delivery of the Company's educational programs. This expense category includes compensation costs associated with online faculty, technology license costs and costs associated with other support groups that provide services directly to the students and are included in cost of revenues.

Marketing and Promotional Costs

Marketing and promotional costs include costs associated with producing marketing materials and advertising. Such costs are generally affected by the cost of advertising media, the efficiency of the Company's marketing and recruiting efforts, and expenditures on advertising initiatives for new and existing academic programs. Non-direct response advertising activities are expensed as incurred, or the first time the advertising takes place, depending on the type of advertising activity. Total marketing and promotional costs were $9,096,550 and $5,428,828 for year ended April 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively and are included in cost of revenues.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses include compensation of employees engaged in corporate management, finance, human resources, information technology, academic operations, compliance and other corporate functions. General and administrative expenses also include professional services fees, bad debt expense related to accounts receivable, financial aid processing costs, non-capitalizable courseware and software costs, travel and entertainment expenses and facility costs.

Legal Expenses

All legal costs for litigation are charged to expense as incurred.

Income Tax

The Company uses the asset and liability method to compute the differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and the related financial statement amounts. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that more likely than not will be realized. The Company has deferred tax assets and liabilities that reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Deferred tax assets are subject to periodic recoverability assessments. Realization of the deferred tax assets, net of deferred tax liabilities, is principally dependent upon achievement of projected future taxable income.

The Company records a liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes using a two-step approach for evaluating tax positions. Step one, recognition, occurs when the Company concludes that a tax position, based solely on its technical merits, is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination. Step two, measurement, is only addressed if the position is more likely than not to be sustained. Under step two, the tax benefit is measured as the largest amount of benefit, determined on a cumulative probability basis, which is more likely than not to be realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

Accounting for Derivatives

The Company evaluates its convertible instruments, options, warrants or other contracts to determine if those contracts or embedded components of those contracts qualify as derivatives to be separately accounted for under ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”. The result of this accounting treatment is that the fair value of the derivative is marked-to-market each balance sheet date and recorded as a liability. In the event that the fair value is recorded as a liability, the change in fair value is recorded in the statement of operations as other income (expense). Upon conversion, exercise, or other extinguishment (transaction) of a derivative instrument, the instrument is marked to fair value at the transaction date and then that fair value is recognized as an extinguishment gain or loss. Equity instruments that are initially classified as equity that become subject to reclassification under ASC Topic 815 are reclassified to liability at the fair value of the instrument on the reclassification date.

The Company has early adopted FASB ASU 2017-11, which simplifies the accounting for certain equity-linked financial instruments and embedded features with down round features that reduce the exercise price when the pricing of a future round of financing is lower. This allows the company to treat such instruments or their embedded features as equity instead of considering them as a derivative. If such a feature is triggered in a stand-alone instrument treated as equity, the value is measured pre-trigger and post-trigger. The difference in these two measurements is treated as a dividend, reducing income. The value recognized as a dividend is not subsequently remeasured, but in instances where the feature is triggered multiple times each instance is recognized.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation expense is measured at the grant date fair value of the award and is expensed over the requisite service period. For employee stock-based awards, the Company calculates the fair value of the award on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Determining the fair value of stock-based awards at the grant date under this model requires judgment, including estimating volatility, employee stock option exercise behaviors and forfeiture rates. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based awards represent the Company's best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. For non-employee stock-based awards, the Company has early adopted ASU 2018-07, which substantially aligns share based compensation for employees and non-employees.  See “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” below.

Business Combinations

We include the results of operations of businesses we acquire from the date of the respective acquisition. We allocate the purchase price of acquisitions to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at fair value. The excess of the purchase price of an acquired business over the amount assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. We expense transaction costs associated with business combinations as incurred.

Net Loss Per Share

Net loss per common share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Options to purchase 3,409,154 and 2,980,010 common shares, warrants to purchase 731,152 and 651,286 common shares, unvested restricted stock of 64,116 and 0, and $50,000 and $50,000 of convertible debt (convertible into 4,167 and 4,167 common shares) were outstanding at April 30, 2019 and April 30, 2018, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted net loss per share because the effects would have been anti-dilutive. The options, warrants and convertible debt are considered to be common stock equivalents and are only included in the calculation of diluted earnings per common share when their effect is dilutive.

Segment Information

The Company operates in one reportable segment as a single educational delivery operation using a core infrastructure that serves the curriculum and educational delivery needs of its online students regardless of geography. The Company's chief operating decision makers, its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Academic Officer, manage the Company's operations as a whole, and no revenue, expense or operating income information is evaluated by the chief operating decision makers on any component level.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Financial Accounting Standards Board, Accounting Standard Updates which are not effective until after April 30, 2019, are not expected to have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

ASU 2018-07 - In June 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-07, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718). This update is intended to reduce cost and complexity and to improve financial reporting for share-based payments issued to non-employees (for example, service providers, external legal counsel, suppliers, etc.). The ASU expands the scope of Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation, which currently only includes share-based payments issued to employees, to also include share-based payments issued to non-employees for goods and services. Consequently, the accounting for share-based payments to non-employees and employees will be substantially aligned. This standard will be effective for financial statements issued by public companies for the annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption of the standard is permitted. The standard will be applied in a retrospective approach for each period presented. The company implemented this standard in February 2019.

ASU 2016-02 - In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02: “Leases (Topic 842)” whereby lessees will need to recognize almost all leases on their balance sheet as a right of use asset and a lease liability. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company does not anticipate this ASU to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements when implemented on May 1, 2019.

XML

Accounts Receivable

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2019

Receivables [Abstract]

Accounts Receivable

Note 3. Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable consisted of the following at April 30, 2019 and 2018:

	April 30,
	2019			2018
Accounts receivable	$	14,988,744		$	8,585,947
Long term contractual accounts receivable		(3,085,243	)		(1,315,050	)
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts		(1,247,031	)		(468,174	)
Accounts receivable, net	$	10,656,470		$	6,802,723

Bad debt expense for the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018, were $854,008 and $535,366 respectively.

XML

Property and Equipment

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2019

Property and equipment:

Property and Equipment

Note 4. Property and Equipment

As property and equipment reach the end of their useful lives, the fully expired asset is written off against the associated accumulated depreciation. There is no expense impact for such write offs. Property and equipment consisted of the following at April 30, 2019 and April 30, 2018:

	For the Years Ended April 30,
	2019			2018
Call center hardware	$	193,774		$	140,509
Computer and office equipment		327,621			230,810
Furniture and fixtures		1,381,271			932,454
Software		4,314,198			2,878,753
		6,216,864			4,182,526
Accumulated depreciation		(1,825,524	)		(1,320,360	)
Property and equipment, net	$	4,391,340		$	2,862,166

Software consisted of the following at April 30, 2019 and 2018:

	For the Years Ended April 30,
	2019			2018
Software	$	4,314,198		$	2,878,753
Accumulated depreciation		(1,351,193	)		(1,146,008	)
Software, net	$	2,963,005		$	1,732,745

Depreciation expense and amortization for all Property and Equipment as well as the portion for just software is presented below for the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018:

	For the
	Years Ended April 30,
	2019		2018
Depreciation and amortization Expense	$	1,002,347	$	578,244
Software amortization Expense	$	684,871	$	475,178

The following is a schedule of estimated future amortization expense of software at April 30, 2019:

Year Ending April 30,
2020	$	826,918
2021		754,471
2022		664,998
2023		504,758
Thereafter		211,860
Total	$	2,963,005

XML

USU Goodwill and Intangibles

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2019

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

USU Goodwill and Intangibles

Note 5. USU Goodwill and Intangibles

On December 1, 2017, USU acquired United States University and assumed certain liabilities from Educacion Significativa, LLC (“ESL”). USU is a wholly owned subsidiary of AGI and was formed for the purpose of completing the asset purchase transaction. For purposes of purchase accounting, AGI is referred to as the acquirer. AGI acquired the assets and assumed certain liabilities of ESL for a purchase price of approximately $14.8 million. The purchase consideration consisted of a cash payment of $2,500,000 less an adjustment for working capital of approximately $110,000 plus approximately $200,000 of additional costs paid to/on behalf of and for the benefit of the seller, a convertible note of $2,000,000 and 1,203,209 shares of AGI stock valued at the quoted closing price of $8.49 per share as of November 30, 2017. The stock consideration represents $10,215,244 of the purchase consideration.

The acquisition was accounted for by AGI in accordance with the acquisition method of accounting pursuant to ASC 805 “Business Combinations” and pushdown accounting was applied to record the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed on United States University, Inc. Under this method, the purchase price is allocated to the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The excess of the amount paid over the estimated fair values of the identifiable net assets was $5,011,432 which has been reflected in the consolidated balance sheet as goodwill.

The following is a summary of the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition:

	Purchase Price Allocation			Useful Life
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—
Current assets acquired		244,465
Other assets acquired		176,667
Intangible assets
Accreditation and regulatory approvals		6,200,000
Trade name and trademarks		1,700,000
Student relationships		2,000,000		2 years
Curriculum		200,000		1 year
Goodwill		5,011,432
Less: Current liabilities assumed		(727,601	)
Total purchase price	$	14,804,963

We determined the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on assumptions that reasonable market participants would use while employing the concept of highest and best use of the respective items. We used the following assumptions, the majority of which include significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), and valuation methodologies to determine fair value:

·

Intangibles - We used the multiple period excess earnings method to value the Accreditation and regulatory approvals. The Trade name and trademarks were valued using the relief-from-royalty method, which represents the benefit of owning these intangible assets rather than paying royalties for their use. The Student relationships were valued using the excess earnings method. The curriculum was valued using the replacement cost approach.

·

Other assets and liabilities - The carrying value of all other assets and liabilities approximated fair value at the time of acquisition.

The goodwill resulting from the acquisition may become deductible for tax purposes in the future. The goodwill resulting from the acquisition is principally attributable to the future earnings potential associated with enrollment growth and other intangibles that do not qualify for separate recognition such as the assembled workforce.

We have selected an April 30^th annual goodwill impairment test date.

We assigned an indefinite useful life to the accreditation and regulatory approvals and the trade name and trademarks as we believe they have the ability to generate cash flows indefinitely. In addition, there are no legal, regulatory, contractual, economic or other factors to limit the intangibles’ useful life and we intend to renew the intangibles, as applicable, and renewal can be accomplished at little cost. We determined all other acquired intangibles are finite-lived and we are amortizing them on either a straight-line basis or using an accelerated method to reflect the pattern in which the economic benefits of the assets are expected to be consumed. Amortization expense for the year ended April 30, 2019 was $1,100,000.

Intangible assets consisted of the following at April 30, 2019 and 2018:

	April 30,			April 30,
	2019			2018
Intangible assets	$	10,100,000		$	10,100,000
Accumulated amortization		(1,558,333	)		(458,333	)
Net intangible assets	$	8,541,667		$	9,641,667

XML

Courseware and Accreditation

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2019

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Courseware and Accreditation

Note 6. Courseware and Accreditation

Courseware costs capitalized were $34,422 for the year ended April 30, 2019 and $48,388 for the year ended April 30, 2018. As courseware reaches the end of its useful life, it is written off against the accumulated amortization. There is no expense impact for such write-offs.

Courseware consisted of the following at April 30, 2019 and 2018:

	April 30,
	2019			2018
Courseware	$	325,987		$	298,064
Accreditation		57,100			—
Accumulated amortization		(221,157	)		(159,905	)
Courseware, net	$	161,930		$	138,159

The Company capitalized $57,100 in accreditation costs associated with intangible assets during the year ended April 30, 2019.

Amortization expense of courseware for the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018:

	For the
	Years Ended April 30,
	2019		2018
Amortization expense	$	67,751	$	55,706

The following is a schedule of estimated future amortization expense of courseware at April 30, 2019:

Year Ending April 30,
2020	$	63,610
2021		36,645
2022		28,758
2023		23,219
Thereafter		9,698
Total	$	161,930

XML

Secured Note and Accounts Receivable

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2019

Due from Related Parties, Unclassified [Abstract]

Secured Note and Accounts Receivable

Note 7. Secured Note and Accounts Receivable

On March 30, 2008 and December 1, 2008, Aspen University sold courseware pursuant to marketing agreements to Higher Education Management Group, Inc. (“HEMG”,) which was then a related party and principal stockholder of the Company. The sold courseware amounts were $455,000 and $600,000, respectively; UCC filings were filed accordingly. Under the marketing agreements, the receivables were due net 60 months. On September 16, 2011, HEMG pledged 772,793 Series C preferred shares (automatically converted to 54,571 common shares on March 13, 2012) of the Company as collateral for this account receivable which at that time had a remaining balance of $772,793. Based on the reduction in value of the collateral to $2.28 based on the then current price of the Company’s common stock, the Company recognized an expense of $123,647 during the year ended April 30, 2014 as an additional allowance. As of April 30, 2019, and April 30, 2018, the balance of the account receivable, net of allowance, was $45,329.

HEMG failed to pay to Aspen University any portion of the $772,793 amount due as of September 30, 2014. Consequently, on November 18, 2014 Aspen University filed a complaint vs. HEMG in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, to collect the full amount due to the Company. HEMG defaulted and Aspen University obtained a default judgment. In addition, Aspen University gave notice to HEMG that it intended to privately sell the 54,571 shares after March 10, 2015. On April 29, 2015, the Company sold those shares to a private investor for $1.86 per share or $101,502, which proceeds reduced the receivable balance to $671,291 with a remaining allowance of $625,963, resulting in a net receivable of $45,329. (See Note 11)

XML

Accrued Expenses

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2019

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

Accrued Expenses

Note 8. Accrued Expenses  

Accrued expenses consisted of the following at April 30, 2019 and 2018:

	April 30,
	2019		2018
Accrued compensation	$	226,805	$	202,664
Accrued interest		135,115		79,853
Other accrued expenses		289,498		376,337
Accrued expenses	$	651,418	$	658,854

XML

Convertible Notes and Convertible Notes - Related Party

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2019

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Convertible Notes and Convertible Notes - Related Party

Note 9. Convertible Notes and Convertible Notes – Related Party

On February 29, 2012, a loan payable of $50,000 was converted into a two-year convertible promissory note, interest of 0.19% per annum. Beginning March 31, 2012, the note was convertible into common shares of the Company at the rate of $12.00 per share. This loan (now a convertible promissory note) was originally due in February 2014. The amount due under this note has been reserved for payment upon the note being tendered to the Company by the note holder.

On December 1, 2017, the Company completed the acquisition of USU and, as part of the consideration, a $2.0 million convertible note (the “Note”) was issued, bearing 8% annual interest that matures over a two-year period after the closing. (See Note 5) At the option of the Note holder, on each of the first and second anniversaries of the closing date, $1,000,000 of principal and accrued interest under the Note will be convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock based on the volume weighted average price per share for the ten preceding trading days (subject to a floor of $2.00 per share) or become payable in cash. There was no beneficial conversion feature on the note date and the conversion terms of the note exempt it from derivative accounting. Subsequently the note was assigned to a third party. On December 1, 2018 the Company paid the first payment of $1 million principal and $60,000 in interest. On February 25, 2019, the Company paid the remaining principal of $1 million and $80,000 of interest and fees.

Convertible notes payable consisted of the following at April 30, 2019 and 2018:

	April 30,
	2019			2018
Convertible note payable - originating December 1, 2017; no monthly payments required; bearing an annual rate of interest at 8%; $1,000,000 maturing on December 1, 2018 and $1,000,000 maturing on December 1, 2019	$	0		$	2,000,000
Convertible note payable - originating February 29, 2012; no monthly payments required; bearing interest at 0.19%; maturing at February 29, 2014		50,000			50,000
		50,000			2,050,000
Less: Current maturities		(50,000	)		(1,050,000	)
Total	$	0		$	1,000,000

XML

Convertible Notes, Senior Secured Term Loans and Revolving Credit Facility

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2019

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Convertible Notes, Senior Secured Term Loans and Revolving Credit Facility

Note 10. Convertible Notes, Senior Secured Term Loans and Revolving Credit Facility

On February 29, 2012, a loan payable of $50,000 was converted into a two-year convertible promissory note, interest of 0.19% per annum. Beginning March 31, 2012, the note was convertible into common shares of the Company at the rate of $12.00 per share. The Company evaluated the convertible note and determined that, for the embedded conversion option, there was no beneficial conversion value to record as the conversion price is considered to be the fair market value of the common shares on the note issue date. This loan (now a convertible promissory note) was originally due in February 2014. The amount due under this note has been reserved for payment upon the note being tendered to the Company by the note holder. However, this $50,000 note is derived from $200,000 of loans made to Aspen University prior to 2011, which was prior to the merger of Aspen University and EGC, the acquisition vehicle led by Michael Mathews, the Company’s current Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The bankruptcy judge in the HEMG bankruptcy proceedings has recently ruled that the Company may pursue remedies for these undisclosed loans.

On December 1, 2017, the Company completed the acquisition of USU and, as part of the consideration, a $2,000,000 convertible note (the “Note”) was issued, bearing 8% annual interest that matured over a two-year period after the closing. (See Note 8) At the option of the Note holder, on each of the first and second anniversaries of the closing date, $1,000,000 of principal and accrued interest under the Note would have been convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock based on the volume weighted average price per share for the ten preceding trading days (subject to a floor of $2.00 per share) or become payable in cash. There was no beneficial conversion feature on the note date and the conversion terms of the note exempt it from derivative accounting. Subsequently the note was assigned to a third party.

On December 1, 2018 the Company paid scheduled principal and interest on the note of $1,160,000.  On February 25, 2019, the Company paid the remaining principal of $1,000,000, accrued interest $19,068, and a settlement expense $60,932. Upon the receipt of the payment, the Note was terminated. This prepayment eliminated the note holder’s option to convert principal and interest into the Company’s common stock on the scheduled maturity date and also was pre-condition for borrowing the $10,000,000 under the Senior Secured Loans dated March 6, 2019. (See Note 9).

Revolving Credit Facility

On November 5, 2018, the Company entered into a loan agreement (the “Credit Facility Agreement”) with the Leon and Toby Cooperman Family Foundation (the “Lender”). The Credit Facility Agreement provides for a $5,000,000 revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) evidenced by a revolving promissory note (the “Revolving Note”). Borrowings under the Credit Facility Agreement will bear interest at 12% per annum. The Facility matures on November 4, 2021.

Pursuant to the terms of the Credit Facility Agreement, the Company agreed to pay to the Foundation a $100,000 one-time upfront Facility fee. The Company also agreed to pay to the Foundation a commitment fee, payable quarterly at the rate of 2% per annum on the undrawn portion of the Facility. The Company has not borrowed any sum under the Facility.

The Credit Facility Agreement contains customary representations and warranties, events of default and covenants. Pursuant to the Loan Agreement and the Revolving Note, all future or contemporaneous indebtedness incurred by the Company, other than indebtedness expressly permitted by the Credit Facility Agreement and the Revolving Note, will be subordinated to the Facility.

Pursuant to the Credit Facility Agreement, on November 5, 2018 the Company issued to the Foundation warrants to purchase 92,049 shares of the Company’s common stock exercisable for five years from the date of issuance at the exercise price of $5.85 per share which were deemed to have a relative fair value of $255,071. The relative fair value of the warrants along with the Facility fee were treated as debt issue costs, as the facility has not been drawn on, assets to be amortized over the term of the loan.

On March 6, 2019, in connection with entering into the Senior Secured Loans, the Company amended and restated the Credit Facility Agreement (the “Amended and Restated Facility Agreement”) and the related revolving promissory note. The Amended and Restated Facility Agreement provides among other things that the Company’s obligations thereunder are secured by a first priority lien in the Collateral, on a pari passu basis with the Lenders.

Senior Secured Term Loans

On July 25, 2017, the Company signed a $10 million senior secured term loan with Runway Growth Capital Fund (formerly known as GSV Growth Capital Fund). The Company drew $5 million under the facility at closing, then subsequently drew $2.5 million in December 2017, following the closing of the Company’s acquisition of substantially all the assets of Educacion Significativa, LLC (ESL), including receipt of all required regulatory approvals, among other conditions to funding. Terms of the 4-year senior loan included a 10% over 3-month LIBOR per annum interest rate.

The Company would have been required to begin making principal repayments upon the 24-month anniversary of the initial closing (July 24, 2019), and each month thereafter would have been required to repay 1/24th of the total loan amount outstanding.  Should the Company achieve both annualized revenue growth of at least 30% and operating margin of at least 7.5% for any 12-month trailing period, then at the quarter-end of that 12-month trailing period, the Company could have elected to extend the interest only period for the quarter immediately following the 12-month trailing period throughout the duration of the loan.

Additionally, the Company paid a 0.25% origination fee on the initial $5 million draw and paid another 0.25% origination fee upon the second $2.5 million draw, and issued 224,174 5-year warrants at an exercise price of $6.87. The relative fair value of the warrants was $478,428 and was recorded as debt discount along with other direct costs of the term loan and was being amortized to interest expense over the term of the loan.

On April 23, 2018, the Company repaid the entire $7.5 million outstanding senior secured term loan plus early termination and closing fees of approximately $600,000. The Company paid this using the funding received in the equity raise on April 18, 2018.

On March 6, 2019, the Company entered into loan agreements (each a “Loan Agreement” and together, the “Loan Agreements”) with the Leon and Toby Cooperman Family Foundation, of which Mr. Leon Cooperman, a stockholder of the Company, is the trustee, and another stockholder of the Company (each a “Lender” and together, the “Lenders”). Each Loan Agreement provides for a $5 million term loan (each a “Loan” and together, the “Loans”), evidenced by a term promissory note and security agreement (each a “Note” and together, the “Term Notes”), for combined total proceeds of $10 million. The Company borrowed $5 Million from each Lender that day. The Term Notes bear interest at 12% per annum and mature on September 6, 2020, subject to one 12-month extension upon the Company’s option, and upon payment of a 1% one-time extension fee.

Pursuant to the Loan Agreements and the Term Notes, all future or contemporaneous indebtedness incurred by the Company, including any sums borrowed under the $5 Million Credit Facility Agreement, other than indebtedness expressly permitted by the Loan Agreements and the Term Notes, will be subordinated to the Loans.

The Company’s obligations under the Loan Agreements are secured by a first priority lien in certain deposit accounts of the Company, all current and future accounts receivable of Aspen University and USU, subsidiaries of the Company (the “Subsidiaries”), certain of the deposit accounts of the Subsidiaries and all of the outstanding capital stock of the Subsidiaries (the “Collateral”).

Pursuant to the Loan Agreements, on March 6, 2019 the Company issued to each Lender warrants to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock exercisable for five years from the date of issuance at the exercise price of $6.00 per share. The two warrants were deemed to have a combined relative fair value of $360,516. The relative fair value along with closing costs of $33,693 were treated as debt discounts to be amortized over the term of the loan.

On March 6, 2019, in connection with entering into the Loan Agreements, the Company also entered into an intercreditor agreement (the “Intercreditor Agreement”) among the Company, the Lenders and the lender under the Credit Facility Agreement. The Intercreditor Agreement provides among other things that the Company’s obligations under, and the security interests in the Collateral granted pursuant to, the Loan Agreements and the Amended and Restated Facility Agreement shall rank pari passu to one another.

XML

Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2019

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

Note 11. Commitments and Contingencies

Operating Leases

On September 18, 2017 the Company signed a six year lease for its corporate headquarters in New York, NY commencing December 1, 2017. The rent amount is $186,060 per year, subject to an increase annually, and is payable at a rate of $15,505 per month. Related to this lease the Company produced a security deposit of $32,500, which is included in other assets and security deposits on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

On December 17, 2018 the Company entered into an agreement to terminate the New York lease and replace it with a new lease for a larger office within the same location. The new lease is for five years commencing on February 15, 2019. The rent is $325,882 per year, subject to an increase annually, and is, payable at a rate of $27,157 per month. Related to this lease the Company produced an additional security deposit of $21,814, which is included in other assets and security deposits on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

In October 2018, the Company signed a 62 month lease beginning October 1, 2018 and expiring on December 31, 2023 for our office located in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. The monthly base rent is $13,241 CAD which is approximately $10,100 USD.

The Company leased office space for its developers in Dieppe, New Brunswick, Canada under a three year agreement commencing March 1, 2017. The monthly rent payment is $4,367 CAD which is approximately $3,200 USD. This lease was terminated on March 31, 2019.

The Company leases office space for its Denver, Colorado location under a two year lease commencing January 1, 2017. The monthly rent payment was $10,756. This lease was extended for twelve months, through December 31, 2019. The monthly base rent is $11,028.

On December 5, 2017 the Company signed a 92 month lease with Sky Harbor Tower, for the campus located in Phoenix, Arizona. The operating lease granted eight initial months of free rent and had a monthly rent of $66,696, subject to and increases after 12 months. Related to this lease the Company produced a security deposit of $519,271, which is included in other assets and security deposits on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

On February 1, 2016, the Company entered into a 64-month lease agreement for its call center in Phoenix, Arizona. The operating lease granted four initial months of free rent and had a monthly base rent of $10,718 and then increases 2% per year after. This facility was vacated and staff was moved to the Sky Harbor Tower. As the Company continues to grow this may be used for additional expansion space.

United States University’s lease commenced July 1, 2016 and expires on June 30, 2022. The initial monthly base rent was $51,270 for the first 10 months and increases each year.

The following is a schedule by years of future minimum rental payments required under operating leases that have initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of April 30, 2019.

Year Ending April 30,
2020	$	2,282,260
2021		2,332,558
2022		2,264,523
2023		1,702,609
2024		1,497,027
2025		1,134,718
2026		779,287
Total minimum payments required	$	11,992,982

Rent expense for the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018 were $2,278,642 and $853,145, respectively.

Employment Agreements

From time to time, the Company enters into employment agreements with certain of its employees. These agreements typically include bonuses, some of which may or may not be performance-based in nature.

Legal Matters

From time to time, we may be involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of business. As of April 30, 2019, except as discussed below, there were no other pending or threatened lawsuits that could reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the results of our operations and there are no proceedings in which any of our directors, officers or affiliates, or any registered or beneficial shareholder, is an adverse party or has a material interest adverse to our interest.

On February 11, 2013, Higher Education Management Group, Inc., (“HEMG”) and its Chairman, Mr. Patrick Spada, sued the Company, certain senior management members and our directors in state court in New York seeking damages arising principally from (i) allegedly false and misleading statements in the filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and the DOE where the Company disclosed that HEMG and Mr. Spada borrowed $2.2 million without board authority, (ii) the alleged breach of an April 2012 agreement whereby the Company had agreed, subject to numerous conditions and time limitations, to purchase certain shares of the Company from HEMG, and (iii) alleged diminution to the value of HEMG’s shares of the Company due to Mr. Spada’s disagreement with certain business transactions the Company engaged in, all with Board approval.

On December 10, 2013, the Company filed a series of counterclaims against HEMG and Mr. Spada in the same state court of New York. By order dated August 4, 2014, the New York court denied HEMG and Spada’s motion to dismiss the fraud counterclaim the Company asserted against them.

While the Company has been advised by its counsel that HEMG’s and Spada’s claims in the New York lawsuit is baseless, the Company cannot provide any assurance as to the ultimate outcome of the case. Defending the lawsuit maybe expensive and will require the expenditure of time which could otherwise be spent on the Company’s business. While unlikely, if Mr. Spada’s and HEMG’s claims in the New York litigation were to be successful, the damages the Company could pay could potentially be material.

In November 2014, the Company and Aspen University sued HEMG seeking to recover sums due under two 2008 Agreements where Aspen University sold course materials to HEMG in exchange for long-term future payments. On September 29, 2015, the Company and Aspen University obtained a default judgment in the amount of $772,793. This default judgment precipitated the bankruptcy petition discussed in the next paragraph.

On October 15, 2015, HEMG filed bankruptcy pursuant to Chapter 7. As a result, the remaining claims and Aspen’s counterclaims in the New York lawsuit are currently stayed. The bankrupt estate’s sole asset consists of 208,000 shares of AGI common stock, plus a claim filed by the bankruptcy trustee against Spada’s brother and a third party to recover approximately 167,000 shares. The Company filed a proof of claim against the bankruptcy estate which included approximately $670,000 on the judgment and approximately $2.2 million from the misappropriation. The other creditor is a secured creditor which alleges it is owed the principal amount of $1,200,000. AGI alleges that because HEMG, a Nevada corporation, had failed to pay annual fees to Nevada it lacked the legal authority to create the security interest and that AGI has priority. In February 2019, the bankruptcy court dismissed the Company’s misappropriation claim leaving its judgment and a $200,000 claim that HEMG fraudulently failed to disclose $200,000 of notes payable.

Regulatory Matters

The Company’s subsidiaries, Aspen University and United States University, are subject to extensive regulation by Federal and State governmental agencies and accrediting bodies. In particular, the Higher Education Act (the “HEA”) and the regulations promulgated thereunder by the DOE subject the subsidiaries to significant regulatory scrutiny on the basis of numerous standards that schools must satisfy to participate in the various types of federal student financial assistance programs authorized under Title IV of the HEA.

On August 22, 2017, the DOE informed Aspen University of its determination that the institution has qualified to participate under the HEA and the Federal student financial assistance programs (Title IV, HEA programs) and set a subsequent program participation agreement reapplication date of March 31, 2021.

USU currently has provisional certification to participate in the Title IV Programs due to its acquisition by the Company. The provisional certification allows the school to continue to receive Title IV funding as it did prior to the change of ownership.

The HEA requires accrediting agencies to review many aspects of an institution's operations in order to ensure that the education offered is of sufficiently high quality to achieve satisfactory outcomes and that the institution is complying with accrediting standards. Failure to demonstrate compliance with accrediting standards may result in the imposition of probation, the requirements to provide periodic reports, the loss of accreditation or other penalties if deficiencies are not remediated.

Because our subsidiaries operate in a highly regulated industry, each may be subject from time to time to audits, investigations, claims of noncompliance or lawsuits by governmental agencies or third parties, which allege statutory violations, regulatory infractions or common law causes of action.

Return of Title IV Funds

An institution participating in Title IV Programs must correctly calculate the amount of unearned Title IV Program funds that have been disbursed to students who withdraw from their educational programs before completion and must return those unearned funds in a timely manner, no later than 45 days of the date the school determines that the student has withdrawn. Under the DOE regulations, failure to make timely returns of Title IV Program funds for 5% or more of students sampled on the institution's annual compliance audit in either of its two most recently completed fiscal years can result in the institution having to post a letter of credit in an amount equal to 25% of its required Title IV returns during its most recently completed fiscal year. If unearned funds are not properly calculated and returned in a timely manner, an institution is also subject to monetary liabilities or an action to impose a fine or to limit, suspend or terminate its participation in Title IV Programs.

Subsequent to a compliance audit, in 2015, Educacion Significativa, LLC (“ESL”) the predecessor to USU recognized that it had not fully complied with all requirements for calculating and making timely returns of Title IV funds (R2T4). In 2016, ESL, the predecessor to USU, had a material finding related to the same issue and is required to maintain a letter of credit in the amount of $71,634 as a result of this finding. The letter of credit was been provided to the Department of Education by AGI since it assumed this obligation in its purchase of USU.  This letter of credit expired in early 2019 and the cash is expected to be returned.

USU also was asked to post a new letter of credit for $255,708, which was funded by AGI in April 2019 and was also notified that it would be required to follow Heightened Cash Management 1, which requires that funds to students be sent earlier.  USU is waiting for formal notification from the DOE.  

Delaware Approval to Confer Degrees

Aspen University is a Delaware corporation. Delaware law requires an institution to obtain approval from the Delaware Department of Education (“Delaware DOE”) before it may incorporate with the power to confer degrees. The Delaware DOE granted full approval to operate with degree-granting authority in the State of Delaware until July 1, 2020. Aspen University is authorized by the Colorado Commission on Education to operate in Colorado as a degree granting institution.

USU is also a Delaware corporation and received initial approval from the Delaware DOE to confer degrees through June 2023.

XML

Stockholders' Equity

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2019

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Stockholders' Equity

Note 12. Stockholders’ Equity

Preferred Stock

The Company is authorized to issue 1,000,000 shares of “blank check” preferred stock with designations, rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by our Board of Directors. As of April 30, 2019 and April 30, 2018, we had no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding. On June 28, 2019 the Company’s Stockholders voted to reduce the number of Authorized Shares of Common Stock from 250 million to 40 million shares.  The number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock was also reduced from 10 million to 1 million shares.

Common Stock

Effective May 24, 2017, the Company entered into waiver agreements with all of its investors in the April 2017 common stock offering. In consideration for waiving their registration rights, the Company paid to each of the investors 1.5% of their investment amount in the offering. The total amount paid was $112,500 and was recorded in general and administrative expenses during the quarter ended July 31, 2017.

In November 2017, the company issued 5,000 restricted shares each to two consultants assisting with establishing the new campus. The shares were valued at $88,699 based on the trading price of $8.87 on the grant date and recorded as a prepaid asset being amortized over the six month term of the agreement.

On December 1, 2017 certain assets were acquired and certain liabilities assumed from Educacion Significativa, LLC (dba United States University) by United States University, Inc. United States University, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aspen Group Inc. (“AGI”). As part of the purchase price the company issued 1,203,209 shares of AGI stock were valued at the quoted closing price of $8.49 per share as of November 30, 2017. (See Note 5)

On April 18, 2018 and April 23, 2018, the Company raised a total of $23,023,000 through an equity raise of 3,220,000 shares of common stock at $7.15 per share. The number of shares raised on April 18, 2018 was 2,800,000 and then another 420,000 shares were raised on April 23, 2018. The cost of raising these funds was approximately $2.2 million and was recorded as a reduction of equity. Proceeds from the equity raise were first used to repay the senior secured term loan and the remainder to support the operations of USU and the pre-licensure campus.

During fiscal 2018, the Company issued 171,962 shares of common stock upon the cashless exercise of warrants.

During fiscal 2018, the Company issued 87,775 shares of common stock upon the exercise of warrants and received proceeds of $246,380.

During fiscal 2018, the Company issued 136,563 shares of common stock upon the exercise of stock options and received proceeds of $475,825.

During the year ended April 30, 2019, the Company issued 111,666 shares of common stock upon the cashless exercise of stock options.

During the year ended April 30, 2019, the Company issued 119,594 shares of common stock upon the cashless exercise of 218,323 stock warrants.

During the year ended April 30, 2019, the Company issued 56,910 shares of common stock upon the exercise of stock options for cash and received proceeds of $128,201.

During the year ended April 30, 2019, the Company issued 43,860 shares of common stock upon the exercise of 43,860 stock warrants for cash and received proceeds of $100,000.

Restricted Stock

On September 6, 2018, the Board approved a grant of 25,000 shares of restricted stock to the Chief Financial Officer. The stock vests over 36 months and the stock price was $7.15 on the date of the grant. The value of the compensation was approximately $180,000 and will be recognized over 36 months.

On December 24, 2018, the Compensation Committee of the Board approved a grant of a total of 24,672 shares or restricted common stock to certain directors pursuant to the Aspen Group, Inc. 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan”). The restricted shares shall vest in three equal annual increments on December 24, 2019, December 24, 2020 and December 24, 2021, subject to continued service as a director of the Company, on each applicable vesting date. The compensation of these restricted shares is approximately $127,000 and will be recognized over 36 months. Also, one director opted for an annual payment in cash of $35,000, which will be paid quarterly, in lieu of the restricted stock grant. Expense recognition for the restricted stock and the cash payment commenced on December 24, 2018.

On April 10, 2019, the Company granted 25,000 shares to its investor relations firm, of which 5,000 were vested and the balance vest quarterly over one year, subject to continued service. The total value was $122,250 since the stock closed at $4.89 on April 10, 2019, which will be recognized over the service period.

There were no unvested shares outstanding at April 30, 2018. During fiscal 2019, 10,556 shares of the above restricted stock issuances vested leaving 64,116 total unvested shares at April 30, 2019. Total unrecognized compensation expense related to the unvested common shares as April 30, 2019 amounted to approximately $340,000 which will be amortized over the remaining vesting periods.

Treasury Stock

On July 19, 2018, AGI in simultaneous transactions repurchased 1,000,000 shares of common stock at $7.40 per share and re-sold the shares to a large well-known institutional money manager at $7.40 per share. The shares were purchased by the Company from ESL pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement dated July 18, 2018. The purchaser paid $30,000 to a broker-dealer in connection with the transaction. (See Note 14)

Warrants

A summary of the Company’s warrant activity during the year ended April 30, 2019 is presented below:

						Weighted
				Weighted		Average
				Average		Remaining		Aggregate
	Number of			Exercise		Contractual		Intrinsic
Warrants	Shares			Price		Term		Value
Balance Outstanding, April 30, 2018		651,286		$	3.80		2.4	$	2,581,450
Granted		342,049			5.80		4.78		—
Exercised		(262,183	)		—		—		—
Surrendered		—			—		—		—
Expired		—			—		—		—
Balance Outstanding, April 30, 2019		731,152		$	5.28		3.29	$	413,296
Exercisable, April 30, 2019		681,152		$	5.31		3.17	$	413,296

ALL WARRANTS				EXERCISABLE WARRANTS
		Weighted			Weighted	Weighted
		Average	Outstanding		Average	Average	Exercisable
Exercise		Exercise	No. of		Exercise	Remaining Life	No. of
Price		Price	Warrants		Price	In Years	Warrants
	$2.28	$2.28	164,929		$2.28	0.29	164,929
	$4.89	$4.89	50,000		$4.89	4.95	—
	$5.85 to $6.00	$5.95	292,049		$5.85 to $6.00	4.75	292,049
	$6.87	$6.87	224,174		$6.87	3.24	224,174
			731,152				681,152

In connection with the Senior Secured Term Loan that was finalized on July 25, 2017, the Company issued 224,174 5-year warrants at an exercise price of $6.87.

In the year ended April 30, 2018, the Company issued 259,737 shares of Common Stock in conjunction with the cash and cashless exercise of 398,526 warrants. The Company received $246,380 in conjunction with the cash exercises.

As noted in Note 10, 92,049 warrants were granted as part of the Credit Facility Agreement executed on November 8, 2018.  The warrants are five year warrants and exercisable at a price of $5.85.

The Company granted 200,000 warrants on March 5, 2019 related to senior secured loans.

The Company granted 50,000 warrants on April 10, 2019 to an advisory board member for services. The warrants vest ratably over three years.

During the year ended April 30, 2019, 262,183 warrants were exercised. Of these, 218,323 warrants were cashless exercises resulting in 119,594 shares being issued and 43,860 were exercised for cash resulting in 43,860 shares being issued and generating $100,000 in proceeds.

On June 3, 2019, a former director did a cashless exercise of 21,930 warrants, receiving 9,806 shares. On June 7, 2019, the CEO did a cashless exercise for the same amount receiving 9,597 shares.

Stock Incentive Plan and Stock Option Grants to Employees and Directors

On March 13, 2012, the Company adopted the Aspen Group, Inc. 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2012 Plan”) that provides for the grant of 3,500,000 shares in the form of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, restricted shares, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock units to employees, consultants, officers and directors. As of April 30, 2019, there were 322,712 shares remaining available for future issuance under the 2012 Plan.

On December 13, 2018, the stockholders of the Company approved the “2018 Plan” that provides for the grant of 500,000 shares in the form of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, restricted shares, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock units to employees, consultants, officers and directors. As of April 30, 2019, there were approximately 8,000 shares remaining available for future issuance under the Plan.

The Company estimates the fair value of share-based compensation utilizing the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which is dependent upon several variables such as the expected option term, expected volatility of the Company’s stock price over the expected term, expected risk-free interest rate over the expected option term, expected dividend yield rate over the expected option term, and an estimate of expected forfeiture rates. The Company believes this valuation methodology is appropriate for estimating the fair value of stock options granted to employees and directors which are subject to ASC Topic 718 requirements. These amounts are estimates and thus may not be reflective of actual future results, nor amounts ultimately realized by recipients of these grants. The Company recognizes compensation on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each award. The following table summarizes the assumptions the Company utilized to record compensation expense for stock options granted to employees during the period ended.

	April 30,
	2019			2018
Expected life (years)		3.5			4-5
Expected volatility		50.1	%		40% - 43	%
Risk-free interest rate		2.63	%		0.38	%
Dividend yield		0.00	%		0.00	%
Expected forfeiture rate		n/a			n/a

The Company utilized the simplified method to estimate the expected life for stock options granted to employees. The simplified method was used as the Company does not have sufficient historical data regarding stock option exercises. The expected volatility is based on historical volatility. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yields with terms equivalent to the expected life of the related option at the time of the grant. Dividend yield is based on historical trends. While the Company believes these estimates are reasonable, the compensation expense recorded would increase if the expected life was increased, a higher expected volatility was used, or if the expected dividend yield increased.

A summary of the Company’s stock option activity for employees and directors during the year ended April 30, 2019, is presented below:

						Weighted
				Weighted		Average
				Average		Remaining		Aggregate
	Number of			Exercise		Contractual		Intrinsic
Options	Shares			Price		Term		Value
Balance Outstanding, April 30, 2018		2,980,010		$	3.62		3.15	$	16,558,373
Granted		1,006,542			6.88		—		—
Exercised		(251,186	)		2.30		—		—
Forfeited		(326,212	)		6.47		—		—
Expired		—			—		—		—
Balance Outstanding, April 30, 2019		3,409,154		$	4.44		2.90	$	6,880,644
Exercisable, April 30, 2019		2,244,861		$	3.35		2.31	$	6,868,206

ALL OPTIONS				EXERCISABLE OPTIONS
		Weighted			Weighted	Weighted
		Average	Outstanding		Average	Average	Exercisable
Exercise		Exercise	No. of		Exercise	Remaining Life	No. of
Price		Price	Options		Price	In Years	Options
	$1.57 to $2.10	$1.96	919,390		$1.96	2.06	919,390
	$2.28 to $2.76	$2.32	471,081		$2.32	1.43	471,081
	$3.24 to $4.38	$4.20	333,224		$3.86	2.39	261,834
	$4.50 to $5.20	$4.96	718,292		$4.90	3.04	336,833
	$5.95 to $6.28	$6.07	80,417		$6.13	3.18	36,806
	$7.17 to $7.55	$7.39	662,417		$7.51	4.17	144,139
	$8.57 to $9.07	$8.97	224,333		$8.97	3.69	74,778
	Options only		3,409,154				2,244,861

On May 13, 2017, the Company granted its executive officers a total of 500,000 five-year options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock under the Plan. The options vest annually over three years, subject to continued employment at each applicable vesting date, and are exercisable at $4.90 per share. The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer received 200,000 options with a fair value of $282,000, the Chief Operating Officer received 200,000 options with a fair value of $282,000, the Chief Academic Officer received 70,000 options with a fair value of $98,700 and the Chief Financial Officer received 30,000 options with a fair value of $42,300.

In May 2017, the Company issued 5,500 stock options to various employees at exercise prices ranging from $4.95 to $5.10 per share.

Effective June 11, 2017, the Company granted the Chief Academic Officer 30,000 five-year options. The options vest quarterly over a three-year period in 12 equal quarterly increments with the first vesting date being September 11, 2017, subject to continued employment on each applicable vesting date. The options are exercisable at $6.28 per share and the fair value is $54,000.

On August 21, 2017, 52,250 options were issued to 24 employees with an exercise price of $5.95 per share and a fair value of $89,348.

On January 4, 2018, 180,000 options were issued to the board of directors with an exercise price of $9.07 per share and a fair value of $421,200.

On January 17, 2018, 74,000 options were issued to 23 employees with an exercise price of $8.57 per share and a fair value of $149,480.

On February 12, 2018, 31,000 options were granted to 21 employees with an exercise price of $7.31 per share and a fair value of $54,250.

On April 5, 2018, 19,000 options were granted to 24 employees with an exercise price of $7.31 per share and a fair value of $33,250.

During the year ended April 30, 2018, the company issued 113,597 shares of common stock in conjunction with the exercise of 63,838 stock options. The company received $455,387 related to these exercises.

During the year ended April 30, 2019, the Company issued 111,666 shares of common stock upon the cashless exercise of stock options.

During the year ended April 30, 2019, the Company issued 56,910 shares of common stock upon the exercise of stock options for cash and received proceeds of $128,202.

On July 19, 2018, the Board granted 200,000 five year options to the Chief Executive Officer and 180,000 options to each of the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Academic Officer. The fair value per option was $2.56 or $1,433,600 for all 560,000 options granted. The exercise price is $7.55 per share. As of September 6, 2018, the Board approved 180,000 five-year options to the Chief Financial Officer and 50,000 five-year options to the Chief Accounting Officer. The fair value of the two grants on September 6, 2018 was $257,400 for the Chief Financial Officer and $71,500 for the Chief Accounting Officer. As required by the rules of the Nasdaq Stock market, both option grants subject to shareholder approval which occurred on December 13, 2018, which will be the measurement date for recording the transaction and the compensation will be recognized over 33 months. In April 2019, the CEO rescinded his grant and the expenses associated with the unvested options previously recorded was reversed during the year ended April 30, 2019.

On December 13, 2018, the Company granted 67,000 options to 61 employees who had been hired throughout 2018. The fair value of these options was approximately $136,000 and will be recognized over 36 month. The exercise price is $5.20.

On December 24, 2018, the Company granted 61,667 options to three directors, 41,667 to one director, and 10,000 each to two others. The exercise price is $5.1445 and the total fair value was approximately $123,000, which will be recognized over 36 months.

In April 30, 2019, the Company granted 65,750 options to 44 new and continuing employees. The exercise price is $4.56 and the fair value was approximately $117,000.

Effective May 13, 2019, the Company granted 10,000 five-year non-qualified stock options to each of three former directors exercisable at $4.12 per share. On June 18, 2019, as a result of errors in a third party software system used to track stock options, the Company granted Andrew Kaplan, a current director, and two former directors (not recipients of the options in the first sentence) 5,131, 15,000 and 10,000 shares of restricted common stock, respectively.

The Company recorded compensation expense of $1,190,385 for the year ended April 30, 2019 in connection with employee stock options and restricted stock grants.

As of April 30, 2019, there was $1,917,367 of unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested share-based option arrangements. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.5 years.

XML

Related Party

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2019

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Related Party

Note 13. Related party

On July 19, 2018, AGI in simultaneous transactions repurchased 1,000,000 shares of common stock (the “Shares”) at $7.40 per share and re-sold the Shares to a large well-known institutional money manager (the “Purchaser”) at $7.40 per share. The Shares were purchased by the Company from ESL pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement. The Shares were sold to the Purchaser through Craig-Hallum Capital Group, LLC (“Craig Hallum”). Craig-Hallum acted as a dealer in this transaction and received an ordinary brokerage commission from the Purchaser.

The Purchaser initiated the transaction by contacting the Company seeking to buy a large block of common stock. The Company approached ESL which had acquired the Shares on December 1, 2017 when it sold United States University to the Company. Ms. Oksana Malysheva, the sole manager of ESL, became a director of the Company as part of the purchase of United States University and is no longer a director of the Company.

XML

Revenue

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2019

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Revenue

Note 14. Revenue

Revenues consist primarily of tuition and fees derived from courses taught by the Company online as well as from related educational resources that the Company provides to its students, such as access to our online materials and learning management system. The Company’s educational programs have starting and ending dates that differ from its fiscal quarters. Therefore, at the end of each fiscal quarter, a portion of revenue from these programs is not yet earned and is therefore deferred. The Company also charges students fees for library and technology costs, which are recognized over the related service period and are not considered separate performance obligations. Other services, books, and exam fees are recognized as services are provided or when goods are received by the student. The Company’s contract liabilities are reported as deferred revenue and refunds due students. Deferred revenue represents the amount of tuition, fees, and other student invoices in excess of the portion recognized as revenue and it is included in current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

The following table represents our revenues disaggregated by the nature and timing of services:

	For the
	Years Ended
	April 30,
	2019		2018
Tuition - recognized over period of instruction	$	31,032,677	$	20,765,165
Course fees - recognized over period of instruction		2,488,232		884,739
Book fees - recognized at a point in time		106,819		82,788
Exam fee - recognized at a point in time		189,090		140,500
Service fees - recognized at a point in time		208,600		148,320
	$	34,025,418	$	22,021,512

Contract Balances and Performance Obligations

The Company recognizes deferred revenue as a student participates in a course which continues past the balance sheet date. Deferred revenue at April 30, 2019 was $2,456,865 which is future revenue that has not yet been earned for courses in progress. The Company has $1,174,501 of refunds due students, which mainly represents Title IV funds due to students after deducting their tuition payments.

Of the total revenue earned during the year ended April 30, 2019, approximately $1.8 million came from revenues which were deferred at April 30, 2018.

The Company begins providing the performance obligation by beginning instruction in a course, a contract receivable is created, resulting in accounts receivable. The Company accounts for receivables in accordance with ASC 310, Receivables. The Company uses the portfolio approach, as discussed below.

Aspen records an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability, failure or refusal of its students to make required payments, which includes the recovery of financial aid funds advanced to a student for amounts in excess of the student’s cost of tuition and related fees. Aspen determines the adequacy of its allowance for doubtful accounts using an allowance method based on an analysis of its historical bad debt experience, current economic trends, and the aging of the accounts receivable and student status. Aspen applies reserves to its receivables based upon an estimate of the risk presented by the age of the receivables and student status. Aspen writes off accounts receivable balances at the time the balances are deemed uncollectible. Aspen continues to reflect accounts receivable with an offsetting allowance as long as management believes there is a reasonable possibility of collection.

Cash Receipts

Our students finance costs through a variety of funding sources, including, among others, monthly payment plans, installment plans, federal loan and grant programs (Title IV), employer reimbursement, and various veterans and military funding and grants, and cash payments. Most students elect to use our monthly payment plan. This plan allows them to make continuous monthly payments during the length of their program and through the length of their payment plan. Title IV and military funding typically arrives during the period of instruction. Students who receive reimbursement from employers typically do so after completion of a course. Students who choose to pay cash for a class typically do so before beginning the class.

Significant Judgments

We analyze revenue recognition on a portfolio approach under ASC 606-10-10-4. Significant judgment is utilized in determining the appropriate portfolios to assess for meeting the criteria to recognize revenue under ASC Topic 606. We have determined that all of our students can be grouped into one portfolio. Students behave similarly, regardless of their payment method or academic program. Enrollment agreements and refund policies are similar for all of our students. We do not expect that revenue earned for the portfolio is significantly different as compared to revenue that would be earned if we were to assess each student contract separately.

The Company maintains institutional tuition refund policies, which provides for all or a portion of tuition to be refunded if a student withdraws during stated refund periods. Certain states in which students reside impose separate, mandatory refund policies, which override the Company’s policy to the extent in conflict. If a student withdraws at a time when a portion or none of the tuition is refundable, then in accordance with its revenue recognition policy, the Company recognizes as revenue the tuition that was not refunded. Since the Company recognizes revenue pro-rata over the term of the course and because, under its institutional refund policy, the amount subject to refund is never greater than the amount of the revenue that has been deferred, under the Company’s accounting policies revenue is not recognized with respect to amounts that could potentially be refunded.

The Company had revenues from students outside the United States representing 1.62% and 2.3% of the revenues for the year ended April 30, 2019 and 2018 respectively.

XML

Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2019

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Note 15. Income Taxes

The components of income tax expense (benefit) are as follows:

	For the Years Ended
	April 30,
	2019		2018
Current:
Federal	$	—	$	—
State		—		—
		—		—
Deferred:
Federal		—		—
State		—		—
		—		—
Total Income tax expense (benefit)	$	—	$	—

Significant components of the Company's deferred income tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

	April 30,
	2019			2018
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforward	$	9,033,235		$	7,163,547
Allowance for doubtful accounts (recovery)		181,774			105,122
Deferred rent		180,154			20,574
Stock-based compensation		954,586			687,067
Contributions carryforward		60			60
Total deferred tax assets		10,349,809			7,976,370
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment		(234,336	)		(132,042	)
Intangibles		(64,439	)		(6,573)
Total deferred tax liabilities		(298,775	)		(138,615	)
Deferred tax assets, net		10,051,034			7,837,755
Valuation allowance:
Beginning of year		(7,837,755	)		(9,471,662	)
Decrease (increase) during period		(2,213,279	)		1,633,907
Ending balance		(10,051,034	)		(7,837,755	)
Net deferred tax asset	$	—		$	—

A valuation allowance is established if it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company recorded a valuation allowance at April 30, 2019 and 2018 due to the uncertainty of realization. Management believes that based upon its projection of future taxable operating income for the foreseeable future, it is more likely than not that the Company will not be able to realize the tax benefit associated with deferred tax assets. The net change in the valuation allowance during the year ended April 30, 2019 was an increase of $2,213,279.

At April 30, 2019, the Company had approximately $37,500,000 of net operating loss carryforwards which will expire from 2033 to 2038. The Company believes its tax positions are all highly certain of being upheld upon examination. As such, the Company has not recorded a liability for unrecognized tax benefits. As of April 30, 2019, tax years 2015 through 2018 remain open for IRS audit. The Company has received no notice of audit from the Internal Revenue Service for any of the open tax years. Changes to the Federal Tax Code per the Tax Cuts and Jobs Acts that went into effect during the Fiscal Year ended April 30, 2018 are integrated into the tax rate calculation below. A reconciliation of income tax computed at the U.S. statutory rate to the effective income tax rate is as follows:

	April 30,
	2019			2018
Statutory U.S. federal income tax rate		21.0	%		34.0	%
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit		3.6			3.0
Other		(0.8	)		(0.9	)
Effect of change in federal tax rates		0			(13.0	)
Change in valuation allowance		(23.8	)		(23.1	)
Effective income tax rate		0.0	%		0.0	%

XML

Concentrations

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2019

Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]

Concentrations

Note 16. Concentrations

Concentration of Credit Risk

As of April 30, 2019, the Company’s bank balances exceed FDIC insurance by $9,359,208.

XML

Fair Value Measurements - Warrant Derivative liability

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2019

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements - Warrant Derivative liability

Note 17. Fair Value Measurements – Warrant Derivative liability

The accounting standard for fair value measurements provides a framework for measuring fair value and requires expanded disclosures regarding fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for an asset or the exit price that would be paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The accounting standard established a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs, where available. This hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels as follows. Level 1 input are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs based on the Company’s own assumptions used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value. An asset or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis consisted of the following at April 30, 2018 which related to 62,500 warrants which contained price protection:

	Carrying
	Value at
	April 30,		Fair value Measurements at April 30, 2017
	2017		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Warrant derivative liability	$	52,500	$	—	$	—	$	52,500

The following is a summary of activity of Level 3 liabilities for the years ended April 30, 2018

Balance April 30, 2017	$	52,500
Gain on extinguishment of warrant liability		(52,500	)
Balance April 30, 2018	$	—

Changes in fair value of the warrant derivative liability are included in other income (expense) in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

There were no changes in the valuation techniques during years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018.

XML

Subsequent Events

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2019

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

Subsequent Events

Note 18. Subsequent Events

The Company held a special meeting of shareholders  (the “Special Meeting”) of the Company on June 28, 2019. At the Special Meeting, the Company’s shareholders approved a proposal to reduce the number of authorized shares of common stock from 250,000,000 to 40,000,000 shares, and the number of authorized shares of preferred stock from 10,000,000 to 1,000,000 shares (the “Authorized Share Reduction”), and a corresponding Amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, to effect the Authorized Share Reduction.

On June 28, 2019, the Company then amended its Certificate of Incorporation by reducing its authorized common stock to 40,000,000 and preferred stock to 1,000,000 shares.

XML

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2019

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation

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

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

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

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash

For the purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of six months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. There were no cash equivalents at April 30, 2019 and 2018. The Company maintains its cash in bank and financial institution deposits that at times may exceed federally insured limits of $250,000 per financial institution. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts from inception through April 30, 2019. As of April 30, 2019 and 2018, there were deposits totaling $9,359,208 and $14,422,499 respectively, held in two separate institutions greaterthan the federally insured limits.

ASU No 2016-18 – In November 2016, FASB issue ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) Restricted Cash (ASU 2016- 18), requiring restricted cash and cash equivalents to be included with cash and cash equivalents of the statement of cash flows. The new standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods with those year, beginning December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this new ASU at May 1, 2018.

As of April 30, 2019, restricted cash of $448,400 consists of $120,864 which is collateral for a letter of credit issued by the bank and required under the USU facility operating lease. Also, included is $71,828 and an additional $255,708, which is collateral for a letter of credit issued by the bank and related to USU’s receipt of Title IV funds and is required by DOE in connection with the change of control of USU. (See Note 11). Restricted cash as of April 30, 2018 was $190,506.

Goodwill and Intangibles

Goodwill and Intangibles

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of USU over the fair market value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed from Educacion Significativa, LLC. Goodwill has an indefinite life and is not amortized. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment.

ASU 2017-04 - In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-04: "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350)” - to simplify how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Step 2 measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company early adopted this standard effective April 30, 2018.

Intangible assets represent both indefinite lived and definite lived assets. Accreditation and regulatory approvals and trade name and trademarks are deemed to have indefinite useful lives and accordingly are not amortized but are tested annually for impairment. Student relationships and curriculums are deemed to have definite lives and are amortized accordingly.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

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

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

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

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

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

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable

All students are required to select both a primary and secondary payment option with respect to amounts due to Aspen for tuition, fees and other expenses. The monthly payment plan represents approximately 69% of the payments that are made by students, making it the most common payment type. In instances where a student selects financial aid as the primary payment option, he or she often selects personal cash as the secondary option. If a student who has selected financial aid as his or her primary payment option withdraws prior to the end of a course but after the date that Aspen’s institutional refund period has expired, the student will have incurred the obligation to pay the full cost of the course. If the withdrawal occurs before the date at which the student has earned 100% of his or her financial aid, Aspen may have to return all or a portion of the Title IV funds to the DOE and the student will owe Aspen all amounts incurred that are in excess of the amount of financial aid that the student earned, and that Aspen is entitled to retain. In this case, Aspen must collect the receivable using the student’s second payment option.

For accounts receivable from students, Aspen records an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability, failure or refusal of its students to make required payments, which includes the recovery of financial aid funds advanced to a student for amounts in excess of the student’s cost of tuition and related fees. Aspen determines the adequacy of its allowance for doubtful accounts using an allowance method based on an analysis of its historical bad debt experience, current economic trends, and the aging of the accounts receivable and each student’s status. Aspen estimates the amounts to increase the allowance based upon the risk presented by the age of the receivables and student status. Aspen writes off accounts receivable balances at the time the balances are deemed uncollectible. Aspen continues to reflect accounts receivable with an offsetting allowance as long as management believes there is a reasonable possibility of collection.

For accounts receivable from primary payors other than students, Aspen estimates its allowance for doubtful accounts by evaluating specific accounts where information indicates the customers may have an inability to meet financial obligations, such as bankruptcy proceedings and receivable amounts outstanding for an extended period beyond contractual terms. In these cases, Aspen uses assumptions and judgment, based on the best available facts and circumstances, to record a specific allowance for those customers against amounts due to reduce the receivable to the amount expected to be collected. These specific allowances are re-evaluated and adjusted as additional information is received. The amounts calculated are analyzed to determine the total amount of the allowance. Aspen may also record a general allowance as necessary.

Direct write-offs are taken in the period when Aspen has exhausted its efforts to collect overdue and unpaid receivables or otherwise evaluate other circumstances that indicate that Aspen should abandon such efforts. (See Note 14)

When a student signs up for the monthly payment plan, there is a contractual amount that the Company can expect to earn over the life of the student’s program. This contractual amount cannot be recorded as an accounts receivable because, the student does have the option to stop attending. As a student takes a class, revenue is earned over the class term. Some students accelerate their program, taking two or more classes every eight week period, which increases the student’s accounts receivable balance. If any portion of that balance will be paid in a period greater than 12 months, that portion is reflected as long-term accounts receivable. At April 30, 2019 and 2018, those balances are $3,085,243 and $1,315,050, respectively. The Company has determined that the long term accounts receivable do not constitute a significant financing component as the list price, cash selling price and promised consideration are equal.  Further, the interest free financing portion of the monthly payment plans are not considered significant to the contract.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets per the following table.

Category	Useful Life
Call center equipment	5 years
Computer and office equipment	5 years
Furniture and fixtures	7 years
Library (online)	3 years
Software	5 years

Costs incurred to develop internal-use software during the preliminary project stage are expensed as incurred. Internal-use software development costs are capitalized during the application development stage, which is after: (i) the preliminary project stage is completed; and (ii) management authorizes and commits to funding the project and it is probable the project will be completed and used to perform the function intended. Capitalization ceases at the point the software project is substantially complete and ready for its intended use, and after all substantial testing is completed. Upgrades and enhancements are capitalized if it is probable that those expenditures will result in additional functionality. Depreciation is provided for on a straight-line basis over the expected useful life of five years of the internal-use software development costs and related upgrades and enhancements. When existing software is replaced with new software, the unamortized costs of the old software are expensed when the new software is ready for its intended use.

Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful lives of the leasehold improvements.

Upon the retirement or disposition of property and equipment, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed and a gain or loss is recorded in the consolidated statements of operations. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed in the period incurred.

Courseware and Accreditation

Courseware and Accreditation

The Company records the costs of courseware and accreditation in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 350 “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other”.

Generally, costs of courseware creation and enhancement are capitalized. Accreditation renewal or extension costs related to intangible assets are capitalized as incurred. Courseware is stated at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is provided for on a straight-line basis over the expected useful life of five years.

Long-Lived Assets

Long-Lived Assets

The Company assesses potential impairment to its long-lived assets when there is evidence that events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Events and circumstances considered by the Company in determining whether the carrying value of identifiable intangible assets and other long-lived assets may not be recoverable include, but are not limited to: significant changes in performance relative to expected operating results, significant changes in the use of the assets, significant negative industry or economic trends, a significant decline in the Company’s stock price for a sustained period of time, and changes in the Company’s business strategy. An impairment loss is recorded when the carrying amount of the long-lived asset is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. Any required impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a long-lived asset exceeds fair value and is recorded as a reduction in the carrying value of the related asset and an expense to operating results.

Refunds Due Students

Refunds Due Students

The Company receives Title IV funds from the Department of Education to cover tuition and living expenses. After deducting tuition and fees, the Company sends checks for the remaining balances to the students.

Leases

Leases

The Company enters into various lease agreements in conducting its business. At the inception of each lease, the Company evaluates the lease agreement to determine whether the lease is an operating or capital lease. Leases may contain initial periods of free rent and/or periodic escalations. When such items are included in a lease agreement, the Company records rent expense on a straight-line basis over the initial term of a lease. The difference between the rent payment and the straight-line rent expense is recorded as a deferred rent liability. The Company expenses any additional payments under its operating leases for taxes, insurance or other operating expenses as incurred. The company plans to implement ASU 2016-02 on May 1, 2019, and does not anticipate any material changes to our consolidated financial statements other than additional assets and off-setting liabilities, see “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” below.

Treasury Stock

Treasury Stock

Purchases and sales of treasury stock are accounted for using the cost method. Under this method, shares acquired are recorded at the acquisition price directly to the treasury stock account. Upon sale, the treasury stock account is reduced by the original acquisition price of the shares and any difference is recorded in equity. This method does not allow the company to recognize a gain or loss to income from the purchase and sale of treasury stock.

Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue

Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue

On May 1, 2018, the company adopted Accounting Standards Codification 606 (ASC 606). ASC 606 is based on the principle that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This ASC also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer purchase orders, including significant judgments. Our adoption of this ASC, resulted in no change to our results of operations or our balance sheet.

Revenues consist primarily of tuition and course fees derived from courses taught by the Company online as well as from related educational resources and services that the Company provides to its students. Under ASC 606, this tuition revenue is recognized pro-rata over the applicable period of instruction and are not considered separate performance obligations.  Non-tuition related revenue and fees are recognized as services are provided or when the goods are received by the student.  (See Note 14)

The Company had revenues from students outside the United States representing 1.62% and 2.3% of the revenues for the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018 respectively.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of Revenues

Cost of revenues consists of two categories of cost, instructional costs and services, and marketing and promotional costs.

Instructional Costs and Services

Instructional Costs and Services

Instructional costs and services consist primarily of costs related to the administration and delivery of the Company's educational programs. This expense category includes compensation costs associated with online faculty, technology license costs and costs associated with other support groups that provide services directly to the students and are included in cost of revenues.

Marketing and Promotional Costs

Marketing and Promotional Costs

Marketing and promotional costs include costs associated with producing marketing materials and advertising. Such costs are generally affected by the cost of advertising media, the efficiency of the Company's marketing and recruiting efforts, and expenditures on advertising initiatives for new and existing academic programs. Non-direct response advertising activities are expensed as incurred, or the first time the advertising takes place, depending on the type of advertising activity. Total marketing and promotional costs were $9,096,550 and $5,428,828 for year ended April 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively and are included in cost of revenues.

General and Administrative

General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses include compensation of employees engaged in corporate management, finance, human resources, information technology, academic operations, compliance and other corporate functions. General and administrative expenses also include professional services fees, bad debt expense related to accounts receivable, financial aid processing costs, non-capitalizable courseware and software costs, travel and entertainment expenses and facility costs.

Legal Expenses

Legal Expenses

All legal costs for litigation are charged to expense as incurred.

Income Tax

Income Tax

The Company uses the asset and liability method to compute the differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and the related financial statement amounts. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that more likely than not will be realized. The Company has deferred tax assets and liabilities that reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Deferred tax assets are subject to periodic recoverability assessments. Realization of the deferred tax assets, net of deferred tax liabilities, is principally dependent upon achievement of projected future taxable income.

The Company records a liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes using a two-step approach for evaluating tax positions. Step one, recognition, occurs when the Company concludes that a tax position, based solely on its technical merits, is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination. Step two, measurement, is only addressed if the position is more likely than not to be sustained. Under step two, the tax benefit is measured as the largest amount of benefit, determined on a cumulative probability basis, which is more likely than not to be realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

Accounting for Derivatives

Accounting for Derivatives

The Company evaluates its convertible instruments, options, warrants or other contracts to determine if those contracts or embedded components of those contracts qualify as derivatives to be separately accounted for under ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”. The result of this accounting treatment is that the fair value of the derivative is marked-to-market each balance sheet date and recorded as a liability. In the event that the fair value is recorded as a liability, the change in fair value is recorded in the statement of operations as other income (expense). Upon conversion, exercise, or other extinguishment (transaction) of a derivative instrument, the instrument is marked to fair value at the transaction date and then that fair value is recognized as an extinguishment gain or loss. Equity instruments that are initially classified as equity that become subject to reclassification under ASC Topic 815 are reclassified to liability at the fair value of the instrument on the reclassification date.

The Company has early adopted FASB ASU 2017-11, which simplifies the accounting for certain equity-linked financial instruments and embedded features with down round features that reduce the exercise price when the pricing of a future round of financing is lower. This allows the company to treat such instruments or their embedded features as equity instead of considering them as a derivative. If such a feature is triggered in a stand-alone instrument treated as equity, the value is measured pre-trigger and post-trigger. The difference in these two measurements is treated as a dividend, reducing income. The value recognized as a dividend is not subsequently remeasured, but in instances where the feature is triggered multiple times each instance is recognized.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation expense is measured at the grant date fair value of the award and is expensed over the requisite service period. For employee stock-based awards, the Company calculates the fair value of the award on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Determining the fair value of stock-based awards at the grant date under this model requires judgment, including estimating volatility, employee stock option exercise behaviors and forfeiture rates. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based awards represent the Company's best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. For non-employee stock-based awards, the Company has early adopted ASU 2018-07, which substantially aligns share based compensation for employees and non-employees.  See “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” below.

Business Combinations

Business Combinations

We include the results of operations of businesses we acquire from the date of the respective acquisition. We allocate the purchase price of acquisitions to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at fair value. The excess of the purchase price of an acquired business over the amount assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. We expense transaction costs associated with business combinations as incurred.

Net Loss Per Share

Net Loss Per Share

Net loss per common share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Options to purchase 3,409,154 and 2,980,010 common shares, warrants to purchase 731,152 and 651,286 common shares, unvested restricted stock of 64,116 and 0, common shares, and $50,000 and $50,000 of convertible debt (convertible into 4,167 and 4,167 common shares) were outstanding at April 30, 2019 and April 30, 2018, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted net loss per share because the effects would have been anti-dilutive. The options, warrants and convertible debt are considered to be common stock equivalents and are only included in the calculation of diluted earnings per common share when their effect is dilutive.

Segment Information

Segment Information

The Company operates in one reportable segment as a single educational delivery operation using a core infrastructure that serves the curriculum and educational delivery needs of its online students regardless of geography. The Company's chief operating decision makers, its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Academic Officer, manage the Company's operations as a whole, and no revenue, expense or operating income information is evaluated by the chief operating decision makers on any component level.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Financial Accounting Standards Board, Accounting Standard Updates which are not effective until after April 30, 2019, are not expected to have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

ASU 2018-07 - In June 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-07, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718). This update is intended to reduce cost and complexity and to improve financial reporting for share-based payments issued to non-employees (for example, service providers, external legal counsel, suppliers, etc.). The ASU expands the scope of Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation, which currently only includes share-based payments issued to employees, to also include share-based payments issued to non-employees for goods and services. Consequently, the accounting for share-based payments to non-employees and employees will be substantially aligned. This standard will be effective for financial statements issued by public companies for the annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption of the standard is permitted. The standard will be applied in a retrospective approach for each period presented. The company implemented this standard in February 2019.

ASU 2016-02 - In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02: “Leases (Topic 842)” whereby lessees will need to recognize almost all leases on their balance sheet as a right of use asset and a lease liability. This guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company does not anticipate this ASU to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements when implemented on May 1, 2019.

XML

Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2019

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Schedule of Property and Equipment Useful Lives

Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets per the following table.

Category	Useful Life
Call center equipment	5 years
Computer and office equipment	5 years
Furniture and fixtures	7 years
Library (online)	3 years
Software	5 years

XML

Accounts Receivable (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2019

Receivables [Abstract]

Schedule of Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable consisted of the following at April 30, 2019 and 2018:

	April 30,
	2019			2018
Accounts receivable	$	14,988,744		$	8,585,947
Long term contractual accounts receivable		(3,085,243	)		(1,315,050	)
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts		(1,247,031	)		(468,174	)
Accounts receivable, net	$	10,656,470		$	6,802,723

XML

Property and Equipment (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2019

Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]

Schedule of Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consisted of the following at April 30, 2019 and April 30, 2018:

	For the Years Ended April 30,
	2019			2018
Call center hardware	$	193,774		$	140,509
Computer and office equipment		327,621			230,810
Furniture and fixtures		1,381,271			932,454
Software		4,314,198			2,878,753
		6,216,864			4,182,526
Accumulated depreciation		(1,825,524	)		(1,320,360	)
Property and equipment, net	$	4,391,340		$	2,862,166

Schedule of Depreciation and Amortization Expense

Depreciation expense and amortization for all Property and Equipment as well as the portion for just software is presented below for the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018:

	For the
	Years Ended April 30,
	2019		2018
Depreciation and amortization Expense	$	1,002,347	$	578,244
Software amortization Expense	$	684,871	$	475,178

Software [Member]

Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]

Schedule of Intangible Asset

Software consisted of the following at April 30, 2019 and 2018:

	For the Years Ended April 30,
	2019			2018
Software	$	4,314,198		$	2,878,753
Accumulated depreciation		(1,351,193	)		(1,146,008	)
Software, net	$	2,963,005		$	1,732,745

Schedule of Estimated Future Amortization Expense

The following is a schedule of estimated future amortization expense of software at April 30, 2019:

Year Ending April 30,
2020	$	826,918
2021		754,471
2022		664,998
2023		504,758
Thereafter		211,860
Total	$	2,963,005

XML

USU Goodwill and Intangibles (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2019

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Summary of Estimated Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed

The following is a summary of the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition:

	Purchase Price Allocation			Useful Life
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—
Current assets acquired		244,465
Other assets acquired		176,667
Intangible assets
Accreditation and regulatory approvals		6,200,000
Trade name and trademarks		1,700,000
Student relationships		2,000,000		2 years
Curriculum		200,000		1 year
Goodwill		5,011,432
Less: Current liabilities assumed		(727,601	)
Total purchase price	$	14,804,963

Schedule of Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consisted of the following at April 30, 2019 and 2018:

	April 30,			April 30,
	2019			2018
Intangible assets	$	10,100,000		$	10,100,000
Accumulated amortization		(1,558,333	)		(458,333	)
Net intangible assets	$	8,541,667		$	9,641,667

XML

Courseware and Accreditation (Tables) - Courseware [Member]

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2019

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]

Schedule of Intangible Asset

Courseware consisted of the following at April 30, 2019 and 2018:

	April 30,
	2019			2018
Courseware	$	325,987		$	298,064
Accreditation		57,100			—
Accumulated amortization		(221,157	)		(159,905	)
Courseware, net	$	161,930		$	138,159

Schedule of amortization expense of intangible assets

Amortization expense of courseware for the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018:

	For the
	Years Ended April 30,
	2019		2018
Amortization expense	$	67,751	$	55,706

Schedule of Estimated Future Amortization Expense

The following is a schedule of estimated future amortization expense of courseware at April 30, 2019:

Year Ending April 30,
2020	$	63,610
2021		36,645
2022		28,758
2023		23,219
Thereafter		9,698
Total	$	161,930

XML

Accrued Expenses (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2019

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

Schedule of Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses consisted of the following at April 30, 2019 and 2018:

	April 30,
	2019		2018
Accrued compensation	$	226,805	$	202,664
Accrued interest		135,115		79,853
Other accrued expenses		289,498		376,337
Accrued expenses	$	651,418	$	658,854

XML

Convertible Notes and Convertible Notes - Related Party (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2019

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Convertible Notes Payable

Convertible notes payable consisted of the following at April 30, 2019 and 2018:

	April 30,
	2019			2018
Convertible note payable - originating December 1, 2017; no monthly payments required; bearing an annual rate of interest at 8%; $1,000,000 maturing on December 1, 2018 and $1,000,000 maturing on December 1, 2019	$	0		$	2,000,000
Convertible note payable - originating February 29, 2012; no monthly payments required; bearing interest at 0.19%; maturing at February 29, 2014		50,000			50,000
		50,000			2,050,000
Less: Current maturities		(50,000	)		(1,050,000	)
Total	$	0		$	1,000,000

XML

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2019

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments

The following is a schedule by years of future minimum rental payments required under operating leases that have initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year as of April 30, 2019.

Year Ending April 30,
2020	$	2,282,260
2021		2,332,558
2022		2,264,523
2023		1,702,609
2024		1,497,027
2025		1,134,718
2026		779,287
Total minimum payments required	$	11,992,982

XML

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2019

Schedule of Warrants Activity

A summary of the Company’s warrant activity during the year ended April 30, 2019 is presented below:

						Weighted
				Weighted		Average
				Average		Remaining		Aggregate
	Number of			Exercise		Contractual		Intrinsic
Warrants	Shares			Price		Term		Value
Balance Outstanding, April 30, 2018		651,286		$	3.80		2.4	$	2,581,450
Granted		342,049			5.80		4.78		—
Exercised		(262,183	)		—		—		—
Surrendered		—			—		—		—
Expired		—			—		—		—
Balance Outstanding, April 30, 2019		731,152		$	5.28		3.29	$	413,296
Exercisable, April 30, 2019		681,152		$	5.31		3.17	$	413,296

Stock Incentive Plan and Stock Option Grants to Employees and Directors [Member]

Schedule of Options and Warrants by Exercise Price Range

ALL OPTIONS				EXERCISABLE OPTIONS
		Weighted			Weighted	Weighted
		Average	Outstanding		Average	Average	Exercisable
Exercise		Exercise	No. of		Exercise	Remaining Life	No. of
Price		Price	Options		Price	In Years	Options
	$1.57 to $2.10	$1.96	919,390		$1.96	2.06	919,390
	$2.28 to $2.76	$2.32	471,081		$2.32	1.43	471,081
	$3.24 to $4.38	$4.20	333,224		$3.86	2.39	261,834
	$4.50 to $5.20	$4.96	718,292		$4.90	3.04	336,833
	$5.95 to $6.28	$6.07	80,417		$6.13	3.18	36,806
	$7.17 to $7.55	$7.39	662,417		$7.51	4.17	144,139
	$8.57 to $9.07	$8.97	224,333		$8.97	3.69	74,778
	Options only		3,409,154				2,244,861

Schedule of Assumptions Used In Valuing Stock Options

The following table summarizes the assumptions the Company utilized to record compensation expense for stock options granted to employees during the period ended.

	April 30,
	2019			2018
Expected life (years)		3.5			4-5
Expected volatility		50.1	%		40% - 43	%
Risk-free interest rate		2.63	%		0.38	%
Dividend yield		0.00	%		0.00	%
Expected forfeiture rate		n/a			n/a

Schedule of Stock Option Activity

A summary of the Company’s stock option activity for employees and directors during the year ended April 30, 2019, is presented below:

						Weighted
				Weighted		Average
				Average		Remaining		Aggregate
	Number of			Exercise		Contractual		Intrinsic
Options	Shares			Price		Term		Value
Balance Outstanding, April 30, 2018		2,980,010		$	3.62		3.15	$	16,558,373
Granted		1,006,542			6.88		—		—
Exercised		(251,186	)		2.30		—		—
Forfeited		(326,212	)		6.47		—		—
Expired		—			—		—		—
Balance Outstanding, April 30, 2019		3,409,154		$	4.44		2.90	$	6,880,644
Exercisable, April 30, 2019		2,244,861		$	3.35		2.31	$	6,868,206

Warrant [Member]

Schedule of Options and Warrants by Exercise Price Range

ALL WARRANTS				EXERCISABLE WARRANTS
		Weighted			Weighted	Weighted
		Average	Outstanding		Average	Average	Exercisable
Exercise		Exercise	No. of		Exercise	Remaining Life	No. of
Price		Price	Warrants		Price	In Years	Warrants
	$2.28	$2.28	164,929		$2.28	0.29	164,929
	$4.89	$4.89	50,000		$4.89	4.95	—
	$5.85 to $6.00	$5.95	292,049		$5.85 to $6.00	4.75	292,049
	$6.87	$6.87	224,174		$6.87	3.24	224,174
			731,152				681,152

XML

Revenue (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2019

Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]

Schedule of Disaggregated Revenue

The following table represents our revenues disaggregated by the nature and timing of services:

	For the
	Years Ended
	April 30,
	2019		2018
Tuition - recognized over period of instruction	$	31,032,677	$	20,765,165
Course fees - recognized over period of instruction		2,488,232		884,739
Book fees - recognized at a point in time		106,819		82,788
Exam fee - recognized at a point in time		189,090		140,500
Service fees - recognized at a point in time		208,600		148,320
	$	34,025,418	$	22,021,512

XML

Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2019

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

The components of income tax expense (benefit) are as follows:

	For the Years Ended
	April 30,
	2019		2018
Current:
Federal	$	—	$	—
State		—		—
		—		—
Deferred:
Federal		—		—
State		—		—
		—		—
Total Income tax expense (benefit)	$	—	$	—

Schedule of Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities

Significant components of the Company's deferred income tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

	April 30,
	2019			2018
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforward	$	9,033,235		$	7,163,547
Allowance for doubtful accounts (recovery)		181,774			105,122
Deferred rent		180,154			20,574
Stock-based compensation		954,586			687,067
Contributions carryforward		60			60
Total deferred tax assets		10,349,809			7,976,370
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment		(234,336	)		(132,042	)
Intangibles		(64,439	)		(6,573)
Total deferred tax liabilities		(298,775	)		(138,615	)
Deferred tax assets, net		10,051,034			7,837,755
Valuation allowance:
Beginning of year		(7,837,755	)		(9,471,662	)
Decrease (increase) during period		(2,213,279	)		1,633,907
Ending balance		(10,051,034	)		(7,837,755	)
Net deferred tax asset	$	—		$	—

Schedule of Income Tax Reconciliation

A reconciliation of income tax computed at the U.S. statutory rate to the effective income tax rate is as follows:

	April 30,
	2019			2018
Statutory U.S. federal income tax rate		21.0	%		34.0	%
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit		3.6			3.0
Other		(0.8	)		(0.9	)
Effect of change in federal tax rates		0			(13.0	)
Change in valuation allowance		(23.8	)		(23.1	)
Effective income tax rate		0.0	%		0.0	%

XML

Fair Value Measurements - Warrant Derivative liability (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2019

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Schedule of Liabilities Measured at Fair Value

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis consisted of the following at April 30, 2018 which related to 62,500 warrants which contained price protection:

	Carrying
	Value at
	April 30,		Fair value Measurements at April 30, 2018
	2018		(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Warrant derivative liability	$	52,500	$	—	$	—	$	52,500

Summary of Activity of Level 3 Liabilities

The following is a summary of activity of Level 3 liabilities for the years ended April 30, 2018

Balance April 30, 2017	$	52,500
Gain on extinguishment of warrant liability		(52,500	)
Balance April 30, 2018	$	—

XML

Nature of Operations and Liquidity (Liquidity) (Details) - USD ($)				1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 03, 2018	Dec. 02, 2018	Nov. 05, 2018	Mar. 31, 2019	Feb. 25, 2019	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018	Apr. 23, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Approximate cash position						$ 9,519,352	$ 14,612,559
Restricted cash						448,400	190,506
Proceeds from shares issued							23,023,000
Share price								$ 7.15
Expected investment						600,000
Cash used in operating activities						10,216,014	5,609,935
Cash used during period						$ 4,835,313	(12,046,848)
Convertible Notes Payable [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount of principal and accrued interest paid	$ 1,160,000				$ 1,080,000
Repayment of principal amount on convertible debt		$ 1,160,000			1,000,000
Repayment of accrued interest on convertible debt					19,068
Settlement expense					$ 60,932
Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from shares issued							$ 23,023,000
Share price							$ 7.15
Sale of equity							3,220,000
Repayment of loan							$ 7,500,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Upfront payment of facility fee				$ 10,000,000
Commitment fee percentage, payable quarterly				1.00%
Outstanding balance under credit facility			$ 5,000,000

XML

Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Cash equivalents
Cash insured by FDIC	250,000	250,000
Amount of cash balance uninsured by FDIC	9,359,208	14,422,499
Marketing and promotional costs	9,096,550	5,428,828
Long term accounts receivable	3,085,243	1,315,050
Restricted cash	448,400	$ 190,506
Letter of credit issued by bank	$ 71,828
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities	3,409,154	2,980,010
Warrant [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities	731,152	651,286
Unvested Restricted Stock [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities	64,116	0
Convertible Debt [Member] [Default Label]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities	4,167	4,167
Convertible debt	$ 50,000	$ 50,000
Sales Revenue, Net [Member] | Non-US [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Percentage of revenues from students outside the United States	1.62%	2.30%
Letter of Credit [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Restricted cash	$ 120,864
Letter of credit issued by bank	$ 255,708

XML

Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule of Property and Equipment Useful Lives) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2019
Call center equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation Term	5 years
Computer and office equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation Term	5 years
Furniture and fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation Term	7 years
Library (online) [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation Term	3 years
Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation Term	5 years

XML

Accounts Receivable (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018
Receivables [Abstract]
Accounts receivable	$ 14,988,744	$ 8,585,947
Long term contractual accounts receivable	(3,085,243)	(1,315,050)
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts	(1,247,031)	(468,174)
Accounts receivable, net	10,656,470	6,802,723
Bad debt expense	$ 854,008	$ 535,366

XML

Property and Equipment (Schedule of Property and Equipment) (Details) - USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 6,216,864	$ 4,182,526
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,825,524)	(1,320,360)
Property and equipment, net	4,391,340	2,862,166
Call center equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	193,774	140,509
Computer and office equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	327,621	230,810
Furniture and fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	1,381,271	932,454
Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 4,314,198	$ 2,878,753

XML

Property and Equipment (Schedule of Software, Net) (Details) - USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Intangible asset, gross	$ 8,541,667	$ 9,641,667
Accumulated amortization	(1,558,333)	(458,333)
Intangible asset, net	161,930	138,159
Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Intangible asset, gross	4,314,198	2,878,753
Accumulated amortization	(1,351,193)	(1,146,008)
Intangible asset, net	$ 2,963,005	$ 1,732,745

XML

Property and Equipment (Schedule Of Depreciation And Amortization Expense) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018
Property and equipment:
Depreciation and Amortization Expense	$ 1,002,347	$ 578,244
Software Amortization Expense	$ 684,871	$ 475,178

XML

Property and Equipment (Schedule of Estimated Amortization Expense of Software) (Details) - USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Intangible asset, net	$ 161,930	$ 138,159
Software [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
2020	826,918
2021	754,471
2022	664,998
2023	504,758
Thereafter	211,860
Intangible asset, net	$ 2,963,005	$ 1,732,745

XML

USU Goodwill and Intangibles (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018	Nov. 30, 2017
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill recognized		$ 5,011,432	$ 5,011,432
Stock consideration, value			$ 10,215,244
Closing price used to value stock				$ 8.87
Educacion Significativa, LLC [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total purchase price	$ 14,804,963
Cash paid for acquisition	2,500,000
Working capital adjustment to acquisition purchase price	110,000
Additional costs paid by seller included in acquisition purchase price	200,000
Goodwill recognized	$ 5,011,432
Stock consideration	1,203,209
Stock consideration, value	$ 10,215,244
Closing price used to value stock				$ 8.49
Amortization of intangible assets		$ 1,100,000
Educacion Significativa, LLC [Member] | Convertible Debt [Member] [Default Label]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Debt instrument issued	$ 2,000,000

XML

USU Goodwill and Intangibles (Summary of Estimated Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed) (Details) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 5,011,432	$ 5,011,432
Educacion Significativa, LLC [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents
Current assets acquired	244,465
Other assets acquired	176,667
Goodwill	5,011,432
Less: Current liabilities assumed	(727,601)
Total purchase price	14,804,963
Educacion Significativa, LLC [Member] | Trademarks and Trade Names [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets	1,700,000
Educacion Significativa, LLC [Member] | Student Relationships [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets	$ 2,000,000
Useful Life	2 years
Educacion Significativa, LLC [Member] | Curriculum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets	$ 200,000
Useful Life	1 year
Educacion Significativa, LLC [Member] | Accreditation and Regulatory Approvals [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets	$ 6,200,000

XML

USU Goodwill and Intangibles (Schedule of Intangible Assets) (Details) - USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets	$ 8,541,667	$ 9,641,667
Accumulated amortization	(1,558,333)	(458,333)
Intangible asset, net	161,930	138,159
Educacion Significativa, LLC [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets	10,100,000	10,100,000
Accumulated amortization	(1,558,333)	(458,333)
Intangible asset, net	$ 8,541,667	$ 9,641,667

XML

Courseware and Accreditation (Narrative) (Details) - Courseware [Member] - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Courseware costs capitalized	$ 34,422	$ 48,388
Amortization Expense	$ 67,751	$ 55,706

XML

Courseware and Accreditation (Schedule of Courseware, Net) (Details) - USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible asset, gross	$ 8,541,667	$ 9,641,667
Accumulated amortization	(1,558,333)	(458,333)
Intangible asset, net	161,930	138,159
Courseware [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible asset, gross	325,987	298,064
Accreditation [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible asset, gross	57,100
Courseware and Accreditation [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Accumulated amortization	(221,157)	(159,905)
Intangible asset, net	$ 161,930	$ 138,159

XML

Courseware and Accreditation (Schedule of Estimated Future Amortization Expense) (Details) - USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Intangible asset, net	$ 161,930	$ 138,159
Courseware and Accreditation [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
2020	63,610
2021	36,645
2022	28,758
2023	23,219
Thereafter	9,698
Intangible asset, net	$ 161,930	$ 138,159

XML

Secured Note and Accounts Receivable (Details) - USD ($)		1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Apr. 29, 2015	Dec. 31, 2008	Mar. 31, 2008	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018	Apr. 30, 2014	Mar. 13, 2012	Sep. 16, 2011
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Courseware sales				$ 34,025,418	$ 22,021,512
Price per share	$ 1.86
Accounts receivable, secured - related party, net of allowance	$ 45,329			45,329	45,329
Allowance for doubtful accounts, noncurrent accounts receivables	625,963			$ 625,963	$ 625,963
Proceeds from issuance of common shares and warrants, net	101,502
Accounts receivable, before allowance	$ 671,291
Parent Company [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Courseware sales		$ 600,000	$ 455,000
Series C Preferred Shares pledged by HEMG								772,793
Series C Preferred Shares pledged by HEMG, converted to common shares							54,571
Price per share						$ 2.28
Receivable Collateral Valuation Reserve						$ 123,647

XML

Accrued Expenses (Details) - USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accrued compensation	$ 226,805	$ 202,664
Accrued Interest	135,115	79,853
Other accrued expenses	289,498	376,337
Accrued expenses	$ 651,418	$ 658,854

XML

Convertible Notes and Convertible Notes - Related Party (Details) - USD ($)			1 Months Ended
	Dec. 02, 2018	Dec. 02, 2017	Feb. 25, 2019	Feb. 29, 2012
2 Year Promissory Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate				0.19%
Debt conversion, price per share				$ 12.00
Convertible note payable Dated February 29, 2012 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face value of loan				$ 50,000
Convertible Debt [Member] [Default Label]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Payment of Principal amount	$ 1,000,000		$ 1,000,000
Interest paid	$ 60,000		$ 80,000
Convertible Debt [Member] [Default Label] | USU [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate		8.00%
Debt conversion, price per share		$ 2.00
Face value of loan		$ 2,000,000
Debt maturity period		2 years
Conversion of note into common share		$ 1,000,000

XML

Convertible Notes and Convertible Notes - Related Party (Schedule of Convertible Notes Payable) (Details) - Notes Payable, Other Payables [Member] - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total	$ 50,000	$ 2,050,000
Less: Current maturities	(50,000)	(1,050,000)
Total	0	1,000,000
Convertible note payable - Related Party Dated December 1, 2017 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total	$ 0	2,000,000
Interest rate	8.00%
Maturity date	Dec. 01, 2019
Convertible note payable Dated February 29, 2012 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total	$ 50,000	$ 50,000
Interest rate	0.19%
Maturity date	Feb. 28, 2014

XML

Convertible Notes, Senior Secured Term Loans and Revolving Credit Facility (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)					1 Months Ended		2 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 02, 2018	Nov. 08, 2018	Nov. 05, 2018	Dec. 02, 2017	Mar. 31, 2019	Feb. 25, 2019	Feb. 25, 2019	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018	Feb. 28, 2019	Feb. 29, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Equity raise									$ 23,023,000
Accrued interest								135,115	79,853
Senior Secured Loans									$ 7,500,000
Convertible Notes Payable [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Convertible debt						$ 1,000,000	$ 1,000,000
Repayment of principal amount on convertible debt	$ 1,160,000					1,000,000
Accrued interest						$ 19,068	19,068
Settlement expense							60,932
Senior Secured Loans							$ 10,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Upfront payment of facility fee					$ 10,000,000
Commitment fee percentage, payable quarterly					1.00%
HEMG [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable										$ 200,000
2 Year Promissory Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate											0.19%
Debt conversion, price per share											$ 12.00
Convertible note payable Dated February 29, 2012 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face value of loan											$ 50,000
Convertible Debt [Member] [Default Label] | USU [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate				8.00%
Debt conversion, price per share				$ 2.00
Face value of loan				$ 2,000,000
Debt maturity period				2 years
Conversion of note into common share				$ 1,000,000
Proceeds from convertible note issued				$ 2,000,000
Credit Facility Agreement [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit, maximum borrowing capacity			$ 5,000,000
Interest rate			12.00%
Maturity date			Nov. 04, 2021
Upfront payment of facility fee			$ 100,000
Commitment fee percentage, payable quarterly			2.00%
Common stock issuable from warrants		92,049	92,049
Warrant exercise price		$ 5.85	$ 5.85
Warrant term		5 years	5 years
Fair value of warrants			$ 255,071

XML

Convertible Notes, Senior Secured Term Loans and Revolving Credit Facility (Senior Secured Term Loan) (Details) - USD ($)		1 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Mar. 06, 2019	Apr. 23, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Jul. 25, 2017	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from term loan						$ 7,500,000
Fair value of warrants issued as part of senior secured loan					255,071
Proceeds from shares issued						23,023,000
Warrants issued as part of senior secured term loans					360,516	478,428
Closing costs of senior secured loans					$ (33,693)
Warrant [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Warrants granted					342,049
Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayment of debt						7,500,000
Proceeds from shares issued						$ 23,023,000
Secured Debt [Member] | Runway Growth Credit Fund [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount				$ 10,000,000
LIBOR interest rate				10.00%
Proceeds from term loan			$ 2,500,000	$ 5,000,000
Debt term				4 years
Origination fee				Company paid a 0.25% origination fee on the initial $5 million draw and paid another 0.25% origination fee upon the second $2.5 million draw
Repayment of debt		$ 7,500,000
Closing fees		$ 600,000
Secured Debt [Member] | Runway Growth Credit Fund [Member] | Warrant [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Term of award				5 years
Warrants granted				224,174
Warrants granted, exercise price				$ 6.87
Warrant [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Warrants granted						398,526
Loan Agreements [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt term	5 years
Warrants granted, exercise price	$ 6.00
Shares issued for convertible debt	100,000
Loan Agreements [Member] | Leon and Toby Cooperman Family Foundation [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Proceeds from term loan	$ 5,000,000
Maturity date	Sep. 06, 2020
Interest rate	12.00%
Proceeds from shares issued	$ 10,000,000
One-time extension fee	1.00%
Loan Agreements [Member] | Warrant [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Warrants issued as part of senior secured term loans	$ 360,516
Closing costs of senior secured loans	$ 33,693

XML

Commitments and Contingencies (Operating Leases) (Details)			1 Months Ended				12 Months Ended			20 Months Ended
	Dec. 05, 2017 USD ($)	Feb. 01, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 17, 2018 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2018 CAD ($)	Sep. 18, 2017 USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2019 USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2019 CAD ($)	Apr. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Rent expense							$ 2,278,642		$ 853,145
New York, New York [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Monthly rent payments			$ 27,157			$ 15,505
Lease term			5 years			6 years
Security deposit			$ 21,814			$ 32,500
Lease expiration date			Feb. 15, 2019
Rent expense			$ 325,882			$ 186,060
New Brunswick [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Monthly rent payments				$ 10,100
Lease term				62 months	62 months
Lease expiration date				Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2023
New Brunswick [Member] | CAD [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Monthly rent payments					$ 13,241
Dieppe, NB, Canada [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Monthly rent payments							$ 3,200
Lease term							3 years	3 years
Dieppe, NB, Canada [Member] | CAD [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Monthly rent payments								$ 4,367
Lease expiration date							Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019
Denver, Colorado [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Monthly rent payments							$ 10,756
Lease term							2 years	2 years
Lease expiration date							Jan. 01, 2017	Jan. 01, 2017
Denver, Colorado [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Monthly rent payments										$ 11,028
Phoenix, Arizona [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Monthly rent payments	$ 66,696	$ 10,718
Lease term	92 months	64 months
Security deposit	$ 519,271
Monthly rent annual escalation rate		2.00%
United States University [Member]
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Monthly rent payments							$ 51,270
Lease term							10 months	10 months
Lease expiration date							Jun. 30, 2022	Jun. 30, 2022

XML

Commitments and Contingencies (Other) (Details) - USD ($)		1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 15, 2015	Feb. 28, 2019	Apr. 30, 2019	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 29, 2015	Feb. 28, 2013
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Possible estimated loss						$ 2,200,000
Letter of credit issued by bank			$ 71,828
Letter of Credit [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Letter of credit issued by bank			$ 255,708
HEMG [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Possible estimated loss	$ 2,200,000
Proof of claim filed by company against bankruptcy estate	670,000
Amount of default judgment in litigation matter					$ 772,793
Principal amount owed to primary claimant in bankruptcy claim	$ 1,200,000
Number of AGI common stock remaining as sole asset in bankrutcy claim	208,000
Number of AGI common stock filed in bankruptcy claim by third party	167,000
Damages sought value		$ 200,000
Notes payable		$ 200,000
USU [Member] | Letter of Credit [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Line of credit, maximum borrowing capacity				$ 71,634

XML

Commitments and Contingencies (Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments) (Details)	Apr. 30, 2019 USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
2020	$ 2,282,260
2021	2,332,558
2022	2,264,523
2023	1,702,609
2024	1,497,027
2025	1,134,718
2026	779,287
Total minimum payments required	$ 11,992,982

XML

Stockholders' Equity (Preferred Stock, Common Stock and Warrants Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)								1 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Apr. 10, 2019	Nov. 08, 2018	Nov. 05, 2018	Sep. 06, 2018	Jul. 19, 2018	Apr. 23, 2018	Apr. 29, 2015	Dec. 24, 2018	Jul. 19, 2018	Apr. 23, 2018	Apr. 18, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Nov. 30, 2017	Jul. 25, 2017	May 24, 2017	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018	Jun. 28, 2019	Jun. 07, 2019	Jun. 03, 2019	Mar. 05, 2019
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares authorized																1,000,000	1,000,000
Percentage of investment amount paid by company															1.50%
Investment amount paid by company to investors															$ 112,500
Proceeds from options exercised																$ 246,380
Common stock, shares issued																18,665,551	18,333,521
Common stock issued for acquisition																	$ 10,215,244
Closing price used to value stock													$ 8.87
Restricted stock issued to consultants, shares													5,000
Restricted stock issued to consultants, value													$ 88,700
Shares issued for services rendered																	88,699
Proceeds from issuance of common stock							$ 101,502
Shares issued price per share						$ 7.15				$ 7.15
Common stock issued in equity raise						$ 23,023,000											23,023,000
Common stock issued in equity raise, shares						3,220,000				420,000	2,800,000
Cost of stock issuance										$ 2,200,000
Payment of origination fees																$ 29,832	$ 2,215,730
Compensation cost of unvested shares yet to be recognized, period of recognition																2 years 6 months
Market price of company stock							$ 1.86
Per share price																$ 0.001	$ 0.001
Investor [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Restricted shares granted, value	$ 122,250
Restricted shares granted	25,000
Senior Loans [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Shares granted																					200,000
Secured Debt [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Issuance of common shares for cash, shares																	3,220,000
Shares issued price per share																	$ 7.15
Secured Debt [Member] | Runway Growth Credit Fund [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Debt term														4 years
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Credit Facility Agreement [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Fair value of warrants outstanding			$ 255,071
Exercise price of warrants		$ 5.85	$ 5.85
Common stock issuable from warrants		92,049	92,049
Warrant term		5 years	5 years
CFO [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Term of award				33 months
Compensation cost of unvested shares yet to be recognized, period of recognition				5 years
Director [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Term of award								36 months
Board [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Shares granted	50,000
Former Director [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Common stock, shares issued																				9,806
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Common stock, shares issued																			9,597
Compensation cost of unvested shares yet to be recognized, period of recognition					5 years
Warrant Transaction One [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Stock issued during period from exercise of warrants																111,666	171,962
Warrant Transaction Two [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Stock issued during period from exercise of warrants																119,594	87,775
Proceeds from exercise of warrants																$ 218,323	$ 246,380
Warrant Transaction Three [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Stock issued during period from exercise of warrants																56,910	136,563
Proceeds from exercise of warrants																$ 128,201	$ 475,825
Warrant Transaction Four [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Stock issued during period from exercise of warrants																43,860
Proceeds from exercise of warrants																$ 100,000
Restricted Stock [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Award vesting period								36 months
Compensation cost of unvested shares yet to be recognized																$ 340,000
Restricted shares granted, value								$ 24,672
Shares granted								24,672
Vesting period								The restricted shares shall vest in three equal annual increments on December 24, 2019, December 24, 2020 and December 24, 2021.
Shares vesting during period																10,556
Nonvested shares outstanding																64,116
Restricted Stock [Member] | Investor [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Shares issued price per share	$ 4.89
Number of shares vested	5,000
Restricted Stock [Member] | CFO [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Restricted shares granted				25,000
Award vesting period				36 months
Compensation cost of unvested shares yet to be recognized				$ 180,000
Compensation cost of unvested shares yet to be recognized, period of recognition				36 months
Market price of company stock				$ 7.15
Restricted Stock [Member] | Director [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Officers compensation								$ 35,000
Warrant [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Warrants granted																342,049
Warrant [Member] | Secured Debt [Member] | Runway Growth Credit Fund [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Warrants granted														224,174
Warrants granted, exercise price														$ 6.87
Term of award														5 years
Educacion Significativa, LLC [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Stock consideration												1,203,209
Common stock issued for acquisition												$ 10,215,244
Closing price used to value stock													$ 8.49
Common Stock [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Common stock issued from exercise of stock options																56,910	136,563
Common stock, shares issued																259,737
Stock consideration																	1,203,209
Common stock issued for acquisition																	$ 1,203
Shares issued for services rendered																	$ 10
Shares issued for services rendered, shares																	10,000
Proceeds from issuance of common stock																	$ 455,387
Shares issued price per share					$ 7.40				$ 7.40
Common stock issued in equity raise																	$ 3,220
Common stock issued in equity raise, shares																	3,220,000
Treasury stock repurchased					1,000,000				1,000,000
Per share price					$ 7.40				$ 7.40
Stock issuance costs paid by third parties									$ 30,000
Common Stock [Member] | Warrant Transaction Four [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Stock issued during period from exercise of warrants																43,860
Common Stock [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares authorized																		250,000,000
Common Stock [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares authorized																		40,000,000
Preferred Stock [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares authorized																		1,000,000
Preferred Stock [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares authorized																		1,000,000
Warrant [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Common stock issued from exercise of stock options																262,183
Common stock, shares issued																119,594
Warrants granted																	398,526
Proceeds from exercise of warrants																$ 100,000
Issuance of common shares for cash																$ 43,860
Warrant [Member] | Cashless Exercise of Stock Options [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Common stock issued from exercise of stock options																218,323
Warrant [Member] | Former Director [Member]
Stockholders Equity [Line Items]
Common stock, shares issued																				21,930

XML

Stockholders' Equity (Stock Options Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)												1 Months Ended					9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	May 13, 2019	Dec. 13, 2018	Sep. 06, 2018	Jul. 19, 2018	Apr. 05, 2018	Feb. 12, 2018	Jan. 04, 2018	Aug. 21, 2017	Jun. 11, 2017	May 13, 2017	Apr. 29, 2015	Jun. 18, 2019	Apr. 30, 2019	Dec. 24, 2018	Jan. 17, 2018	May 31, 2017	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018	Mar. 13, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost													$ 1,917,367				$ 1,917,367	$ 1,917,367
Weighted average recognition period																		2 years 6 months
Proceeds from issuance of stock											$ 101,502
Stock-based compensation																		$ 1,190,385	$ 642,566
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation																	$ 1,190,384
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity Incentive Plan, available shares remaining for issuance														24,672
Vesting period														36 months
Common Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share issued																			113,597
Proceeds from issuance of stock																			$ 455,387
Common stock issued for stock options exercised for cash, shares																		56,910	136,563
Share issued in exercise of stock options																		56,910	136,563
Stock-based compensation
2012 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity Incentive Plan, shares authorized		500,000																		3,500,000
Equity Incentive Plan, available shares remaining for issuance													322,712				322,712	322,712
Shares remaining available for future issuance													8,000				8,000	8,000
Employees [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options granted					19,000	31,000		52,250							74,000	5,500
Options granted, exercise price					$ 7.31	$ 7.31		$ 5.95							$ 8.57
Fair value of stock options granted					$ 33,250	$ 54,250		$ 89,348							$ 149,480
Employees [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options granted, exercise price																$ 5.10
Employees [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options granted, exercise price																$ 4.95
Board of directors [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options granted				560,000			180,000
Options granted, exercise price							$ 9.07
Weighted average grant-date fair value of stock options granted				$ 2.56
Weighted average recognition period				5 years
Fair value of stock options granted				$ 1,433,600			$ 421,200
CAO [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options granted				180,000					30,000	70,000
Options granted, exercise price				$ 7.55					$ 6.28
Vesting period									3 years
Weighted average recognition period				5 years					5 years
Fair value of stock options granted									$ 54,000	$ 98,700
COO [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options granted				180,000						200,000
Options granted, exercise price				$ 7.55
Weighted average recognition period				5 years
Fair value of stock options granted										$ 282,000
CFO [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options granted			180,000							30,000
Weighted average recognition period			5 years
Fair value of stock options granted			$ 71,500							$ 42,300
Options term			33 months
CFO [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period			36 months
Weighted average recognition period			36 months
Restricted shares granted			25,000
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options granted				200,000						200,000
Options granted, exercise price				$ 7.55
Weighted average recognition period				5 years
Fair value of stock options granted										$ 282,000
Executive officers [Member] | 2012 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options granted										500,000
Options granted, exercise price										$ 4.90
Vesting period										3 years
Weighted average recognition period										5 years
61 Employee [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options granted		67,000
Weighted average grant-date fair value of stock options granted		$ 5.20
Fair value of stock options granted		$ 136,000
Options term		36 months
Three Directors [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options granted														61,667
Weighted average grant-date fair value of stock options granted														$ 5.1445
Director One[Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options granted														41,667
Weighted average grant-date fair value of stock options granted														$ 5.1445
Two Other Director [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options granted														10,000
Weighted average grant-date fair value of stock options granted														$ 5.1445
Director [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Fair value of stock options granted														$ 123,000
Options term														36 months
44 Employee [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options granted													65,750
Weighted average grant-date fair value of stock options granted													$ 4.56
Fair value of stock options granted													$ 117,000
Chief Accounting Officer [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options granted			50,000
Weighted average recognition period			5 years
Fair value of stock options granted			$ 257,400
Options term			33 months
Former Directors One [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options granted	10,000
Weighted average grant-date fair value of stock options granted	$ 4.12
Former Directors One [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted shares granted												5,131
Former Directors Two [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options granted	10,000
Weighted average grant-date fair value of stock options granted	$ 4.12
Former Directors Two [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted shares granted												15,000
Former Directors Three [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options granted	10,000
Weighted average grant-date fair value of stock options granted	$ 4.12
Former Directors Three [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted shares granted												10,000

XML

Stockholders' Equity (Schedule of Warrants) (Details) - Warrant [Member] - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018
Number of Shares
Balance Outstanding, April 30, 2018	651,286
Granted	342,049
Exercised	(262,183)
Surrendered
Expired
Balance Outstanding, April 30, 2019	731,152	651,286
Exercisable, April 30, 2019	681,152
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Balance Outstanding, April 30, 2018	$ 3.80
Granted	5.80
Exercised
Surrendered
Expired
Balance Outstanding, April 30, 2019	5.28	$ 3.80
Exercisable, April 30, 2019	$ 5.31
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term
Granted	4 years 9 months 11 days
Balance Outstanding, April 30, 2019	3 years 3 months 15 days	2 years 4 months 24 days
Exercisable, April 30, 2019	3 years 2 months 1 day
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Balance Outstanding, April 30, 2018	$ 2,581,450
Balance Outstanding, April 30, 2019	413,296	$ 2,581,450
Exercisable, April 30, 2019	$ 413,296

XML

Stockholders' Equity (Schedule of All Warrants and Exercisable Warrants) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2019 $ / shares shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
ALL WARRANTS, Outstanding No. of Warrants | shares	3,409,154
EXERCISABLE WARRANTS, Exercisable No. of Warrants | shares	2,244,861
Warrant [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
ALL WARRANTS, Outstanding No. of Warrants | shares	731,152
EXERCISABLE WARRANTS, Exercisable No. of Warrants | shares	681,152
Warrant [Member] | $2.28 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
ALL WARRANTS, Exercise Price Upper Range	$ 2.28
ALL WARRANTS, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 2.28
ALL WARRANTS, Outstanding No. of Warrants | shares	164,929
EXERCISABLE WARRANTS, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 2.28
EXERCISABLE WARRANTS, Weighted Average Remaining Life In Years	3 months 15 days
EXERCISABLE WARRANTS, Exercisable No. of Warrants | shares	164,929
Warrant [Member] | $4.89 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
ALL WARRANTS, Exercise Price Upper Range	$ 4.89
ALL WARRANTS, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 4.89
ALL WARRANTS, Outstanding No. of Warrants | shares	50,000
EXERCISABLE WARRANTS, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 4.89
EXERCISABLE WARRANTS, Weighted Average Remaining Life In Years	4 years 11 months 12 days
EXERCISABLE WARRANTS, Exercisable No. of Warrants | shares
Warrant [Member] | $5.85 to $6.00 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
ALL WARRANTS, Exercise Price Lower Range	$ 5.85
ALL WARRANTS, Exercise Price Upper Range	6.00
ALL WARRANTS, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 5.95
ALL WARRANTS, Outstanding No. of Warrants | shares	292,049
EXERCISABLE WARRANTS, Weighted Average Remaining Life In Years	4 years 9 months
EXERCISABLE WARRANTS, Exercisable No. of Warrants | shares	292,049
Warrant [Member] | $5.85 to $6.00 [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
EXERCISABLE WARRANTS, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 5.85
Warrant [Member] | $5.85 to $6.00 [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
EXERCISABLE WARRANTS, Weighted Average Exercise Price	6.00
Warrant [Member] | $6.87 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
ALL WARRANTS, Exercise Price Upper Range	6.87
ALL WARRANTS, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 6.87
ALL WARRANTS, Outstanding No. of Warrants | shares	224,174
EXERCISABLE WARRANTS, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 6.87
EXERCISABLE WARRANTS, Weighted Average Remaining Life In Years	3 years 2 months 27 days
EXERCISABLE WARRANTS, Exercisable No. of Warrants | shares	224,174

XML

Stockholders' Equity (Schedule of Assumptions Used to Value Stock Options) (Details) - Stock Incentive Plan and Stock Option Grants to Employees and Directors [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected life (years)	3 years 6 months
Expected volatility	50.10%
Expected volatility, minimum		40.00%
Expected volatility, maximum		43.00%
Risk-free interest rate	2.63%	0.38%
Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%
Expected forfeiture rate
Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected life (years)		4 years
Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expected life (years)		5 years

XML

Stockholders' Equity (Schedule of Stock Options Activity) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2019 USD ($) $ / shares shares
Number of Shares
Balance Outstanding, April 30, 2018
Balance Outstanding, April 30, 2019	3,409,154
Exercisable, April 30, 2019	2,244,861
Stock Incentive Plan and Stock Option Grants to Employees and Directors [Member]
Number of Shares
Balance Outstanding, April 30, 2018	2,980,010
Granted	1,006,542
Exercised	(251,186)
Forfeited	(326,212)
Expired
Balance Outstanding, April 30, 2019	3,409,154
Exercisable, April 30, 2019	2,244,861
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Balance Outstanding, April 30, 2018 | $ / shares	$ 3.62
Granted | $ / shares	6.88
Exercised | $ / shares	2.30
Forfeited | $ / shares	6.47
Expired | $ / shares
Balance Outstanding, April 30, 2019 | $ / shares	4.44
Exercisable, April 30, 2019 | $ / shares	$ 3.35
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term
Balance Outstanding, April 30, 2018	3 years 1 month 24 days
Balance Outstanding, April 30, 2019	2 years 10 months 25 days
Exercisable, April 30, 2019	2 years 3 months 22 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Balance Outstanding, April 30, 2018 | $	$ 16,558,373
Granted | $
Forfeited | $
Balance Outstanding, April 30, 2019 | $	6,880,644
Exercisable, April 30, 2019 | $	$ 6,868,206

XML

Stockholders' Equity (Schedule of All Options and Exercisable Options) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2019 $ / shares shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
ALL OPTIONS, Outstanding No. of Options | shares	3,409,154
EXERCISABLE OPTIONS, Exercisable No. of Options | shares	2,244,861
$1.57 to $2.10 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
ALL OPTIONS, Exercise Price Lower Range	$ 1.57
ALL OPTIONS, Exercise Price Upper Range	2.10
ALL OPTIONS, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 1.96
ALL OPTIONS, Outstanding No. of Options | shares	919,390
EXERCISABLE OPTIONS, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 1.96
EXERCISABLE OPTIONS, Weighted Average Remaining Life In Years	2 years 22 days
EXERCISABLE OPTIONS, Exercisable No. of Options | shares	919,390
$2.28 to $2.76 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
ALL OPTIONS, Exercise Price Lower Range	$ 2.28
ALL OPTIONS, Exercise Price Upper Range	2.76
ALL OPTIONS, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 2.32
ALL OPTIONS, Outstanding No. of Options | shares	471,081
EXERCISABLE OPTIONS, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 2.32
EXERCISABLE OPTIONS, Weighted Average Remaining Life In Years	1 year 5 months 5 days
EXERCISABLE OPTIONS, Exercisable No. of Options | shares	471,081
$3.24 to $4.38 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
ALL OPTIONS, Exercise Price Lower Range	$ 3.24
ALL OPTIONS, Exercise Price Upper Range	4.38
ALL OPTIONS, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 4.20
ALL OPTIONS, Outstanding No. of Options | shares	333,224
EXERCISABLE OPTIONS, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 3.86
EXERCISABLE OPTIONS, Weighted Average Remaining Life In Years	2 years 4 months 20 days
EXERCISABLE OPTIONS, Exercisable No. of Options | shares	261,834
$4.50 to $5.20 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
ALL OPTIONS, Exercise Price Lower Range	$ 4.50
ALL OPTIONS, Exercise Price Upper Range	5.20
ALL OPTIONS, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 4.96
ALL OPTIONS, Outstanding No. of Options | shares	718,292
EXERCISABLE OPTIONS, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 4.90
EXERCISABLE OPTIONS, Weighted Average Remaining Life In Years	3 years 15 days
EXERCISABLE OPTIONS, Exercisable No. of Options | shares	336,833
$5.95 to $6.28 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
ALL OPTIONS, Exercise Price Lower Range	$ 5.95
ALL OPTIONS, Exercise Price Upper Range	6.28
ALL OPTIONS, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 6.07
ALL OPTIONS, Outstanding No. of Options | shares	80,417
EXERCISABLE OPTIONS, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 6.13
EXERCISABLE OPTIONS, Weighted Average Remaining Life In Years	3 years 2 months 5 days
EXERCISABLE OPTIONS, Exercisable No. of Options | shares	36,806
$7.17 to $7.55 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
ALL OPTIONS, Exercise Price Lower Range	$ 7.17
ALL OPTIONS, Exercise Price Upper Range	7.55
ALL OPTIONS, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 7.39
ALL OPTIONS, Outstanding No. of Options | shares	662,417
EXERCISABLE OPTIONS, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 7.51
EXERCISABLE OPTIONS, Weighted Average Remaining Life In Years	4 years 2 months 1 day
EXERCISABLE OPTIONS, Exercisable No. of Options | shares	144,139
$8.57 to $9.07 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
ALL OPTIONS, Exercise Price Lower Range	$ 8.57
ALL OPTIONS, Exercise Price Upper Range	9.07
ALL OPTIONS, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 8.97
ALL OPTIONS, Outstanding No. of Options | shares	224,333
EXERCISABLE OPTIONS, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 8.97
EXERCISABLE OPTIONS, Weighted Average Remaining Life In Years	3 years 8 months 9 days
EXERCISABLE OPTIONS, Exercisable No. of Options | shares	74,778

XML

Related party (Narrative) (Details) - $ / shares	Apr. 30, 2019	Jul. 19, 2018	Apr. 30, 2018	Apr. 23, 2018
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Per share price	$ 0.001		$ 0.001
Sale of common stock per share price				$ 7.15
Common Stock [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Treasury stock repurchased		1,000,000
Per share price		$ 7.40
Sale of common stock per share price		$ 7.40

XML

Revenue (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Deferred revenue	$ 2,456,865	$ 1,814,136
Refunds due students	$ 1,174,501	$ 815,841
Sales Revenue, Net [Member] | Non-US [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Percentage of revenues from students outside the United States	1.62%	2.30%

XML

Revenue (Schedule of Disaggregated Revenue) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 34,025,418	$ 22,021,512
Tuition [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	31,032,677	20,765,165
Course Fees [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	2,488,232	884,739
Book Fees [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	106,819	82,788
Exam Fees [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	189,090	140,500
Service Fees [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 208,600	$ 148,320

XML

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Net change in the valuation allowance	$ 2,213,279	$ (1,633,907)
Net operating loss carryforwards	$ 37,500,000
Earliest Tax Year [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards, expiration	Dec. 31, 2033
Years under examination	2015
Latest Tax Year [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards, expiration	Dec. 31, 2038
Years under examination	2018

XML

Income Taxes (Schedule of Income Tax Expense (Benefit)) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018
Current:
Federal
State
Total Current Income tax expense (benefit)
Deferred:
Federal
State
Total Deferred Income tax expense (benefit)
Total Income tax expense (benefit)

XML

Income Taxes (Schedule of Defered Income Tax Assets and Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018	Apr. 30, 2017
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforward	$ 9,033,235	$ 7,163,547
Allowance for doubtful accounts (recovery)	181,774	105,122
Deferred rent	180,154	20,574
Stock-based compensation	954,586	687,067
Contributions carryforward	60	60
Total deferred tax assets	10,349,809	7,976,370
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment	(234,336)	(132,042)
Intangibles	(64,439)	(6,573)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(298,775)	(138,615)
Deferred tax assets, net	10,051,034	7,837,755
Valuation allowance:
Valuation allowance	(10,051,034)	(7,837,755)	$ (9,471,662)
Net deferred tax asset

XML

Income Taxes (Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance Rollforward) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Valuation allowance, beginning of year	$ (7,837,755)	$ (9,471,662)
Decrease (increase) during period	(2,213,279)	1,633,907
Valuation allowance, ending balance	$ (10,051,034)	$ (7,837,755)

XML

Income Taxes (Schedule of Income Tax Reconciliation) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Statutory U.S. federal income tax rate	21.00%	34.00%
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	3.60%	3.00%
Other	(0.80%)	(0.90%)
Effect of change in federal tax rates	0.00%	(13.00%)
Change in valuation allowance	(23.80%)	(23.10%)
Effective income tax rate	0.00%	0.00%

XML

Concentrations (Details) - USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Amount of cash balance uninsured by FDIC	$ 9,359,208	$ 14,422,499

XML

Fair Value Measurements - Warrant Derivative Liability (Narrative) (Details)	Apr. 30, 2018 shares
Warrants With Price Protection [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Number of warrants containing price protection	62,500

XML

Fair Value Measurements - Warrant Derivative Liability (Measured On A Recurring Basis) (Details) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	Apr. 30, 2017 USD ($)
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Warrant Derivative Liability	$ 52,500
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Warrant Derivative Liability
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Warrant Derivative Liability
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Warrant Derivative Liability	$ 52,500

XML

Fair Value Measurements - Warrant Derivative Liability (Activity in Level 3) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2018 USD ($)
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Balance Begnning	$ 52,500
Gain on extinguishment of warrant liability	(52,500)
Balance Ending

XML

Subsequent Events (Details) - shares	Jun. 28, 2019	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Common stock, shares authorized		40,000,000	40,000,000
Preferred stock, shares authorized		1,000,000	1,000,000
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Common stock, shares authorized	40,000,000
Preferred stock, shares authorized	1,000,000