NOTE 12: COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

DeVry Group is subject to lawsuits, administrative proceedings, regulatory reviews and investigations associated with financial assistance programs and other matters arising in the normal conduct of its business. The following is a description of pending legal and regulatory matters that may be considered other than ordinary, routine and incidental to the business. The timing or outcome of the following matters, or their possible impact on DeVry Group’s business, financial condition or results of operations, cannot be predicted at this time. The continued defense, resolution or settlement of any of the following matters could require us to expend significant resources and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows and result in the imposition of significant restrictions on us and our ability to operate.

In April 2013, DeVry Group received a subpoena from the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Illinois and a Civil Investigative Demand (a “CID”) issued by the Office of the Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Illinois subpoena concerns potential state law implications in the event violations of federal law took place. It was issued pursuant to the Illinois False Claims Act in connection with an investigation concerning whether the compensation practices of DeVry Group and certain of its affiliates are in compliance with the Incentive Compensation Ban of the Higher Education Act and required DeVry Group to provide documents relating to these matters for periods on or after January 1, 2002. DeVry Group responded to the subpoena in May 2013. The Massachusetts CID was issued in connection with an investigation into whether DeVry Group caused false claims and/or false statements to be submitted to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts relating to student loans, guarantees, and grants provided to DeVry Group’s Massachusetts students and required DeVry Group to answer interrogatories and to provide documents relating to periods on or after January 1, 2007. DeVry Group responded to the CID in May 2013.

On July 15, 2014, DeVry Group received a letter dated July 9, 2014 from the New York Office of the Attorney General (“NYOAG”). The letter requested cooperation with the NYOAG’s inquiry into whether recent television advertisements and website marketing regarding DeVry University may have violated federal and state laws prohibiting false advertising and deceptive practices. The letter requested relevant information from January 1, 2011, to the date of the aforementioned letter request to enable NYOAG to make a determination of what action, if any, is warranted. DeVry Group has produced, and continues to produce, responsive information in cooperation with the NYOAG’s inquiry.

On August 28, 2015, DeVry University received a request for documents and information regarding published employment outcomes and relative earnings information of DeVry University graduates from the Multi-Regional and Foreign School Participation Division of the Federal Student Aid office of the Department of Education (“ED FSA”). The stated purpose of the request was to permit ED FSA to assess DeVry University's compliance with applicable regulations under Title IV. On January 27, 2016, DeVry University received a Notice of Intent to Limit from ED FSA (the “January 2016 Notice”), based on a portion of its pending August 28, 2015 inquiry, informing DeVry University of ED FSA’s intention to impose certain limitations on the participation of DeVry University in programs authorized pursuant to Title IV. The proposed limitations relate to representations in advertising and marketing, regarding the post-graduation employment outcomes of DeVry University students over a period from 1975 to October 1980 (the “Since 1975 Representation”). DeVry University has requested a hearing on ED’s decision, and will collaborate closely with the ED to demonstrate DeVry University’s compliance and resolve this matter satisfactorily. In the event DeVry University is unable to demonstrate its compliance or otherwise resolve this matter satisfactorily, the January 2016 Notice would become effective, thus requiring, among other things, DeVry University to cease its Since 1975 Representation, notify enrolled and prospective students that such representations were unsubstantiated under ED regulations, and take certain steps to substantiate future representations related to post-graduation employment outcomes. Additionally, DeVry University would be required to post a letter of credit with ED in an amount at least equal to 10% of the Title IV funds disbursed by DeVry University in fiscal year 2015, which would reduce DeVry Group’s available credit under our revolving credit facility and/or cash balances by an amount equal to the letter of credit. In such circumstances, DeVry University would also be required to disburse funds under either ED FSA’s cash monitoring or reimbursement payment method, the latter of which could result in delayed, potentially substantial, disbursements of Title IV funds. DeVry University also would be required to participate in the Title IV programs under provisional certification during which time it would be required obtain prior ED approval to open a new location, add an educational program, or make any other substantive changes. Provisional certification status carries fewer due process protections than full certification. As a result, the ED may withdraw an institution’s provisional certification more easily than if it is fully certified. Provisional certification does not otherwise limit access to Title IV program funds by students attending the institution.

On January 27, 2016, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) filed a civil complaint (the “FTC lawsuit”) against DeVry Group, DeVry University, Inc., and DeVry/New York Inc. in the United States District Court for the Central District of California alleging that certain of DeVry University’s advertising claims were false or misleading or unsubstantiated at the time they were made in violation of Section 5(a) of the Federal Trade Commission Act, 15 U.S.C. § 45(a), as amended (the “FTC Act”). The advertising claims at issue relate to DeVry University graduates’ employment rates and earnings relative to graduates of other colleges and universities. The lawsuit seeks permanent injunctive relief against future alleged violations of the FTC Act, reimbursement of FTC costs, and such other relief as the court deems necessary to redress any consumer injury from the alleged violations, including rescission or reformation of contracts, restitution, the refund of monies paid, and the disgorgement of ill-gotten monies. The lawsuit followed the previously reported receipt of a CID from the FTC dated January 28, 2014. DeVry Group strongly believes DeVry University advertising complied with the FTC Act and each defendant in this action intends to vigorously defend itself. DeVry Group, DeVry University, Inc., and DeVry/New York Inc. filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit on March 10, 2016. A hearing on this motion to dismiss was held on May 2, 2016 and a decision is pending.

On January 29, 2016, a putative class action lawsuit was filed by Alex Rayter and Ryan Herendeen, individually and on behalf of others similarly situated, against DeVry Group and DeVry University, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California claiming breaches of implied contract and the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, violations of the California Unfair Trade Practices Act, the California False Advertising Act and the California Consumer Legal Remedies Act, and negligent misrepresentations. The claims are based on allegations substantially similar to the allegations in the FTC lawsuit. The lawsuit seeks preliminary and permanent injunctive relief against future violations of law, restitution, disgorgement of profits, punitive damages, reimbursement of costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees, and such other relief as the court deems proper. DeVry Group strongly believes DeVry University’s advertising complied with each of the various laws implicated in this action and both DeVry Group and DeVry University intend to vigorously defend themselves.