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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)
3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Principles of Consolidation
Principles of Consolidation
 
The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of DeVry Group and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Where our ownership interest is less than 100 percent, the noncontrolling ownership interests are reported on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The noncontrolling ownership interest in our earnings is classified as “Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest” in our Consolidated Statements of Income. Unless indicated, or the context requires otherwise, references to years refer to DeVry Group’s fiscal years.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
Cash and cash equivalents can include time deposits, high-grade commercial paper, money market funds and bankers acceptances with original maturities of three months or less. Short-term investment objectives are to minimize risk and maintain liquidity. These investments are stated at cost (which approximates fair value) because of their short duration or liquid nature. DeVry Group places its cash and temporary cash investments with high credit quality institutions. Cash and cash equivalent balances in U.S. bank accounts are generally in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance limit. Cash and cash equivalent balances in Brazilian bank accounts are generally in excess of the deposit insurance limits for Brazilian banks. DeVry Group has not experienced any losses on its cash and cash equivalents.
 
Management periodically evaluates the creditworthiness of the security issuers and financial institutions with which it invests and maintains deposit accounts.
Financial Aid and Restricted Cash
Financial Aid and Restricted Cash
 
A significant portion of revenue is received from students who participate in government financial aid and assistance programs which are subject to political and governmental budgetary considerations. There is no assurance that such funding will be maintained at current levels. Extensive and complex regulations in the U.S. and Brazil govern all of the government financial assistance programs in which students participate. Administration of these programs is periodically reviewed by various regulatory agencies. Any regulatory violation could be the basis for disciplinary action, which could include the suspension, limitation or termination from such financial aid programs.
 
Restricted cash represents amounts received from the federal and state governments under various student aid grant and loan programs and such restricted funds are held in separate bank accounts. Once the financial aid authorization and disbursement process for the student has been completed, the funds are transferred to unrestricted accounts, and these funds then become available for use in DeVry Group’s operations. This authorization and disbursement process that precedes the transfer of funds generally occurs within the period of the academic term for which such funds were authorized.
 
As a requirement of continuing operations in Pennsylvania, DeVry Group is required to maintain a “minimum protective endowment” of at least $500,000. These funds are required as long as DeVry Group operates campuses in the state. DeVry Group accounts for these funds as restricted cash.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Recognition
 
Tuition
 
Chamberlain College of Nursing (“Chamberlain”), Carrington College (“Carrington”), DeVry Educacional do Brasil (“DeVry Brasil”) higher education and DeVry University tuition revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over their respective applicable academic terms. In addition, American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (“AUC”), Ross University School of Medicine (“RUSM”) and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (“RUSVM”) basic science curriculum revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the academic term. The clinical portion of the AUC, RUSM and RUSVM education programs are conducted under the supervision of primarily U.S. teaching hospitals and veterinary schools. AUC, RUSM and RUSVM are responsible for the billing and collection of tuition from their students during the period of clinical education. Revenue is recognized on a weekly basis based on actual program attendance during the period of the clinical program. Fees paid to the hospitals and veterinary schools for supervision of AUC, RUSM and RUSVM students are charged to expense on the same basis. Becker Professional Education (“Becker”) and DeVry Brasil’s test preparation live classroom and DeVry Brasil’s online tuition revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the applicable delivery period. Revenue from Becker conferences and training services, which are generally short-term in duration, is recognized when the conference or training service is provided.
 
Other Educational
 
Sales of Becker subscriptions, membership dues and certifications, along with sales of textbooks, electronic books, other educational products, including Becker self-study sales, are included in Other Educational Revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Revenue from Becker subscriptions and membership dues is recognized on a straight-line basis over the applicable subscription or membership period. Revenue from Becker certifications is recognized when the certification process is complete. Textbook, electronic book and other educational product revenue is recognized when the sale occurs. In addition, fees from international licensees of the Becker programs are included in Other Educational Revenue and recognized when confirmation of course delivery is received.
 
Refunds and Provisions
 
Estimates of DeVry Group’s expected refunds are determined at the outset of each academic term, based upon actual experience in previous terms. Inputs to this analysis include refunds issued, withdrawal rates and historical amounts owed by students for that portion of a term that was completed. Management reassesses collectability throughout the period revenue is recognized by the DeVry Group institutions, on a student-by-student basis. This reassessment is based upon new information and changes in facts and circumstances relevant to a student's ability to pay. Management reassesses collectability when a student withdraws from the institution and has unpaid tuition charges. Such unpaid charges do not meet the threshold of reasonably collectible and are recognized as revenue on a cash basis.
 
The provisions for refunds, which are reported as a reduction to Tuition Revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Income, are recognized in the same ratable fashion as revenue to most appropriately match these costs with the tuition revenue in that term. Provisions for refunds were $12.3 million and $11.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
 
Provisions for refunds are monitored and adjusted as necessary within the academic term and adjusted for actual refunds issued and withdrawn student accounts receivable balances at the completion of an academic term. If a student leaves school prior to completing an academic term, federal and/or state regulations and accreditation criteria permit DeVry Group to retain only a set percentage of the total tuition received from such student, which varies with, but generally equals or exceeds, the percentage of the academic term completed by such student. Payment amounts received by DeVry Group in excess of such set percentages of tuition are refunded to the student or the appropriate funding source. All refunds are netted against revenue during the applicable academic term. Reserves related to refunds and uncollectible accounts totaled $69.1 million and $63.5 million at September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
 
The allowance for uncollectible accounts is determined by analyzing the current aging of accounts receivable and historical loss rates on collections of accounts receivable. In addition, management considers projections of future receivable levels and collection loss rates. We monitor the inputs to this analysis periodically throughout the year. Provisions required to maintain the allowance at appropriate levels are charged to expense in each period as required. Provisions for uncollectible accounts, which are included in the Cost of Educational Services in the Consolidated Statements of Income, were $10.1 million and $9.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Internal-Use Software Development Costs
Internal-Use Software Development Costs
 
DeVry Group capitalizes certain internal-use software development costs that are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated lives of the software, not to exceed seven years. Capitalized costs include external direct costs of equipment, materials and services consumed in developing or obtaining internal-use software and payroll-related costs for employees directly associated with the internal-use software development project. Capitalization of such costs ceases at the point at which the project is substantially complete and ready for its intended purpose. Capitalized internal-use software development costs for projects not yet complete are included as Construction in Progress in the Land, Building and Equipment section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of September 30, 2016 and 2015, the net balance of capitalized internal-use software development costs was $16.6 million and $28.7 million, respectively.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
 
DeVry Group evaluates the carrying amount of its significant long-lived assets whenever changes in circumstances or events indicate that the value of such assets may not be fully recoverable. Events that may trigger an impairment analysis could include a decision by management to exit a market or a line of business or to consolidate operating locations. In the first three months of fiscal year 2017 and in fiscal year 2016, management consolidated operations at DeVry University, Carrington and DeVry Group’s home office. These decisions resulted in pre-tax accelerated depreciation and write-offs of $1.3 million and $7.4 million on leasehold improvements and equipment during the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The accelerated depreciation and write-off charges are included in Restructuring Expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income (see “Note 9: Restructuring Charges”). For a discussion of the impairment review of goodwill and intangible assets see “Note 8: Intangible Assets.”
Perkins Program Fund
Perkins Program Fund
 
DeVry University is required under U.S. federal aid program regulations to make contributions to the Federal Perkins Student Loan Fund, most recently at a rate equal to 33% of new contributions by the U.S. federal government. No new U.S. federal government contributions were received in the first three months of fiscal year 2017 or in fiscal year 2016. DeVry Group carries its investment in such contributions at original value, net of allowances for expected losses on loan collections, of $2.6 million at each of September 30, 2016 and 2015. The allowance for future loan losses is based upon an analysis of actual loan losses experienced since the inception of the program. As previous borrowers repay their Perkins loans, their payments are used to fund new loans, thus creating a revolving loan fund. The U.S. federal government contributions to this revolving loan program do not belong to DeVry Group and are not recorded in its financial statements. Under current law, upon termination of the program by the U.S. federal government or withdrawal from future program participation by DeVry University, subsequent student loan repayments would be divided between the U.S. federal government and DeVry University to satisfy their respective cumulative contributions to the fund. Authorization of the Federal Perkins Student Loan Program expired on September 30, 2015. On December 17, 2015, Congress extended the authorization of the Federal Perkins Student Loan Program to September 30, 2017.
Foreign Currency Translation
Foreign Currency Translation
 
The financial position and results of operations of the AUC, RUSM and RUSVM Caribbean operations are measured using the U.S. dollar as the functional currency. As such, there is no translation gain or loss associated with these operations. DeVry Brasil’s operations and Becker’s international operations are measured using the local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of these entities are translated to U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet dates. Income and expense items are translated at monthly average rates of exchange. The resultant translation adjustments are included in the component of Shareholders’ Equity designated as Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss. Transaction gains or losses during each of the three month periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 were not material.
Noncontrolling Interest
Noncontrolling Interest
 
DeVry Group currently maintains a 97.9% ownership interest in DeVry Brasil with the remaining 2.1% owned by members of the current DeVry Brasil senior management group. Prior to DeVry Group’s July 2015 purchase of additional DeVry Brasil stock, DeVry Group’s ownership percentage was 96.3%. Since July 1, 2015, DeVry Group has had the right to exercise a call option and purchase any remaining DeVry Brasil stock from DeVry Brasil management. Likewise, since July 1, 2015, DeVry Brasil management has had the right to exercise a put option and sell its remaining ownership interest in DeVry Brasil to DeVry Group. Since the put option is out of the control of DeVry Group, authoritative guidance requires the noncontrolling interest, which includes the value of the put option, to be displayed outside of the equity section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
 
The DeVry Brasil management put option is being accreted to its redemption value in accordance with the terms of the stock purchase agreement. The adjustment to increase or decrease the put option to its expected redemption value each reporting period is recorded in retained earnings in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). The adjustment to increase or decrease the DeVry Brasil noncontrolling interest each reporting period for its proportionate share of DeVry Brasil’s profit/loss will continue to flow through the Consolidated Statements of Income based on DeVry Group's noncontrolling interest accounting policy.
 
The following is a reconciliation of the noncontrolling interest balance (in thousands):
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
Balance at Beginning of Period
 
$
5,112
 
$
9,620
 
Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
 
 
(3)
 
 
(79)
 
Payment for Purchase of Noncontrolling Interest of Subsidiary
 
 
-
 
 
(3,114)
 
Decrease in Redemption Value of Noncontrolling Interest Put Option
 
 
(66)
 
 
(2,775)
 
Balance at End of Period
 
$
5,043
 
$
3,652
 
Earnings per Common Share
Earnings per Common Share
 
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to DeVry Group by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus unvested participating restricted stock units (“RSUs”). Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to DeVry Group by the weighted average number of shares assuming dilution. Diluted shares are computed using the Treasury Stock Method and reflect the additional shares that would be outstanding if dilutive stock-based grants were exercised during the period. Excluded from the computations of diluted earnings per share were options to purchase 2,755,000 and 2,644,000 shares of common stock for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. These outstanding stock-based grants were excluded because the exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares or the assumed proceeds upon exercise under the Treasury Stock Method resulted in the repurchase of more shares than would be issued; thus, their effect would be anti-dilutive.
 
The following is a reconciliation of basic shares to diluted shares (in thousands):
  
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding
 
 
62,592
 
 
63,583
 
Unvested Participating RSUs
 
 
827
 
 
763
 
Basic Shares
 
 
63,419
 
 
64,346
 
Effect of Dilutive Stock Options
 
 
477
 
 
383
 
Diluted Shares
 
 
63,896
 
 
64,729
 
Treasury Stock
Treasury Stock
 
DeVry Group’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) has authorized share repurchase programs on nine occasions (see “Note 6: Share Repurchase Programs”). The ninth share repurchase program was approved on December 15, 2015 and commenced in January 2016. Shares that are repurchased by DeVry Group are recorded as Treasury Stock at cost and result in a reduction of Shareholders’ Equity.
 
From time to time, shares of its common stock are delivered back to DeVry Group under a swap arrangement resulting from employees’ exercise of incentive stock options pursuant to the terms of the DeVry Group Stock Incentive Plans (see “Note 3: Stock-Based Compensation”). These shares are recorded as Treasury Stock at cost and result in a reduction of Shareholders’ Equity.
 
Treasury shares are reissued on a monthly basis, at market value, to the DeVry Group Colleague Stock Purchase Plan in exchange for employee payroll deductions. When treasury shares are reissued, DeVry Group uses an average cost method to reduce the Treasury Stock balance. Gains on the difference between the average cost and the reissuance price are credited to Additional Paid-in Capital. Losses on the difference are charged to Additional Paid-in Capital to the extent that previous net gains from reissuance are included therein, otherwise such losses are charged to Retained Earnings.
Use of Estimates
Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the amounts of revenue and expense reported during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss is composed of the change in cumulative translation adjustment, primarily at DeVry Brasil, and unrealized gains on available-for-sale marketable securities, net of the effects of income taxes.
 
The Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss balance at September 30, 2016 consists of $49.4 million of cumulative translation losses ($48.3 million attributable to DeVry Group and $1.1 million attributable to noncontrolling interests) and $0.2 million of unrealized gains on available-for-sale marketable securities, net of tax of $0.1 million and all attributable to DeVry Group. At September 30, 2015, this balance consisted of $122.3 million of cumulative translation losses ($119.7 million attributable to DeVry Group and $2.6 million attributable to noncontrolling interests) and $0.1 million of unrealized gains on available-for-sale marketable securities, net of tax of $0.2 million and all attributable to DeVry Group.
Advertising Expense
Advertising Expense
 
Advertising costs are recognized as expense in the period in which materials are purchased or services are performed. Advertising expense, which is included in Student Services and Administrative Expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income, was $57.6 million and $59.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Restructuring Charges
Restructuring Charges
 
DeVry Group’s financial statements include charges related to severance and related benefits for reductions in staff. These charges also include early lease termination or cease-of-use costs and accelerated depreciation and gains and losses on disposals of property and equipment related to campus consolidations (see “Note 9: Restructuring Charges”).
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
In August 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-15: “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.” This guidance was issued to address eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. The amendments are effective for the financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those annual periods. Management has determined that our current accounting policies align with this guidance. Therefore, this guidance will have no impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
In March 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09: “Compensation–Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” This guidance was issued to simplify the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification on the statement of cash flows. The amendments are effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Management is evaluating the impact the guidance will have on DeVry Group’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
In February 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02: “Leases (Topic 842).” This guidance was issued to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing right-to-use assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. The amendments are effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those annual periods. Management is evaluating the impact the guidance will have on DeVry Group’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
In January 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01: “Financial Instruments–Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” This guidance was issued to enhance the reporting model for financial instruments to provide users of financial statements with more decision-useful information. The guidance eliminates the classification of equity securities into different categories (that is, trading or available-for-sale) and requires equity securities to be measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through net income. The amendments are effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those annual periods. This guidance will require DeVry Group to record the changes in the fair value of its available-for-sale equity investments through net income. Management anticipates the adoption will not have a significant impact on DeVry Group’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
In September 2015, FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16: “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments.” This guidance was issued to simplify the accounting for provisional amounts for items in a business combination for which the accounting is incomplete by the end of the reporting period in which the combination occurs and where the provisional amounts have been adjusted during the measurement period. The amendments in this guidance require an entity to present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. The guidance is effective for the fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2015 and is applicable to DeVry Group’s current fiscal year. This guidance requires DeVry Group to record and disclose measurement-period adjustments for future business combinations as a period adjustment as opposed to a retroactive adjustment to the opening balance sheet of the acquired entity.
 
In April 2015, FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03: “Interest–Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs.” This guidance was issued to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs. The amendments in this guidance require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments. The guidance is effective for the fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2015. DeVry Group’s debt includes a revolving credit facility (see “Note 11: Debt”). This update did not provide guidance specifically addressing debt issuance costs involving revolving credit facilities. As a result, it was announced that the SEC staff would not object to an entity deferring and presenting such costs as an asset and subsequently amortizing them ratably over the term of the revolving debt arrangement. This is DeVry Group’s current accounting policy for debt issuance costs.
 
In May 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09: “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).” This guidance was issued to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and develop a common revenue standard for GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). The guidance is effective for the fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2017. Management is evaluating the impact the guidance will have on DeVry Group’s Consolidated Financial Statements as well as the transition methodology.
Reclassifications
Reclassifications
 
In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2016, we retrospectively adopted ASU No. 2015-17: “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes.” This guidance was issued to simplify the accounting for classification of deferred taxes on the balance sheet. The guidance eliminates the previous requirement for organizations to present deferred tax assets and liabilities as current and noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. Instead, organizations will now be required to classify all deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent. As a result, we decreased current deferred income tax assets by $36.5 million, increased noncurrent deferred income tax assets by $6.3 million and decreased noncurrent deferred income tax liabilities by $30.1 million on the September 30, 2015 Consolidated Balance Sheet. This reclassification had no effect on reported net income.