Share-based Compensation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Share-based Compensation

Share-based Compensation

Share-based compensation expense was as follows:

	For the three months ended September 30,				For the nine months ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Stock options, net of estimated forfeitures	$	4,590	$	5,578	$	33,421	$	21,527
Restricted stock awards	4,042		2,235		10,548		6,897
Total non-cash stock compensation	8,632		7,813		43,969		28,424
Deferred compensation arrangement	—		216		—		515
Total	$	8,632	$	8,029	$	43,969	$	28,939

Stock Option Grant

On January 31, 2017, in connection with the Executive Profits Interests (EPI) agreement, we granted our CEO options (the EPI Options) to purchase 2,773 shares of our Class B common stock. The EPI Options vested upon consummation of the IPO on February 6, 2017. The exercise price of the EPI Options is equal to (i) $17.00 with respect to 50% of the shares of Class B common stock subject to the EPI Option and (ii) $21.32 with respect to 50% of the shares of Class B common stock subject to the EPI Option. The EPI Options are exercisable until December 31, 2019. The Company recorded approximately $14,600 of share-based compensation expense for the EPI Options in the first quarter of 2017.

Amendment to 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan

On June 19, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors (the Board) approved, subject to stockholder approval, an amendment and restatement of the Laureate Education, Inc. 2013 Long-Term Incentive Plan (as amended and restated, the 2013 Plan). Among other things, the amendment (i) increases the number of shares of Class A common stock that may be issued pursuant to awards under the 2013 Plan to 14,714; (ii) adds performance metrics, the ability to grant cash awards, and annual limits on grants, intended to qualify awards as performance-based awards that are not subject to certain limits on tax deductibility of compensation payable to certain executives; and (iii) extends the term of the 2013 Plan to June 18, 2027, the day before the 10th anniversary of the date of adoption of the amendment. On June 19, 2017, the holder of the majority of the voting power of the Company's outstanding stock (the Majority Holder) approved by written consent the amended and restated 2013 Plan and it became effective.

Stock Option Repricing

On June 19, 2017, the Board and the Majority Holder approved a stock option repricing (the Option Repricing). Pursuant to the Option Repricing, the exercise price of each Relevant Option (as defined below) was amended to reduce such exercise price to the average closing price of a share of the Company's Class A common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market over the 20 calendar-day period following the mailing of the Notice and Information Statement to our stockholders. The average closing price of the Company's Class A common stock over such 20-day period was $17.44; accordingly, the exercise price of the Relevant Options was adjusted to $17.44.

Relevant Options were all outstanding stock options as of June 19, 2017 (vested or unvested) to acquire shares of Class B common stock granted under the 2013 Plan during calendar years 2013 through 2016, and totaled approximately 5,300 options. Since the modification of the terms of the awards occurred on June 19, 2017, the Company recorded incremental stock compensation expense during the second quarter of 2017 of approximately $5,100 for options that were vested at the modification date. Additionally, approximately $2,500 of incremental stock compensation expense related to options that were not yet vested at the modification date is being recognized over the remaining vesting period.