Accounts Receivable, Net

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2011

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements [Abstract]

Accounts Receivable, Net

Accounts Receivable, Net

Accounts receivable, net consist of the following as of August 31:

($ in thousands)	2011			2010
Student accounts receivable	$	324,324		$	419,714
Less allowance for doubtful accounts	(128,897		)	(192,857		)
Net student accounts receivable	195,427			226,857
Other receivables	20,140			37,520
Total accounts receivable, net	$	215,567		$	264,377

Student accounts receivable is composed primarily of amounts due related to tuition and educational services. Our student receivables are not collateralized; however, credit risk is reduced as the amount owed by any individual student is small relative to the total student receivables and the customer base is geographically diverse.

For discussion of our accounting policy related to allowance for doubtful accounts, refer to Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies. The following table summarizes the activity in allowance for doubtful accounts for the fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009:

	Year Ended August 31,
($ in thousands)	2011			2010			2009
Beginning allowance for doubtful accounts	$	192,857		$	110,420		$	78,362
Provision for uncollectible accounts receivable	181,297			282,628			152,490
Write-offs, net of recoveries	(245,257		)	(200,191		)	(120,432		)
Ending allowance for doubtful accounts	$	128,897		$	192,857		$	110,420