Form 10-K
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-K

 

 

 

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2009

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission file number 0-25283

 

 

CORINTHIAN COLLEGES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   33-0717312

(State or other jurisdiction of

Incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

6 Hutton Centre Drive, Suite 400, Santa Ana, California

www.cci.edu

(Address of principal executive offices)

92707

(Zip Code)

(714) 427-3000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

 

Title of each class   Name of each exchange on which registered

 

 

 

Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share   Nasdaq National Stock Market

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

 

 

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

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

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  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files).    Yes  ¨    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer  x            Accelerated filer  ¨            Non-accelerated filer  ¨            Smaller reporting company  ¨

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

As of December 31, 2008, the aggregate market value of voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $1.40 billion, based upon the closing sales price of the Common Stock as reported on Nasdaq National Stock Market on such date. For this computation, the Company has excluded the market value of all common stock beneficially owned by all executive officers and directors of the Company and their associates as a group. This determination of affiliate status for purposes of this computation is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes. As of August 20, 2009, the number of outstanding shares of voting and non-voting common equity of the registrant was approximately 87,113,966.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

CORINTHIAN COLLEGES, INC.

INDEX TO ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2009

 

          Page No.
   INTRODUCTION AND NOTE ON FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS    1
   EXPLANATORY NOTE    1
   DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE    1
   PART I   

ITEM 1.

   BUSINESS    2

ITEM 1A.

   RISK FACTORS    25

ITEM 1B.

   UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS    34

ITEM 2.

   PROPERTIES    34

ITEM 3.

   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS    34

ITEM 4.

   SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS    37
   PART II   

ITEM 5.

   MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES    37

ITEM 6.

   SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA    40

ITEM 7.

   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS    41

ITEM 7A.

   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK    51

ITEM 8.

   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA    52

ITEM 9.

   CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE    84

ITEM 9A.

   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES    84

ITEM 9B.

   OTHER INFORMATION    84
   PART III   

ITEM 10.

   DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE    84

ITEM 11.

   EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION    84

ITEM 12.

   SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS    85

ITEM 13.

   CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE    85

ITEM 14.

   PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES    85
   PART IV   

ITEM 15.

   EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES    85
  

SIGNATURES

   89

 

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Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION AND NOTE ON FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Corinthian Colleges, Inc. (hereinafter the “Company” or “Corinthian”) is a Delaware corporation; its principal executive offices are located at 6 Hutton Centre Drive, Suite 400, Santa Ana, California 92707.

You should keep in mind the following points as you read this Report on Form 10-K:

 

   

the terms “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company” refer to Corinthian Colleges, Inc. and its subsidiaries;

 

   

the terms “school,” “college,” “campus,” or “university” refer to a single location of any school;

 

   

the term “institution” means a main campus and its additional locations, as such are defined under the regulations of the U.S. Department of Education, which we sometimes refer to herein as the “ED”; and

 

   

our fiscal year ends on June 30; references to fiscal 2009, fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007 and similar constructions refer to the fiscal year ended on June 30 of the applicable year.

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains statements which, to the extent they do not recite historical fact, constitute “forward looking” statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward looking statements are used under the captions “Business,” “Governmental Regulations and Financial Aid,” “Risk Factors,” “Legal Proceedings,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. You can identify these statements by the use of words like “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “project,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “plan,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “potential,” “intend,” “continue,” and variations of these words or comparable words. Forward looking statements do not guarantee future performance and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ substantially from the results that the forward looking statements suggest for various reasons, including those discussed under the caption “Risk Factors.” These forward looking statements are made only as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We do not undertake to update or revise the forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company decided to divest the WyoTech Oakland campus, and the Company has since sold the capital assets of WyoTech Oakland. Additionally, during the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company completed the teach-out of its Lynnwood WA, Everett WA, and Atlanta GA campuses. Accordingly, the results of operations of the campuses are reflected as discontinued operations in our consolidated statements of income for all periods presented. The Company expects to have no significant continuing involvement with these entities.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company decided to divest all of its Canadian campuses outside of the province of Ontario, Canada, as well as the WyoTech Boston MA campus. The Company sold the non-Ontario Canadian campuses on February 29, 2008. The Company sold WyoTech Boston on May 1, 2008. The Company has no significant continuing involvement with these entities.

The information contained throughout this document is presented on a continuing operations basis, unless otherwise stated.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for the 2009 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after June 30, 2009, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report.

 

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Table of Contents

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Overview

Our Company is one of the largest for-profit post-secondary education companies in the United States and Canada, serving the large and growing segment of the population seeking to acquire career-oriented education. As of June 30, 2009, we had a student enrollment of 86,088, and operated 89 schools in 24 states, and 17 schools in the province of Ontario, Canada. We offer a variety of diploma programs and associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees through a single operating segment (refer to Note 1 of the accompanying consolidated financial statements for more information). Our training program areas include healthcare, criminal justice, mechanical, trades, business and information technology.

Historically, we have grown our business through acquisitions as well as through organic growth. Organic growth consists of opening new branch campuses, remodeling, expanding or relocating existing campuses and adopting curricula into existing colleges. Since the Company’s formation in 1995, we have acquired 74 colleges (net of closures, discontinued operations, and consolidations) and we have opened 32 branch campuses.

Operating Strategy

Key elements of our operating strategy include the following:

Emphasize Student Outcomes. We believe that positive student outcomes are a critical component of our long-term success. Accordingly, we devote substantial resources to maintaining and improving our retention and placement rates. Modest increases in student retention can have a significant impact on our profitability, and high graduation and placement rates enhance a school’s reputation and the marketability of its programs. We have implemented a variety of student service programs, including orientation and tutoring, academic advising, ride-sharing and referral programs, all of which are designed to help students complete their programs, graduate and achieve their career goals. We use a curriculum development team comprised of campus representatives, corporate program directors and textbook publishers. For each program area, each campus also uses advisory boards comprised of local business professionals to help ensure that our curricula meet employer requirements. We also maintain full-time career services personnel at our schools who are responsible for helping our students obtain employment. Career services identifies prospective employers, helps students prepare resumes, conducts practice interviews, establishes externship programs and tracks students’ placement success.

Create an Effective Learning Environment. We view our students as customers and seek to provide a supportive learning environment where student satisfaction and success are achieved. We offer a flexible schedule of classes, providing our students with the opportunity to attend classes throughout the day, as well as nights and weekends. Schools operate year-round, permitting students to complete their course of study quickly. We maintain reasonable class sizes and offer support programs such as on-campus advising and tutoring. We also maintain a toll-free student hotline to address and help resolve student concerns.

Focus on Attractive Markets. We design our educational programs to benefit from favorable demographic and labor market trends. Our schools offer programs in industries which are growing and offer ample career opportunities, including healthcare, criminal justice, mechanical, trades, business and information technology. Our geographic strategy is to build a strong competitive position in attractive and growing markets where we can operate efficiently and benefit from favorable demographic trends.

Standardize Key Business Processes. To help ensure operational efficiency and a consistent student experience across our system of campuses, we are currently standardizing key business processes. Thus far, we have implemented a standard admissions and student finance process and we are in the process of implementing a new student information system.

Centralize Key Functions. In order to capitalize on the experience of our senior management team and to encourage best practices, we have established a divisional management organization consisting of local school administrators, regional vice presidents of operations and admissions, and division presidents. Local and divisional operations are supported by centralized functions supervised by senior management at our campus support center.

Local school administrators retain control of the day-to-day operations of their individual schools. Local school administrators are assisted by and receive oversight from regional vice presidents and division presidents and their respective support teams. The campus support center management team controls key operational functions such as accounting, information technology, student financial services management, marketing, curriculum development, staff training, the call center, legal, treasury, internal audit, human resources, payroll, purchasing, real estate, and accreditation and licensing which we believe enables us to achieve significant operating efficiencies.

 

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Growth Strategy

Our growth strategy consists of the following components:

Enhance Growth at Existing Campuses

Integrated and Centralized Marketing Program. We employ an integrated marketing program which includes an extensive direct response advertising campaign delivered through television, the Internet, newspaper, and direct mail. A professional staff at our campus support center manages the overall marketing program. The effectiveness of our marketing campaigns depends on timely and accurate lead tracking. To that end, we operate a call center for our campuses at our main office in California, as well as an outsourced overflow call center.

Maximizing Core Programs. Our program strategy leverages our core curricula in such disciplines as healthcare, mechanics, trades, criminal justice and business. To maximize the adoption of core programs across our network of schools, we have developed detailed, campus-based plans that take into account each school’s program mix, facility capacity, and current and projected employer needs. In fiscal 2009, we implemented 114 such programs in our schools. In addition we are expanding our new program development capabilities, which we believe will provide another significant source of growth over time.

Facilities Enhancement and Expansion. We believe that modern and attractive facilities enhance the overall student learning experience. We remodel, expand and relocate our existing colleges to ensure we have sufficient capacity to meet our expected enrollment demand, as well as to improve the location and appearance of our facilities. We expect to continue to systematically remodel and relocate selected schools within their respective markets. During fiscal 2009 we remodeled, relocated, or expanded 10 colleges. As of June 30, 2009, the total square footage of all of our properties was approximately 4.6 million square feet.

Expand Online Education

Online education, or education delivered via the Internet, has become an increasingly important component of the higher education market. We offer online learning to two categories of students: those attending online classes exclusively, and those attending a blend of traditional classroom and online courses. The majority of our students participating in online learning are now registered in exclusively online programs.

We began enrolling exclusively online students through our Florida-based Everest University schools in fiscal 2002. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005, we started to offer exclusively online degrees through our regionally-accredited Everest College in Phoenix, Arizona. Online degree programs are offered in business, criminal justice, accounting, higher education management, criminal investigations, applied management, homeland security, computer information science, and medical insurance billing and coding. In total, 18 accredited degrees are available exclusively online at the master’s, bachelor’s, and associate’s levels.

During fiscal 2009, we experienced a significant increase in the number of students taking our online courses. Our online learning participation increased by approximately 25% to 181,909 course registrations in fiscal 2009. As of June 30, 2009, we offered 326 online courses through 33 campuses. We served approximately 15,157 exclusively online students as of June 30, 2009.

Make Strategic Acquisitions

Since our founding in 1995, acquisitions have been an important part of our growth strategy. Of the 106 campuses operated as of June 30, 2009, 74 colleges have been acquired (net of closures, consolidations, or locations sold). All of our acquisitions occurred prior to 2005. To evaluate acquisition opportunities, we have established several criteria, such as scale, geography, program offerings, accreditation and selected financial measurements.

In addition to acquisition-related activity, we have developed an in-house capability to pursue other business development opportunities. In particular, we are focused on developing federal sources of revenue outside of Title IV. Such sources include programs sponsored by the Department of Defense and the Department of Labor.

 

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Establish Additional Locations

Since our initial public offering in February 1999, we have opened 36 branch campuses, of which 32 remain a part of our operations. Of the 36 branch campuses, 2 were opened in each of fiscal 1999 and fiscal 2000, 4 were opened in each of fiscal 2001 and fiscal 2002, 6 were opened in fiscal 2003, 10 were opened in fiscal 2004, 5 were opened in fiscal year 2005 and 3 were opened in fiscal 2006. During fiscal 2009, we did not open any new branch campuses, but we expect to employ this growth strategy in fiscal 2010 and subsequent years. A key advantage of this strategy is that students attending new campuses branched from existing campuses have immediate access to federally funded student financial aid. We believe that opening new branch campuses allows us to enter new geographic markets, create additional capacity in existing markets and effectively leverage our infrastructure and our extensive investment in curricula.

Programs of Study

Our diploma programs are intended to provide students with the requisite knowledge and job skills for entry-level positions in their chosen career. Our degree programs are primarily designed for career-oriented adults and to assist them in enhancing their functional and professional skills. Our curriculum development team is responsible for maintaining high quality, market driven curricula. Our colleges also utilize advisory boards to help evaluate and improve the curriculum for each program offered. These advisory boards are required to meet at least twice a year and are comprised of local industry and business professionals. Advisory board members provide valuable insight regarding changes in programs and suggest new technologies and other factors that may enhance curriculum.

Our diploma curricula includes the following key programs: medical assisting, medical insurance billing and coding, massage therapy, dental assisting, pharmacy technician, medical administrative assisting, automotive and diesel technology, HVAC, surgical technology, plumbing, electrical, nursing, electronics and computer technology. Our degree curriculum includes business administration, criminal justice, medical assisting, accounting, paralegal, marketing, computer information technology, legal assisting, hospitality management, court reporting, applied service management, film and video. At our Everest locations in Florida, Phoenix, AZ, Mesa, AZ, Springfield, MO and Ontario Metro, CA campuses, many associate’s degree programs also articulate into a bachelor’s degree in the same course of study. Master’s degrees are also offered at Everest Florida in business administration and criminal justice.

Diploma programs generally have a duration of 6-24 months, depending on the course of study. Associate’s degree programs have a duration of 9-24 months, bachelor’s degree programs have a duration of 36-48 months and master’s degree programs have a duration of 21 months. As of June 30, 2009, we had approximately 64% of students enrolled in diploma programs, approximately 31% of students enrolled in associate’s programs, approximately 4% of students enrolled in bachelor’s programs and approximately 1% of students enrolled in master’s programs.

 

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Table of Contents

The following table reflects our schools, locations, date acquired or opened, principal curricula, institutional accrediting agency, and square footage as of June 30, 2009. In the table below, programs offered are designated as follows: healthcare (HC), business (B), information technology and electronics (IT), criminal justice (CJ), trades and transportation (T), and other miscellaneous programs (OTH)(1).

 

U.S. Schools and Colleges

  

Date

Acquired/Opened

  

Principal Curricula

  

Accrediting

Agency

  

Square

Footage

Everest College, Alhambra, CA

   1/1/1996    B, HC    ACCSCT(5)    42,200

Everest College, Anaheim, CA

   7/1/1995    CJ, HC    ACCSCT    31,900

Everest College, Arlington (Mid Cities), TX

   6/9/2003    B, CJ, HC    ACICS    22,200

Everest College, Arlington, VA

   1/2/2002    B, CJ, HC, OTH    ACICS    23,500

Everest College, Aurora, CO

   10/1/1996    B, CJ, HC    ACICS    33,000

Everest College, Bremerton, WA

   8/4/2003    B, HC    ACICS    18,900

Everest College, Burr Ridge, IL

   7/2/2002    HC    ACCSCT    29,500

Everest College, Chesapeake, VA

   3/1/1999    B, HC, CJ    ACICS    39,200

Everest College, Chicago, IL

   6/26/2003    HC    ACCSCT    47,300

Everest College, City of Industry, CA

   10/1/2000    B, CJ, HC    ACCSCT    39,300

Everest College, Colorado Springs, CO

   10/1/1996    B, CJ, HC, IT, OTH    ACICS    30,500

Everest College, Dallas, TX

   2/3/2003    B, CJ, HC    ACICS    45,800

Everest College, Everett, WA

   8/4/2003    HC    ACICS(4)    24,200

Everest College, Fife, WA

   8/4/2003    HC    ACCET(3)    17,500

Everest College, Fort Worth, TX

   8/24/2004    B, CJ, HC    ACICS    32,800

Everest College, Gardena, CA

   1/1/1996    HC    ACCSCT    22,100

Everest College, Hayward, CA

   9/1/2001    HC    ACCSCT    21,200

Everest College, Henderson, NV (7)

   10/1/1996    HC, B, CJ    ACICS    31,500

Everest College, Los Angeles, CA

   1/1/1996    HC    ACCSCT    22,500

Everest College, Merrillville, IN

   2/1/2001    B, HC    ACCSCT    34,500

Everest College, Merrionette Park, IL

   10/19/2005    HC    ACICS    33,800

Everest College, Mesa, AZ

   11/15/2005    B, CJ, HC    NCA(6)    21,400

Everest College, Newport News, VA

   10/1/1995    B, CJ, HC    ACICS    16,200

Everest College, North Aurora, IL

   2/1/2005    B, HC    ACCSCT    38,500

Everest College, Ontario Metro, CA

   1/1/2001    B, CJ, HC    ACICS    40,800

Everest College, Ontario, CA

   10/1/2000    B, HC    ACCSCT    34,000

Everest College, Phoenix, AZ

   6/1/2000    B, CJ, HC    NCA    35,700

Everest College, Portland, OR

   10/1/1996    B, CJ, HC, IT, OTH    ACICS    35,400

Everest College, Renton, WA

   7/1/1996    HC    ACCSCT    41,700

Everest College, Reseda, CA

   7/1/1995    HC    ACCSCT    33,600

Everest College, Salt Lake City, UT

   10/1/1996    HC, B, IT, CJ    ACICS    40,100

Everest College, San Bernardino, CA

   7/1/1995    HC, B, CJ, T    ACICS    35,900

Everest College, San Francisco, CA

   10/1/1995    HC    ACCSCT    30,600

Everest College, San Jose, CA

   10/1/1995    HC    ACCSCT    18,300

Everest College, Seattle, WA

   8/4/2003    HC    ACCET    19,300

Everest College, Skokie, IL

   5/1/2001    HC, B    ACCSCT    36,000

Everest College, Springfield, MO

   10/1/1996    HC, B, IT, CJ    ACICS    28,700

Everest College, St. Louis, MO

   3/31/2005    HC, B    ACICS    30,000

Everest College, Tacoma, WA

   8/4/2003    HC    ACICS    30,700

Everest College, Thornton, CO (2)

   10/1/1996    HC, B, CJ    ACICS    25,900

Everest College, Torrance, CA

   1/1/2000    HC    ACCSCT    7,300

Everest College, Tyson’s Corner, VA

   6/2/2004    B, CJ, HC    ACICS    28,600

Everest College, Vancouver, WA

   8/4/2003    HC    ACCET    17,900

Everest College, Vancouver, WA

   10/1/1996    HC, B, CJ, OTH    ACICS    23,000

Everest College, West Los Angeles, CA

   10/1/2000    HC, CJ    ACCSCT    31,300

Everest Institute, Austin, TX

   10/2/2002    HC, T    ACCSCT    51,900

Everest Institute, Brighton, MA

   1/1/1996    HC    ACCSCT    26,000

Everest Institute, Chelsea, MA

   3/30/2004    HC    ACCSCT    30,500

Everest Institute, Columbus, OH

   9/7/2004    HC, B    ACCSCT    28,300

Everest Institute, Cross Lanes, WV

   7/1/1995    HC, IT    ACCSCT    26,700

Everest Institute, Dearborn, MI

   3/1/2001    HC    ACCSCT    38,400

Everest Institute, Decatur, GA

   5/1/2000    HC    ACCSCT    50,000

Everest Institute, Detroit, MI

   12/23/2003    HC    ACCSCT    38,200

Everest Institute, Eagan, MN

   6/17/2004    HC    ACCSCT    23,700

Everest Institute, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

   9/30/2003    HC    ACICS    30,700

 

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Table of Contents

U.S. Schools and Colleges

  

Date

Acquired/Opened

  

Principal Curricula

  

Accrediting

Agency

  

Square

Footage

Everest Institute, Grand Rapids, MI

   2/2/2001    HC, B    ACCSCT    34,700

Everest Institute, Hialeah, FL

   4/1/2002    B, HC, CJ    ACICS    40,600

Everest Institute, Houston (Bissonet), TX

   6/30/2004    HC, IT, T    ACCSCT    60,500

Everest Institute, Houston (Greenspoint), TX

   1/1/2000    HC    ACCSCT    27,600

Everest Institute, Houston (Hobby), TX

   12/1/2001    HC    ACCSCT    26,300

Everest Institute, Jonesboro, GA

   4/1/2000    HC    ACCSCT    35,600

Everest Institute, Kalamazoo, MI

   2/1/2001    HC, B    ACCSCT    28,400

Everest Institute, Kendall, FL

   4/1/2002    HC, CJ, B    ACICS    29,300

Everest Institute, Marietta, GA

   4/1/2000    HC    ACCSCT    24,700

Everest Institute, Miami, FL

   4/1/2002    HC, CJ, B    ACICS    44,100

Everest Institute, Norcross, GA

   3/31/2003    HC    ACCSCT    19,300

Everest Institute, Pittsburgh, PA

   10/1/1996    HC, B, CJ, OTH    ACICS    39,000

Everest Institute, Rochester, NY

   10/1/1996    B, IT, CJ, HC, OTH    ACICS    43,600

Everest Institute, San Antonio, TX

   7/1/1995    HC, OTH, T    ACCSCT    60,200

Everest Institute, Silver Spring, MD

   2/8/2005    HC    ACICS    30,700

Everest Institute, South Plainfield, NJ

   12/13/2005    HC    ACCSCT    35,000

Everest Institute, Southfield, MI

   1/1/1996    HC, IT    ACCSCT    41,600

Everest Institute, Tigard, OR

   8/4/2003    HC    ACCET    20,600

Everest University, Brandon, FL

   10/1/1996    HC, B, IT, CJ    ACICS    49,300

Everest University, Jacksonville, FL

   7/1/2000    HC, B, CJ    ACICS    37,200

Everest University, Lakeland, FL

   10/1/1996    HC, B, IT, CJ    ACICS    30,400

Everest University, Largo, FL

   10/1/1996    HC, B, IT, CJ    ACICS    40,000

Everest University, Melbourne, FL (2)

   10/1/1996    HC, B, IT, CJ    ACICS    36,000

Everest University, Orange Park-Jacksonville, FL

   3/3/2004    HC, B, CJ, T    ACICS    43,000

Everest University, Orlando (North), FL

   10/1/1996    HC, B, IT, CJ, OTH    ACICS    46,000

Everest University, Orlando (South), FL

   10/1/1996    HC, B, IT, CJ    ACICS    59,900

Everest University, Pompano Beach, FL

   10/1/1996    HC, B, IT, CJ, OTH    ACICS    53,100

Everest University, Tampa, FL (2)

   10/1/1996    HC, B, IT, CJ, T,    ACICS    58,100

WyoTech, Blairsville, PA (2)

   7/1/2002    T    ACCSCT    261,200

WyoTech, Daytona Beach, FL

   8/4/2004    T    ACCET    92,400

WyoTech, Fremont, CA

   8/7/2003    T    ACCSCT    124,900

WyoTech, Laramie, WY

   7/1/2002    T    ACCSCT    411,900

WyoTech, Long Beach, CA

   10/1/2000    T, HC    ACCSCT    92,400

WyoTech, Sacramento, CA

   1/27/2004    T    ACCSCT    248,500

Campus Support Center Offices

           

Santa Ana, CA

            129,000

Gulfport, MS

            4,800

Tampa (Online), FL

            114,600

Tampa (Regional), FL

            7,300

Tempe (Online), AZ

            37,300

Washington, DC

            2,300
             

Total Square Footage for U.S. Properties

            4,310,100

 

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Canadian Schools and Colleges

  

Opened/Acquired

  

Principal

Curricula

  

Square
Footage

Everest College of Business, Technology and Health Care, Barrie, Ontario

   08/19/2003    HC, B, CJ, IT    14,200

Everest College of Business, Technology and Health Care, Brampton, Ontario

   08/19/2003    HC, B, CJ, IT, OTH    16,400

Everest College of Business, Technology and Health Care, College Park, Ontario

   08/19/2003    HC, OTH    29,000

Everest College of Business, Technology and Health Care, Hamilton (Mountain), Ontario

   08/19/2003    HC, CJ    18,500

Everest College of Business, Technology and Health Care, Hamilton (City Center), Ontario

   08/19/2003    B, HC, IT, CJ    7,800

Everest College of Business, Technology and Health Care, Kitchener, Ontario

   08/19/2003    B, HC, CJ, IT    12,600

Everest College of Business, Technology and Health Care, London, Ontario

   08/19/2003    HC, IT, B    12,200

Everest College of Business, Technology and Health Care, Mississauga, Ontario

   08/19/2003    HC, B, IT, CJ, OTH    30,400

Everest College of Business, Technology and Health Care, Newmarket, Ontario

   08/19/2003    HC, B, CJ, IT    14,100

Everest College of Business, Technology and Health Care, North York Ontario

   08/19/2003    HC, B, CJ, OTH    17,900

Everest College of Business, Technology and Health Care, Ottawa (West-Nepean), Ontario

   08/19/2003    HC, B, IT, CJ    17,400

Everest College of Business, Technology and Health Care, Ottawa (East), Ontario

   08/19/2003    HC, B, IT, CJ    32,700

Everest College of Business, Technology and Health Care, Scarborough, Ontario

   08/19/2003    HC, B, IT, CJ    17,500

Everest College of Business, Technology and Health Care, Sudbury, Ontario

   08/19/2003    B, HC, CJ, IT    15,200

Everest College of Business, Technology and Health Care, Toronto (Central), Ontario

   08/19/2003    B, IT, CJ    25,100

Everest College of Business, Technology and Health Care, Thunder Bay, Ontario

   08/19/2003    HC, B, IT, CJ    10,800

Everest College of Business, Technology and Health Care, Windsor, Ontario

   08/19/2003    HC, B, CJ, IT    12,400

Everest College of Business, Technology and Health Care Campus Support Center

   08/19/2003       9,300
          

Total Square Footage for Canadian Properties

         313,500
          

Total Square Footage for All Properties

         4,623,600
          

 

(1) OTH means “Other” and includes programs such as, travel and hospitality, video/film production, and other miscellaneous programs.
(2) Indicates owned properties.
(3) Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training
(4) Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools
(5) Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
(6) North Central Association Higher Learning Commission
(7) Las Vegas College changed its name to Everest College, Henderson effective August 10, 2009

Marketing and Recruitment

We employ a variety of methods to attract applicants who will benefit from our programs and achieve success in their chosen careers. The methods include a variety of direct response marketing techniques to generate leads of potential applicants for our schools. Our marketing department generated approximately 2.2 million leads in the United States and Canada in fiscal 2009, primarily through television, internet, direct mail, newspaper, and yellow pages. The effectiveness of these marketing campaigns is dependent upon timely and accurate lead tracking. To that end, we operate a call center for our campuses at our main office in California, as well as an outsourced overflow call center.

The call centers are staffed by a team of operators who receive incoming calls from prospective students attracted to our programs. These trained operators enter relevant data on each prospect into our management information system during the call and then transfer the prospective student to the appropriate school.

 

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Our marketing agencies have access to our management information database and are provided with real time information on the effectiveness of individual campaigns. This allows them to identify leads generated by specific commercials and spot times. The agencies consult with our marketing department to adjust schedules for advertisements depending on our needs and the effectiveness of the particular advertisements. Since approximately 47% of our marketing budget is spent on television and newspaper advertisements, the availability of timely and accurate lead information is critical to the leads generation process. For the year ended June 30, 2009, approximately 25% of our new student enrollments were generated through television, newspaper and yellow pages marketing, 35% were generated from the Internet, 26% were generated through referrals, 4% were generated through direct mail, and 10% were generated through a variety of other methods.

National Branding

Over the last two fiscal years we have consolidated multiple brand names to increase our company’s overall visibility and gain the marketing efficiencies associated with national advertising. As of August 10, 2009 all of our schools operated under one of two national brands, Everest or WyoTech. The Everest brand was recently developed by the Company, and WyoTech is a well-established brand in automotive training. As of August 10, 2009, 100 out of 106 schools were operating under the Everest brand, and 6 schools were operating under the WyoTech brand.

Admissions

As of June 30, 2009, we employed approximately 1,700 admissions representatives who work directly with prospective students to facilitate the admissions process. These representatives interview and advise students interested in specific careers and are a key component of our effort to generate interest in our educational services. We conduct semi-annual student satisfaction surveys at our campuses in the United States in which students have consistently given high marks to our admissions personnel for helpfulness, courtesy and accuracy of information. Because our success is highly dependent on the efficiency and effectiveness of our admissions process, we invest considerable resources to train our admissions representatives in product knowledge, regulatory compliance, and customer service. We also employ various admissions supervisory and monitoring programs, and conduct student surveys which help us ensure compliance with both government regulations and our corporate policies.

One of our objectives in the admissions process is to identify students who have the ability to succeed in our schools. The majority of prospective students must pass a standardized admissions test. Most of our colleges in the United States accept non-high school graduates who can demonstrate an ability to benefit (“ATB students”) from the program by passing certain tests which are required by the ED. We believe that ATB students can successfully complete many of our diploma programs and our colleges have demonstrated success in graduating and placing these students over the years. As of June 30, 2009, ATB students accounted for approximately 23.8% of total enrollments in our U.S. schools.

Placement

Graduate placement outcomes are critical to our colleges’ reputations and their ability to continue to successfully recruit new students. We maintain a career services department at each college and, as of June 30, 2009, employed approximately 600 individuals in this capacity. We require our career services personnel to work with students from the time they begin their courses of study until they are successfully placed in jobs for which they are trained. Our career services departments assist students with resumes, help them develop a professional demeanor, conduct practice interview sessions, and identify prospective employers for the colleges’ graduates. Overall, we believe the efforts we devote to place our graduates have achieved excellent results.

 

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Our colleges endeavor to obtain information regarding their students’ employment following graduation. The reliability of that information depends, to a large extent, on the completeness and accuracy of the data provided to our colleges by graduates and their employers. Additionally, a dedicated team at the campus support center conducts a verification process to check the accuracy of the placement information gathered by our campuses. Based on information received from these groups of people, we believe that approximately 78.1% of our graduates in calendar year 2008 who were available for placement have been placed in a job for which they were trained by June 30, 2009 as calculated based on accrediting agency standards. The various accrediting agencies evaluate placement rates by individual institution and program, and have different requirements regarding which students are considered “available for placement.” In defining the graduate cohort group for the purpose of calculating placement rates, certain accrediting agencies may exclude, for example, graduates who are continuing their education, are in active military service or are deceased or disabled, and foreign students who are ineligible to work in the U.S. after graduation. Where applicable, we have also excluded those graduates in our calculation of students available for placement and the graduate placement rate.

Tuition

Tuition rates for our diploma programs in the U.S. and Canada generally range from $10,000 to $30,000, depending upon the nature and length of the program. Tuition for degree programs is charged on a credit hour basis and varies by college, typically ranging from $256 to $422 per undergraduate credit hour, depending upon the program of study. Tuition for graduate programs ranges from $404 to $548 per credit hour. In addition to tuition, students may be required to purchase textbooks and other supplies as part of their educational programs. We anticipate increasing tuition based on the market conditions prevailing at our individual colleges.

If a student fails to complete the period of enrollment (such as a quarter, semester, academic year, or program), the institution may be required to refund tuition previously collected to the originating or disbursing agency or to the student directly, depending on the source of the funds. Refunds are calculated in accordance with the applicable federal, state, provincial or institutional refund policies.

Campus Administration

We establish policies at our campus support center office, implement these policies, and monitor the performance of our schools through the coordination of the president and chief operating officer, the division presidents, our regional vice presidents of operations, the regional vice presidents of admissions, and their respective support staffs and through our internal audit department. The college presidents have the responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the schools. Each U.S. college generally employs the following management personnel which report to the college president:

 

   

an academic dean or education director;

 

   

an admissions director;

 

   

a career services director;

 

   

a finance director, and

 

   

a student accounts director (where total students enrolled justify this level of support).

Our schools in Canada are typically smaller and thus employ a smaller management team. As each school’s enrollment grows, additional management may be added.

Campus support center personnel manage several key functions, including accounting, information technology, student financial services, career services support, marketing, curriculum development, staff training, the call center, legal, treasury, internal audit, human resources, payroll, purchasing, real estate, and accreditation and licensing. Among the principal oversight functions performed by campus support center personnel (in cooperation with our division, region and college management) are the annual operating budget, strategic planning and forecasting processes. These processes establish goals for each college, assist in implementing strategies and establish performance expectations and corresponding incentives. Our senior management team monitors operating performance and profitability of each college and has established periodic communication with the college presidents to review key performance indicators such as lead flow, starts, student population, retention, placement, compliance and other operating results to determine the proper course of action.

 

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Competition

The post-secondary education market in the United States, consisting of approximately 6,900 accredited institutions, is highly fragmented and competitive, with no institution having a significant market share. Many of the programs offered by our colleges are also offered by public and private non-profit institutions, as well as by many of the approximately 2,800 private, for-profit colleges and schools. The post-secondary education market in Canada is also highly fragmented. Typically, the tuition charged by public institutions is less than tuition we charge for comparable programs because public institutions receive state subsidies, donations and government research and other grants that are not available to our colleges. However, tuition at other private non-profit institutions is often higher than the tuition charged at our colleges.

We compete in most markets with other private, for-profit institutions offering similar programs. We believe our supportive learning environment, smaller class sizes, large national scale, our faculty, facilities, and our emphasis on student services and placement allows us to compete effectively. In addition, many of our colleges have been operating in their markets for many years, which has led to a substantial number of graduates who are working in the community and validate the quality of the colleges’ programs.

Facilities

Our campus support center office is located in Santa Ana, California and our 106 campuses as of June 30, 2009, are located in 24 states and in the province of Ontario, Canada. Each campus provides our students with lecture halls, instructional labs, libraries, Internet access and other facilities.

We actively monitor the capacity at our facilities and the expected future facilities capacity required to accommodate campus growth initiatives. We provide for expansion and future growth at each campus through relocations to larger facilities and by expanding or remodeling existing facilities. From the beginning of fiscal 2005 through fiscal 2009, approximately 24% of the campuses have been relocated and an additional approximately 61% of total campuses have been either expanded or remodeled. The following table reflects the number of campuses added, closed or combined, and the number of campuses that have been relocated, enlarged or remodeled during each of the last five fiscal years ended and has been updated to reflect solely continuing operations:

 

     2009    2008    2007    2006    2005

Opened

              

Acquired

   0    0    0    0    1

Branched

   0    0    0    3    5

Closed, combined or sold

   0    0    2    17    12

Campuses at year end

   106    106    106    108    122

Relocated

   5    2    2    6    10

Enlarged or remodeled

   5    10    6    12    32

All but four of our facilities are leased. In addition, we lease our campus support center offices. Most of our leases have primary terms between 5 and 10 years with options to extend the lease, at our election.

Management and Employees

Our company is led by Jack D. Massimino, Executive Chairman of the Board, Peter C. Waller, Chief Executive Officer and Matt A. Ouimet, President and Chief Operating Officer. They are assisted by the other executive officers of the Company: Kenneth S. Ord, Beth A. Wilson, William B. Buchanan, Mark L. Pelesh, Stan A. Mortensen, Robert C. Owen, and David A. Poldoian. In addition to the executive officers, our management team includes other vice presidents and senior vice presidents who provide supervision of various functional areas and the presidents of our operating divisions. As of June 30, 2009, we had approximately 11,100 employees in the U.S. and Canada, of whom approximately 3,100 were part-time and approximately 700 were employed at or assigned to our campus support center.

Faculty

The faculty members at our colleges are industry professionals and hold appropriate credentials in their respective disciplines. We choose faculty who possess the requisite academic and experiential qualifications and who we believe will be successful in working with our students and encourage them to pursue professional development activities to enhance their functional and classroom skills. We believe the skill and dedication of our faculty is critical to the academic and professional success of our students. As of June 30, 2009, we employed approximately 4,600 faculty in the United States and Canada, approximately 1,460 of whom were full-time employees. Faculty represents approximately 41% of our employees.

 

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Available Information

Free copies of our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports may be obtained through our website at www.cci.edu, or by contacting our investor relations department after such reports are electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Our website address is provided solely for informational purposes. We do not intend, by this reference, that our website or any of the information contained therein should be deemed to be part of, or incorporated into, this Annual Report.

 

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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

Set forth below are the name, ages, titles and present and past positions of the persons serving as executive officers of the Company as of August 24, 2009, as well as other “significant employees” of the Company as defined under Item 401(c) of Regulation S-K:

 

Names

  

Ages

  

Positions

Jack D. Massimino    60    Executive Chairman of the Board
Peter C. Waller    55    Chief Executive Officer
Matt A. Ouimet    51    President and Chief Operating Officer
Kenneth S. Ord    63    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Beth A. Wilson    57    Executive Vice President, Operations
William B. Buchanan    43    Executive Vice President, Marketing
Mark L. Pelesh    55    Executive Vice President, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs
Stan A. Mortensen    42    Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Robert C. Owen    48    Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
David A. Poldoian    56    Chief Business Development Officer

Jack D. Massimino, became our Executive Chairman of the Board in July 2009. He served as Chief Executive Officer of the company from November 2004 through June 2009. In addition, he was Chairman of the Board from August 2008 through June 2009. He was previously a member of the Board of Directors and a member of the Audit and Compensation Committees of the Board. Prior to joining our company, Mr. Massimino was retired and managed his personal investment portfolio. Previously, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Talbert Medical Management Corporation, a publicly traded physician practice management company from 1995 through late 1997. Prior to his association with Talbert, Mr. Massimino was Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of FHP International Corporation, a multi-state, publicly-traded HMO, with revenues of approximately $4 billion at the time of his service. He also served in other executive positions after joining FHP in 1988, including Senior Vice President and Vice President, Corporate Development. Prior to such time, Mr. Massimino held other executive positions in the healthcare field starting in the mid-1970’s. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from California Western University and earned a Master’s Degree in Management from the American Graduate School for International Management.

Peter C. Waller, became our Chief Executive Officer in July 2009. Mr. Waller served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Corinthian from February 2006 through June 2009. Mr. Waller has a 30-year career that includes expertise in marketing, operations and finance. Prior to joining the Company, he served as CEO and then as Executive Partner at ThreeSixty Sourcing, Inc. from 2001 to 2006. Previously he was President of Taco Bell from 1997 to 2000. He first joined Taco Bell in 1996. Prior to his experience at Taco Bell, Mr. Waller spent six years at Kentucky Fried Chicken of PepsiCo where he went from Managing Director for Western Europe, to Marketing Director for the South Pacific based in Sydney, Australia, and finally, to Chief Marketing Officer for KFC in the United States. He began his marketing career in 1975 at Procter and Gamble, United Kingdom, serving as a brand manager in the personal care products category and was later recruited to Gillette in 1981. Mr. Waller holds a Master of Arts degree in Modern History from St. Catherine’s College of Oxford University.

Matt A. Ouimet, became our President and Chief Operating Officer in July 2009. Mr. Ouimet joined Corinthian in January 2009 as Executive Vice President, Operations. Prior to joining Corinthian, Mr. Ouimet served as President, Hotel Group for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, one of the world’s largest hotel and leisure companies. Prior to his association with Starwood, Mr. Ouimet served in a number of key roles of increasing responsibility between 1989 and 2006 at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. Between 1998 and 2006, Mr. Ouimet held the executive positions of President, Disney Cruise Line; Senior Vice President, New Business Development; and President, Disneyland Resort. Mr. Ouimet holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Binghamton University in New York.

Kenneth S. Ord became our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in February 2005. Mr. Ord brings more than 30 years of financial experience to his position from publicly traded companies in the healthcare, staffing services and automotive industries. Mr. Ord was the Chief Financial Officer at Alliance Imaging, Inc. from 1998 to 2004. Previously he was the Chief Financial Officer of Talbert Medical Management Corporation during 1997 and he was the Chief Financial Officer of FHP International Corporation from 1994 to 1997. Prior to his experience at FHP, Mr. Ord held several successively responsible positions at Kelly Services Inc, including Treasurer, Controller and Vice President Finance. He began his career at Ford Motor Company, working in various financial roles, ranging from financial controls to profit analysis. Mr. Ord holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Brigham Young University.

 

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Beth A. Wilson has been employed by us since our inception in July 1995. She was promoted to Executive Vice President in July 2001 and oversees all operational support for accreditation and licensure, curriculum development and quality control, career services, human resources, real estate, facilities and purchasing. Previously, Ms. Wilson was Vice President of Operations from June 1998 to June 2001. Ms. Wilson was Regional Operations Director for Rhodes Colleges, Inc. from May 1997 to June 1998. From July 1995 to May 1997 she was Operations Director and Regional Operations Director for Corinthian Schools, Inc. Ms. Wilson was employed by National Education Centers, Inc. from 1991 to 1995, initially as Executive Director of its Capital Hill campus, then as Area Operations Manager. From 1990 to 1991, she was Vice President, Branch Operations for National College. She was employed by United Education and Software from 1984 to 1990, initially as Executive Director of a business school, then as Group Manager for four to fifteen locations and finally as Vice President, Administration. She was Scholarship Administrator for National University from 1982 to 1984 and Assistant Director of American Business College from 1976 to 1981. Additionally, between 1999 and 2003, and again starting in July 2008 to the present, Ms. Wilson has served as a Commissioner for ACCSCT. Ms. Wilson earned a Master’s of Business Administration from National University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State College, Sonoma.

William B. Buchanan became our Executive Vice President of Marketing in July 2004. From 2003 to 2004, Mr. Buchanan was employed by Greenpoint Mortgage, where he directed all retail marketing, with responsibility for direct marketing, internet marketing, advertising and branch marketing. From 1995 to 2002, Mr. Buchanan was employed by Providian Financial Corporation where he progressed through several senior marketing roles, including Vice President of Platinum Marketing, Senior Vice President of New Account Business, and Executive Vice President of New Channel and Product Development. Mr. Buchanan received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley.

Mark L. Pelesh became our Executive Vice President for Legislative and Regulatory Affairs in September 2003. Prior to joining our company, he was a partner in the firm of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP in Washington, DC, where he was the head of the Education Law Group. His practice focused on federal and state laws and regulations and private accreditation requirements affecting postsecondary educational institutions. Prior to joining Drinker Biddle & Reath, Mr. Pelesh was a partner and associate in the firm of Cohn and Marks and an associate in the firm of Arnold & Porter, both of which are in Washington, DC. Mr. Pelesh received a Juris Doctorate degree from the Yale Law School in 1978 and a Bachelor of Arts degree with distinction and honors in History from Stanford University in 1975.

Stan A. Mortensen has served as our Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary since May 2009. Prior to his appointment as Executive Vice President, Mr. Mortensen served as our Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary from August 2002, and as Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary starting in January 2000. Prior to that time, Mr. Mortensen was an attorney at the law firm of O’Melveny & Myers LLP from 1997 through 1999, where his practice focused on securities law, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, and general corporate matters. From 1994 through 1996, Mr. Mortensen was an attorney at the law firm of Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi, where his practice focused on commercial litigation. Mr. Mortensen received a Juris Doctorate and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Brigham Young University.

Robert C. Owen has served as our Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer since February 2005. He joined Corinthian in 2004 as Vice President and Controller, and has more than 20 years experience in industry and public accounting. Previously, he served as Vice President, Controller for Princess Cruise Lines and as Assistant Controller for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Mr. Owen began his career at Deloitte & Touche, where he spent 11 years in successively responsible positions, both in the U.S. and Canada. Mr. Owen earned a B.B.A. degree in accounting from Florida Atlantic University. He obtained his license as a Certified Public Accountant in Florida in 1985 and as a Chartered Accountant in Ontario, Canada in 1994.

David A. Poldoian joined the Company in November 2004, as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Online Learning division. In January 2008, he was appointed Chief Business Development Officer. Prior to joining Corinthian, Mr. Poldoian spent nine years with the Anheuser-Busch Companies beginning in 1995, initially serving as President of its Eagle Snacks, Inc. division and later reporting directly to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Poldoian was Vice President and Partner with Bain & Company, a strategic consulting firm, from 1986 to 1995. Mr. Poldoian completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at Tufts University, and earned a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School.

 

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GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS AND FINANCIAL AID

U.S. Regulations

Students attending our schools in the U.S. finance their education through a combination of family contributions, individual resources (including earnings from full or part-time employment), federal financial aid programs, and loans from the Company or third parties.

In connection with the receipt of federal financial aid by our students, we are subject to extensive regulation by governmental agencies and licensing and accrediting agencies. In particular, the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (the “HEA”), and the regulations issued thereunder by the Department of Education (“ED”), subject us to significant regulatory scrutiny in the form of numerous standards that schools must satisfy in order to participate in the various federal financial aid programs under Title IV of the HEA (“Title IV”). Under the HEA, regulatory authority is divided among each of the following components: (i) the federal government, which acts through the ED; (ii) the accrediting agencies recognized by the ED; and (iii) state higher education regulatory bodies. Among other things, the HEA and ED regulations require each of our U.S. institutions to: (i) maintain a rate of default by its students on federally guaranteed loans that are below a specified rate; (ii) limit the proportion of its revenue (on a cash basis) derived from the Title IV programs; (iii) comply with certain financial responsibility and administrative capability standards; (iv) prohibit the payment of certain incentives to personnel engaged in student recruiting, admissions activities or the award of financial aid; and (v) achieve prescribed completion and placement outcomes for short-term programs. The regulations, standards and policies of the regulatory agencies frequently change, and changes in, or new interpretations of, applicable laws, regulations or standards could have material consequences for our accreditation, authorization to operate in various states, permissible activities, receipt of funds under Title IV programs and costs of doing business.

The HEA is required to be reauthorized on a periodic basis, which most recently occurred in August 2008. The 2008 reauthorization of the HEA, called the Higher Education Opportunity Act (“HEOA”), made significant changes to the requirements governing the Title IV Programs, including changes that, among other things:

 

   

revised the calculation of “cohort default rates” regarding federally guaranteed student loans and the threshold rate at which sanctions will be imposed against an institution;

 

   

adjusted the types of revenue that an institution is deemed to have derived from Title IV Programs for purposes of complying with the “90/10 Rule,” and modified the sanctions imposed on an institution that derives too much revenue from Title IV Programs;

 

   

Increased the annual maximum amount and availability of Pell grants;

 

   

regulated the relationship between institutions and lenders that make education loans;

 

   

increased the type and amount of information that an institution must disclose to current and prospective students and the public; and

 

   

increased the types of policies and practices that an institution must adopt and follow.

In addition, the U.S. Congress can change the laws affecting Title IV Programs in the annual federal appropriations bills and other laws it enacts between the HEA reauthorizations. In May 2008, the U.S. Congress enacted the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008 (“Continued Access Act”) which, among other things:

 

   

increased the annual and total amount of certain Title IV Program loans that students can receive;

 

   

expanded student eligibility for, and potentially increased the amount of funds available to fund grants under, certain Title IV Programs; and

 

   

expanded parent eligibility and created payment deferment options for parent loans under the Title IV Programs.

In February 2009, the U.S. Congress enacted the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (“American Recovery Act”) which, among other things, further increased the annual amount of funds available to fund grants under the Pell program.

We estimate that during fiscal 2009 approximately 85% of our students in the U.S. received some federal Title IV financial aid. For fiscal 2009, approximately 88.9% of our net U.S. revenues (on a cash basis) were derived from federal Title IV programs. For purposes of calculating compliance with the 90/10 Rule under the HEOA, an institution is permitted, for a limited period of time, to (i) count as non-Title IV program revenue the additional $2,000 of Stafford loans that became available starting in July 2008 under the Continued Access Act, and (ii) include more revenue derived from non-Title IV Programs, such as revenue from institutional loans under certain circumstances. The ability of institutions to count the additional $2,000 of Stafford loans as non-Title IV revenue expires on July 1, 2011; the ability of institutions to count institutional loans as non-Title IV revenue expires July 1, 2012. Under these modified 90/10 calculations for the 2009 fiscal year, the Company derived approximately 81.3% of its net U.S. revenue (on a cash basis) from Title IV Programs.

If any of our institutions were to lose its eligibility to participate in federal student financial aid programs, the students at that institution would lose access to funds derived from those programs and would have to seek alternative sources of funds to pay their tuition and fees. Students in the U.S. obtain access to federal student financial aid through an ED-prescribed application and eligibility certification process. Student financial aid funds are generally made available to students at prescribed intervals throughout their predetermined expected length of study. Students typically use the funds received from the federal financial aid programs to pay their tuition and fees. The transfer of funds from the financial aid programs is to the students, who then apply those funds to the cost of their education. The receipt of funds from federal financial aid programs reduces the students’ amount due to the institution, but does not affect the Company’s revenue recognition.

The ED regulations define an institution as a main campus and its additional locations, if any. As defined by the ED, our main campuses that have additional locations in the U.S. are as follows:

 

Main Campus(1)

  

Additional Locations

Everest College, Seattle, WA   

Everest College, Fife, WA

Everest College, Vancouver, WA

Everest College, Tigard, OR

Everest College, Alhambra, CA    Everest Institute, Chelsea, MA
Everest College, Bremerton, WA   

Everest College, Everett, WA

Everest College, Tacoma, WA

Everest College, St. Louis, MO

 

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Main Campus(1)

  

Additional Locations

Everest College, Colorado Springs, CO    Everest College, McLean, VA
Everest College, Gardena, CA    Everest Institute, Norcross, GA
Everest College, Ontario, CA   

Everest Institute, Columbus, OH

Everest Institute, Jonesboro, GA

Everest College, Phoenix, AZ    Everest College, Mesa, AZ
Everest College, Portland, OR   

Everest College, Vancouver, WA

Everest College, Dallas, TX

Everest Institute, Silver Springs, MD

Everest College, Renton, WA   

Everest College, Lynnwood, WA

Everest Institute, Houston (Bissonnet), TX

Everest College, Reseda, CA    Everest Institute, Marietta, GA
Everest College, Salt Lake City, UT    Everest College, Fort Worth, TX
Everest College, San Francisco, CA    Everest College, Chicago, IL
Everest College, Skokie, IL    Everest College, Burr Ridge, IL
Everest College, Springfield, MO    Everest College, Ontario Metro, CA
Everest College, Thornton, CO   

Everest College, Aurora, CO

Everest College, Arlington, VA

Everest Institute, Brighton, MA    Everest College, North Aurora, IL
Everest Institute, Cross Lanes, WV   

Everest Institute, Dekalb, GA

Everest Institute, Eagan, MN

Everest Institute, Grand Rapids, MI   

Everest Institute, Kalamazoo, MI

Everest College, Merrillville, IN

Everest Institute, Kendall, FL    Everest Institute, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Everest Institute, Miami, FL    Everest Institute, Hialeah, FL
Everest Institute, Newport News, VA    Everest Institute, Chesapeake, VA
Everest Institute, Rochester, NY    Everest College, Arlington (Mid-Cities), TX
Everest Institute, San Antonio, TX   

Everest Institute, Houston (Greenspoint), TX

Everest Institute, Houston (Hobby), TX

Everest Institute, Southfield, MI   

Everest Institute, South Plainfield, NJ

Everest Institute, Dearborn, MI

Everest Institute, Detroit, MI

Everest Institute, Austin, TX

Everest University, Largo, FL   

Everest University, Lakeland, FL

Everest University, Jacksonville, FL

Everest University, Orlando (North), FL   

Everest University, Melbourne, FL

Everest University, Orlando (South), FL

Everest University, Pompano Beach, FL    Everest College, Merrionette Park, IL
Everest University, Tampa, FL   

Everest University, Brandon, FL

Everest University, Orange Park, FL

WyoTech, Fremont, CA    WyoTech, Oakland, CA
WyoTech, Laramie, WY   

WyoTech, Blairsville, PA

WyoTech, Sacramento, CA

WyoTech, Long Beach, CA   

Everest College, City of Industry, CA

Everest College, West Los Angeles, CA

 

(1) The above list includes only those main campuses which have one or more branch locations.

 

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Accreditation for U.S. Schools

Accreditation is a voluntary non-governmental process by which institutions submit themselves to qualitative review by an organization of peer institutions. There are three types of accrediting agencies: (i) national accrediting agencies, which accredit institutions without regard to geographical location; (ii) regional accrediting agencies, which accredit institutions within their geographic areas; and (iii) programmatic accrediting agencies, which accredit specific educational programs offered by institutions. Accrediting agencies primarily examine the academic quality of the instructional programs offered at the institution, including retention and placement rates. Accrediting agencies also review the administrative and financial operations of the institution to ensure that it has the academic and financial resources to achieve its educational mission. A grant of accreditation is generally viewed as certification that an institution and its programs meet generally accepted academic standards.

Pursuant to provisions of the HEA, the ED relies on accrediting agencies to determine whether an institution and its educational programs are of sufficient quality to permit it to participate in Title IV Programs. The HEA specifies certain standards that all recognized accrediting agencies must adopt in connection with their review of post-secondary institutions and requires accrediting agencies to submit to a periodic review by the ED as a condition of their continued recognition. All of our colleges located within the U.S. are accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the ED as depicted in the table below:

 

Accrediting Agency

   Number of
Schools
Accredited
   % of
Total
Schools
 

Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSCT)

   43    48

Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)

   39    44

Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET)

   5    6

Higher Learning Commission of North Central Association of Schools and Colleges (HLC\NCA)

   2    2
           

Total U.S. Schools

   89    100
           

The HEA requires accrediting agencies recognized by the ED to review many aspects of an institution’s operations in order to ensure that the education or training offered is of sufficient quality to achieve, for the duration of the accreditation period, the stated objectives of the education or training offered. Under the HEA, recognized accrediting agencies must conduct regular reviews of the institutions they accredit. In addition to periodic accreditation reviews, institutions undergoing a change of ownership must be reviewed by the appropriate accrediting agency. All of our colleges in the U.S. have been visited and reviewed by their respective accrediting agencies subsequent to the date of acquisition by us. Accrediting agencies also monitor institutions’ compliance during the term of their accreditation. If an accrediting agency believes that an institution may be out of compliance with accrediting standards, it may place the institution on probation or a similar warning status or direct the institution to show cause why its accreditation should not be revoked. An accrediting agency may also require the institution to supply it with supplemental reports in order for the agency to monitor one or more specific areas of the institution’s performance, typically completion or graduate placement outcomes. This is commonly referred to as being on “reporting” status. Failure to demonstrate compliance with accrediting standards in any of these instances could result in loss of accreditation. Being on probation, show cause, or reporting status may cause an accreditor to deny an institution permission, or otherwise delay approval, to open and commence instruction at new locations or to add new programs.

Probation and Show Cause Orders. An accrediting agency probation or show cause order may be issued based upon the agency’s concerns that an accredited institution may be out of compliance with one or more accrediting standards. Probation or show cause orders afford the institution the opportunity to respond before the institution loses accreditation. The institution may demonstrate that the concern is unfounded, that it has taken corrective action to resolve the concern, or that it has implemented an ongoing plan of action which is deemed appropriate to resolve the concern. The accrediting agency may then vacate the probation or show cause order, continue the probation or show cause order or seek additional information through reports required of the institution. If the agency’s concerns are not resolved, it may act to withdraw accreditation from the institution. Institutions on probation or under show cause orders remain accredited while they are on probation. The institutions can continue to enroll new students, and students at the affected institutions remain eligible to receive federal student financial aid.

In a letter received from ACCSCT dated March 7, 2008, the Company was informed of a show cause action regarding our Everest College in San Jose, CA. In letters received from ACCSCT dated June 8, 2008, September 15, 2008, and March 11, 2009, San Jose was continued on show cause. In a letter dated August 13, 2009, from ACCSCT the Company was informed that it had voted to vacate the show cause order and grant Everest College, San Jose renewal of accreditation for a period of five years going forward from January 2008.

        On May 1, 2009, the Company received notification from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (“HLC”) that the Company’s Everest College-Phoenix campus (including its branch campus in Mesa, Arizona and its online operations) had been placed on probation. At June 30, 2009, the combined enrollment for these operations was 4,381 students and combined revenue was approximately 5.1% of the Company’s total net revenues from continuing operations for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009. The probation action appears to be primarily related to questions about the institution’s autonomy as it relates to Corinthian’s ownership and control of the institution. The institution has recently made numerous changes to its governance and structure to comply with HLC’s accreditation criteria and is committed to continuing this process to resolve HLC’s concerns. HLC indicated that the probationary process is a period during which it will verify that these changes have, in fact, occurred and effectively meet HLC’s standards. If the problems have been addressed and the institution otherwise meets HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation, the probation will be removed at HLC’s October 2010 meeting. Although the Company cannot predict the outcome of this matter with certainty, it is confident it will be able to satisfy HLC’s accreditation criteria. However, since accreditation is required for an institution to be eligible to participate in the federal student financial aid programs, the failure by Everest College - Phoenix to satisfactorily resolve its probation with HLC could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operation and financial condition.

 

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Supplemental Reports. As of June 30, 2009, fourteen of our colleges were on reporting to their respective accrediting agencies, primarily with respect to the completion, retention, and/or placement rates of their students. In certain of these cases, the periodic supplemental reports are required only with respect to particular programs at an institution, and not to the institution’s overall completion or placement rates. We are working to improve these retention and placement rates in the identified programs at these schools.

Federal Support for Post-Secondary Education in the U.S.

The federal government provides substantial support for post-secondary education through grants and loans to students who can apply the funds received to pay for their educational costs at any institution certified by the ED as eligible to participate in the federally funded student financial aid programs. Since 1972, Congress has expanded the scope of the HEA by, among other things, (i) providing that students attending proprietary institutions, such as our institutions, are eligible for assistance under the Title IV Programs, (ii) establishing a program for loans to parents of eligible students, (iii) opening the Title IV Programs to part-time students, and (iv) increasing maximum loan limits and in some cases eliminating the requirement that students demonstrate financial need to obtain federally guaranteed loans. The Federal Direct Loan Program (“FDL”) was also enacted, enabling students to obtain loans directly from the federal government rather than from commercial lenders.

Congress must reauthorize the student financial assistance programs of the HEA approximately every five to six years. On July 31, 2008, Congress passed the HEOA, which reauthorized and made numerous changes to the HEA and its programs. President Bush signed the HEOA on August 14, 2008. The HEA, as reauthorized and amended by the HEOA, continues the access of our institutions and students to Title IV funds. In addition, changes made to the HEA will affect how our institutions comply with the requirement that they receive a certain proportion of their revenue from other than the Title IV programs and with the cohort default rate requirement. Prior to the enactment of the HEOA, changes made by Congress have expanded the access of our students and institutions to Title IV funds by increasing loan limits for first and second year students and lifting restrictions on on-line education programs and students.

Students at our U.S. institutions receive grants, loans and work opportunities to fund their education under several of the Title IV Programs, of which the two largest are the Federal Family Education Loan (“FFEL”) program and the Federal Pell Grant (“Pell”) program. Our institutions also participate in the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (“FSEOG”) program, and some of them participate in the Federal Perkins loan program and the Federal Work-Study (“FWS”) program.

Most aid under the Title IV Programs is awarded on the basis of financial need, generally defined under the HEA as the difference between the cost of attending an educational institution and the amount a student can reasonably contribute to that cost. All recipients of Title IV Program funds must maintain both a satisfactory grade point average and progress in a timely manner toward completion of their program of study.

Pell. Pell grants are the primary component of the Title IV Programs under which the ED makes grants to students who demonstrate financial need. Every eligible student is entitled to receive a Pell grant; there is no institutional allocation or limit. For the 2008-2009 award year, the maximum Pell grant increased to $4,731. Amounts received by students enrolled in our institutions in the 2008-2009 award year under the Pell program equaled approximately 23.3% of our U.S. net revenue (on a cash basis). Effective July 1, 2009, the maximum Pell grant increased to $5,350.

 

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FSEOG. FSEOG awards are designed to supplement Pell grants for the neediest students. FSEOG grants generally range in amount from $100 to $4,000 per year; however, the availability of FSEOG awards is limited by the amount of those funds allocated to an institution under a formula that takes into account the size of the institution, its costs and the income levels of its students. We are required to make a 25% contribution to students for all FSEOG awards disbursed. Resources for this institutional contribution may include institutional grants, scholarships and other eligible funds (i.e., funds from foundations and other charitable organizations) and, in certain states, portions of state scholarships and grants. During the 2008-2009 award year, our contribution was met by approximately $2.33 million in funds from our institutions, funds from state scholarships and grants, and funds from foundations and other charitable organizations. Amounts received by students in our institutions under the federal share (including the FSEOG match) of the FSEOG programs in the 2008-2009 award year equaled approximately 0.8% of our U.S. net revenue (on a cash basis).

FFEL AND FDL. The FFEL program consists of Stafford Loans, which are subsidized (government pays the interest while the student is in school and during a six-month grace period) and unsubsidized, and PLUS loans, which are made available to parents of students classified as dependents. Under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (“FDL”) program, students may obtain loans directly from the ED rather than commercial lenders. The conditions on FDL loans are generally the same as on loans made under the FFEL program. Under the Stafford Loan program, during fiscal years 2008 and 2009, students may borrow up to $3,500 for the first academic year, $4,500 for the second academic year and, in some educational programs, $5,500 for each of the third and fourth academic years in subsidized loans. PLUS loans may be obtained by the parents of a dependent student in an amount not to exceed the difference between the total cost of that student’s education (including allowable expenses) and other aid to which that student is entitled. Students who are classified as independent, and dependent students whose parents are unable to obtain PLUS loans, can increase their borrowing limits and receive additional unsubsidized Stafford loans. During fiscal years 2008 and 2009, students could obtain an additional $4,000 in unsubsidized loans for each of the first and second academic years and, depending upon the educational program, an additional $5,000 for each of the third and fourth academic years. Effective July 1, 2008, such students may obtain an additional $6,000 in unsubsidized loans for each of the first and second academic years, and an additional $7,000 for subsequent academic years. The obligation to begin repaying Stafford loans does not commence until six months after a student ceases enrollment as at least a half-time student. Amounts received by students in our institutions under the Stafford program in the 2008-2009 award year equaled approximately 60.7% of our U.S. net revenue (on a cash basis). Amounts received by students in our institutions under the PLUS program in the 2008-2009 award year equaled approximately 3.9% of our U.S. net revenue (on a cash basis).

Our schools and their students use a wide variety of lenders and guaranty agencies and have generally not experienced difficulties in identifying lenders and guaranty agencies willing to make federal student loans. However, Congress has made changes to the terms and conditions under which lenders participate in the Title IV loan programs and make alternative private loans. These changes, as well as conditions in the credit markets, could affect the willingness of lenders to participate in the FFEL program and the availability of loans to our students to finance their education and their ability to pay our tuition and fees. Negative credit market conditions have already negatively affected the willingness of lenders to make alternative private loans to our students.

Perkins. Eligible undergraduate students may borrow up to $4,000 under the Perkins program during each award year, with repayment delayed until nine months after the borrower ceases to be enrolled on at least a half-time basis. Perkins loans are made available to those students who demonstrate a financial need. Perkins loans are made from a revolving account, 75% of which was initially capitalized by the ED. Subsequent federal capital contributions, with an institutional contribution of one-third of the federal contribution, may be received if an institution meets certain requirements. Each institution collects payments on Perkins loans from its former students and loans those funds to currently enrolled students. Collection and disbursement of Perkins loans is the responsibility of each participating institution. During the 2008-2009 award year, we collected approximately $2.7 million from our former students in repayment of Perkins loans. In the 2008-2009 award year, we had no required matching contribution. The Perkins loans disbursed to students in our institutions in the 2008-2009 award year equaled approximately 0.2% of our U.S. net revenue (on a cash basis). Congress is currently considering legislative proposals to make major changes to the Perkins program. We cannot predict whether these proposals will be enacted and if they will be beneficial to our students.

FWS. Under the FWS program, federal funds are made available to pay up to 75% of the cost of compensation for part-time employment of eligible students, based on their financial need, to perform work for the institution or for off-campus public or non-profit organizations. At least 7% of an institution’s FWS allocation must be used to fund student employment in community service positions. FWS earnings are given directly to the student for their own discretionary use.

Federal Oversight of the Title IV Programs in the U.S.

The substantial amount of federal funds disbursed through the Title IV Programs, coupled with the large numbers of students and institutions participating in those programs, have led the U.S. Congress to require the ED to engage in a substantial level of regulatory oversight of institutions to ensure that public funds are properly used. Each institution which participates in the Title IV Programs must annually submit to the ED both an audit by an independent accounting firm of that institution’s compliance with the Title IV Program requirements, and audited financial statements. The ED also conducts

 

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compliance reviews, which include on-site evaluations, and directs student loan guaranty agencies to conduct additional reviews relating to the FFEL programs. In addition, the Office of the Inspector General of the ED conducts audits and investigations of institutions in certain circumstances. Under the HEA, accrediting agencies and state licensing agencies also have responsibilities for overseeing institutions’ compliance with Title IV Program requirements. As a result, each participating institution, including each of our U.S. institutions, is subject to frequent and detailed oversight and must comply with a complex framework of laws and regulations or risk being required to repay funds or becoming ineligible to participate in the Title IV Programs. In addition, the ED periodically revises its regulations and changes its interpretation of existing laws and regulations. ED is currently considering proposed changes to its regulations as a result of the HEOA. It has also recently announced its intention to review certain of its existing regulations to ensure the integrity of the Title IV programs.

Cohort Default Rates. A significant requirement imposed by Congress is a limitation on participation in the Title IV Programs by institutions whose former students defaulted on the repayment of federally guaranteed or funded student loans at an “excessive” rate (“Cohort Default Rates”). Many institutions, including all of our institutions within the U.S., have responded by implementing aggressive student loan default management programs aimed at reducing the likelihood of students failing to repay their federally guaranteed loans in a timely manner. Currently, an institution’s Cohort Default Rates under the FFEL and FDL programs are calculated on an annual basis as the rate at which student borrowers scheduled to begin repayment on their loans in one federal fiscal year default on those loans by the end of the next federal fiscal year. Under the HEOA a separate calculation will be performed that will add an additional federal fiscal year of borrowers’ repayment performance. An institution that participates in both the FFEL and FDL programs receives a single “weighted average” Cohort Default Rate in place of an FFEL or FDL Cohort Default Rate. Any institution whose Cohort Default Rate equals or exceeds 25% for any one of the three most recent federal fiscal years under the current method of calculation may be found by the ED to lack administrative capability, and on that basis, placed on provisional certification status for up to three years. Provisional certification status does not limit an institution’s access to Title IV Program funds but does subject that institution to closer review by the ED and possible summary adverse action if that institution commits violations of the Title IV Program requirements. Provisional certification may also impede an institution’s ability to grow by limiting its ability to add new programs and locations. Any institution whose Cohort Default Rates equal or exceed 25% for three consecutive years under the current calculation may lose eligibility to participate in the FFEL or FDL and the Pell grant programs for the remainder of the federal fiscal year in which the ED determines that such institution has lost its eligibility and for the two subsequent federal fiscal years. Pursuant to the HEOA, this percentage will increase to 30% after three years of Cohort Default Rates calculated with the additional federal fiscal year are available, and then become applicable to the imposition of sanctions. In addition, an institution whose Cohort Default Rate for any federal fiscal year exceeds 40% may have its eligibility to participate in the FFEL or FDL programs limited, suspended or terminated. Since the calculation of Cohort Default Rates involves the collection of data from many non-governmental agencies (i.e., lenders, private guarantors or servicers), as well as the ED, the HEA provides a formal process for the review and appeal of the accuracy of Cohort Default Rates before the ED takes any action against an institution based on such rates.

We monitor our students’ repayment obligations and have engaged a professional default management firm to assist us in managing the Cohort Default Rates at our U.S. institutions. We believe that professional default management services can continue to assist us in managing these Cohort Default Rates.

 

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The following table sets forth the final Cohort Default Rates for our institutions included within total operations of the Company as of June 30, 2009 in the U.S. for federal fiscal years 2006, 2005 and 2004, and the draft rates for 2007:

 

Institution

  2007(2)     2006     2005     2004  

Everest College, Seattle, WA (Fife and Vancouver, WA, and Tigard, OR) (1)

  10.5   9.0   5.3   5.3

Everest College, Alhambra, CA (Everest Institute, Chelsea, MA) (1)

  14.0   12.2   10.2   11.8

Everest College, Anaheim, CA

  9.9   9.6   7.7   8.5

Everest College, Colorado Springs, CO (McLean, VA) (1)

  16.1   12.5   11.3   8.6

Everest College, Gardena, CA (Everest Institute, Norcross, GA) (1)

  18.3   14.1   10.5   10.2

Everest College, Hayward, CA (combined with former New Orleans, LA Campus) (1)

  14.7   16.1   8.4   8.9

Everest College, Henderson, NV (1), (3)

  15.7   16.2   13.0   16.3

Everest College, Los Angeles, CA

  17.0   15.0   17.7   5.4

Everest College, Ontario, CA (Columbus, OH and Jonesboro, GA)

  13.3   16.6   12.1   6.7

Everest College, Phoenix, AZ (Mesa, AZ)

  13.3   10.5   13.2   9.5

Everest College, Bremerton, WA (Everett, and Tacoma, WA and St. Louis, MO) (1)

  13.5   12.4   9.6   9.0

Everest College, Portland, OR (Vancouver, WA, and Dallas, TX; Everest Institute, Silver Spring, MD) (1)

  18.9   15.0   14.5   13.5

Everest College, Renton, WA (Lynnwood, WA; Everest Institute, Bissonnet, TX) (1)

  17.0   12.4   6.4   7.4

Everest College, Reseda, CA (Marietta, GA)

  12.0   17.4   9.6   8.4

Everest College, Salt Lake City, UT (Fort Worth, TX)

  17.9   12.0   14.9   16.4

Everest College, San Bernardino, CA

  20.1   13.8   14.2   13.0

Everest College, San Francisco, CA (Chicago, IL) (1)

  15.6   12.5   11.3   9.4

Everest College, San Jose, CA

  10.2   12.8   10.5   12.5

Everest College, Skokie, IL (Burr Ridge, IL) (1)

  11.9   9.5   8.4   9.4

Everest College, Springfield, MO (Ontario Metro, CA) (1)

  17.2   16.9   15.0   12.6

Everest College, Thornton, CO (Aurora, CO, and Arlington, VA) (1)

  19.9   17.0   14.4   14.3

Everest College, Torrance, CA

  12.4   11.3   6.1   8.6

Everest Institute, Brighton, MA (Everest College, North Aurora, IL)

  13.5   10.1   12.5   9.2

Everest Institute, Cross Lanes, WV (Dekalb, GA and Eagan, MN) (1)

  15.0   15.5   13.7   15.4

Everest Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, (Kalamazoo, MI, and Everest College, Merrillville, IN) (1)

  12.8   9.8   8.6   8.3

Everest Institute, Kendall, FL (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) (1)

  20.4   13.6   4.0   11.8

Everest Institute, Miami, FL (Hialeah, FL) (1)

  18.3   13.0   4.5   12.9

Everest Institute, Newport News, VA (Chesapeake, VA) (1)

  14.6   15.7   13.6   14.1

Everest Institute, Pittsburgh, PA

  20.1   16.9   15.3   11.7

Everest Institute, Rochester, NY (Everest College, Arlington (Mid Cities), TX) (1)

  21.7   17.6   15.9   13.2

Everest Institute, San Antonio, TX (Greenspoint, and Hobby, TX) (1)

  22.6   18.9   7.8   17.5

Everest Institute, Southfield, MI (Dearborn and Detroit, MI, Austin, TX, and South Plainfield, NJ) (1)

  18.7   15.3   14.8   14.5

Everest University, Largo, FL (Lakeland and Jacksonville, FL) (1)

  18.9   12.4   10.2   11.4

Everest University, Orlando (North), FL (Orlando (South), and Melbourne, FL) (1)

  13.5   8.4   8.3   12.4

Everest University, Pompano Beach, FL (Everest College, Merrionette Park, IL)

  12.3   5.8   3.1   9.9

Everest University, Tampa, FL (Brandon and Orange Park, FL) (1)

  12.4   9.7   11.4   13.3

WyoTech, Daytona Beach, FL

  7.0   6.6   7.8   14.3

WyoTech, Fremont, CA (Oakland, CA) (1)

  14.0   11.8   11.6   14.2

WyoTech, Laramie, WY (Sacramento, CA and Blairsville, PA) (1)

  5.1   3.5   2.5   3.7

WyoTech, Long Beach, CA (Everest College, West Los Angeles and City of Industry, CA) (1)

  17.4   15.9   16.6   13.6

Consolidated Average Cohort Default Rate

  15.2   12.8   10.5   11.6

 

(1) Indicates additional locations wherein the Cohort Default Rates are blended with the main campus.
(2) Rates are based on the draft Cohort Default Rates issued in February 2009, and are subject to change when final rates are calculated.
(3) Las Vegas College changed to Everest College effective August 10, 2009

Generally ED publishes draft cohort default rates in February of each year for the repayment period that ended the prior September 30. The preliminary rates are subject to review by the institution, after which the DOE publishes final cohort default rates in the following September. On that schedule, the Company expects ED to publish draft cohort default rates for the students who entered repayment between October 1, 2007 and September 30, 2008 (the “2008 Cohort”) in February 2010. The Company monitors on an ongoing basis the preliminary data about cohorts which are in the process of repayment.

Although the draft cohort default rates for the 2008 Cohort are not yet available, the Company has received preliminary data from its guaranty agencies about defaults that have already occurred. This data shows the negative impact of the ongoing recession on the 2008 Cohort. Given the data the Company has received thus far, we expect some of our institutions to exceed the 25% limitation for the 2008 Cohort, but we do not expect the affected schools to exceed the threshold for three consecutive years.

In addition, if an institution’s Cohort Default Rate for loans under the Perkins program exceeds 15% for any federal award year (i.e., July 1 through June 30), that institution may be placed on provisional certification status for up to three years. Twelve of our institutions have Perkins program Cohort Default Rates in excess of 15% for students who were scheduled to begin repayment in the 2007/2008 federal award year, the most recent year for which such rates have been calculated. Of the twelve, only two have provisional certification status, of which only one was due to a high Perkins Cohort Default Rate. During fiscal 2009, Perkins loans amounted to a very small percentage of the total cash revenues of the corporation but were still a useful funding source for those schools that participate and make use of those funds. The Perkins program Cohort Default Rates for these institutions generally range from less than 10% to the mid-fifties. Historically, provisional certification due to excessive Perkins program Cohort Default Rates has not had a material adverse effect on our business.

In addition to the efforts of our outside professional default management firm, each of our campuses has adopted an internal student loan default management plan. Those plans emphasize to students the importance of meeting loan repayment requirements and provide for extensive loan counseling, along with methods to increase student persistence and completion rates and graduate employment (placement) rates. The professional default management firm initiates regular contact with the

 

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student upon receipt of delinquency notification from the guarantee agencies and continues this activity through the entire cohort period. The colleges continue to work with the default management firm to maintain accurate and up-to-date information on address changes, marital status changes, or changes in circumstance that may allow the student to apply for deferments. These activities are all in addition to the loan servicing and collection activities of FFEL lenders and guarantee agencies.

Regulatory Oversight. The HEA provides for a three-part regulatory framework, generally referred to as the Triad, to provide regulatory oversight of post-secondary education institutions. The first part of the Triad consists of accrediting agencies which review and accredit our campuses. Their examinations pertain to such areas as student achievement, curriculum, faculty, facilities, equipment, admissions, financial responsibility and timeliness of student refunds. The Triad provisions also require each accrediting agency recognized by the ED to undergo comprehensive periodic reviews by the ED to ascertain whether such accrediting agency is adhering to required standards.

The second part of the Triad involves the standards to be applied by the ED in evaluating the financial responsibility and administrative capability of institutions participating in the Title IV Programs. In addition, the Triad mandates that the ED periodically review the eligibility and certification to participate in the Title IV Programs of every such eligible institution. By law, all institutions are required to undergo a recertification review at least every six years, although the ED may recertify an institution for a shorter time period. Under these standards, each of our institutions is evaluated by the ED on a routine basis. A denial of recertification would preclude an institution from continuing to participate in the Title IV Programs.

The third part of the Triad involves approvals by state education agencies with jurisdiction over educational institutions. State requirements are important to an institution’s eligibility to participate in the Title IV Programs since an institution must be licensed or otherwise authorized to operate in the state in which it offers education in order to be certified as eligible. The level of regulatory oversight varies substantially from state to state. State laws establish standards for instruction, qualifications of faculty, location and nature of facilities, financial policies and responsibility and other operational matters. State laws and regulations may limit our ability to obtain authorization to operate in certain states, to award degrees or diplomas, or offer new degree programs. Certain states prescribe standards of financial responsibility that are different from those prescribed by the ED. We believe that each of our campuses is in substantial compliance with state authorizing and licensure laws.

Compliance with Regulatory Standards and Effect of Regulatory Violations. Our schools are subject to audits and program compliance reviews by various external agencies, including the ED, state authorizing agencies, student loan guaranty agencies and accrediting agencies. The HEA and its implementing regulations also require that an institution’s administration of Title IV Program funds be audited annually by an independent accounting firm. The resulting audit report must be submitted to the ED for review. If the ED or another regulatory agency determined that one of our institutions improperly disbursed Title IV Program funds or violated a provision of the HEA or the ED’s regulations, that institution could be required to repay such funds, and could be assessed an administrative fine. The ED could also subject the institution to a heightened level of monitoring, under which the institution’s federal funding requests would be more carefully reviewed by the ED, or the ED could transfer the institution from the advance system of receiving Title IV Program funds to the reimbursement system, under which an institution must document the students’ eligibility for Title IV Program funds before receiving such funds from the ED. Violations of Title IV Program requirements could also subject us or our schools to other civil and criminal penalties.

From time to time certain of our institutions have been the subject of program reviews by ED. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 and the first quarter of fiscal 2009, our campuses in Fremont, CA, Reseda, CA, Tampa, FL (including its additional locations in Orange Park and Brandon, FL and its online operations), and Gardena, CA, and the online operations of the Phoenix campus, located in Tempe, AZ, were the subject of ED program reviews. We have received Final Determination Letters regarding ED’s program review at the Reseda, CA campus, the Gardena, CA campus, the Tampa campuses and the Tampa online operations, all of which contained no material adverse findings and imposed no fines, penalties, or other liabilities. We are continuing to cooperate with all of the outstanding reviews. Program reviews may often be unresolved for several months or years with little or no communication from ED. We do not believe that any of our currently pending program reviews with the ED are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. However, if the ED were to make significant findings of non-compliance by any of our schools in any ongoing or future program review, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

ED’s Office of the Inspector General (the “OIG”) is also conducting an audit of our Everest Institute in Brighton, MA, to determine whether agreements between the institution and lenders for the period of July 1, 2007 through March 31, 2009 were in compliance with the HEA. We are cooperating with the OIG’s audit.

Significant violations of Title IV Program requirements by us or any of our institutions could be the basis for a proceeding by the ED to limit, suspend, or terminate the participation of the affected institution in the Title IV Programs. Generally, such a termination extends for 18 months before the institution may apply for reinstatement of its participation. There is no proceeding pending to fine any of our institutions or to limit, suspend, or terminate any of our institutions’ participation in the Title IV Programs, and we have no reason to believe that any such proceeding is contemplated. Any such action that substantially limited our schools’ participation in the Title IV Programs could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows, and financial condition.

 

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Financial Responsibility Standards. All institutions participating in the Title IV Programs must satisfy a series of specific standards of financial responsibility. Institutions are evaluated for compliance with those requirements in several circumstances, including as part of the ED’s recertification process and also annually as each institution submits its audited financial statements to the ED. As part of the evaluation of an institution’s financial responsibility, the ED calculates three financial ratios for an institution: an equity ratio, a primary reserve ratio, and a net income ratio. Each ratio is scored separately and then combined to determine the institution’s financial responsibility. If an institution’s composite score is below the minimum requirement for unconditional approval (which is a score of 1.5) but within a designated threshold level (the “Zone,” which is 1.0 to 1.4), such institution may take advantage of an alternative that allows it to continue to participate in the Title IV Programs for up to three years under additional monitoring and reporting procedures but without having to post a letter of credit in favor of the ED. If an institution’s composite score falls below the minimum threshold level of 1.0 or is in the Zone for more than three consecutive years, the institution may be required to post a letter of credit in favor of the ED.

For fiscal 2009, our calculations reflect that all of our schools exceed the requirements for financial responsibility on an individual basis, with composite scores ranging from 1.5 to 3.0. For purposes of performing such calculations on an individual school basis, the Company makes certain allocations of corporate cash to the individual campuses. Also, our Company, on a consolidated basis, meets the requirements with the composite score of 2.6.

An institution that is determined by the ED not to have met the standards of financial responsibility is nonetheless entitled to participate in the Title IV Programs if it can demonstrate to the ED that it is financially responsible on an alternative basis. An institution may do so by posting a surety either in an amount equal to 50% (or greater, as the ED may require) of the total Title IV Program funds received by students enrolled at such institution during the prior year or in an amount equal to 10% (or greater, as the ED may require) of such prior year’s funds if the institution also agrees to provisional certification and to transfer to the reimbursement or cash monitoring system of payment for its Title IV Program funds. The ED has interpreted this surety condition to require the posting of an irrevocable letter of credit in favor of the ED.

Under a separate standard of financial responsibility, if an institution has made late Title IV refunds to students in its prior two years, the institution is required to post a letter of credit in favor of the ED in an amount equal to 25% of the total Title IV Program refunds paid by the institution in its prior fiscal year. As of July 1, 1997, this standard was modified to exempt an institution that has not been found to make late refunds to 5% or more of its students who were due refunds in either of the two most recent fiscal years and has not been cited for a reportable condition or material weakness in its internal controls related to late refunds in either of its two most recent fiscal years. Based on this standard, we currently have outstanding letters of credit in the aggregate amount of approximately $2.3 million because of late refunds at 6 of our institutions. There can be no assurance that, upon review by the ED, we will not be required to post additional letters of credit in favor of the ED on behalf of the affected colleges.

Restrictions on Acquiring or Opening Additional Schools and Adding Educational Programs. An institution which undergoes a change of ownership resulting in a change in control, including all of the institutions that we have acquired or will acquire, must be reviewed and recertified for participation in the Title IV Programs under its new ownership. If an institution is recertified following a change of ownership, it will be on a provisional basis. During the time an institution is provisionally certified, it may be subject to closer review by the ED and to summary adverse action for violations of Title IV Program requirements and may be impeded in expanding, but provisional certification does not otherwise limit an institution’s access to Title IV Program funds. Institutions can also be placed on provisional certification primarily as a result of late refunds, financial aid audit findings and other miscellaneous matters. As of June 30, 2009, none of our institutions were on provisional certification due to their change in ownership, while 8 institutions covering 22 campuses were on provisional certification for other reasons.

The HEA generally requires that proprietary institutions be fully operational for two years before applying to participate in the Title IV Programs. However, under the HEA and applicable regulations, an institution that is certified to participate in the Title IV Programs may establish an additional location and apply to participate in the Title IV Programs at that location without reference to the two-year requirement, as long as such additional location satisfies all other applicable Title IV Program participation eligibility requirements. Our expansion plans are based, in part, on our ability to acquire schools that can be recertified and to open additional locations of existing institutions.

Generally, if an institution is eligible to participate in the Title IV Programs and adds an educational program after it has been designated as an eligible institution, the institution must apply to the ED to have the additional program designated as eligible. However, an institution is not obligated to obtain ED approval of an additional program that leads to an associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s degree and the institution has already been approved to offer programs at that degree level or that prepares students for gainful employment in the same or related recognized occupation as an educational program that

 

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has previously been designated as an eligible program at that institution and meets certain minimum length requirements. Further, short-term educational programs, which generally consist of those programs that provide at least 300 but less than 600 clock hours of instruction, are eligible only for FFEL funding and only if they have been offered for a year and the institution can demonstrate, based on an attestation by its independent auditor, that at least 70% of all students who enroll in such programs complete them within a prescribed time and at least 70% of those students who graduate from such programs obtain employment in the recognized occupation for which they were trained within a prescribed time. Certain of our campuses offer such short-term programs in compliance with ED regulations. Students enrolled in such programs represent a small percentage of the total enrollment at our campuses. In the event that an institution erroneously determines that an educational program is eligible for purposes of the Title IV programs without the ED’s express approval, the institution would likely be required to repay the Title IV program funds provided to students in that educational program. Certain of the state authorizing agencies and accrediting agencies with jurisdiction over our campuses also have requirements that may, in certain instances, limit our ability to open a new campus, acquire an existing campus or establish an additional location of an existing institution or begin offering a new educational program.

Ability to Benefit Regulations. Under certain circumstances, an institution may elect to admit non-high school graduates into certain of its programs of study. In such instances, the institution must demonstrate that the student has the “ability to benefit” from the program of study. Eighty-three of our campuses admit ATB students into their programs. The basic evaluation method to determine that a student has the ability to benefit from the program is the student’s achievement of a minimum score on a test approved by the ED and independently administered in accordance with ED regulations. In addition to the testing requirements, the ED regulations prohibit enrollment of ATB students from constituting 50% or more of the total enrollment of the institution. None of our colleges that accept ATB students has an ATB enrollment population that exceeds 50% of the total enrolled population. As of June 30, 2009, ATB students represented approximately 23.8% of our total student population.

The “90/10 Rule”. Under a provision of the HEA commonly referred to as the “90/10 Rule,” a private, for-profit institution, such as each of our institutions, would cease being eligible to participate in the Title IV Programs if, on a cash accounting basis, more than 90% of its revenue was derived from the Title IV Programs. Prior to the enactment of the HEOA, any institution that violated the 90/10 Rule immediately became ineligible to participate in the Title IV Programs and was unable to apply to regain its eligibility until the following fiscal year. Since this requirement took effect, each of our U.S. institutions has met this requirement in each fiscal year. Under the HEOA, the 90/10 Rule has been modified to permit certain additional types of revenue, some on a temporary basis, to be counted as revenue from sources other than Title IV. In addition, the HEOA now specifies that an institution will not become ineligible until it has exceeded the 90% maximum for two consecutive fiscal years. These changes will afford our institutions additional flexibility in meeting the 90/10 Rule. The legislation, however, also provides that institutions that exceed the 90% limit may be placed on provisional certification and be subject to additional monitoring and that those which violate the 90/10 Rule will be ineligible for two fiscal years before they regain eligibility. Pursuant to the modified 90/10 calculations under the HEOA, the Company derived approximately 81.3% of its net U.S. revenue (on a cash basis) from Title IV Programs for the 2009 fiscal year. We regularly monitor compliance with this requirement in order to minimize the risk that any of our institutions would derive more than the applicable thresholds of its revenue from the Title IV Programs for any fiscal year.

Restrictions on Payment of Bonuses, Commissions or Other Incentives. The HEA prohibits an institution from providing any commission, bonus or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on success in securing enrollments or financial aid to any person or entity engaged in any student recruitment, admission or financial aid awarding activity for programs eligible for Title IV Program funds. The ED has published regulations to attempt to clarify this so-called “incentive compensation” prohibition. The regulations identify 12 compensation arrangements that the ED has determined are not in violation of the incentive compensation prohibition, including the payment and adjustment of salaries, bonuses and commissions in certain circumstances. The ED’s regulations do not establish clear criteria for compliance in all circumstances, and the ED has announced that it will no longer review and approve individual schools’ compensation plans. Nonetheless, we believe that our current compensation plans are in compliance with HEA standards and the ED’s regulations, although we cannot provide assurance that the ED will not find deficiencies in our compensation plans.

Return of Title IV Funds. In 1998, amendments to the HEA changed substantially the refund requirements regarding the disposition of Title IV funds when a recipient of Title IV funds withdraws from an institution. We believe our return of Title IV funds calculations are in compliance with current regulations to implement these requirements.

 

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Canadian Regulations

Students attending our schools in Canada finance their education through a combination of family contributions, individual resources (including earnings from full or part-time employment) and federal and provincial financial aid programs.

The schools operated by our Everest Canada division are subject to extensive regulations in the province of Ontario. These schools currently hold the necessary registrations, approvals and permits and meet the eligibility requirements to participate in governmental financial aid program. If these schools cannot continue to meet eligibility standards or fail to comply with applicable requirements, it could have a material adverse effect on our Canadian business, results of operations or financial condition.

Licensing/Registration. Our ability to provide private-for-profit post-secondary education and grant diplomas to graduates in Canada is regulated by Ontario government. In Ontario, the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities is responsible for registering and regulating private-for-profit educational institutions. The Private Career Colleges Act, 2005 (the “PCCA”) stipulates that an education provider, such as our Canadian schools, must register each of its diploma granting programs for approval as well as each of its campuses with the Ministry. Typical requirements for obtaining this registered status include the financial viability of the campus, the “integrity and honesty” of the applicant’s officers and directors, and the reasonable expectation that the program of study offered by the applicant will provide the skills requisite for employment in the vocation in which it is being trained. Registration must be renewed by the applicant annually. The Province of Ontario has the statutory power to deny, refuse to renew, suspend or revoke our registration if we are in breach of a term or condition of the registration.

Government-Sponsored Financial Aid. Financial aid programs are offered to our Canadian students by the Canadian federal government and the government of Ontario. The Province operates the provincial financial aid program for students and administers these loans in conjunction with the administration of the Canada Student Loans granted to students studying within the province. In order for students enrolled in a program of study at a private-for-profit educational institution to be eligible for public financial aid, the private-for-profit educational institution, as well as the specific program of study, must be registered in good standing under the applicable PCCA legislation in the Province. In addition, the Province typically requires that to be financial aid eligible, the specific program must be at the post-secondary level, be taught on a full-time basis, have a duration of not less than 12 weeks and lead to a diploma or certificate conferred upon the student at the completion of the program. The Province also typically requires that the private-for-profit educational institution maintain specific admissions requirements for entrance into eligible programs and retains specific documentation on each student receiving public financial aid.

Financial aid programs provide students with access to funds during their study period based on a needs assessment. The loans are administered through the National Student Loan Service Centre for the program. The funds are loaned interest-free to the student during the study period and interest begins to accrue once a student either completes his or her study or stops attending school. After six months, the student must begin repayment of his or her loan(s). During the student’s interest-free period, interest is paid by the federal and/or provincial governments to the National Student Loan Service Centre.

The Ontario government has an initiative to reduce the number of loan defaults in that province. In addition to several other facets of this initiative, the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (the “Ministry”) has adopted a policy whereby the Ministry will only guarantee defaulted student loans to a certain capped amount, beyond which the applicable private career college is responsible for guaranteeing repayment. For the 2009/2010 default cohort year, we have seven Ontario locations that were required to issue a promissory note and/or collateral due to the default sharing program. If the default rate in 2012 be below 25%, no payment will be required.

ALTERNATIVE LOANS FOR OUR STUDENTS

Because the government-sponsored financial aid available to our students is generally less than their tuition costs and other financial needs, many of our students secure private loans to finance a portion of their educational costs. These private loans are made directly to our students by financial institutions and are not guaranteed under the FFEL program.

The fees and interest rates on these private loans are generally higher than the loans made under the FFEL program due to the lack of a government guarantee on these private loans. The fees and interest rates on these private loans vary depending on the credit history of the student or co-borrower. Many of our students, either individually or with a co-borrower, are able to obtain some type of loan from financial institutions.

 

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Historically, we had developed several loan programs with origination and servicing providers such as Sallie Mae for students with low credit scores who otherwise would not qualify for loans. These loan programs required that we pay a discount fee to the origination and servicing providers of the loans as a reserve against future defaults on these loans. We have historically referred to these types of loans as “discount loans,” since we incurred a portion of the default risk related to these student loans by taking a discount on the disbursement. By accepting a reduced payment for these discounted loans from the servicing providers, we were not at risk for the amounts agreed to by them and the service providers but were not entitled to any proceeds collected by the service providers in excess of this amount. Therefore we had recorded this discount as a reduction to revenue.

In fiscal 2008 we were informed by Sallie Mae and two other origination and servicing providers that they would no longer make private loans available for students who present higher credit risks (i.e. subprime borrowers). In the face of this change in policy, we created a new lending program in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 with a different origination and servicing provider, Genesis Lending Services, Inc. (“Genesis”), who specializes in subprime credit. This new lending program has characteristics similar to our previous “discount loan” programs. As with our previous discount loan program, under this new Genesis program we pay a discount to the origination and servicing provider for any loans purchased by Genesis and record the discount as a reduction to revenue. However, unlike our previous discount loan programs, under our new discount program we have both the right and an obligation to acquire the related loan, except in certain limited circumstances where Genesis does not comply with the terms of our agreement. Since we initiated the new discount program, we have acquired all of the loans that have been originated. Therefore, we are currently exposed to any credit defaults by our students but retain all amounts collected from our students under the current program. Additionally, the new discount loan program has also replaced our legacy loan program, called STAR. We estimate loans funded under the Genesis program, net of estimated refunds have been approximately $120.0 million and $10.0 million, for the years ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. These amounts are an estimate as some loans contain amounts that will be recognized during future periods. Accordingly, unrecognized loans amounts are subject to the Company’s refund policy.

Originally, we estimated that the average loan discount rate associated with this program would be approximately 50%, based upon the projected mix of students’ credit scores. Based on actual loan volume and credit score mix, we estimate the average loan discount to be approximately 55% for loans funded during fiscal year 2009 and 2008.

Included within the Consolidated Statement of Operations, under the caption “Other (income) expense,” for the year ended June 30, 2009 is a net expense of $0.6 million, associated with the Genesis notes program. The net expense reflects the costs related to servicing the loans, partially offset by interest income. In accordance with SFAS No. 91, “Accounting for Nonrefundable Fees and Costs Associated with Originating or Acquiring Loans and Initial Direct Costs of Leases,” we defer and recognize both the loan origination income and direct loan origination costs as an adjustment to the yield over the life of the related loan. All other lending-related costs, including costs related to servicing fees are charged to expense as incurred.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Risks Related To Extensive Regulation Of Our Business

If we fail to follow extensive regulatory requirements for our business, we could suffer severe fines and penalties, including loss of access to federal student loans and grants for our students.

We derive a majority of our revenues on a cash basis from federal student financial aid programs. To participate in such programs an institution must obtain and maintain authorization by the appropriate state agencies, accreditation by an accrediting agency recognized by the ED, and certification by the ED. As a result, our schools are subject to extensive regulation by these agencies that, among other things, requires us to:

 

   

undertake steps to assure that our schools do not have Cohort Default Rates of 25% or more for three consecutive Cohort years;

 

   

limit the percentage of revenues (on a cash basis) derived at each of our institutions from federal student financial aid programs to less than 90%;

 

   

adhere to financial responsibility and administrative capability standards;

 

   

prohibit the payment of certain incentives to personnel engaged in student recruiting, admissions activities or awarding financial aid;

 

   

achieve stringent completion and placement outcomes for short-term programs; and

 

   

make timely refunds of tuition when a student withdraws from one of our institutions.

These regulations also affect our ability to acquire or open additional schools or change our corporate structure. These regulatory agencies periodically revise their requirements and modify their interpretations of existing requirements.

If one or more of our schools were to violate any of these regulatory requirements, we could suffer fines, penalties or other sanctions, including the loss of our ability to participate in federal student financial aid programs at those schools, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business. We cannot predict how all of these requirements will be applied, or whether we will be able to comply with all of the requirements in the future. Some of the most significant regulatory requirements and risks that apply to our schools are described in the following paragraphs.

Congress may change eligibility standards or reduce funding for federal student financial aid programs, or other governmental or regulatory bodies may change similar laws or regulations relating to other student financial aid programs, which could adversely affect our business.

Political and budgetary concerns can significantly affect Title IV programs and other laws and regulations governing federal and state student financial aid programs. Title IV programs are made available pursuant to the provisions of the HEA, and the HEA must be reauthorized by Congress approximately every six years. Independent of reauthorization, Congress must annually appropriate funds for Title IV programs. On July 31, 2008, Congress passed the HEOA in order to reauthorize the HEA.

 

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The HEOA became law when President Bush signed it on August 14, 2008. Future reauthorizations or appropriations may result in numerous legislative changes, including those that could adversely affect our ability to participate in the Title IV programs and the availability of Title IV and non-Title IV funding sources for our students. Congress also may impose certain requirements upon the state or accrediting agencies with respect to their approval of our schools. Any action by Congress or ED that significantly reduces funding for the federal student financial aid programs or the ability of our schools or students to participate in these programs would have a material adverse effect on our business. Legislative action also may increase our administrative costs and burdens and require us to modify our practices in order for our schools to comply fully with applicable requirements.

In September 2007, Congress passed, and the President signed, legislation which, among other things, decreased private lender and guaranty agency yields for participation in the FFEL programs, decreased student interest rates on FFEL loans, and limited repayment obligations for students who receive loans pursuant to Title IV programs. Decreased yields could discourage Title IV lenders from continuing to provide private, federally guaranteed Title IV loans to our students. The HEOA requires new notification and certification requirements to private non-Title IV program educational loans and makes them subject to the Truth in Lending Act requirements and potential liabilities, which could adversely affect private lenders’ willingness and ability to make such loans and thereby affect our students’ ability to access private student loans.

 

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Because a significant percentage of our revenue is derived from Title IV and alternative loan programs, any action by Congress that significantly reduces Title IV program funding, the availability or attractiveness of alternative loans, or the ability of our schools or students to participate in Title IV programs could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. Legislative action also could increase our administrative costs and burdens and require us to adjust our practices in order for our schools to comply fully with Title IV program requirements.

Our U.S. schools may lose eligibility to participate in federal student financial aid programs if the percentage of their revenues derived from those programs is too high.

Prior to the enactment of the HEOA, a proprietary institution would lose its eligibility to participate in the federal student financial aid programs for a period of one year if it derived more than 90% of its revenues, on a cash basis, from these programs in any fiscal year. Any institution that violated this rule immediately became ineligible to participate in federal student financial aid programs and would be ineligible to reapply to regain its eligibility until the following fiscal year. Under the HEOA, an institution that derives more than 90% of its total revenue from the Title IV programs for two consecutive fiscal years would become immediately ineligible to participate in Title IV programs and would not be permitted to reapply for eligibility until the end of two fiscal years. Effective July 1, 2008, the annual unsubsidized Stafford loans available for undergraduate students under the FFEL program increased by $2,000 which, coupled with recent increases in grants from the Pell program and other Title IV loan limits, will result in some of our schools experiencing an increase in the revenues they receive from Title IV programs. The HEOA contains relief from recent increases in the availability and amount of federal aid by, among other things, for all unsubsidized Stafford loans disbursed before July 1, 2011, permitting the $2,000 of additional Stafford loan availability to be counted as revenue not derived from Title IV programs. Additionally, for the Company’s fiscal years ending on or before June 30, 2012, the HEOA permits loans made by the Company to its students to count as non-Title IV revenue when earned, not when the loans are repaid as was the case for fiscal years 2009 and prior. Based on our calculations as required by the HEOA, none of our institutions received more than 90% of its revenues, on a cash basis, in fiscal 2009, with our highest institution receiving 87.9% of its revenues, on a cash basis, from federal student financial aid programs. Pursuant to the modified calculation under the HEOA, on a consolidated basis we received 81.3% of our U.S. revenues, on a cash basis, from federal student financial aid programs in fiscal 2009. If Congress fails to extend the exclusion of the additional $2,000 of Stafford loans for periods beginning on or after July 1, 2011, or if Congress fails to extend the ability to count loans made by institutions to their students to be counted as non-Title IV revenue when earned (as opposed to when repaid) for periods beginning on or after July 1, 2012, it would adversely affect our ability to comply with the 90/10 Rule. A decrease in the availability of state grants could also adversely impact our ability to comply with the 90/10 Rule because state grants generally are considered cash payments for purposes of the 90/10 Rule. If any of our institutions, depending on its size, loses eligibility to participate in federal student financial aid programs, it could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Our U.S. schools may lose eligibility to participate in federal student financial aid programs if their current and former students’ loan default rates on federally guaranteed student loans are too high.

Prior to the enactment of the HEOA, an institution could lose its eligibility to participate in some or all of the federal student financial aid programs if defaults by its former students on their federally guaranteed student loans funded by third parties equal or exceed 25% per year for three consecutive years. For federal fiscal year 2006, the last year for which final rates have been published, default rates for our institutions range from a low of 3.5% to a high of 18.9%. For federal fiscal year 2007, the last year for which draft rates are available, the draft default rates for our institutions range from a low of 5.1% to a high of 22.6%. Draft rates are subject to revision before they become final.

ED generally publishes draft cohort default rates in February of each year for the repayment period that ended the prior September 30. On that schedule, the Company expects ED to publish draft cohort default rates for the students who entered repayment between October 1, 2007 and September 30, 2008 (the “2008 Cohort”) in February 2010. The Company monitors on an ongoing basis the preliminary data about cohorts which are in the process of repayment. Although the draft cohort default rates for the 2008 Cohort are not yet available, the Company has reviewed preliminary data from its guaranty agencies about defaults that have already occurred. These data show the negative impact of the ongoing recession on the 2008 Cohort. Given the data the Company has received thus far, we expect some of our institutions to exceed the 25% limitation for the 2008 Cohort, but we do not expect these schools to exceed the threshold for three consecutive years.

Under the HEOA, a separate calculation will be performed that will add an additional federal fiscal year of borrowers’ repayment performance starting with the Cohort that enters repayment between October 1, 2008 and September 30, 2009. After three years of Cohort Default Rates calculated with the additional federal fiscal year are available, sanctions will be imposed if an institution has a Cohort Default Rate, under the new calculation, of more than 30% for three consecutive federal fiscal years. We review all annually published Cohort Default Rates and appeal the rates we believe are inaccurate. If any of our institutions, depending on its size, were to lose eligibility to participate in federal student financial aid programs because of high student loan default rates, it could have a material adverse effect on our business.

If we do not meet specific financial responsibility ratios and tests established by the ED, our U.S. schools may lose eligibility to participate in federal student financial aid programs.

To participate in the federal student financial aid programs, an institution must either satisfy quantitative standards of financial responsibility, or post a letter of credit in favor of the ED and possibly accept other conditions on its participation in the federal student financial aid programs. Each year, based on financial information submitted by institutions that participate in federal student financial aid programs, the ED calculates three financial ratios for an institution: an equity ratio, a primary reserve ratio and a net income ratio. Each of these ratios is scored separately and then combined to determine the institution’s financial responsibility or “composite score.” If an institution’s score is above 1.5, it may continue its participation in federal student financial aid programs. For fiscal 2009, our calculations show that all of our schools exceed this requirement on an individual basis and are eligible to participate in the federal student financial aid programs, with composite scores ranging from 1.5 to 3.0. On a consolidated basis, we also exceed this requirement with the composite score of 2.6. We cannot assure you that we and our institutions will continue to satisfy the numeric standards in the future.

 

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One or more of our institutions may have to post a letter of credit or be subject to other sanctions if they do not correctly calculate and timely return Title IV Program funds for students who withdraw before completing their program of study.

A school participating in Title IV Programs must correctly calculate the amount of unearned Title IV Program funds that was disbursed to students who withdrew from their educational programs before completing them, and must return those unearned funds in a timely manner, generally within 45 days of the date the school determines that the student has withdrawn. If the unearned funds are not properly calculated and timely returned, we may have to post a letter of credit in favor of the ED or be otherwise sanctioned by the ED. An institution is required to post a letter of credit with the ED in an amount equal to 25% of the total dollar amount of unearned Title IV Program funds that the institution was required to return with respect to withdrawn students during its most recently completed fiscal year, if the institution was found in an audit or program review to have untimely returned unearned Title IV Program funds with respect to 5% or more of the students in the audit or program review sample of withdrawn students, in either of its two most recently completed fiscal years. The requirement to post a letter of credit or other sanctions by the ED could increase our cost of regulatory compliance and adversely affect our results of operations.

If regulators do not approve our acquisitions, the acquired school(s) would not be permitted to participate in federal student financial aid programs.

When we acquire an institution that participates in federal student financial aid programs, we must seek approval from the ED and most applicable state agencies and accrediting agencies, because an acquisition is considered a change of ownership or control of the acquired institution under applicable regulatory standards. A change of ownership or control of an institution under the ED standards can result in the temporary suspension of the institution’s participation in the federal student financial aid programs unless a timely and materially complete application for recertification is filed with the ED and the ED issues a temporary certification document. If we are unable to obtain approvals from the state agencies, accrediting agencies or ED for any institution we may acquire in the future, depending on the size of that acquisition, such a failure to obtain approval could have a material adverse effect on our business.

If regulators do not approve transactions involving a change of control or change in our corporate structure, we may lose our ability to participate in federal student financial aid programs.

Additionally, if regulators do not approve transactions involving a change of control of the Company, we may lose our ability to participate in federal student financial aid programs. If we experience a change of control under the standards of applicable state agencies or accrediting agencies or the ED, we or the affected institutions must seek the approval of the relevant agencies. Some of these transactions or events, such as a significant acquisition or disposition of our common stock by third parties on the open market or through a tender offer, may be beyond our control. The adverse regulatory effect of a change of ownership resulting in a change of control could also discourage bids for our outstanding shares of common stock at a premium and could have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.

If any of our U.S. schools fails to maintain its accreditation or its state authorization, that institution may lose its ability to participate in federal student financial aid programs.

An institution that grants degrees, diplomas or certificates must be authorized by the relevant agencies of the state in which it is located and, in some cases, other states. Requirements for authorization vary substantially among the states. Additionally, both an approval to operate in a state and accreditation by an accrediting agency recognized by the ED are required for an institution to participate in the federal student financial aid programs. If any of our U.S. campuses were to lose its accreditation or its state authorization, it could have a material adverse effect on our business.

In a letter received from ACCSCT dated March 7, 2008, the Company was informed of a show cause action regarding our Everest College in San Jose, CA. In letters received from ACCSCT dated June 8, 2008, September 15, 2008, and March 11, 2009, San Jose was continued on show cause. In a letter dated August 13, 2009, from ACCSCT the Company was informed that it had voted to vacate the show cause order and grant Everest College, San Jose renewal of accreditation for a period of five years going forward from January 2008.

        On May 1, 2009, the Company received notification from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (“HLC”) that the Company’s Everest College-Phoenix campus (including its branch campus in Mesa, Arizona and its online operations) had been placed on probation. At June 30, 2009, the combined enrollment for these operations was 4,381 students and combined revenue was approximately 5.1% of the Company’s total net revenues from continuing operations for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009. The probation action appears to be primarily related to questions about the institution’s autonomy as it relates to Corinthian’s ownership and control of the institution. The institution has recently made numerous changes to its governance and structure to comply with HLC’s accreditation criteria and is committed to continuing this process to resolve HLC’s concerns. HLC indicated that the probationary process is a period during which it will verify that these changes have, in fact, occurred and effectively meet HLC’s standards. If the problems have been addressed and the institution otherwise meets HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation, the probation will be removed at HLC’s October 2010 meeting. Although the Company cannot predict the outcome of this matter with certainty, it is confident it will be able to satisfy HLC’s accreditation criteria. However, since accreditation is required for an institution to be eligible to participate in the federal student financial aid programs, the failure by Everest College - Phoenix to satisfactorily resolve its probation with HLC could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operation and financial condition.

 

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If any of our campuses were to lose their accreditation, the Company would continue to generate revenues from continuing students, but would consider teaching out these campuses as they would be significantly competitively disadvantaged compared to other schools where students are eligible to receive federal student financial aid. During any teach-out process, the Company’s revenue would decline more rapidly than operating expenses and the Company would expect to incur operating losses at those campuses. The Company could also expect to incur increased bad debt expense if students no longer have access to federal financial aid. Additionally, if the Company were to lose accreditation at one or more of its schools to which it has ascribed value for accreditation as part of purchase accounting, the Company would test the amounts it had allocated to such asset for impairment. If the estimate of the present value of these future cash flows were below the carrying values of the accreditation asset, the Company would consider its related accreditation asset to be impaired and take a charge against the amounts it had allocated to such accreditation.

If we fail to demonstrate “administrative capability” to the ED, our business could suffer.

ED regulations specify extensive criteria an institution must satisfy to establish that it has the requisite “administrative capability” to participate in federal student financial aid programs. These criteria require, among other things, that the institution:

 

   

comply with all applicable federal student financial aid 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;

 

   

provide financial aid counseling to its students; and

 

   

submit all reports and financial statements required by the regulations.

If an institution fails to satisfy any of these criteria, the ED may:

 

   

require the repayment of federal student financial aid funds;

 

   

transfer the institution from the “advance” system of payment of federal student financial aid funds to the “reimbursement” system of payment or cash monitoring;

 

   

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 federal student financial aid programs.

Should one or more of our institutions be limited in their access to, or lose, federal student financial aid funds due to their failure to demonstrate administrative capability, our business could be materially adversely affected.

Regulatory agencies or third parties may conduct compliance reviews, commence investigations, bring claims or institute litigation against us.

Because we operate in a highly regulated industry, we may be subject from time to time to program reviews, audits, investigations, claims of non-compliance, or lawsuits by governmental agencies or third parties, which may allege statutory violations, regulatory infractions, or common law causes of action. If the results of the investigations are unfavorable to us or if we are unable to successfully defend against third-party lawsuits, we may be required to pay money damages or be subject to fines, penalties, injunctions or other censure that could have a materially adverse effect on our business. We also may be limited in our ability to open new schools or add new program offerings and may be adversely impacted by the negative publicity surrounding an investigation or lawsuit. Even if we adequately address the issues raised by an agency review or investigation or successfully defend a third-party lawsuit, we may suffer interruptions in cash flows due to, among other things, transfer from the advance funding to the “reimbursement” or “heightened cash monitoring” method of Title IV program funding, and we may have to devote significant money and management resources to address these issues, which could harm our business. Additionally, we may experience adverse collateral consequences, including declines in the number of students enrolling at our schools and the willingness of third parties to deal with us or our schools, as a result of any negative publicity associated with such reviews, claims or litigation.

Investigations, claims and actions against companies in our industry could adversely affect our business and stock price.

During the past decade, we and other companies in the for-profit postsecondary education industry have been subject to intense regulatory scrutiny. In some cases, allegations of wrongdoing have resulted in reviews or investigations by the Justice Department, state attorneys general, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the ED, state agencies, accrediting agencies and other entities. These allegations, reviews and investigations and the accompanying adverse publicity could have a negative impact on the for-profit postsecondary education industry in general, our business and the market price of our common stock.

 

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We are subject to sanctions if we pay impermissible commissions, bonuses or other incentive payments to individuals involved in certain recruiting, admissions or financial aid activities.

An institution participating in Title IV Programs may not provide any commission, bonus or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on success in securing enrollments or financial aid to any person or entity engaged in any student recruitment or admission activity or in making decisions regarding the awarding of Title IV Program funds. The law and regulations governing this requirement do not establish clear criteria for compliance in all circumstances. If the ED determined that one of our institution’s compensation practices violated these standards, the ED could subject the institution to monetary fines, penalties, or other sanctions. Additionally, the Company has been, and may in the future be, the subject of qui tam actions in federal court by former employees on behalf of themselves and the federal government alleging violations of False Claims act because of alleged violations of the incentive compensation prohibitions in the HEA. See “Item 3. Legal Proceedings.” Any substantial fine or penalty or other sanction levied against one or more of our schools could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Failure to comply with extensive Canadian regulations could affect the ability of our Canadian schools to participate in Canadian financial aid programs.

Our post-secondary schools in Canada derive a significant percentage of their revenue on a cash basis from Canadian governmental financial aid programs, and our Canadian students receive loans under student financial aid programs.

Our Canadian schools must meet eligibility standards to administer these programs and must comply with extensive statutes, rules, regulations and requirements. If our Canadian schools cannot meet these and other eligibility standards or fail to comply with applicable requirements, it could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Additionally, the Canadian and Ontario provincial governments continuously review the legislative, regulatory and other requirements relating to student financial assistance programs due to political and budgetary pressures. Although we do not currently anticipate a significant reduction in the funding for these programs, any change that significantly reduces funding or the ability of our schools to participate in these programs could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Operational Risks That Could Have a Material Adverse Effect on Our Business

If our students are unable to obtain private loans from third party lenders, our business could be adversely affected.

The education finance industry has experienced and may continue to experience problems that have resulted in fewer overall financing options for some of our students. Factors that could impact the general availability of loans to our students include:

 

   

changes in overall economic conditions or overall uncertainty or disruption in capital markets, in either case causing lenders to cease making student loans, limit the volume or types of loans made or impose more stringent eligibility or underwriting standards;

 

   

the financial condition and continued financial viability of student loan providers;

 

   

changes in applicable laws or regulations, such as provisions of the HEOA that impose new disclosure and certification requirements with respect to private educational loans, that could have the effect of reducing the availability of education financing, including as a result of any lenders choosing to provide fewer loans or to stop providing loans altogether in light of increased regulation, or which could increase the costs of student loans; or

 

   

determinations by lenders to reduce the number of loans, or to cease making loans altogether, to students attending or planning to attend certain types of schools, particularly for-profit schools.

 

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The consumer credit markets in the United States have suffered over the past several years from increases in default rates and foreclosures on mortgages, which in some cases have called into question the continued financial viability of certain student loan providers and has resulted in fewer providers of student loans. Providers of federally guaranteed student loans and alternative student loans have also experienced recent increases in default rates. Adverse market conditions for consumer and federally guaranteed student loans have resulted in providers of alternative loans reducing the attractiveness and/or decreasing the availability of alternative loans to post-secondary students, including students with low credit scores who would not otherwise be eligible for credit-based alternative loans. Prospective students may find that these increased financing costs make borrowing prohibitively expensive and abandon or delay enrollment in post-secondary education programs. Certain private lenders have also required that we pay them new or increased fees in order to provide alternative loans to prospective students.

While we are taking steps to address the private loan needs of our students, the inability of our students to finance their education could cause our student population to decrease, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Our Genesis discount student loan program could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Our Genesis discount student loan program enables students who have exhausted all available government-sponsored or other aid and are ineligible for private loans from other financial institutions to borrow a portion of their tuition and other educational expenses at our schools if they or a co-borrower meet certain criteria. Historically, we had developed several loan programs with origination and servicing providers such as Sallie Mae for students with low credit scores who otherwise would not qualify for loans. These loan programs required that we pay a discount fee to the origination and servicing providers of the loans as a reserve against future defaults on these loans. We have historically referred to these types of loans as “discount loans,” since we incurred a portion of the default risk related to these students’ loans by taking a discount on the disbursement.

In early 2008 we were informed by Sallie Mae and two other origination and servicing providers that they would no longer make private loans available for students who present higher credit risks (i.e. subprime borrowers). In the face of this change in policy, we created a new student lending program with a different origination and servicing provider, Genesis, who specializes in subprime credit. This new Genesis loan program has characteristics similar to our previous “discount loan” programs. Under this Genesis loan program, we pay a discount to the origination and servicing provider. As with our previous discount loan program, we record the discount as a reduction to revenue, as the collectability of these amounts is not reasonably assured. However, unlike our previous discount loan programs, under our Genesis discount loan program we have both the right and the obligation (subject to certain limitations in our agreement with Genesis), to acquire the related loans. Since we initiated the program in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, we have acquired all of the loans that have been originated.

Federal, state and local laws and public policy and general principles of equity relating to the protection of consumers apply to the origination, servicing and collection of the loans that we purchase under this program. Any violation of the various federal, state and local laws, including, in some instances, violations of these laws by parties not under our control, may result in losses on the loans that we purchase or may limit our ability to collect all or part of the principal or interest on the loans that we purchase. This may be the case even if we are not directly responsible for the violations by such parties. Federal or state financial regulators also might delay or suspend the new student loan program for a variety of reasons. Additionally, depending on the terms of the loans, state consumer credit regulators may assert that our activities in connection with the new student loan program require us to obtain one or more licenses, registrations or other forms of regulatory approvals, any of which may not be able to be obtained in a timely manner, if at all.

For the Genesis discount loans that we acquire, we will bear the risks of collection. Therefore, even though we will record the discount as a reduction to revenue, to the extent collections are less than the net amount of revenue recorded, we may still experience increase in our allowance for doubtful accounts and our bad debt expense may increase. Factors that may impact our ability to collect these loans include general economic conditions, compliance with laws applicable to the origination, servicing and collection of loans, the quality of our loan servicers’ performance and the priority that borrowers, particularly students who did not complete or were dissatisfied with their programs of study, attach to repaying these loans as compared to other obligations. All of these factors could result in the Genesis discount loan program having a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

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We rely on a single company to provide financial aid processing for our students. If that company fails or refuses to timely provide such service, or materially increases its fees, our business could be harmed.

We utilize a single company to provide the financial aid packaging and processing for our students’ financial aid. We have experienced periodic delays or backlogs of financial aid processing when this company’s resources have become overburdened. If this company were to cease doing business with us, we could experience an interruption in financial aid processing for our students. Although we believe we could find alternative service providers or we could begin to process financial aid in-house, we may be unable to establish relationships with alternative service providers that will be as favorable as the one we have now. For example, new service providers may have higher prices, lower capacity, lower quality standards or longer delivery times. If we are unable to provide financial aid processing for our students in a timely and accurate manner, or if such services are delayed or becomes more expensive, this could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

If students fail to pay their outstanding balances, our business will be harmed.

We offer a variety of payment plans to help students pay that portion of their education expense not covered by financial aid programs. These balances are unsecured and not guaranteed. Losses related to unpaid student balances in excess of the amounts we have reserved could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Our marketing and advertising efforts may not be effective in attracting prospective students.

In order to maintain and increase our revenues and margins, we must continue to attract new students in an effective and efficient manner. If we are unable to successfully advertise and market our schools, our ability to attract and enroll new students could be adversely impacted and, consequently, our financial performance could suffer. We use marketing tools such as the Internet, radio, television and print media advertising to promote our schools and programs. Our representatives also make presentations at high schools. If we are unable to utilize these advertising methods in a cost-effective manner or if our other costs limit the amount of funds we can contribute to advertising, our revenue and margins may suffer. Additionally, we rely on the general reputation of our schools and referrals from current students, alumni and employers as a source of new students. Among the factors that could prevent us from successfully marketing and advertising our schools and programs are the failure of our marketing tools and strategy to appeal to prospective students or current student and/or employer dissatisfaction with our program offerings or results and diminished access to high school campuses.

If we cannot effectively identify, acquire and integrate additional schools, it could harm our business.

We expect to continue to rely on acquisitions as a component of our growth strategy. We often engage in evaluations of, and discussions with, possible acquisition candidates. We cannot make assurances that we will be able to identify suitable acquisition candidates or that we will be able to acquire any of the acquisition candidates on favorable terms. Furthermore, we cannot make assurances that any acquired schools can be successfully integrated into our operations or be operated profitably. Acquisitions involve a number of risks that include:

 

   

diversion of management resources;

 

   

integration of the acquired schools’ operations;

 

   

adverse short-term effects on reported operating results; and

 

   

possible loss of key employees.

Continued growth through acquisitions may also subject us to unanticipated business or regulatory uncertainties or liabilities. When we acquire an existing school, we typically allocate a significant portion of the purchase price to fixed assets, curriculum, goodwill and intangibles, such as covenants not-to-compete, trade names and accreditations. For our acquisitions through fiscal 2002, we amortized goodwill and trade names over a period of 40 years and curricula over 3 to 15 years. Effective July 1, 2002, we adopted SFAS No. 142, “Accounting for Business Combinations, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” in its entirety. Under SFAS 142, goodwill is no longer amortized on a periodic basis, but instead is subject to an impairment test to be performed at least on an annual basis. Separable intangible assets that are not deemed to have indefinite lives will continue to be amortized over their useful lives. In addition, our acquisition of a school is a change of ownership of that school, which may result in the temporary suspension of that school’s participation in federal student financial aid programs until it obtains the ED’s approval. If we fail to successfully manage our acquisitions, our business would likely suffer.

 

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Failure to effectively manage opening new schools and adding new services could harm our business.

Establishing new schools requires us to make investments in management, capital expenditures, marketing expenses and other resources. To open a new school, we are also required to obtain appropriate state and accrediting agency approvals. In addition, to be eligible for federal student financial aid programs, the new school is required to be certified as eligible to receive Title IV funds by the ED. We cannot assure you that we will be able to successfully open new schools in the future. Our failure to effectively manage the operations of newly established schools could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Our success depends upon our ability to recruit and retain key personnel.

We depend on key personnel, including Jack D. Massimino, Peter C. Waller, Matt A. Ouimet, Kenneth S. Ord, Beth A. Wilson, William B. Buchanan, Mark L. Pelesh, Stan A. Mortensen, Robert C. Owen and David A. Poldoian, to effectively operate our business. If any of these people left our Company and we failed to effectively manage a transition to new people, our business could suffer.

Our success also depends, in large part, upon our ability to attract and retain highly qualified faculty, school presidents and administrators and campus support center management. We may have difficulty locating and hiring qualified personnel, and retaining such personnel once hired. The loss of the services of any of our key personnel, or our failure to attract and retain other qualified and experienced personnel on acceptable terms, could cause our business to suffer.

Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and Delaware law could make an acquisition of our company difficult.

Our certificate of incorporation, our by-laws and Delaware law contain provisions that may delay, defer or inhibit a future acquisition of our Company not approved by our board of directors. These provisions are intended to encourage any person interested in acquiring us to negotiate with and obtain the approval of our Board of Directors. Our certificate of incorporation also permits our board of directors to issue shares of preferred stock with voting, conversion and other rights as it determines, without any further vote or action by our stockholders. By using preferred stock, we could:

 

   

discourage a proxy contest;

 

   

make the acquisition of a substantial block of our common stock more difficult; or

 

   

limit the price investors may be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock.

We face litigation that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We and our schools are subject to various lawsuits, investigations and claims, covering a wide range of matters, including, but not limited to, claims involving our current and former students, alleged violations of federal and state laws, false claims made to the federal government and routine employment matters. It is possible that we may be required to pay substantial damages or settlement costs in excess of our insurance coverage or current reserves, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operation. We could also incur substantial legal costs, and management’s attention and resources could be diverted from our business. Please see Item 3, “Legal Proceedings,” for more detailed information on these litigation risks.

Failure to keep pace with changing market needs and technology could harm our business.

Prospective employers of our graduates increasingly demand that their entry-level employees possess appropriate technological skills. Educational programs at our schools, particularly programs in information technology, must keep pace with these evolving requirements. If we cannot respond to changes in industry requirements, it could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Competitors with greater resources could harm our business.

The post-secondary education market is highly competitive, and has become ever more so over the past several years. Our schools compete with traditional public and private two-year and four-year colleges and universities and other proprietary schools, including those that offer on-line learning programs. Some public and private colleges and universities, as well as other private career-oriented schools, may offer programs similar to those of our schools. Although tuition at many private non-profit institutions is higher than tuition at our schools, some public institutions are able to charge lower tuition

 

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than our schools, due in part to government subsidies, government and foundation grants, tax-deductible contributions and other financial sources not available to proprietary schools. Some of our competitors in both the public and private sectors have substantially greater financial and other resources than us.

Failure to obtain additional capital in the future could reduce our ability to grow.

We believe that funds from operations, cash, investments and access to our credit facility that expires in July 2010 will be adequate to fund our currently identified plans. However, we may need additional debt or equity financing in order to carry out our strategy of growth through acquisitions. The amount and timing of such additional financing will vary depending on the timing and size of acquisitions, our availability to access credit markets, and the sellers’ willingness to provide financing themselves. To the extent that we require additional financing in the future and are unable to obtain such additional financing, we may not be able to fully implement our growth strategy.

If natural disasters, terrorist attacks, public transit strikes or economic downturns occur in specific geographic areas where we have a high concentration of schools, our business could be harmed.

We have large numbers of schools concentrated in certain geographic areas. For instance, we have a high concentration of schools in California, Florida, Texas, Georgia, Michigan, the Province of Ontario and other states and cities. We expect to continue to have high concentrations of schools in large metropolitan areas as we create new branch campuses and acquire new schools. These geographic concentrations may change or intensify over time. If natural disasters, terrorist attacks, public transit strikes, economic developments or other adverse events occur or are more intensively felt in some of these concentrated geographic areas, our business and results of operations could be disproportionately affected compared to the rest of the United States and Canada.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

Our campus support center office is located in Santa Ana, California and our 106 campuses, as of June 30, 2009, are located in 24 states and in the province of Ontario, Canada. Each campus provides our students with lecture halls, instructional labs, libraries, Internet access and other facilities.

We actively monitor the capacity of our facilities and the expected future capacity of our facilities required to accommodate campus growth initiatives. From the beginning of fiscal 2005 through fiscal 2009, approximately 24% of the campuses have been relocated and an additional approximately 61% of total campuses have been either expanded or remodeled. The following table reflects the number of campuses added, closed or combined, and the number of campuses that have been relocated, enlarged or remodeled in each of the last five fiscal years ended and has been updated to reflect solely continuing operations:

 

     2009    2008    2007    2006    2005

Opened

              

Acquired

   0    0    0    0    1

Branched

   0    0    0    3    5

Closed, combined or sold

   0    0    2    17    12

Campuses at year end

   106    106    106    108    122

Relocated

   5    2    2    6    10

Enlarged or remodeled

   5    10    6    12    32

All but four of our facilities are leased. In addition, we lease our campus support center offices. Most of our leases have primary terms between 5 and 10 years with options to extend the lease, at our election.

Square footage of our schools and colleges varies significantly based upon the type of programs offered and the market being served. Please see the section entitled “Programs of Study” in Item 1, “Business”, for square footage by location.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Legal Matters

In the ordinary conduct of its business, Corinthian Colleges, Inc. (“the Company”) and its subsidiaries are subject to lawsuits, demands in arbitration, investigations and other claims, including, but not limited to, lawsuits and claims involving current and former students, employment-related matters, , business disputes and regulatory demands. In some of the lawsuits

 

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and arbitrations pending against the Company, including matters not presently deemed to be material and which are not disclosed below, the plaintiffs seek certification of the matter as a class action in order to represent all other “similarly-situated persons.” None of the matters currently pending against the Company in which plaintiffs seek class certification has yet been certified as a class action. When the Company is aware of a claim or potential claim, it assesses the likelihood of any loss or exposure. If it is probable that a loss will result and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, the Company records a liability for the loss. If the loss is not probable or the amount of the loss cannot be reasonably estimated, the Company discloses the nature of the specific claim if the likelihood of a potential loss is reasonably possible and the amount involved is material. There can be no assurance that the ultimate outcome of any of the matters threatened or pending against the Company, including those disclosed below, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

On March 8, 2004, the Company was served with two virtually identical putative class action complaints entitled Travis v. Rhodes Colleges, Inc., Corinthian Colleges, Inc., and Florida Metropolitan University, and Satz v. Rhodes Colleges, Inc., Corinthian Colleges, Inc., and Florida Metropolitan University. Additionally, on April 15, 2005, the Company received another complaint entitled Alan Alvarez, et al. v. Rhodes Colleges, Inc., Corinthian Colleges, Inc., and Florida Metropolitan University, Inc. The Alvarez first amended and supplemental complaint named ninety-nine plaintiffs. Additionally, the court in the Alvarez case granted the plaintiffs’ motion to add an additional seven plaintiffs to the first amended and supplemental complaint. The named plaintiffs in these lawsuits are current and former students in the Company’s Florida Metropolitan University (“FMU”) campuses, now known as Everest University, in Florida and online. The plaintiffs allege that FMU concealed the fact that it is not accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and that FMU credits are not transferable to other institutions. The Satz and Travis plaintiffs seek recovery of compensatory damages and attorneys’ fees under common law and Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act for themselves and all similarly situated people. The Alvarez plaintiffs seek damages on behalf of themselves under common law and Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. The arbitrator in the Satz case found for the Company on all counts in an award on the Company’s motion to dismiss. The arbitrator also found that Mr. Satz breached his agreement with FMU by filing in court rather than seeking arbitration and is therefore responsible to pay FMU’s damages associated with compelling the action to arbitration. The arbitrator also declared FMU the prevailing party for purposes of the Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. The Company is continuing to pursue its remedies against Mr. Satz related to these findings. Additionally, the Company affirmatively filed arbitration actions against Ms. Travis and approximately ninety of the Alvarez plaintiffs seeking damages for their respective breaches of their obligations to file in arbitration rather than in court, and seeking declaratory relief regarding their allegations. The arbitrator ruled against the Company in its affirmative claims against Ms. Travis. The Company has prevailed on its motions in court to dismiss the court actions and compel arbitration in both the Alvarez and Travis matters. Ms. Travis filed a motion to certify a class in her arbitration proceeding on behalf of all similarly situated persons, and the Company opposed that motion. The Company and the plaintiffs in the Alvarez and Travis matters have agreed to consolidate those actions before a single arbitrator. Following various procedural steps by the parties, on June 1, 2009, the Florida Circuit Court issued a judgment in the Company’s favor granting summary judgment, finding that FMU had not violated Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, dismissing the common law claims against FMU and declaring FMU the prevailing party for all statutory claims. Additionally, the Court denied class certification due to the predominance of individual issues. In order to avoid the expense and uncertainty of an appeal of this dispositive judgment, the Company and all of the named plaintiffs have resolved the consolidated Alvarez and Travis matters for an amount that is immaterial to the Company’s financial position and results of operations.

Between July 21, 2004 and July 23, 2004, two derivative actions captioned Collet, Derivatively on behalf of Corinthian Colleges, Inc., v. David Moore, et al., and Davila, Derivatively on behalf of Corinthian Colleges, Inc., v. David Moore, et al., were filed in the Orange County California Superior Court against David Moore, Dennis Beal, Dennis Devereux, Beth Wilson, Mary Barry, Stan Mortensen, Bruce Deyong, Loyal Wilson, Jack Massimino, Linda Skladany, Paul St. Pierre, Michael Berry, and Anthony Digiovanni, and against the Company as a nominal defendant. Each individual defendant is one of the Company’s current or former officers and/or directors. The lawsuits allege breach of fiduciary duty, abuse of control, gross mismanagement, waste of corporate assets, unjust enrichment, and violations of the California corporations’ code, essentially based on the same allegations of conduct complained of in the initial federal securities class action complaints. The Collet and Davila cases have now been consolidated into one action. A memorandum of understanding was executed by the parties resolving the Collet and Davila cases, pending court approval, for an immaterial amount of attorneys’ fees to be paid by the Company’s directors’ and officers’ insurance carrier to the plaintiffs’ lawyers, and with the Company agreeing to certain corporate governance matters. On August 6, 2009, the Court considered the parties’ motion for approval of the settlement and ordered further briefing on the fairness of the settlement and the proposed notice to shareholders.

On August 2, 2006, the Company was served with two virtually identical derivative complaints captioned Adolf, Derivatively on behalf of nominal defendant Corinthian Colleges, Inc., v. David Moore, et al., and, Gunkel, Derivatively on behalf of nominal defendant Corinthian Colleges, Inc., v. David Moore, et al. The complaints were filed in the Orange County California Superior Court against David Moore, Paul St. Pierre, Frank McCord, Dennis Devereux, Beth Wilson, Dennis Beal, Jack Massimino, Linda Skladany, and Hank Adler. Each individual defendant is one of the Company’s current or former

 

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officers and/or directors. The lawsuits allege breach of fiduciary duty and unjust enrichment by the individual defendants related to the Company’s past option grant practices. Three other similar derivative actions were filed in Federal District Court for the Central District of California, one entitled Pfeiffer, derivatively on behalf of Corinthian Colleges, Inc., v. David Moore, et al., the second entitled M. Alvin Edwards, III, derivatively on behalf of Corinthian Colleges, Inc., v. David Moore, et al. and the third entitled Lori Close, derivatively on behalf of Corinthian Colleges Inc., v. David Moore et al. The federal cases allege violation of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, violation of the California Corporations Code, unjust enrichment and return of unearned compensation, and breach of fiduciary duties, based on similar factual allegations to the Adolph and Gunkel cases. The Pfeiffer case is filed against the same defendants as the two state court cases. The Close and Edwards cases name the following individual defendants, all of whom are current and former directors and officers of the Company: Dave Moore, Jack Massimino, Ken Ord, William Murtagh, William Buchanan, Robert Owen, Stan Mortensen, Mark Pelesh, Mary Barry, Beth Wilson, Dennis Devereux, Paul St. Pierre, Alice Kane, Terry Hartshorn, Linda Skladany, Hank Adler, Loyal Wilson and Mike Berry. The federal derivative actions have since been consolidated in federal court; the state derivative actions have also been consolidated in state court. The parties have reached a stipulated settlement in these matters, subject to court approval, in which the Company has agreed to certain corporate governance practices and the Company and its insurer have agreed to pay the plaintiffs’ lawyers attorneys’ fees. The settlement is immaterial to the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. As previously disclosed, on July 6, 2009 the United States District Court for the Central District of California preliminarily approved a settlement of the consolidated Adolf, Gunkel, Pfeiffer, and Edwards actions. A summary Notice of Pendency and Proposed Settlement of Derivative Actions describing the material terms of the settlement was previously disclosed. The settlement documentation in its entirety is available at the Company’s web site under the Investor Relations heading.

On October 3, 2007, the Company was notified that a qui tam action had been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California by a former employee (the “relator”) on behalf of himself and the federal government. The case is captioned United States of America, ex rel. Steven Fuhr v. Corinthian Colleges, Inc. The Company subsequently learned of two other qui tam actions filed against the Company captioned United States of America, ex rel. Nyoka Lee and Talala Mshuja v. Corinthian Colleges, Inc., et al, and United States of America, ex rel. Stephen Backhus v. Corinthian Colleges, Inc., et al., filed in the United States District Courts for the Central District of California and the Middle District of Florida, respectively. These qui tam actions allege violations of the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. § 3729-33, by the Company for allegedly causing false claims to be paid, or allegedly using false statements to get claims paid or approved by the federal government, because of alleged Company violations of the Higher Education Act (the “HEA”) regarding the manner in which admissions personnel are compensated. The Lee complaint also alleges causes of action for common law fraud, unjust enrichment and payment under mistake of fact against the Company, Ernst & Young LLP (the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm), and David Moore, Jack Massimino, Paul St. Pierre, Alice Kane, Linda Skladany, Hank Adler and Terry Hartshorn (all of whom are current or former directors of the Company). On March 4, 2009, the Company received written notices that the U.S. Department of Justice has declined to intervene in, or take over, these qui tam actions, and the United States District Courts in which the cases were filed unsealed the complaints. Although the government declined to intervene in these actions, the relators may continue to pursue the litigation on behalf of the federal government and, if successful, receive a portion of the federal government’s recovery. Additionally, upon a showing of good cause, the government has the right to intervene in the actions at a later time. The Backhus complaint has since been voluntarily dismissed and, on August 3, 2009, the U.S. District Court issued an order dismissing the Fuhr complaint with prejudice. The Company has filed a motion to dismiss the Lee complaint. The Company believes these complaints are without merit and intends to defend itself and its current and former directors vigorously in these matters.

On May 28, 2008, a putative class action demand in arbitration captioned Rivera v. Sequoia Education, Inc. and Corinthian Colleges, Inc. was filed with the American Arbitration Association. The plaintiffs are nine current or former HVAC students from the Company’s WyoTech Fremont and WyoTech Oakland campuses. The arbitration demand alleges violations of California’s Business and Professions Code Sections 17200 and 17500, fraud and intentional deceit, negligent misrepresentation, breach of contract and unjust enrichment/restitution, all related to alleged deficiencies and misrepresentations regarding the HVAC program at these campuses. The plaintiffs seek to certify a class composed of all HVAC students in the Company’s WyoTech Fremont and WyoTech Oakland campuses over the prior four years, and seek recovery of compensatory and punitive damages, interest, restitution and attorneys’ fees and costs. The Company believes the complaint is without merit and intends to vigorously defend itself against these allegations.

In addition to the legal proceedings and other matters described above, the Company is or may become a party to pending or threatened lawsuits related primarily to services currently or formerly performed by the Company. Such cases and claims raise difficult and complex factual and legal issues and are subject to many uncertainties and complexities, including, but not limited to, class action certification, governmental intervention, regulatory or administrative agency involvement, the facts and circumstances of each particular case or claim, the jurisdiction in which each suit is brought, and differences in applicable statutory and common law.

 

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As of June 30, 2009, the Company had established aggregate reserves for all of the matters disclosed above, as well as for those additional matters where the liabilities are probable and losses estimable but for which the Company does not believe the matters are reasonably likely to have a material impact on the results of operations or financial condition of the Company, which are immaterial to the Company’s financial position. The Company regularly evaluates the reasonableness of its accruals and makes any adjustments considered necessary. Due to the uncertainty of the outcome of litigation and claims, the Company is unable to make a reasonable estimate of the upper end of the range of potential liability for these matters. Upon resolution of any pending legal matters, the Company may incur charges in excess of presently established reserves. While any such charge could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations in the period in which it is recorded or paid, management does not believe that any such charge would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or liquidity.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

There were no matters submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009.

PART II

 

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

Dividend Policy

We have never paid cash dividends on our common stock. Payment of dividends in the future, if at all, will depend upon our earnings and financial condition and various other factors our Board of Directors may deem appropriate at the time. Our amended credit agreement limits the payment of cash dividends.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

On October 31, 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a share repurchase of up to $50 million of the Company’s common stock. From November 2006 through May 2007, the Company purchased 2,256,638 shares at a total cost of $31.4 million (an average share price of $13.90 per share).

Price Range of Common Stock

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq National Market System under the symbol “COCO.” The approximate number of holders of record of our common stock as of August 20, 2009 was 36. Our common stock was first listed on Nasdaq upon completion of our initial public offering in February 1999.

On August 20, 2009 the closing price per share of common stock was $16.61 and the range of high and low closing sales prices of our common stock, as reported by the Nasdaq National Market System, for each applicable quarter in fiscal 2008 and 2009, and the first quarter to date of fiscal 2010, is as follows:

 

     Price Range of
Common Stock
     High    Low

Fiscal Years Ended June 30:

     

2008:

     

First Quarter

   $ 16.51    $ 12.99

Second Quarter

     17.80      14.49

Third Quarter

     14.60      6.62

Fourth Quarter

     13.35      7.55

2009:

     

First Quarter

   $ 17.09    $ 11.69

Second Quarter

     16.37      11.73

Third Quarter

     21.47      14.56

Fourth Quarter

     19.49      14.99

2010:

     

First Quarter through August 20, 2009

   $ 16.74    $ 14.63

 

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Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans as of June 30, 2009

As of June 30, 2009, our equity compensation plans consisted of the 1998 Performance Award Plan (the “1998 Plan”), the 2003 Performance Award Plan as amended (the “2003 Plan”), the 2004 New Hire Plan (the “New Hire Plan”) and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”). The 1998 Plan, the 2003 Plan and the ESPP have all been approved by our shareholders.

The New Hire Plan has not been approved by our shareholders. The Company’s ability to issue new stock-based awards under the New-Hire Plan was terminated as of November 17, 2005.

 

Plan Category

   Number of securities to
be issued upon exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
    Weighted-average exercise
price of outstanding
options, warrants, and
rights
    Number of securities remaining
available for future issuance
under equity compensation plans
(excluding securities reflected in
column (a))

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

   10,292,030 (1)    $ 14.42 (3)    4,646,689

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

   101,950 (2)    $ 16.15 (3)    —  
                  

Total

   10,393,980      $ 14.44 (3)    4,646,689
                  

 

(1) Includes 381,121 shares to be issued upon the vesting of Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”), for which no exercise price will be paid.
(2) Includes 10,050 shares to be issued upon the vesting of RSUs, for which no exercise price will be paid.
(3) For purposes of calculating weighted average exercise price, RSUs are assumed to have an exercise price of $0.

 

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Performance Graph

The following graph shows a comparison of cumulative total returns for Corinthian, the Russell 2000 Index and an index of peer companies selected by Corinthian during the period commencing on June 30, 2004 and ending on June 30, 2009. The comparison assumes $100 was invested on June 30, 2003 in the Common Stock, the Russell 2000 Index and the peer companies selected by Corinthian and assumes the reinvestment of all dividends, if any. The companies in the peer group, all of which are education companies, are weighted according to their market capitalization. Included in the peer group are: Apollo Group Inc., Career Education Corporation, DeVry, Inc., ITT Educational Services, Inc., Lincoln Educational Services Corporation, Universal Technical Institute, Inc. and Strayer Education, Inc. The performance graph takes into account the two-for-one stock split of the Company’s common stock effected in the form of a stock dividend in March 2004.

LOGO

 

* $100 invested on 6/30/04 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends. Fiscal year ending June 30.

 

Date

   Corinthian
Colleges, Inc.
   Russell 2000    Peer Group    Date    Corinthian
Colleges, Inc.
   Russell 2000    Peer Group
  6/04    100.00    100.00    100.00    1/07    52.79    139.46    68.80
  7/04    75.67    93.27    88.68    2/07    56.39    138.35    72.15
  8/04    45.96    92.79    83.10    3/07    55.58    139.84    71.50
  9/04    54.49    97.14    80.42    4/07    55.90    142.35    77.00
10/04    58.04    99.06    74.58    5/07    59.05    148.18    81.99
11/04    70.43    107.65    89.42    6/07    65.84    146.01    89.87
12/04    76.17    110.83    91.22    7/07    54.45    136.02    87.09
  1/05    77.73    106.21    89.71    8/07    56.83    139.11    88.19
  2/05    69.89    108.01    84.02    9/07    64.31    141.49    91.51
  3/05    63.54    104.92    85.23    10/07    66.25    145.55    113.88
  4/05    57.44    98.91    82.93    11/07    70.57    135.10    106.96
  5/05    62.57    105.38    86.14    12/07    62.25    135.02    95.88
  6/05    51.62    109.45    88.16    1/08    34.16    125.81    102.54
  7/05    55.50    116.38    87.12    2/08    32.13    121.15    77.92
  8/05    51.25    114.22    88.76    3/08    29.22    121.65    62.91
  9/05    53.64    114.58    79.10    4/08    45.88    126.75    81.47
10/05    50.28    111.02    78.24    5/08    51.74    132.57    79.19
11/05    48.95    116.41    85.95    6/08    46.93    122.36    76.55
12/05    47.57    115.88    76.21    7/08    63.66    126.89    92.83
  1/06    51.25    126.27    73.71    8/08    53.64    131.48    92.07
  2/06    52.38    125.92    70.47    9/08    60.63    121.00    85.79
  3/06    58.21    132.03    74.72    10/08    57.72    95.83    96.85
  4/06    60.19    132.01    76.04    11/08    65.00    84.49    104.15
  5/06    55.82    124.60    72.61    12/08    66.17    89.40    102.87
  6/06    58.04    125.40    70.26    1/09    75.51    79.46    110.89
  7/06    54.24    121.32    67.43    2/09    79.63    69.80    100.92
  8/06    48.99    124.91    65.67    3/09    78.62    76.03    105.66
  9/06    43.69    125.95    66.02    4/09    62.25    87.78    90.77
10/06    49.51    133.20    59.76    5/09    62.17    90.42    86.36
11/06    52.14    136.71    62.05    6/09    68.43    91.76    101.48
12/06    55.09    137.17    62.21            

 

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following selected financial data are qualified by reference to, and should be read in conjunction with, our consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Report on Form 10-K and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” The selected statement of operations data and the balance sheet data set forth below as of and for each of the 5 years ended June 30, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. These historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in the future.

 

     Years Ended June 30,  
     2009     2008     2007     2006     2005  
     (In thousands, except per share data)  

Statement of Operations Data:

          

Net revenues (1)

   $ 1,307,825      $ 1,068,671      $ 919,224      $ 907,815      $ 908,934   
                                        

Operating expenses:

          

Educational services

     753,707        625,481        528,125        507,832        499,267   

General and administrative

     135,747        114,938        110,654        92,677        85,327   

Marketing and admissions

     294,728        276,875        248,447        240,373        215,466   

Impairment, facility closing, and severance charges

     4,378        6,603        9,693        4,170        18,165   
                                        

Total operating expenses

     1,188,560        1,023,897        896,919        845,052        818,225   
                                        

Income from operations

     119,265        44,774        22,305        62,763        90,709   

Interest income

     (1,763     (3,376     (6,244     (5,772     (3,397

Interest expense, net

     2,715        1,793        2,811        3,162        4,209   

Other (income) expense, net

     1,170        (1,387     (1,039     (1,137     160   
                                        

Income before provision for income taxes

     117,143        47,744        26,777        66,510        89,737   

Provision for income taxes

     46,015        14,879        9,950        24,025        33,501   
                                        

Income from continuing operations

     71,128        32,865        16,827        42,485        56,236   

(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax

     (2,368     (11,598     (9,595     (1,003     2,187   
                                        

Net income

   $ 68,760      $ 21,267      $ 7,232      $ 41,482      $ 58,423   
                                        

Income per common share—basic:

          

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.82      $ 0.39      $ 0.19      $ 0.48      $ 0.62   
                                        

(Loss) income from discontinued operations

   $ (0.02   $ (0.14   $ (0.11   $ (0.01   $ 0.02   
                                        

Income per common share—diluted:

          

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.81      $ 0.39      $ 0.19      $ 0.47      $ 0.61   
                                        

(Loss) income from discontinued operations

   $ (0.02   $ (0.14   $ (0.11   $ (0.01   $ 0.02   
                                        

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

          

Basic

     86,121        84,954        85,887        88,627        90,678   
                                        

Diluted

     87,517        86,013        87,097        89,973        92,760   
                                        

 

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     Years Ended June 30,  
     2009     2008     2007     2006     2005  
     (Dollars in thousands)  
Other Data:           

Cash flow provided by (used in):

          

Operating activities

   $ 198,677      $ 13,613      $ 38,804      $ 118,714      $ 127,925   

Investing activities

     (48,794     (36,568     (27,095     (51,588     (127,890

Financing activities

     (21,420     (44,914     51,122        (89,829     11,153   

Capital expenditures

     (49,525     (54,880     (70,977     (56,054     (76,556

Number of colleges/training centers at end of period

     106        106        106        108        122   

Student population at end of period

     86,088        69,211        61,332        59,924        61,439   

Starts during the period (2)

     117,352        100,210        88,699        86,521        89,490   

Balance Sheet Data:

          

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 160,276      $ 32,004      $ 99,789      $ 36,805      $ 57,863   

Marketable securities

     —          —          15,000        55,900        41,375   

Working capital

     107,948        83,314        124,563        74,342        105,108   

Total assets

     798,871        695,966        737,976        670,006        674,572   

Long-term debt, net of current portion

     13,895        62,491        112,913        31,402        54,243   

Long-term capital lease obligations, net of current portion

     14,189        14,689        15,141        14,151        12,198   

Total stockholders’ equity

   $ 517,668      $ 422,022      $ 385,422      $ 399,528      $ 410,825   

 

(1) Represents student tuition and fees and bookstore sales, net of refunds.
(2) Represents the new students starting school during the periods presented.

 

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

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Selected Financial Data and the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Report on Form 10-K.

Background and Overview

As of June 30, 2009, we operated 106 colleges with 86,088 students in 24 states and the province of Ontario, Canada. During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009, the Company had net revenues of $1,307.8 million. Our revenues consist principally of student tuition and fees and are presented as net revenues after adjustments for refunds related to students who do not complete their courses. We recognize revenues pro-rata (on a straight-line basis) over the relevant period attended by the student of the applicable course or program.

Net revenues from continuing operations increased 22.4% to $1,307.8 million in 2009 from $1,068.7 million in 2008. The increase is primarily due to a 15.1% increase in the average student population and a 6.3% increase in the average revenue rate per student during the period. The student population varies depending on, among other factors, the number of (i) continuing students at the beginning of a fiscal period, (ii) new student enrollments during the fiscal period, (iii) students who have previously withdrawn but who reenter during the fiscal period, and (iv) graduations and withdrawals during the fiscal period. New student starts typically occur several times per month in the diploma-granting colleges. In the degree-granting colleges, the majority of new student starts occur in the first month of each calendar quarter with an additional “mini-start” in the second month of each quarter in most colleges. The tuition charges vary by college depending on the local market, the program level (diploma, associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s degree) and the specific curriculum. The majority of students at our colleges rely on funds received under various government-sponsored student financial aid programs to pay a substantial portion of their tuition and other education-related expenses.

 

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Critical Accounting Estimates

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts on those financial statements. Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009 describes the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including, but not limited to, those related to our allowance for doubtful accounts, insurance/self-insurance, goodwill and intangible assets, deferred taxes, discontinued operations, contingencies and stock-based compensation. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different conditions or if our assumptions change.

Our critical accounting estimates are those which we believe require our most significant judgments about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. A discussion of our critical accounting estimates is as follows:

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability, failure or refusal of our students to make required payments. We determine the adequacy of this allowance by regularly reviewing the accounts receivable aging and applying various expected loss percentages to certain student accounts receivable categories based upon historical bad debt experience and consideration of the current economic environment. We generally write off accounts receivable balances deemed uncollectible as they are sent to collection agencies. We offer a variety of payment plans to help students pay that portion of their education expense not covered by financial aid programs. These balances are unsecured and not guaranteed. We believe our reserves are adequate; however, losses related to unpaid student balances could exceed the amounts we have reserved for bad debts. The effect of an increase in our accounts receivable allowance of 3% of our outstanding receivables from 27.8% to 30.8% or $25.4 million to $28.1 million would result in a decrease in pre-tax income of $2.7 million for the year ended June 30, 2009. The effect of an increase in our student notes receivable allowance of 3% of our outstanding earned notes receivable from 41.3% to 44.3% or $29.2 million to $31.3 million would result in a decrease in pre-tax income of $2.1 million for the year ended June 30, 2009.

Many of our students in the U.S. participate in federally guaranteed student loan programs. The federally guaranteed student loans are authorized by the Higher Education Act (“HEA”) of 1965 and are guaranteed by an agency of the federal government. The guaranteed loans are not guaranteed by us, and the guaranteed student loans cannot become an obligation of ours. Accordingly, we do not record an obligation to repay any of the guaranteed loans that are not repaid by our former students and we do not record either a contingent obligation or an allowance for future obligations as a result of student defaults of federally guaranteed student loans.

However, if an institution’s former students’ default rate on guaranteed loans (Cohort Default Rate) equals or exceeds 25% for three consecutive years, the institution may lose participation eligibility in the guaranteed loan program and its students would be denied access to the guaranteed loan program. Our institutions’ Cohort Default Rates act as a gatekeeper to their eligibility to participate in the federal student financial aid programs. We have no obligation to repay any of the federally guaranteed loans that our former students default upon, even if the Cohort Default Rates of our students exceed permitted levels. Rather, if the Cohort Default Rates at a particular institution exceed 25% for three consecutive years under current calculations, the institution’s students may lose eligibility to receive federal student financial aid. Under the HEOA, a separate calculation will be performed that will add an additional federal fiscal year of borrowers’ repayment performance. This percentage will increase to 30% after three years of Cohort Default Rates calculated with the additional federal fiscal year are available, and then become applicable to the imposition of sanctions.

Insurance/Self-Insurance. We use a combination of insurance and self-insurance for a number of risks including claims related to employee heath care, workers’ compensation, general liability, and business interruption. Liabilities associated with these risks are estimated based on, among other things, historical claims experience, severity factors and other actuarial assumptions. The Company’s loss exposure related to self- insurance is limited by stop loss coverage. Our expected loss accruals are based on estimates, and while we believe the amounts accrued are adequate, the ultimate loss may differ from the amounts provided.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets. We have significant goodwill and other intangible assets. Goodwill represents the excess of the cost over the fair market value of net assets acquired, including identified intangible assets. We consider a number of factors, including valuations and appraisals from independent valuation firms, in determining the amounts that are assignable to other intangible assets, such as curriculum, accreditation, and trade names. We, however, are ultimately responsible for the valuations. The fair value of identified intangible assets is derived using accepted valuation methodologies, including cost, market, and income approaches, as appropriate, following consultations with valuation firms and in accordance with SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations” (“SFAS No. 141”), and requirements set forth by the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.

 

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The Company does not amortize goodwill, accreditation, or trade names as these assets meet the indefinite life criteria outlined in SFAS No. 142, “Accounting for Business Combinations, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” Curricula continue to be amortized over their useful lives ranging generally from three to fifteen years and the amortization is included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Goodwill is tested annually or more frequently if circumstances indicate potential impairment, by comparing its fair value to its carrying amount at the reporting unit level as defined by SFAS No. 142. We determined the fair value of our reporting units using the income approach that includes discounted cash flow as well as other generally accepted valuation methodologies. To the extent the fair value of a reporting unit is less that the carrying amount of its assets, we record an impairment charge in the consolidated statements of operations.

Indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested annually or more frequently if circumstances indicate potential impairment, by comparing their fair values to their carrying amounts. To the extent the fair value of an intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, we record an impairment charge in the consolidated statements of operations. For instance, if we were to discontinue the use of a trade name or lose accreditation at one or more of our acquired schools to which we have ascribed value for trade names and accreditation, we would test the amounts we have allocated to such assets for impairment. Such testing would include estimating the future cash flows expected to be received from the trade names and accreditation and comparing them to their carrying values. If our estimate of the present value of these future cash flows were below the carrying values of the related assets, we would consider the assets to be impaired and take a charge against the amounts we had allocated to trade names and accreditation.

The determination of related estimated useful lives of intangible assets and whether or not these intangible assets are impaired involves significant judgment. Although we believe our goodwill and intangible assets are fairly stated, changes in strategy or market conditions could significantly impact these judgments and require adjustments to asset balances.

Discontinued Operations. During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company decided to divest the WyoTech Oakland campus. We believe that the campus meets the criteria necessary for such an entity to qualify as assets held for sale under the specific provision of SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (“SFAS 144”). During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company sold the capital assets of WyoTech Oakland for $0.2 million. Additionally, during the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company completed the teach-out of its Lynnwood WA, Everett WA, and Atlanta GA campuses. Accordingly, the results of operations of the campuses are reflected as discontinued operations in our consolidated statements of income for all periods presented. The Company expects to have no significant continuing involvement with these entities.

Under SFAS 144, the net assets held for sale are required to be recorded on the balance sheet at estimated fair value, less costs to sell. Accordingly, during the fourth quarter of 2008, we recorded a charge of approximately $2.6 million, net of income tax benefit of $1.2 million, to accrue future rental payments related to the closed campuses and to reduce the carrying value of the net assets of our campuses held for sale and closed to estimated fair value, less costs to sell, as of June 30, 2008 (primarily related to the accrued rent of $2.8 million and the impairment of fixed assets in the amount of $1.0 million). The charge is reflected as a component of loss from discontinued operations on our Consolidated Statement of Operation for the year ended June 30, 2008. We expect to have no significant continuing involvement with the schools after they have been sold or closed.

Additionally, during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 and 2008, the Company recorded an additional reserve of approximately $0.9 million and $2.2 million (net of tax), respectively, taken against receivables related to the Atlanta campus.

During the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company decided to divest all of its CDI campuses outside of the province of Ontario, Canada, as well as the WyoTech Boston campus (the “Sale Group”). The schools were sold in fiscal year 2008. Accordingly, the results of operations of the campuses within the Sale Group are reflected as discontinued operations in our consolidated statements of income for all periods presented. Under SFAS 144, the net assets held for sale are required to be recorded on the balance sheet at estimated fair value, less costs to sell. Accordingly, during the fourth quarter of 2007, we recorded a charge of approximately $5.4 million, net of income tax benefit of $0.3 million, to reduce the carrying value of the net assets of our campuses held for sale to estimated fair value, less costs to sell, as of June 30, 2007 (primarily related to the impairment of goodwill in the amount of $5.0 million for the divested CDI Schools). The Company expects to have no significant continuing involvement with these entities.

 

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Effective February 29, 2008 the Company completed the sale of its 12 Canadian schools located outside the province of Ontario to a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Eminata Group, for a cash payment of CAD $3.0 million. This payment consisted of the purchase price of CAD $7.4 million less preliminary negative working capital and other adjustments equal to CAD $4.4 million. This cash payment was subject to a final working capital adjustment that was finalized during the third quarter of fiscal 2009. The final working capital adjustment resulted in a payment to the buyer of $0.1 million.

Effective May 1, 2008, the Company completed the sale of its WyoTech Boston campus. The transaction was subject to a final working capital adjustment that was finalized during the third quarter of fiscal 2009. The final working capital adjustment resulted in a payment to the buyer of $0.1 million.

Deferred Taxes. We currently have deferred income tax assets which are subject to periodic recoverability assessments. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that more likely than not will be realized. Realization of our deferred income tax assets is principally dependent upon achievement of projected future taxable income offset by deferred income tax liabilities. We evaluate the realizability of our deferred income tax assets annually. In addition, we review our income tax filing positions quarterly and update our tax contingency reserves as necessary under FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (FIN 48), adopted during fiscal year 2008. See Note 9—Income Taxes.

Contingencies. In the ordinary conduct of the business, we are subject to occasional lawsuits, investigations and claims, including, but not limited to, claims involving students and graduates and routine employment matters. When we are aware of a claim or potential claim, we assess the likelihood of any loss or exposure. If it is probable that a loss will result and the amount of the loss can reasonably estimated, we record a liability for the loss. If the loss is not probable or the amount of the loss cannot be reasonably estimated, we disclose the nature of the specific claim if the likelihood of a potential loss is reasonably possible and the amount involved is material. There can be no assurance that the ultimate outcome of any of the lawsuits, investigations or claims pending against us will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Stock-based Compensation. In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS No. 123(R)”), which amends SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”, supercedes APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”, and amends SFAS No. 95, “Statement of Cash Flows.” SFAS No. 123(R) requires companies to measure all employee stock-based compensation awards using a fair value method and record such expense in its consolidated financial statements. In addition, the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) requires additional accounting and disclosure related to the income tax and cash flow effects resulting from share-based payment arrangements. SFAS No. 123(R) is effective beginning as of the first interim or annual reporting period beginning after June 15, 2005. Accordingly, we adopted SFAS No. 123(R) during the first quarter of fiscal 2006 in accordance with the modified-prospective-transition method and began recognizing compensation expense for stock options which vested during the year.

Acquisitions/Dispositions

Since our inception, we have completed the following acquisitions and disposals. Each acquisition has been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. The results of operations related to the transactions are included in our consolidated results of operations since their respective dates:

On June 30, 1995, we acquired five colleges from National Education Corporation. As part of the same transaction, we subsequently acquired from National Education Corporation a second group of five colleges on September 30, 1995 and an additional six colleges on December 31, 1995. The adjusted purchase price for all 16 colleges was approximately $4.7 million in cash.

From July 1, 1996 through October 17, 1996, we acquired a total of 20 colleges in 3 separate transactions for a purchase price of $24.2 million in cash.

On January 18, 2000, we acquired substantially all of the assets of Harbor Medical College, which operated one college in Torrance, California, for approximately $300,000 in cash.

On April 1, 2000, we acquired substantially all of the assets of the Georgia Medical Institute, which operated three colleges in the greater Atlanta, Georgia metropolitan area, for approximately $7.0 million in cash.

On June 1, 2000, we acquired substantially all of the assets of Academy of Business College, Inc. which operated one college in Phoenix, Arizona, for approximately $1.0 million in cash.

On October 23, 2000, we acquired substantially all of the assets of Educorp, Inc. which operated four colleges in California, for approximately $12.6 million in cash.

 

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On November 1, 2000, we acquired substantially all of the assets of Computer Training Academy, Inc. which operated two colleges in northern California, for approximately $6.1 million in cash. We closed one campus in April 2002 and combined the second campus with another campus in close proximity in June 2004.

On February 1, 2001, we acquired all of the outstanding stock of Grand Rapids Educational Center, Inc., which operated three campuses in Michigan and Illinois, for approximately $2.8 million in cash.

On April 1, 2002, we acquired all of the outstanding stock of National School of Technology, Inc., which operated three campuses in the greater Miami, Florida area, for approximately $14.4 million in cash.

On July 1, 2002, we acquired all of the outstanding stock of WyoTech Acquisition Corporation, which operated two colleges in Laramie, Wyoming and Blairsville, Pennsylvania. The cash purchase price was $84.4 million and was funded through cash on hand and approximately $43 million provided from our credit facility.

On January 2, 2003, we acquired substantially all of the assets of Learning Tree University, Inc. and LTU Extension, Inc., which operated two training centers in southern California, for approximately $3.3 million in cash, plus the possibility of an additional $2.0 million if the acquired operations achieved certain operating performance targets. We closed the two LTU training centers in May 2004.

On August 1, 2003, we acquired all of the outstanding stock of Career Choices, Inc., which operated 10 campuses in California, Washington and Oregon, for approximately $56.3 million, financed through a combination of available cash and borrowings from our credit facility. We combined one of the campuses in Washington with other campuses in close proximity in June 2004. Additionally, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 the Company completed the teach-out of its Everett, WA campus.

On August 6, 2003, we acquired substantially all of the assets of East Coast Aero Tech, LLC, which operated one campus in Massachusetts, for approximately $3.2 million plus or minus certain balance sheet adjustments, financed through a combination of available cash and borrowings from our credit facility.

On August 19, 2003, we acquired approximately 89% of the outstanding shares of common stock of CDI Education Corporation (“CDI”) through a tender offer to acquire all of the outstanding shares of common stock. As of October 7, 2003, we had acquired all shares of CDI for approximately $42.1 million and the assumption of approximately $10 million of debt and other liabilities. We funded the acquisition with available cash and borrowings from our credit facility. CDI operated 45 post-secondary colleges and 15 corporate training centers throughout Canada. In October 2003, we completed the acquisition of CMA Careers, Inc. located in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. The intent to acquire this campus by CDI had been agreed to prior to our acquisition of CDI. We combined one of the CDI campuses with another campus in close proximity in April 2004 and closed 11 campuses and one training center in fiscal 2005. During fiscal 2006 we completed the sale of substantially all the assets of CDI’s corporate training division, CDI Education, whereby we sold the remaining training centers. The Company recognized a gain of approximately $1.4 million (pre-tax) which is included within other (income) expense on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

On August 4, 2004, we acquired substantially all of the assets of A.M.I., Inc. (“AMI”) for approximately $11 million, plus the assumption of certain liabilities of approximately $0.5 million. We funded the acquisition with available cash. AMI operates one campus in Daytona Beach, Florida that offers accredited diploma programs to prepare students for jobs as motorcycle, marine, and personal watercraft technicians.

Effective February 29, 2008 the Company completed the sale of its 12 Canadian schools located outside the province of Ontario to a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Eminata Group, for a cash payment of CAD $3.0 million. This payment consists of the purchase price of CAD $7.4 million less preliminary negative working capital and other adjustments equal to CAD $4.4 million. This cash payment was subject to a final working capital adjustment that was finalized during the third quarter of fiscal 2009. The final working capital adjustment resulted in a payment to the buyer of $0.1 million.

Effective May 1, 2008, the Company completed the sale of its WyoTech Boston campus. The transaction was subject to a final working capital adjustment that was finalized during the third quarter of fiscal 2009. The final working capital adjustment resulted in a payment to the buyer of $0.1 million.

Results of Operations

During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company decided to divest the WyoTech Oakland campus. We believe that the campus meets the criteria necessary for such an entity to qualify as assets held for sale under the specific provision of SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (“SFAS 144”). During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company sold the capital assets of WyoTech Oakland for $0.2 million. Additionally, during the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company completed the teach-out of its Lynnwood WA, Everett WA, and Atlanta GA campuses. Accordingly, the results of operations of the campuses are reflected as discontinued operations in our consolidated statements of income for all periods presented. The Company expects to have no significant continuing involvement with these entities.

 

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Under SFAS 144, the net assets held for sale are required to be recorded on the balance sheet at estimated fair value, less costs to sell. Accordingly, during the fourth quarter of 2008, we recorded a charge of approximately $2.6 million, net of income tax benefit of $1.2 million, to accrue future rental payments related to the closed campuses and to reduce the carrying value of the net assets of our campuses held for sale and closed to estimated fair value, less costs to sell, as of June 30, 2008 (primarily related to the accrued rent of $2.8 million and the impairment of fixed assets in the amount of $1.0 million). The charge is reflected as a component of loss from discontinued operations on our Consolidated Statement of Operation for the year ended June 30, 2008. We expect to have no significant continuing involvement with the schools after they have been sold or closed.

Additionally, during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 and 2008, the Company recorded an additional reserve of approximately $0.9 million and $2.2 million (net of tax), respectively, taken against receivables related to the Atlanta campus.

During the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company decided to divest all of its CDI campuses outside of the province of Ontario, Canada, as well as the WyoTech Boston campus (the “Sale Group”). The schools were sold in fiscal year 2008. Accordingly, the results of operations of the campuses within the Sale Group are reflected as discontinued operations in our consolidated statements of income for all periods presented. Under SFAS 144, the net assets held for sale are required to be recorded on the balance sheet at estimated fair value, less costs to sell. Accordingly, during the fourth quarter of 2007, we recorded a charge of approximately $5.4 million, net of income tax benefit of $0.3 million, to reduce the carrying value of the net assets of our campuses held for sale to estimated fair value, less costs to sell, as of June 30, 2007 (primarily related to the impairment of goodwill in the amount of $5.0 million for the divested CDI Schools). The Company expects to have no significant continuing involvement with these entities.

Effective February 29, 2008 the Company completed the sale of its 12 Canadian schools located outside the province of Ontario to a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Eminata Group, for a cash payment of CAD $3.0 million. This payment consists of the purchase price of CAD $7.4 million less preliminary negative working capital and other adjustments equal to CAD $4.4 million. This cash payment was subject to a final working capital adjustment that was finalized during the third quarter of fiscal 2009. The final working capital adjustment resulted in a payment to the buyer of $0.1 million.

Effective May 1, 2008, the Company completed the sale of its WyoTech Boston campus. The transaction was subject to a final working capital adjustment that was finalized during the third quarter of fiscal 2009. The final working capital adjustment resulted in a payment to the buyer of $0.1 million.

We categorize our expenses as educational services, general and administrative, and marketing and admissions. Educational services expenses primarily consist of those costs incurred to deliver and administer the education programs at the colleges, including faculty and college administration compensation; college facility rent and other occupancy costs; bad debt expense; education materials and supplies; bookstore and classroom expenses; depreciation and amortization of college property and equipment; default management expenses and financial aid processing costs.

General and administrative expenses consist principally of those costs incurred at the campus support center and regional level in support of college operations, except for marketing and admissions related costs. Included in general and administrative expenses are costs relating to executive management, campus support center staff and regional operations management compensation; depreciation and amortization of corporate property and equipment and certain intangibles; rent and other occupancy costs for campus support center; and other expenses incurred at campus support center. Additionally, all bonus and other incentive compensation expenses are included in general and administrative expenses.

Marketing and admissions expenses include compensation for college admissions staff, regional admissions personnel, compensation expenses for marketing management, and all direct marketing and production costs.

 

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The following table summarizes our operating results as a percentage of net revenues for the periods indicated.

 

     Years Ended June 30,  
     2009     2008     2007  

Statement of Operations Data:

      

Net revenues

   100.0   100.0   100.0
                  

Operating expenses:

      

Educational services

   57.6      58.5      57.5   

General and administrative

   10.4      10.8      12.0   

Marketing and admissions

   22.6      25.9      27.0   

Impairment, facility closing, and severance charges

   0.3      0.6      1.1   
                  

Total operating expenses

   90.9      95.8      97.6   

Income from operations

   9.1      4.2      2.4   

Interest income

   (0.1   (0.3   (0.7

Interest expense, net

   0.1      0.1      0.3   

Other (income) expense, net

   0.1      (0.1   (0.1
                  

Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes

   9.0      4.5      2.9   

Provision for income taxes

   3.6      1.4      1.0   
                  

Income from continuing operations

   5.4      3.1      1.9   

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

   (0.1   (1.1   (1.1
                  

Net income

   5.3   2.0   0.8
                  

Year Ended June 30, 2009 Compared to Year Ended June 30, 2008

Net Revenues. Net revenues increased $239.1 million, or 22.4%, from $1,068.7 million in fiscal 2008 to $1,307.8 million in fiscal 2009. The increase is primarily due to a 15.1% increase in the average student population and a 6.3% increase in the average revenue rate per student during the period. At June 30, 2009, student population related to continuing operations was 86,088, compared with 69,211 at June 30, 2008. Total student starts related to continuing operations increased 17.1% to 117,352 for the year ended June 30, 2009 when compared to the prior year. As of June 30, 2009 and 2008, we operated 106 colleges.

Educational Services. Educational services expenses include direct operating expenses of the schools consisting primarily of payroll and payroll related expenses, rents, occupancy, supplies expenses, bad debt expense and other educational related expenses. Educational services expenses increased $128.2 million, or 20.5%, from $625.5 million in fiscal 2008 to $753.7 million in fiscal 2009. As a percentage of net revenues, educational services expenses decreased from 58.5% of revenues in fiscal 2008 to 57.6% of revenues in fiscal 2009. The decrease as a percentage of revenue was primarily due to a reduction in facility and personnel costs, partially offset by an increase in bookstore and bad debt expense. Bad debt expense amounted to $106.7 million and 8.2% of net revenue in fiscal 2009 compared to $72.8 million and 6.8% of net revenue in fiscal 2008. The increase in bad debt expense was primarily due to additional exposure the Company incurred to student receivables as a result of the contraction of liquidity in the credit markets for subprime borrowers. The reduction in facility and personnel costs as a percentage of revenue is primarily attributable to the amounts being generally fixed in nature.

General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses include incentive bonuses and corporate payroll related expenses, campus support center office rents and occupancy expenses, professional fees and other support related expenses. General and administrative expenses increased $20.8 million, or 18.1%, from $114.9 million in fiscal 2008 to $135.7 million in fiscal 2009. As a percentage of net revenues, general and administrative expenses decreased from 10.8% of net revenues in fiscal 2008 to 10.4% of net revenues in fiscal 2009.

Marketing and Admissions. Marketing and admissions expenses consist primarily of payroll and payroll related expenses, direct-response and other advertising expenses, promotional materials and other related marketing costs. Marketing and admissions expenses increased $17.8 million, or 6.4%, from $276.9 million in fiscal 2008 to $294.7 million in fiscal 2009. As a percentage of net revenues, marketing and admissions expenses decreased from 25.9% of net revenues in fiscal 2008 to 22.6% of net revenues in fiscal 2009. The decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease in advertising costs. The cost per start decreased $251, or 9.1%, from $2,763 in fiscal 2008 to $2,512 in fiscal 2009.

 

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Impairment, Facility Closing and Severance Charges. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, we incurred impairment and severance charges of $4.4 million. Of that amount, approximately $2.5 million is related to a loss on student loan receivables associated with the Marietta and Jonesboro, Georgia campuses. These schools were branches of the Atlanta, Georgia campus during a portion of the previous fiscal year. Due to accreditation issues, the Atlanta campus was closed during fiscal 2008 and placed in discontinued operations. In addition, the Company recorded a severance charge of $1.9 million.

Provision for Income Taxes. The effective income tax rate was 39.3% of income before income taxes in fiscal 2009 compared to 31.2% of income before income taxes in fiscal 2008. The lower effective rate in fiscal 2008 was due to a reduction in the liability for uncertain tax positions following the completion of the IRS exam for fiscal years 2004 through 2006 and the filing of an application for a change in accounting method with the IRS during the third quarter of fiscal 2008. Additionally, during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, we recognized a benefit related to the Pennsylvania ‘Keystone Opportunity Zone Credit’ for taxes paid during fiscal years 2004 to 2007.

Discontinued Operations. The loss of $2.4 million in discontinued operations includes the operating results of the campuses closed and a reserve of approximately $0.9 million (net of tax) taken against receivables related to the Atlanta campus.

Year Ended June 30, 2008 Compared to Year Ended June 30, 2007

Net Revenues. Net revenues increased $149.5 million, or 16.3%, from $919.2 million in fiscal 2007 to $1,068.7 million. The increase is primarily due to a 5.8% increase in the average revenue rate per student and a 9.8% increase in the average student population during the period. At June 30, 2008, student population related to continuing operations was 69,211, compared with 61,332 at June 30, 2007. Total student starts related to continuing operations increased 13.0% to 100,210 for the year ended June 30, 2008 when compared to the prior year. As of June 30, 2008 and 2007, we operated 106 colleges.

Educational Services. Educational services expenses include direct operating expenses of the schools consisting primarily of payroll and payroll related expenses, rents, occupancy, supplies expenses, bad debt expense and other educational related expenses. Educational services expenses increased $97.4 million, or 18.4%, from $528.1 million in fiscal 2007 to $625.5 million in fiscal 2008. As a percentage of net revenues, educational services expenses increased from 57.5% of revenues in fiscal 2007 to 58.5% of revenues in fiscal 2008. The increase, as a percent of revenues, was due primarily to an increase in bad debt expenses. Bad debt expense in fiscal 2008 amounted to $72.8 million and 6.8% of net revenues, compared to $52.6 million or 5.7% of net revenues in fiscal 2007. The increase in bad debt expense was primarily due to additional exposure the Company incurred to student receivables as a result of the contraction of liquidity in the credit markets for subprime borrowers.

General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses include incentive bonuses and corporate payroll related expenses, campus support center office rents and occupancy expenses, professional fees and other support related expenses. General and administrative expenses increased $4.2 million, or 3.8%, from $110.7 million in fiscal 2007 to $114.9 million in fiscal 2008. As a percentage of net revenues, general and administrative expenses decreased from 12.0% of net revenues in fiscal 2007 to 10.8% of net revenues in fiscal 2008. The decrease as a percent of revenues was primarily the result of lower legal costs, partially offset by an increase in incentive compensation.

Marketing and Admissions. Marketing and admissions expenses consist primarily of payroll and payroll related expenses, direct-response and other advertising expenses, promotional materials and other related marketing costs. Marketing and admissions expenses increased $28.5 million, or 11.5%, from $248.4 million in fiscal 2007 to $276.9 million in fiscal 2008. As a percentage of net revenues, marketing and admissions expenses decreased from 27.0% of net revenues in fiscal 2007 to 25.9% of net revenues in fiscal 2008. The decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease in advertising, partially offset by an increase in costs related to admissions personnel. The cost per start decreased $38, or 1.4%, from $2,801 in fiscal 2007 to $2,763 in fiscal 2008.

 

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Impairment, Facility Closing and Severance Charges. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, we incurred impairment, facility closing and severance charges of $6.6 million. Of that amount, approximately $4.8 million is related to a loss on student loan receivables associated with the Marietta and Jonesboro, Georgia campuses. These schools were branches of the Atlanta, Georgia campus. Due to accreditation issues, the Atlanta campus was closed and placed in discontinued operations. In addition, the Company recorded lease termination costs of $0.9 million related to student housing and a severance charge of $0.9 million.

Provision for Income Taxes. The effective income tax rate was 31.2% of income before income taxes in fiscal 2008 compared to 37.2% of income before income taxes in fiscal 2007. The reduction in the effective rate was due to a reduction in the liability for uncertain tax positions following the completion of the IRS exam for fiscal years 2004 through 2006 and the filing of an application for a change in accounting method with the IRS during the third quarter of fiscal 2008. Additionally, during the fourth quarter we recognized a benefit related to the Pennsylvania ‘Keystone Opportunity Zone Credit’ for taxes paid during fiscal years 2004 to 2007.

Discontinued Operations. The loss of $11.6 million in discontinued operations includes the operating results of the campuses closed and held for sale as well as lease costs related to the closure of the Atlanta campus and a reserve of approximately $2.2 million (net of tax) taken against receivables related to the Atlanta campus.

Seasonality and Other Factors Affecting Quarterly Results

Our revenues normally fluctuate as a result of seasonal variations in our business. Student population varies as a result of new student enrollments and student attrition. Historically, our colleges, schools and training centers have had lower student populations in the first fiscal quarter than in the remainder of the year. Our expenses, however, do not vary as significantly as student population and revenues. We expect quarterly fluctuations in operating results to continue as a result of seasonal enrollment patterns. Such patterns may change, however, as a result of acquisitions, new branch openings, new program adoptions and increased enrollments from recent high school graduates. The operating results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results for any future period. See the footnote entitled “Quarterly Financial Summary (Unaudited)” of the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere herein.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

On August 10, 2007, we executed Amendment No. 1 to our Second Amended and Restated Credit Facility dated June 8, 2005. The amendment, which was effective as of June 30, 2007, adjusted the maintenance level for the fixed charge coverage ratio. All other terms of the facility remained unchanged including the aggregate borrowing capacity of $235 million, of which $175 million is a domestic facility and $60 million is a Canadian facility. The Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement expires in July 2010. The Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement has been established to provide available funds for acquisitions, to fund general corporate purposes, and to provide for letters of credit issuances of up to $50 million for domestic letters of credit and $20 million for Canadian letters of credit. Borrowings under the agreement bear interest at several pricing alternatives available to us, including Eurodollar and adjusted reference or base rates. The domestic base rate is defined as the higher of the Federal Funds rate plus 1/2 of 1% or the Bank of America prime rate. The Canadian base rate is defined as the higher of the average rate for 30 day Canadian Dollar bankers’ acceptances plus 3/4 of 1% or the Bank of America Canada prime rate. The agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants including financial covenants requiring the maintenance of consolidated net worth, fixed charge coverage ratios, leverage ratios, and a ED financial responsibility composite score ratio. As of June 30, 2009, we were in compliance with all of the covenants. As of June 30, 2009, the credit facility had borrowings outstanding of $13.9 million and approximately $11.5 million was used to support standby letters of credit. The second amended and restated credit agreement is secured by the stock of our significant operating subsidiaries and it is guaranteed by our present and future significant operating subsidiaries.

Working capital amounted to $107.9 million as of June 30, 2009 and $83.3 million as of June 30, 2008 and the current ratio was 1.5:1 in fiscal 2009 and 1.6:1 in fiscal 2008. Average daily borrowings outstanding amounted to approximately $25.1 million in fiscal 2009, $31.8 million in fiscal 2008 and $31.4 million in fiscal 2007. The increase in working capital compared to June 30, 2008 is primarily due to higher cash collections resulting from an increase in revenue and cash proceeds from stock option exercises, partially offset by the repayment of cash borrowed for purposes of calculating our composite score during the prior year.

Cash flows provided by operating activities amounted to $198.7 million in fiscal 2009 compared to $13.6 million in fiscal 2008 and $38.8 million in fiscal 2007. The increase in cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 2009 compared to fiscal 2008 was primarily due to an increase in net income of $47.5 million, an increase in cash collected on accounts receivable and notes receivables of $71.5 million, and an increase in current liabilities of $66.9 during fiscal 2009 compared to a $17.6 million decrease in current liabilities during fiscal 2008 due to timing differences. Included in cash flows from operating activities is ($1.2) million, ($2.6) million, and ($8.3) million of net cash (used in) provided by operating activities related to discontinued operations for fiscal 2009, fiscal 2008, and fiscal 2007, respectively.

 

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Cash flows used in investing activities amounted to $48.8 million in fiscal 2009, $36.6 million in fiscal 2008 and $27.1 million in fiscal 2007. The increase in cash used in investing activities during fiscal 2009 compared to fiscal 2008 is due primarily to lower net proceeds from the sale of marketable securities. The net proceeds from the sale of marketable securities in fiscal 2009, 2008, and 2007 was $0.0, $15.0, and $40.9 million, respectively.

Capital expenditures amounted to $49.5 million in fiscal 2009, $54.9 million in fiscal 2008 and $71.0 million in fiscal 2007. Capital expenditures were incurred to relocate, remodel and enlarge campuses. During fiscal 2009, we incurred capital expenditures to relocate 5 campuses and to enlarge or remodel 5 campuses. During fiscal 2008, we incurred capital expenditures to relocate 2 campuses and to enlarge or remodel 10 campuses and during fiscal 2007, we incurred capital expenditures to relocate 2 campuses and to enlarge or remodel 6 campuses. Capital expenditures of approximately $13.3 million, $25.2 million and $17.9 million were incurred to purchase and to integrate software in fiscal 2009, fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007, respectively. Included in cash flows from investing activities are capital expenditures of $0.0 million, $0.1 million, and $1.3 million related to discontinued operations for fiscal 2009, fiscal 2008, and fiscal 2007, respectively.

Cash flows used in financing activities amounted to $21.4 million in fiscal 2009 and 44.9 million in fiscal 2008. Cash flows provided by financing activities amounted to $51.1 million in fiscal 2007. During fiscal 2009, cash used in financing activities consisted of net repayment of borrowings of $45.4 million, partially offset by proceeds from the exercise of stock options and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan of $19.2 million and the excess tax benefit from share-based compensation of $4.7 million. During fiscal 2008, cash used in financing activities consisted of repayment of borrowings of $52.2 million, partially offset by proceeds from the exercise of stock options and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan of $7.3 million. During fiscal 2007, cash provided by financing activities consisted of proceeds from borrowings of $80.0 million and proceeds from the exercise of stock options and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan of $4.0 million, partially offset by the purchase of treasury stock of $31.4 million and payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations of $1.5 million.

Historically, we had developed several loan programs with origination and servicing providers such as Sallie Mae for students with low credit scores who otherwise would not qualify for loans. These loan programs required that we pay a discount fee to the origination and servicing providers of the loans as a reserve against future defaults on these loans. We have historically referred to these types of loans as “discount loans,” since we incurred a portion of the default risk related to these student loans by taking a discount on the disbursement. By accepting a reduced payment for these discounted loans from the servicing providers, we were not at risk for the amounts agreed to by them and the service providers but were not entitled to any proceeds collected by the service providers in excess of this amount. Therefore we had recorded this discount as a reduction to revenue.

In fiscal 2008 we were informed by Sallie Mae and two other origination and servicing providers that they would no longer make private loans available for students who present higher credit risks (i.e. subprime borrowers). In the face of this change in policy, we created a new lending program in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 with a different origination and servicing provider, Genesis Lending Services, Inc. (“Genesis”), who specializes in subprime credit. This new lending program has characteristics similar to our previous “discount loan” programs. As with our previous discount loan program, under this new Genesis program we pay a discount to the origination and servicing provider for any loans purchased by Genesis and record the discount as a reduction to revenue. However, unlike our previous discount loan programs, under our new discount program we have both the right and an obligation to acquire the related loan, except in certain limited circumstances where Genesis does not comply with the terms of our agreement. Since we initiated the new discount program, we have acquired all of the loans that have been originated. Therefore, we are currently exposed to any credit defaults by our students but retain all amounts collected from our students under the current program. Additionally, the new discount loan program has also replaced our legacy loan program, called STAR. We estimate loans funded under the Genesis program, net of estimated refunds have been approximately $120.0 million and $10.0 million, for the years ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. These amounts are an estimate as some loans contain amounts that will be recognized during future periods. Accordingly, unrecognized loans amounts are subject to the Company’s refund policy.

Originally, we estimated that the average loan discount rate associated with this program would be approximately 50%, based upon the projected mix of students’ credit scores. Based on actual loan volume and credit score mix, we estimate the average loan discount to be approximately 55% for loans funded during fiscal year 2009 and 2008.

Included within the Consolidated Statement of Operations, under the caption “Other (income) expense,” for the year ended June 30, 2009 is a net expense of $0.6 million, associated with the Genesis notes program. The net expense reflects the costs related to servicing the loans, partially offset by interest income. In accordance with SFAS No. 91, “Accounting for Nonrefundable Fees and Costs Associated with Originating or Acquiring Loans and Initial Direct Costs of Leases,” we defer and recognize both the loan origination income and direct loan origination costs as an adjustment to the yield over the life of the related loan. All other lending-related costs, including costs related to servicing fees are charged to expense as incurred.

We believe that our working capital, cash flow from operations, access to operating leases and borrowings available from our amended credit agreement will provide us with adequate resources for our ongoing operations and planned capital expenditures through fiscal 2010.

 

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations

As of June 30, 2009, future minimum cash payments due under contractual obligations, including our credit agreement, mortgages, and non-cancelable operating and capital lease agreements, are as follows:

 

      Payments due by period (in thousands)

Contractual Obligations

   Total    Less than
1 year
   1-3 years    4-5 years    More than
5 years

Long-Term Debt (1)

   $ 13,895    $ —      $ 13,895    $ —      $ —  

Capital Lease Obligations

     27,001      1,996      4,037      4,125      16,843

Operating Lease Obligations

     487,784      80,279      140,179      97,998      169,328
                                  

Total

   $ 528,680    $ 82,275    $ 158,111    $ 102,123    $ 186,171
                                  

 

(1) Long-term debt consists of a revolving credit facility. The related obligation of $13.9 million does not reflect interest amounts due under the credit facility. See Note 6 for additional information related to the Company’s credit facility.

The United States ED requires that Title IV Program funds collected in advance of student billings be kept in a separate cash or cash equivalent account until the students are billed for the program portion related to those funds. In addition, all Title IV Program funds received by our schools through electronic funds transfer are subject to certain holding period restrictions. These funds are also deposited into a separate account until the restrictions are satisfied. As of June 30, 2009, we held nominal amounts of such funds in separate accounts. The restrictions on any cash held have not significantly affected our ability to fund daily operations.

 

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to the impact of interest rate changes and foreign currency fluctuations. We do not utilize interest rate swaps, forward or option contracts on foreign currencies or commodities, or other types of derivative financial instruments to manage these risks.

Interest Rate Exposure. As of June 30, 2009, our only assets or liabilities subject to risks from interest rate changes are (i) debt under the credit facility in the aggregate amount of $13.9 million and capital lease obligations of $14.7 million, and (ii) student notes receivable, net, in the aggregate amount of $41.5 million. Our capital lease obligations and student notes receivable are all at fixed interest rates. We do not believe we are subject to material risks from reasonably possible near-term changes in market interest rates.

Foreign Currency Exposure. A portion of our operations consists of an investment in a foreign subsidiary whose functional currency is the Canadian dollar. Our investment in our foreign operations as of June 30, 2009 was approximately CAD $28.6 million and we had borrowings outstanding under the credit facility of approximately CAD $16 million. As a result, the consolidated financial results have been and could continue to be affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The following financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries are included below on pages 56-83 of this report:

 

      10-K
Report Page

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

   53

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   54

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2009 and 2008

   55

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended June 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007

   56

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended June 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007

   57

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended June 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007

   58

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   59

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of

Corinthian Colleges, Inc.

We have audited Corinthian Colleges, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). Corinthian Colleges, Inc.’s management is responsible 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 internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

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 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 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 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.

In our opinion, Corinthian Colleges, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2009, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Corinthian Colleges, Inc. and subsidiaries as of June 30, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2009 of Corinthian Colleges, Inc. and subsidiaries and our report dated August 25, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Orange County, California

August 25, 2009

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of

Corinthian Colleges, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Corinthian Colleges, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of June 30, 2009 and 2008, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2009. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Corinthian Colleges, Inc. and subsidiaries at June 30, 2009 and 2008, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2009, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

As discussed in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in 2008, the Company adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes.”

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Corinthian Colleges, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated August 25, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Orange County, California

August 25, 2009

 

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CORINTHIAN COLLEGES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

 

     As of June 30,  
     2009     2008  
ASSETS     

CURRENT ASSETS:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 160,276      $ 32,004   

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $25,416 and $39,309 at June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively

     65,976        115,085   

Student notes receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $8,203 and $2,143 at June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively

     11,532        4,478   

Deferred income taxes

     32,369        29,156   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     37,946        32,729   

Assets held for sale from discontinued operations

     432        3,507   
                

Total current assets

     308,531        216,959   

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net

     227,553        226,514   

OTHER ASSETS:

    

Goodwill

     186,644        191,950   

Other intangibles, net

     38,647        40,118   

Student notes receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $20,975 and $6,917 at June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively

     29,938        12,562   

Deposits and other assets

     3,709        4,203   

Deferred income taxes

     3,849       3,660   
                

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 798,871      $ 695,966   
                
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY     

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 39,159      $ 29,124   

Accrued compensation and related liabilities

     79,989        48,626   

Accrued expenses

     13,048        7,150   

Prepaid tuition

     66,656        45,176   

Current portion of capital lease obligations

     474        428   

Liabilities held for sale from discontinued operations

     1,257        3,141   
                

Total current liabilities

     200,583        133,645   

LONG-TERM CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS, net of current portion

     14,189        14,689   

LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current portion

     13,895        62,491   

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

     14,922        20,399   

OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

     37,614        42,720   

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 11)

    

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

    

Common Stock, $0.0001 par value:

    

Common Stock, 120,000 shares authorized: 89,341 issued and 87,085 shares outstanding at June 30, 2009 and 87,475 issued and 85,219 shares outstanding at June 30, 2008

     9        9   

Additional paid-in capital

     208,331        178,542   

Treasury stock

     (31,368     (31,368

Retained earnings

     343,197        274,437   

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     (2,501     402   
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     517,668        422,022   
                

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 798,871      $ 695,966   
                

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

 

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CORINTHIAN COLLEGES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

      Years Ended June 30,  
     2009     2008     2007  

NET REVENUES

   $ 1,307,825      $ 1,068,671      $ 919,224   
                        

OPERATING EXPENSES:

      

Educational services (including bad debt expense of $106,702, $72,757 and $52,607 for the years ended June 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively)

     753,707        625,481        528,125   

General and administrative

     135,747        114,938        110,654   

Marketing and admissions

     294,728        276,875        248,447   

Impairment, facility closing and severance charges

     4,378        6,603        9,693   
                        

Total operating expenses

     1,188,560        1,023,897        896,919   
                        

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

     119,265        44,774        22,305   

Interest income

     (1,763     (3,376     (6,244

Interest expense (net of capitalized interest of $486, $2,054, and $915 for the years ended June 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively)

     2,715        1,793        2,811   

Other expense (income), net

     1,170        (1,387     (1,039
                        

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

     117,143        47,744        26,777   

Provision for income taxes

     46,015        14,879        9,950   
                        

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

     71,128        32,865        16,827   

LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, net of tax benefit of ($1,603), ($5,346), and ($1,963) for the years ended June 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively

     (2,368     (11,598     (9,595
                        

NET INCOME

   $ 68,760      $ 21,267      $ 7,232   
                        

INCOME PER SHARE—BASIC:

      

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.82      $ 0.39      $ 0.19   

Loss from discontinued operations

     (0.02     (0.14     (0.11
                        

Net income

   $ 0.80      $ 0.25      $ 0.08   
                        

INCOME PER SHARE—DILUTED:

      

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.81      $ 0.39      $ 0.19   

Loss from discontinued operations

     (0.02     (0.14     (0.11
                        

Net income

   $ 0.79      $ 0.25      $ 0.08   
                        

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

      

Basic

     86,121        84,954        85,887   
                        

Diluted

     87,517        86,013        87,097   
                        

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

 

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CORINTHIAN COLLEGES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands)

 

     Common Stock    Additional          Accumulated
Other
             
     Shares    Par
Value
   Paid-in
Capital
   Treasury
Stock
    Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Retained
Earnings
    Stockholders’
Equity
 

Balance at June 30, 2006

   86,238    $ 9    $ 150,225    $ —        $ 932      $ 248,362      $ 399,528   

Comprehensive income

                 

Net income

   —        —        —        —          —          7,232        7,232   

Foreign currency translation

   —        —        —        —          616        —          616   

Other post employment benefit transition adjustment

   —        —        —        —          (673     —          (673
                       

Total comprehensive income

   —        —        —        —          —          —          7,175   
                       

Issuance of common stock from employee stock purchase plan and exercise of stock options, including tax benefit

   535      —        3,659      —          —          —          3,659   

Treasury stock repurchase

   —        —        —        (31,368     —          —          (31,368

Stock based compensation expense

   —        —        6,428      —          —          —          6,428   
                                                   

Balance at June 30, 2007

   86,773      9      160,312      (31,368     875        255,594        385,422   

Adoption of FIN 48 (See Note 9)

   —        —        —        —          —          (2,424     (2,424
                                                   

Balance as of July 1, 2007 upon adoption of FIN 48

   86,773      9      160,312      (31,368     875        253,170        382,998   

Comprehensive income

                 

Net income

   —        —        —        —          —          21,267        21,267   

Foreign currency translation

   —        —        —        —          (185     —          (185

Other post employment benefit adjustment

   —        —        —        —          (288     —          (288
                       

Total comprehensive income

                    20,794   
                       

Issuance of common stock from employee stock purchase plan and exercise of stock options, including tax benefit

   702      —        7,338      —          —          —          7,338   

Stock based compensation expense

   —        —        10,892      —          —          —          10,892   
                                                   

Balance at June 30, 2008

   87,475    $ 9    $ 178,542    $ (31,368   $ 402      $ 274,437      $ 422,022   

Comprehensive income

                 

Net income

   —        —        —        —          —          68,760        68,760   

Foreign currency translation

   —        —        —        —          (3,080     —          (3,080

Other post employment benefit adjustment

   —        —        —        —          177        —          177   
                       

Total comprehensive income

                    65,857   
                       

Issuance of common stock from employee stock purchase plan and exercise of stock options, including tax benefit

   1,866      —        18,013      —          —          —          18,013   

Stock based compensation expense

   —        —        11,776      —          —          —          11,776   
                                                   

Balance at June 30, 2009

   89,341    $ 9    $ 208,331    $ (31,368   $ (2,501   $ 343,197      $ 517,668   
                                                   

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

 

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CORINTHIAN COLLEGES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FROM CONTINUED AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

(In thousands)

 

     Years Ended June 30,  
     2009     2008     2007  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

      

Net income

   $ 68,760      $ 21,267      $ 7,232   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

      

Depreciation and amortization

     52,155        44,777        43,064   

Stock based compensation

     11,776        10,892        6,428   

Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation

     (4,701     —          —     

Deferred income taxes

     (6,643     (14,257     492   

Loss on disposal of assets

     16        821        769   

Impairment charge

     —          977        10,494   

Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:

      

Accounts receivable, net

     48,569        (40,294     (21,542

Student notes receivable, net

     (24,436     (7,107     (4,063

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     (4,777     12,411        (942

Accounts payable

     5,430        (11,350     4,018   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     34,918        10,808        672   

Income taxes payable

     24        (9,111     2   

Prepaid tuition

     22,242        (5,199     (7,973

Other long-term liabilities

     (4,656     (1,022     153   
                        

Net cash provided by operating activities

     198,677        13,613        38,804   
                        

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

      

Disposals of schools, colleges and training centers, net of cash acquired

     —          2,941        —     

Capital expenditures

     (49,525     (54,880     (70,977

Change in restricted cash

     —          —          10   

Proceeds from sale of assets

     731        371        2,972   

Sales of marketable securities

     —          94,450        258,950   

Purchases of marketable securities

     —          (79,450     (218,050
                        

Net cash used in investing activities

     (48,794     (36,568     (27,095
                        

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

      

Proceeds from borrowings

     12,924        —          80,000   

Principal repayments on capital lease obligations and long-term debt

     (58,291     (52,196     (1,514

Proceeds from exercise of stock options and employee stock purchase plan (including tax benefit of $7,612, $1,527, and $1,000 for the years ending June 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively)

     19,246        7,282        4,004   

Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation

     4,701        —          —     

Purchase of treasury stock

     —          —          (31,368
                        

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (21,420     (44,914     51,122   
                        

EFFECTS OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     (191     84        163   
                        

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     128,272        (67,785     62,994   

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of year

     32,004        99,789        36,795   
                        

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of year

   $ 160,276      $ 32,004      $ 99,789   
                        

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

      

Cash paid during the year for:

      

Income taxes

   $ 51,215      $ 18,509      $ 8,794   
                        

Interest paid, net of capitalized interest

   $ 2,736      $ 3,320      $ 2,964   
                        

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

      

Capital lease additions

   $ —        $ —        $ (4,300
                        

Other long-term asset obligation

   $ —        $ —        $ (4,300
                        

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

 

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CORINTHIAN COLLEGES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

JUNE 30, 2009

Note 1—Description of the Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Description of the Business

Corinthian Colleges, Inc. (the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, was formed in October 1996 during a reorganization transaction with a predecessor company which was accounted for as a recapitalization.

As of June 30, 2009, the Company operated 89 colleges in 24 states and 17 colleges in the Ontario, Canada province in the for-profit, post-secondary education industry. All of the Company’s U.S. schools are accredited and grant either diplomas or degrees (associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s) and offer educational opportunities from an extensive and diverse curricula library with an emphasis on four primary concentrations: allied health, business, technology and criminal justice. All of the Canadian schools grant diplomas and are regulated by the provincial ministry of education responsible for registering or licensing the for-profit educational institutions. Through its On-Line Learning division, the Company also offers an online learning alternative available to students pursuing education exclusively online. Revenues generated from the Company’s schools consist primarily of tuition and fees paid by students. To pay for a substantial portion of their tuition, the majority of students rely on funds received from federal financial aid programs under Title IV (“Title IV Programs”) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (“HEA”). For further discussion, see Concentration of Risk below and the footnote describing Governmental Regulation.

Fiscal Year

Each fiscal year ends June 30.

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Corinthian Colleges, Inc. and each of its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany activity has been eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

Financial Statement Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions. Such estimates and assumptions affect the amounts reported and disclosed in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from estimated amounts.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company invests cash in excess of operating requirements in short-term time deposits, money market instruments and other investments. Securities with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase are classified as cash equivalents.

 

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CORINTHIAN COLLEGES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, marketable securities, receivables, accounts payable and debt approximates their fair value at June 30, 2009 and 2008. In addition, the carrying value of all borrowings approximate fair value at June 30, 2009 and 2008.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability, failure or refusal of its students to make required payments. The Company determines the adequacy of this allowance by regularly reviewing the accounts and notes receivable aging and applying various expected loss percentages to certain student accounts receivable categories based upon historical bad debt experience and consideration of the current economic environment. The Company generally will write-off accounts and notes receivable balances deemed uncollectible as they are sent to collection agencies. The Company offers a variety of payment plans to help students pay that portion of their education expense not covered by financial aid programs. These balances are unsecured and not guaranteed.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost and are being depreciated or amortized utilizing the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:

 

Furniture and equipment

   7 years

Computer hardware and software

   3-10 years

Leasehold improvements

   Shorter of useful life or term of lease

Buildings (owned)

   39 years

Internal Software Development Costs

Corinthian Colleges capitalizes certain internal software development costs in accordance with Statement of Position 98-1, “Accounting for the Cost of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use,” that are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated lives of the software. Capitalized costs include external direct costs of materials and services consumed in developing or obtaining internal-use software, and payroll-related costs for employees directly associated with the internal software development project. Capitalization of such costs ceases at the point at which the project is substantially complete and ready for its intended purpose. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. The unamortized computer software costs which are included within the Property and Equipment caption of the Consolidated Balance Sheets, were $56.1 million and $49.4 million at June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The total amount of amortization expense related to capitalized computer software costs recognized within operating expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Operations, was $8.3 million, $3.3 million, and $2.6 million at June 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.

Long-Lived Assets

The Company evaluates the recoverability of its long-lived assets other than goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets in accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” SFAS No. 144 requires the recognition of impairment of long-lived assets in the event the net book value of such assets exceeds the future undiscounted cash flows attributable to such assets. The Company assesses the recoverability of its long-lived assets on an annual basis or whenever adverse events or changes in circumstances or the business climate indicate that expected undiscounted future cash flows related to such long-lived assets may not be sufficient to support the net book value of such assets. If undiscounted cash flows are not sufficient to support the recorded assets, impairment is recognized to reduce the carrying value of the long-lived assets to the estimated fair value. Cash flow projections, although subject to a degree of uncertainty, are based on trends of historical performance and management’s estimate of future performance, giving consideration to existing and anticipated competitive and economic conditions. Additionally, in conjunction with the review for impairment, the remaining estimated lives of certain of the Company’s long-lived assets are assessed.

 

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CORINTHIAN COLLEGES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Discontinued Operations

Assets and liabilities expected to be sold or disposed of are presented separately on the consolidated balance sheets as assets or liabilities held for sale from discontinued operations. When components of the Company are classified as held for sale, the results of operations of the components are presented separately as Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, net, for current and prior periods. See Note 2 “Discontinued Operations” of these notes to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for further discussion of discontinued operations.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The Company has significant goodwill and other intangible assets. Goodwill represents the excess of the cost over the fair market value of net assets acquired, including identified intangible assets. The Company considers a number of factors, including valuations and appraisals from independent valuation firms, in determining the amounts that are assignable to other intangible assets, such as curriculum, accreditation, and trade names. The Company, however, is ultimately responsible for the valuations. The fair value of identified intangible assets is derived using accepted valuation methodologies, including cost, market, and income approaches, as appropriate, following consultations with valuation firms and in accordance with SFAS No. 141 “Business Combinations” (“SFAS No. 141”), and requirements set forth by the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.

The Company does not amortize goodwill, accreditation, or trade names as these assets meet the indefinite life criteria outlined in SFAS No. 142, “Accounting for Business Combinations, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” Curricula continue to be amortized over their useful lives ranging generally from three to fifteen years and the amortization is included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Goodwill is tested annually or more frequently if circumstances indicate potential impairment, by comparing its fair value to its carrying amount at the reporting unit level as defined by SFAS No. 142. The Company determined the fair value of its reporting units using the income approach that includes discounted cash flow as well as other generally accepted valuation methodologies. To the extent the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying amount of its net assets, the Company records an impairment charge in the Statements of Operations.

Indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested annually or more frequently if circumstances indicate potential impairment, by comparing their fair values to their carrying amounts. To the extent the fair value of an intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, the Company records an impairment charge in the Statements of Operations. For instance, if the Company were to discontinue the use of a trade name or lose accreditation at one or more of its acquired schools to which it has ascribed value for trade names and accreditation, the Company would test the amounts it had allocated to such assets for impairment. Such testing would include estimating the future cash flows expected to be received from the trade names and accreditation and comparing them to their carrying values. If the estimate of the present value of these future cash flows were below the carrying values of the related assets, the Company would consider the assets to be impaired and take a charge against the amounts it had allocated to trade names and accreditation.

The determination of related estimated useful lives of intangible assets and whether or not these intangible assets are impaired involves significant judgment. Although the Company believes its goodwill and intangible assets are fairly stated, changes in strategy or market conditions could significantly impact these judgments and require adjustments to asset balances.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes as prescribed by SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” SFAS No. 109 prescribes the use of the asset and liability method to compute the differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and the related financial amounts, using currently enacted tax laws.

Effective July 1, 2007, the Company adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (FIN 48). FIN 48 prescribes a more-likely-than-not threshold for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. This interpretation also provides guidance on derecognition of income tax assets and liabilities, classification of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions, accounting for income taxes in interim periods and income tax disclosures.

 

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The Company has deferred tax assets, which are subject to periodic recoverability assessments. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that more likely than not will be realized. Realization of the deferred tax assets is principally dependent upon achievement of projected future taxable income offset by deferred tax liabilities. The Company evaluates the realizability of the deferred tax assets at least annually.

Foreign Currency Translation

The financial position and results of operations of the Company’s direct and indirect Canadian subsidiaries are measured using the local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of the Canadian subsidiaries 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 as a component of Stockholders’ Equity designated as Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. Exchange gains and losses arising from transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are immediately recognized in earnings in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 52, “Foreign Currency Translation.”

Comprehensive Income

For the years ended June 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007, the Company had comprehensive income as defined by SFAS No. 130, “Reporting Comprehensive Income”, of $65.9 million, $20.8 million and $7.2 million, respectively. For the years ended June 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007, comprehensive income consisted of net income, SFAS No. 158 adoption and amortization, and foreign currency translation adjustment. The cumulative translation adjustment balance for the total operations of the Company included within other comprehensive income is ($1.7) million, $1.4 million, and $1.5 million as of June 30, 2009, June 30, 2008, and June 30, 2007, respectively. The cumulative other post employment benefit balance for the total operations of the Company included within other comprehensive income is ($0.8) million, ($1.0) million, and ($0.7) million as of June 30, 2009, June 30, 2008, and June 30, 2007, respectively.

Revenue Recognition, Accounts Receivable and Prepaid Tuition

Revenues consist primarily of tuition and fees derived from courses taught in the Company’s colleges and schools. Revenues from tuition and fees are recognized pro-rata (on a straight-line basis) over the relevant period attended by the student of the applicable course or program. Our pro-rata revenue recognition policy for diploma schools calculates revenue on a daily basis for some of the Company’s schools and using a mid-month convention for other schools. If a student withdraws from a course or program, the paid but unearned portion of the student’s tuition is refunded. Refunds are calculated and paid in accordance with applicable federal, state and institutional refund policies. Textbook sales and other revenues are recognized as sales occur or services are performed and represent less than 10% of total revenues. Prepaid tuition is the portion of payments received but not earned and is reflected as a current liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as such amounts are expected to be earned within the next year.

Students attending the Company’s institutions enroll in either (i) diploma programs, which cover a specific area of training over a discrete length of time (averaging nine months for such programs) or (ii) “courses” leading to an associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s degree. Costs of “programs” or credit hours for “courses” are clearly identified in the Company’s enrollment agreements. At the start of each student’s respective “program” or “course” of study leading to a degree, the student executes an enrollment agreement which specifies the field of study, the expected length of study, and the cost of the program or course. The Company recognizes revenue from tuition and fees on a straight-line basis over the relevant period attended by the student of the applicable course or program of study. If a student withdraws from an institution, the Company ceases recognition of revenue and the paid but unearned portion of the student’s tuition is refunded. Additionally, to ensure the delivery of education has occurred, either attendance is taken or academic events are conducted at appropriate intervals to ensure that the student is completing his or her respective field of study within the acceptable time period.

Educational Services

Educational services include the direct operating expenses of the schools consisting primarily of payroll and payroll related expenses, rents, occupancy and supplies expenses, bad debt expense and other educational related expenses.

 

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Marketing and Admissions

Marketing and admissions expense includes compensation for college admissions staff, regional admissions personnel, compensation expenses for marketing and advertising management, and all direct marketing and production costs. Advertising costs are charged to expense as incurred except for brochures and media production costs. The brochures and media production costs are recorded as prepaid expenses and charged to expense as consumed or upon the first airing of the advertisement, respectively. Advertising expenses amounted to approximately $150.0 million, $156.0 million, and $152.8 million for the years ended June 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007, respectively.

Insurance/Self-Insurance

The Company uses a combination of insurance and self-insurance for a number of risks including claims related to employee heath care, workers’ compensation, general liability, and business interruption. Liabilities associated with these risks are estimated based on, among other things, historical claims experience, severity factors and other actuarial assumptions. The Company’s loss exposure related to self-insurance is limited by stop loss coverage. The expected loss accruals are based on estimates, and while the Company believes the amounts accrued are adequate, the ultimate loss may differ from the amounts provided.

The campus locations of Houston (Hobby) and Houston (Bissonett) suffered damage as a result of Hurricane Ike in September 2008. At the time of the event, the Company had business interruption and property damage coverage for these locations. As of June 30, 2009, the Company had recovered approximately $3.8 million in business interruption and property damage insurance that has been recognized within educational services expense in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

The Company previously operated a Bryman College in New Orleans, Louisiana that suffered significant damage as a result of Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. At the time of the event, the Company had business interruption and property damage coverage for this location. As of June 30, 2007 the Company had recovered approximately $5.8 million in business interruption and property damage insurance that has been recognized within educational services expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Post Retirement Benefit Obligation

The Company provides certain post retirement benefits to a limited number of its previous employees and their families, which were historically accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 106 “Employers Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions.” In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 158 “Employer’s Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans—an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R)” (SFAS No. 158). SFAS No. 158 requires recognition of the funded status of such plans as an asset or liability, with changes in the funded status recognized through comprehensive income in the year in which they occur. The Company adopted SFAS No. 158 for its fiscal year ended June 30, 2007.

Stock-Based Compensation

During the first quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123(R) in accordance with the modified-prospective-transition method and began recognizing compensation expense for stock options which vested during the year. Stock-based compensation expense of $11.8 million, $10.9 million and $6.4 million (pre-tax) were recorded for fiscal years 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The tax benefit related to stock-based compensation recognized in fiscal years 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $4.6, $1.5 and $2.1 million, respectively. The impact of stock-based compensation (net of tax) on fiscal years 2009, 2008 and 2007 is $0.05, $0.11 and $0.05 for both basic and diluted EPS, respectively.

Income Per Share

The Company accounts for net income per common share in accordance with SFAS No. 128 “Earnings Per Share” and SFAS No. 129, “Disclosure of Information about Capital Structure.” Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income per common share is computed by dividing income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock units, utilizing the treasury stock method.

 

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Segment Information

The Company’s operations are aggregated into a single reportable operating segment based upon similar economic and operating characteristics as well as similar markets. The Company’s operations are also subject to similar regulatory environments. The Company conducts its operations in the U.S. and Canada. Revenues and long-lived assets by geographic area are as follows:

 

      For the Year Ended June 30,
     2009    2008    2007
     (In thousands)

Revenues from unaffiliated customers

        

U.S. operations

   $ 1,249,286    $ 1,004,372    $ 862,154

Canadian operations

     58,539      64,299      57,070
                    

Consolidated

   $ 1,307,825    $ 1,068,671    $ 919,224
                    

Long-lived assets

        

U.S. operations

   $ 436,024    $ 419,690    $ 407,168

Canadian operations

     54,316      59,317      55,006
                    

Consolidated

   $ 490,340    $ 479,007    $ 462,174
                    

No one customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s consolidated revenues or receivables. Revenues are attributed to regions based on the location of customers.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), “Business Combinations” which is a revision to SFAS No. 141. The provisions of this statement establish principles in which the acquirer in a business combination is required to recognize and measure in its financial statements all identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date, measured at their fair values as of that date. As such, contingent consideration will need to be recognized based on estimated fair value at the date of acquisition. In addition, the costs related to the acquisition are to be recognized separately from the acquisition rather than allocated to the individual assets and liabilities. Also, if applicable, where the fair value of the assets acquired exceeded the acquisition cost, the excess asset value will be recognized as income. This statement makes significant amendments to other statements and other authoritative guidance. The provisions of this statement apply prospectively to business combinations with acquisition dates on or after July 1, 2009.

In May 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 165, “Subsequent Events” (“SFAS 165”). SFAS 165 establishes standards for reporting events that occur after the balance sheet date, but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued and is effective for the Company as of June 30, 2009. In preparing these financial statements, the Company has evaluated events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through August 25, 2009, the date the financial statements were issued.”

In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 168, “The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles a replacement of FASB Statement No. 162(“SFAS 168”) which identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental entities that are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, in the United States. SFAS 168 establishes the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, or the Codification, as the source of authoritative GAAP recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. Rules and interpretive releases of the SEC under federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. All guidance contained in the Codification carries an equal level of authority. SFAS 168 is effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. The implementation of the standard will not have any impact on its consolidated financial statements but will require us to reference the new codification beginning in the first quarter of 2010.

 

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Concentration of Risk

The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents accounts in financial institutions. Accounts at these institutions are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to $250,000. The Company performs ongoing evaluations of these institutions to limit its concentration risk exposure.

The Company extends credit for tuition to a majority of its students. A substantial portion is repaid through the student’s participation in federally funded financial aid programs. Transfers of funds from the financial aid programs to the Company are made in accordance with the U.S. Department of Education (“ED”) requirements. Approximately 81%, 81% and 75% of the Company’s U.S. revenues, on a cash basis, were collected from funds distributed under Title IV Programs of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (the “HEA”) for the years ended June 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The financial aid and assistance programs are subject to political and budgetary considerations. There is no assurance that such funding will be maintained at current levels. Extensive and complex regulations govern the financial assistance programs in which the Company’s students participate. The Company’s administration of these programs is periodically reviewed by various regulatory agencies. Any regulatory violation could be the basis for the initiation of potential adverse actions including a suspension, limitation, placement on reimbursement status, or termination proceeding which could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

If any of the Company’s institutions were to lose its eligibility to participate in federal student financial aid programs, the students at that institution would lose access to funds derived from those programs and would have to seek alternative sources of funds to pay their tuition and fees. Students obtain access to federal student financial aid through an ED prescribed application and eligibility certification process. Student financial aid funds are generally made available to students at prescribed intervals throughout their predetermined expected length of study. Students typically apply the funds received from the federal financial aid programs to pay their tuition and fees. The transfer of funds is from the financial aid program to the student, who then uses those funds to pay for a portion of the cost of their education. The receipt of financial aid funds reduces the student’s amounts due to the Company and has no impact on revenue recognition, as the transfer relates to the source of funding for the costs of education which may occur either through Title IV or other funds and resources available to the student.

Note 2—Discontinued Operations

During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company decided to divest the WyoTech Oakland campus. The Company believes that the campus meets the criteria necessary for such an entity to qualify as assets held for sale under the specific provision of SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (“SFAS 144”). During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company sold the capital assets of WyoTech Oakland for $0.2 million. Additionally, during the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company completed the teach-out of its Lynnwood WA, Everett WA, and Atlanta GA campuses. Accordingly, the results of operations of the campuses are reflected as discontinued operations in the Company’s consolidated statements of income for all periods presented. The Company expects to have no significant continuing involvement with these entities.

Under SFAS 144, the net assets held for sale are required to be recorded on the balance sheet at estimated fair value, less costs to sell. Accordingly, during the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company recorded a charge of approximately $2.6 million, net of income tax benefit of $1.2 million, to accrue future rental payments related to the closed campuses and to reduce the carrying value of the net assets of the Company’s campuses held for sale and closed to estimated fair value, less costs to sell, as of June 30, 2008 (primarily related to the accrued rent of $2.8 million and the impairment of fixed assets in the amount of $1.0 million). The charge is reflected as a component of loss from discontinued operations on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operation for the year ended June 30, 2008. The Company expects to have no significant continuing involvement with the schools after they have been sold or closed.

Additionally, during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 and 2008, the Company recorded an additional reserve of approximately $0.9 million and $2.2 million (net of tax) taken against receivables related to the Atlanta campus, respectively.

During the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company decided to divest all of its CDI campuses outside of the province of Ontario, Canada, as well as the WyoTech Boston campus (the “Sale Group”). The schools were sold in fiscal year 2008. Accordingly, the results of operations of the campuses within the Sale Group are reflected as discontinued operations in the Company’s consolidated statements of income for all periods presented. Under SFAS 144, the net assets held for sale are required to be recorded on the balance sheet at estimated fair value, less costs to sell. Accordingly, during the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company recorded a charge of approximately $5.4 million, net of income tax benefit of $0.3 million, to reduce the carrying value of the net assets of the Company’s campuses held for sale to estimated fair value, less costs to sell, as of June 30, 2007 (primarily related to the impairment of goodwill in the amount of $5.0 million for the divested CDI Schools). The Company expects to have no significant continuing involvement with these entities.

Effective February 29, 2008 the Company completed the sale of its 12 Canadian schools located outside the province of Ontario to a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Eminata Group, for a cash payment of CAD $3.0 million. This payment consists of the purchase price of CAD $7.4 million less preliminary negative working capital and other adjustments equal to CAD $4.4 million. This cash payment was subject to a final working capital adjustment that was finalized during the third quarter of fiscal 2009. The final working capital adjustment resulted in a payment to the buyer of $0.1 million.

Effective May 1, 2008, the Company completed the sale of its WyoTech Boston campus. The transaction was subject to a final working capital adjustment that was finalized during the third quarter of fiscal 2009. The final working capital adjustment resulted in a payment to the buyer of $0.1 million.

 

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The Company has paid employee retention and severance costs associated with these transactions of approximately $2.7 million as of June 30, 2008.

Combined summary results of operations for the campuses identified above are reflected as discontinued operations in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended June 30 2009, 2008, and 2007, and are as follows:

 

      For the fiscal years ending
June 30,
 
     2009     2008     2007  
     (in thousands)  

Total Discontinued Operations

      

Net revenue

   $ 1,045      $ 32,575      $ 51,790   
                        
      

(Loss) before income tax, including estimated loss on disposal

     (3,971     (16,944     (11,558

Income tax (benefit)

     (1,603     (5,346     (1,963
                        

Total net (loss) from discontinued operations

   $ (2,368   $ (11,598   $ (9,595
                        

 

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Combined summary of assets and liabilities of the campuses identified above at June 30, 2009 and 2008 are as follows:

 

      As of June 30,
     2009    2008
     (in thousands)
Assets      

Current Assets:

     

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $159 and $4,492 at June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively

   $ 145    $ —  

Student notes receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $4 and $4 at June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively

     —        4

Deferred income taxes

     —        2,800

Prepaids & other current assets

     17      125
             

Total Current Assets

     162      2,929

Property and equipment, net

     —        307

Deposits & other assets

     270      271
             

Total Assets

   $ 432    $ 3,507
             
Liabilities      

Current Liabilities:

     

Accounts payable

   $ 10    $ 419

Accrued compensation and related liabilities

     76      131

Accrued expenses

     1,171      2,524

Prepaid tuition

     —        67
             

Total Current Liabilities

     1,257      3,141
             

Total Liabilities

   $ 1,257    $ 3,141
             

Note 3—Detail of Selected Balance Sheet Accounts

Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following:

 

     As of June 30,
     2009    2008
     (In thousands)

Prepaids

   $ 18,544    $ 17,624

Prepaid advertising

     5,008      4,862

Course materials

     1,152      2,904

Other current assets

     5,510      1,727

Income tax refund receivable

     7,732      5,612
             
   $ 37,946    $ 32,729
             

 

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Property and equipment consist of the following:

 

     As of June 30,  
     2009     2008  
     (In thousands)  

Furniture and equipment

   $ 145,466      $ 133,381   

Computer hardware and software

     128,401        106,106   

Leasehold improvements

     145,598        131,451   

Land

     2,098        2,098   

Buildings

     38,454        38,423   
                
     460,017        411,459   

Less—accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (232,464     (184,945
                
   $ 227,553      $ 226,514   
                

Depreciation expense associated with property and equipment was $50.5 million, $42.6 million and $38.4 million for the years ended June 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The amortization for leasehold improvements included in the totals above, were approximately $17.0 million, $17.0 million and $15.6 million for the years ended June 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The gross cost of assets recorded under capital building leases, included above, totaled approximately $16.6 million for the years ended June 30, 2009 and 2008. The accumulated amortization related to these assets is approximately $5.3 million and $4.4 million as of June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The amortization expense associated with these capital lease assets is included in total depreciation expense.

 

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Intangible assets consist of the following:

 

 

      As of June 30,  
     2009     2008  
     (In thousands)  

Goodwill, net:

    

Goodwill

   $ 189,065      $ 194,371   

Less—accumulated amortization

     (2,421     (2,421
                

Goodwill, net

   $ 186,644      $ 191,950   
                
      As of June 30,  
     2009     2008  
     (In thousands)  

Other Intangibles:

    

Non-amortizable intangibles:

    

Accreditation

   $ 21,852      $ 21,865   

Trade names

     14,033        14,033   
                

Non-amortizable intangibles

   $ 35,885      $ 35,898   
                

Amortizable intangibles:

    

Curriculum

   $ 17,270      $ 17,415   

Other

     2,115        2,115   
                

Amortizable intangibles

   $ 19,385      $ 19,530   

Less—accumulated amortization

     (16,623     (15,310
                

Amortizable intangibles, net

   $ 2,762      $ 4,220   
                

Other intangibles, net

   $ 38,647      $ 40,118   
                

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the year ended June 30, 2009, were as follows (in thousands):

 

Goodwill balance as of June 30, 2008

   $ 191,950   

Currency translation adjustment

     (5,306
        

Goodwill balance as of June 30, 2009

   $ 186,644   
        

Amortization expense associated with intangibles was $1.4 million, $1.5 million and $1.4 million for the years ended June 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Curriculum is amortized over a range of three to fifteen years. The total remaining weighted-average amortization period for intangible assets subject to amortization is approximately two years as of June 30, 2009. Additionally, included in intangible amortization, the Company recognized non-compete agreement expense totaling approximately $0.2 million in each of the years ended June 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007.

As of June 30, 2009, estimated future amortization expense is as follows (in thousands):

 

2010

   $ 1,100

2011

     1,083

2012

     446

2013

     116

2014

     15

Thereafter

     2
      

Total

   $ 2,762
      

 

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Accrued expenses consist of the following:

 

     As of June 30,
     2009    2008
     (In thousands)

Accrued advertising

   $ 7,560    $ 2,935

Accrued legal expenses

     1,724      1,374

Other

     3,764      2,841
             
   $ 13,048    $ 7,150
             

Note 4—Student Notes Receivable

Historically, the Company had developed several loan programs with origination and servicing providers such as Sallie Mae for students with low credit scores who otherwise would not qualify for loans. These loan programs required that the Company pays a discount fee to the origination and servicing providers of the loans as a reserve against future defaults on these loans. The Company has historically referred to these types of loans as “discount loans,” since the Company incurred a portion of the default risk related to these students’ loans by taking a discount on the disbursement. By accepting a reduced payment for these discounted loans from the servicing providers, the Company was not at risk for the amounts agreed to by them and the service providers but were not entitled to any proceeds collected by the service providers in excess of this amount. Therefore the Company had recorded this discount as a reduction to revenue.

In fiscal 2008 the Company was informed by Sallie Mae and two other origination and servicing providers that they would no longer make private loans available for students who present higher credit risks (i.e. subprime borrowers). In the face of this change in policy, the Company created a new lending program in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 with a different origination and servicing provider, Genesis Lending Services, Inc. (“Genesis”), who specializes in subprime credit. This new lending program has characteristics similar to our previous “discount loan” programs. As with our previous discount loan program, under this new Genesis program the Company pays a discount to the origination and servicing provider for any loans purchased by Genesis and record the discount as a reduction to revenue. However, unlike our previous discount loan programs, under our new discount program the Company has both the right and an obligation to acquire the related loan, except in certain limited circumstances where Genesis does not comply with the terms of our agreement. Since the Company initiated the new discount program, it has acquired all of the loans that have been originated. Therefore, the Company is currently exposed to any credit defaults by our students but retain all amounts collected from our students under the current program. Additionally, the new discount loan program has also replaced our legacy loan program, called STAR. The Company estimates loans funded under the Genesis program, net of estimated refunds have been approximately $120.0 million and $10.0 million, for the years ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. These amounts are an estimate as some loans contain amounts that will be recognized during future periods. Accordingly, unrecognized loans amounts are subject to the Company’s refund policy.

Originally, the Company estimated that the average loan discount rate associated with this program would be approximately 50%, based upon the projected mix of students’ credit scores. Based on actual loan volume and credit score mix, the Company estimates the average loan discount to be approximately 55% for loans funded during fiscal year 2009 and 2008.

Included within the Consolidated Statement of Operations, under the caption “Other (income) expense,” for the year ended June 30, 2009 is a net expense of $0.6 million, associated with the Genesis notes program. The net expense reflects the costs related to servicing the loans, partially offset by interest income. In accordance with SFAS No. 91, “Accounting for Nonrefundable Fees and Costs Associated with Originating or Acquiring Loans and Initial Direct Costs of Leases,” the Company defers and recognizes both the loan origination income and direct loan origination costs as an adjustment to the yield over the life of the related loan. All other lending-related costs, including costs related to servicing fees are charged to expense as incurred.

Student notes receivable represent loans that have maturity dates that generally range between 12 months to 60 months from the loan origination date but can have terms as long as 15 years depending on amounts borrowed. The interest charged on the notes generally ranges from 12 to 18 percent per annum and can have origination fees of up to 6 percent. Included in the consolidated balance sheet at June 30, 2009 and 2008 is $41.5 million and $17.0 million in notes receivable, respectively. As of June 30, 2009 the estimated unrecognized Genesis note balance is $16.5 million (net of discount). This amount is subject to the Company’s refund policy.

Note 5—Business Acquisitions/Dispositions

Effective February 29, 2008 the Company completed the sale of its 12 Canadian schools located outside the province of Ontario to a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Eminata Group, for a cash payment of CAD $3.0 million. This payment consists of the purchase price of CAD $7.4 million less preliminary negative working capital and other adjustments equal to CAD $4.4 million. The transaction was subject to a final working capital adjustment that was finalized during the third quarter of fiscal 2009. The final working capital adjustment resulted in a payment to the buyer of $0.1 million.

Effective May 1, 2008, the Company completed the sale of its WyoTech Boston campus. The transaction was subject to a final working capital adjustment that was finalized during the third quarter of fiscal 2009. The final working capital adjustment resulted in a payment to the buyer of $0.1 million.

Note 6—Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations consist of the following:

 

     As of June 30,  
     2009     2008  
     (In thousands)  

Credit facility obligations, with interest at 1.5% per annum

   $ 13,895      $ 62,491   

Capital lease obligations

     14,663        15,117   
                
     28,558        77,608   

Less—current portion of long-term debt

     —          —     

Less—current portion of capital lease obligations

     (474     (428
                
   $ 28,084      $ 77,180   
                

The Company leases certain facilities under capital leases, which require monthly lease payments of approximately $0.2 million. The leases have interest rates ranging from 7.6% to 11.7% and expire through January 2027.

 

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Principal payments due under the long-term debt arrangements and future minimum lease payments under the capital lease obligations discussed above are as follows:

 

     Fiscal Years Ending
June 30,
 
     Capital Lease
Obligations
    Credit Facility
Obligations
   Total  
     (In thousands)  

2010

   $ 1,996      $ —      $ 1,996   

2011

     1,996        13,895      15,891   

2012

     2,041        —        2,041   

2013

     2,055        —        2,055   

2014

     2,070        —        2,070   

Thereafter

     16,843        —        16,843   
                       
     27,001        13,895      40,896   

Less—portion representing interest

     (12,338     —        (12,338
                       

Present value of minimum lease payments

     14,663        13,895    $ 28,558   

Less—current portion

     (474     —        (474
                       

Total

   $ 14,189      $ 13,895    $ 28,084   
                       

In June 2002, the Company entered into a credit agreement for $100.0 million with a syndication of financial institutions administered by Bank of America, N.A that would have expired in July 2005. In August 2003, the Company amended and restated the credit facility, and increased it to $235 million, of which $185 million was a domestic facility and $50 million was a Canadian facility that would have expired in August 2006. On June 8, 2005, the Company Amended and Restated the credit facility for a second time. On August 10, 2007, the Company executed Amendment No. 1 to its second amended and restated credit facility dated June 8, 2005. The amendment, which was effective as of June 30, 2007, adjusted the maintenance level for the fixed charge coverage ratio. All other terms of the facility remained unchanged including the aggregate borrowing capacity of $235 million, of which $175 million is a domestic facility and $60 million is a Canadian facility. The second amended and restated credit agreement expires in July 2010. The second amended and restated credit agreement has been established to provide available funds for acquisitions, to fund general corporate purposes, and to provide for letters of credit issuances of up to $50 million for domestic letters of credit and $20 million for Canadian letters of credit. Borrowings under the agreement bear interest at several pricing alternatives available to us, including Eurodollar and adjusted reference or base rates. The domestic base rate is defined as the higher of the Federal Funds rate plus 1/2 of 1% or the Bank of America prime rate. The Canadian base rate is defined as the higher of the average rate for 30 day Canadian Dollar bankers’ acceptances plus 3/4 of 1% or the Bank of America Canada prime rate. The agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants including financial covenants requiring the maintenance of consolidated net worth, fixed charge coverage ratios, leverage ratios, and an ED financial responsibility composite score ratio. As of June 30, 2009, the Company was in compliance with all of the covenants. As of June 30, 2009, the credit facility had borrowings outstanding of $13.9 million and approximately $11.5 million was used to support standby letters of credit. The second amended and restated credit agreement is secured by the stock of our significant operating subsidiaries and it is guaranteed by our present and future significant operating subsidiaries. Average daily borrowings outstanding amounted to $25.1 million in fiscal 2009, $31.8 million in fiscal 2008 and $31.4 million in fiscal 2007.

Note 7—Common Stockholders’ Equity

Preferred Stock

The Company is authorized to issue 500,000 shares of preferred stock. As of June 30, 2009 and 2008, there were no outstanding shares of preferred stock.

Common Stock

The Company’s issued and outstanding common stock is entitled to one vote per share on all matters.

Effective November 20, 2003, the Company amended and restated its certificate of incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share to a total of 120,000,000 shares.

 

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Employee Stock Purchase Plan

In August 2000, the Company adopted the Corinthian Colleges, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”). Under the terms of the ESPP, eligible employees, as defined by the plan to include such criteria as length of employment, are permitted to purchase shares of common stock at a price equal to 90% of the fair market value on the first or last day, whichever is lower, of each six month offering period. A total of 2,000,000 shares of common stock were initially reserved for sale under the ESPP. At June 30, 2009, employees had purchased 582,704 shares and 1,417,296 shares were still available for purchase under the ESPP.

Stock Options and Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”)

The Company maintains the Corinthian Colleges, Inc. 1998 Performance Award Plan, as amended, (the “1998 Plan”), which has been approved by the Company’s stockholders. On November 20, 2003, the Company’s stockholders approved the Company’s 2003 Performance Award Plan, as amended, (the “2003 Plan”), which authorized the issuance by the Company of up to the sum of (a) 11,300,000 additional shares of the Company’s Common Stock, plus (b) the number of any shares subject to stock options granted under the 1998 Plan which expire or for any reason are cancelled or terminated without being exercised after the adoption of the 2003 Plan, plus (c) the number of any shares subject to stock options granted under the 2004 Plan which expire or for any reason are cancelled or terminated without being exercised after the termination of the 2004 Plan. When the 2003 Plan was approved by the Company’s stockholders, the Company’s ability to grant new awards under the 1998 Plan terminated, but did not affect awards then outstanding under the 1998 Plan. On November 17, 2004, the Company’s Board of Directors also approved the Company’s 2004 New Hire Plan (the “2004 Plan”) (the 1998 Plan, the 2003 Plan and the 2004 Plan are collectively referred to as the “Plans”), which authorized the issuance of up to 265,000 additional shares of the Company’s Common Stock, but only as an inducement material to the award recipient’s entering into employment with the Company and only if the recipient was not previously an employee or director of the Company (or following a bona fide period of non-employment). When the 2003 Plan amendment and restatement was approved, a resolution was passed by the Board of Directors that terminated the Company’s ability to grant new awards under the 2004 Plan, but did not affect awards then outstanding under the 2004 Plan.

As of June 30, 2009, the number of stock options, stock units, stock appreciation rights or other common stock-based securities available for future grant to directors, officers, employees and other eligible persons were 3,229,393 under the 2003 Plan. Options granted under the Plans were issued at exercise prices ranging from $1.56—$33.83 per share and have expiration dates not longer than 10 years. RSUs can be settled only by delivery of the Company’s Common Stock. Options and RSUs generally vest over a period of one to four years.

The Company adopted SFAS No. 123(R) on July 1, 2005 in accordance with the modified-prospective-transition method and began recognizing compensation expense for stock options which vested during the year.

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model that uses the assumptions noted in the following table. Expected volatilities are based on combining and weighting implied market volatilities and the Company’s historical volatility. The Company uses historical data to estimate forfeitures and years until exercise within the valuation model. In accordance with SFAS No. 123(R) the Company’s estimate of forfeitures is adjusted if actual forfeitures differ from its estimates, resulting in the recognition of compensation costs only for those awards that actually vest. Accordingly, during the second quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company adjusted its estimated forfeiture rate to reflect actual experience and will continue to do so on an ongoing basis as actual forfeitures differ from its estimates. If factors change and different assumptions are employed in the application of SFAS 123(R) in future periods, the stock-based compensation expense that the Company records may differ from what was recorded in the previous period.

The expected life of options granted represents the period of time for which the options are expected to be outstanding. The risk-free interest rate is derived from the U.S. treasury yield curve in effect at the date of grant. The Company’s policy is not to pay cash dividends on its common stock. Consequently, the Company uses an expected dividend yield of zero in the Black-Scholes option pricing model.

 

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     Fiscal Year Ended June 30,  
     2009     2008     2007  

Risk-free rate

   3.0   4.1   4.8

Expected years until exercise

   4.9 years      4.4 years      4.8 years   

Expected stock volatility

   53.4   41   40

Expected dividends

   —        —        —     

Expected forfeiture rate

   15.9   9.4   10.4

A summary of the status of the Company’s stock options is presented below:

 

Options

   Shares
(in thousands)
    Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
   Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
   Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(in thousands)

Outstanding at July 1, 2008

   10,679      $ 14.59      

Stock options granted during the year

   1,724      $ 13.42      

Stock options exercised

   (1,632   $ 8.66      

Forfeitures or expired

   (768   $ 19.21      
                  

Outstanding at June 30, 2009

   10,003      $ 15.00    4.6    $ 34,816
                        

Exercisable at June 30, 2009

   5,992      $ 16.01    4.0    $ 20,999
                        

The aggregate intrinsic value in the preceding table represents the total pretax intrinsic value, based on the Company’s closing stock price of $16.93 as of the end of fiscal 2009, which would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options as of that date. As of the date of exercise, the total intrinsic value of options exercised in fiscal 2009, 2008, and 2007 was $15.9 million, $2.4 million, and $2.1 million, respectively.

Pursuant to SFAS No. 123(R), the weighted-average fair value of stock options granted during fiscal 2009, 2008, and 2007 was $6.52, $5.49, and $5.15 per share, respectively.

As of June 30, 2009, there was $18.8 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements granted. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.31 years. The total fair value of shares vested during fiscal year 2009, 2008 and 2007, was $11.4 million, $11.2 million and $8.4 million, respectively.

During fiscal year 2009, the Company issued 1,631,897 shares in connection with the exercise of stock options. The stock options exercisable at June 30, 2009, 2008, and 2007 were 5,991,878, 6,671,097, and 6,341,998 respectively.

During fiscal 2009, the Company granted 29,812 RSUs with a weighted average fair value of $14.73. As of June 30, 2009, there were 391,171 RSUs outstanding.

Shares Reserved for Future Issuance

At June 30, 2009, the Company has reserved the following shares of its Common Stock for issuance upon conversion of the issued and outstanding shares of the ESPP and future issuances of stock options under the 2003 Plan (in thousands):

 

     Fiscal Year Ended
June 30, 2009
     (in thousands)

Reserved for ESPP stock

   1,417

Reserved for stock options and RSUs outstanding and available for grant

   3,229
    

Total

   4,646
    

 

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Note 8—Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding

Basic net income per share is calculated by dividing net income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income per share reflects the assumed conversion of all dilutive securities, consisting of stock options and restricted stock units.

The table below reflects the calculation of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding used in computing basic and diluted net income per common share:

 

     Fiscal Years Ended June 30,
     2009    2008    2007
     (In thousands)

Basic common shares outstanding

   86,121    84,954    85,887

Effects of dilutive securities:

        

Stock options and restricted stock units

   1,396    1,059    1,210
              

Diluted common shares outstanding

   87,517    86,013    87,097
              

On October 31, 2006, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a share repurchase of up to $50 million of the Company’s common stock. From November 2006 through May 2007, the Company purchased 2,256,638 shares at a total cost of $31.4 million (an average share price of $13.90 per share). No shares were repurchased in fiscal 2008 or 2009.

Note 9—Income Taxes

The components of the income tax provision from continuing operations are as follows:

 

     Fiscal Years Ended June 30,  
     2009     2008     2007  
     (In thousands)  

Current provision

      

Federal

   $ 46,337      $ 24,881      $ 7,113   

State

     9,040        1,399        1,731   
                        
     55,377        26,280        8,844   
                        

Deferred provision

      

Federal

     (7,890     (11,222     1,469   

State

     (1,783     (2,371     98   

Foreign

     311        2,192        (461
                        
     (9,362     (11,401     1,106   
                        

Total provision for income taxes

   $ 46,015      $ 14,879      $ 9,950   
                        

 

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Actual income tax provision differs from the income tax provision from continuing operations computed by applying the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 35% for fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007 to income (loss) before provision for income taxes as follows:

 

     Fiscal Years Ended June 30,  
     2009     2008     2007  
     (In thousands)  

Provision at the statutory rate

   $ 41,000      $ 16,710      $ 9,371   

State income tax provision, net of federal benefit

     4,579        1,684        1,216   

Change in unrecognized tax benefits

     97        (1,895     —     

State credit refund

     —          (2,862     —     

Foreign taxes

     (37     216        —     

Other

     376        1,026        (637
                        
   $ 46,015      $ 14,879      $ 9,950   
                        

The components of the Company’s deferred tax asset and liability are as follows:

 

     As of June 30,  
     2009     2008  
     (In thousands)  

Current deferred tax asset (liability):

    

Accounts receivable allowance for doubtful accounts

   $ 10,133      $ 18,077   

Accrued vacation

     5,488        4,412   

State taxes

     1,605        391   

Net operating loss carry forwards

     250        1,462   

Acquisition accruals

     —          146   

Workers’ compensation accrual

     1,947        1,705   

Other

     2,037        (471

Bonus accrual

     10,909        3,434   
                

Current deferred tax asset

     32,369        29,156   

Non-current deferred tax asset (liability):

    

Deferred rent

     696        859   

Depreciation

     3,503        3,459   

Acquisition intangibles

     (189     (245

Capital assets

     (161     (413
                

Non-current deferred tax asset

     3,849        3,660   

Notes receivable allowance for doubtful accounts

     9,745        3,190   

Stock compensation cost

     8,567        6,856   

Deferred rent

     7,160        8,334   

Accrued rent

     5,315        5,107   

Depreciation

     (18,922     (19,122

Acquisition intangibles

     (16,053     (13,453

Capital assets

     (11,736     (12,080

Other

     1,002        769   
                

Non-current deferred tax liability

     (14,922     (20,399
                

Net Deferred Tax Asset (Liability)

   $ 21,296      $ 12,417   
                

The Company has acquired various companies with net operating losses that may be utilized in future years. At June 30, 2009, substantially all of the state net operating loss carry forwards had been fully utilized. In addition, the Company has Canadian non-capital loss carryovers of approximately CAD $0.9 million with an expiration date on June 30, 2014.

 

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Due to continuing operating profits, the Company concluded in fiscal 2007 that it is “more likely than not” that CDI’s deferred tax assets would be realized. Accordingly, the Company reduced the valuation allowance on CDI’s deferred tax assets by $5.3 million. As a result of the realization of acquired non-capital loss carryovers and the change in judgment regarding CDI’s valuation allowance, the Company reduced goodwill by $3.7 million during fiscal 2007. The Company’s current intent is to re-invest in Canada all earnings from CDI. Accordingly, no deferred taxes have been provided on CDI’s un-remitted earnings.

The Company has tax deductible goodwill in the amount of $22.8 million as of June 30, 2009. During fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007, $115.4 million, $42.1 million and $21.5 million, respectively, of the Company’s income from continuing operations was generated in the United States.

Effective July 1, 2007, we adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (FIN 48). FIN 48 prescribes a more-likely-than-not threshold for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. This interpretation also provides guidance on derecognition of income tax assets and liabilities, classification of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions, accounting for income taxes in interim periods and income tax disclosures. The cumulative effects of applying this interpretation have been recorded as a decrease of $2.4 million to retained earnings, an increase of $21.1 million to the net deferred income tax asset and an increase of $23.5 million to income taxes payable as of July 1, 2007.

In conjunction with the adoption of FIN 48, we have classified uncertain tax positions as non-current income tax liabilities unless expected to be paid in one year. We also began reporting income tax-related interest expense in income tax expense in our Consolidated Statement of Operations. In prior periods, such interest expense was reported in other income. Penalties and tax-related interest expense are now reported as a component of income tax expense. During fiscal 2008, as a result of the settlement of an IRS examination and the filing of a tax accounting method change related to the depreciation on leasehold improvements, the Company reversed $3.5 million of interest on uncertain tax positions. As of June 30, 2009 and 2008, the total amount of accrued income tax-related interest and penalties included in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position was $0.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company settled and closed the IRS examination related to fiscal years 2005 and 2006. The result was a tax payment of less than $0.1 million for 2005 and a refund of taxes for 2006 of $0.3 million. During the second quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company settled and closed the IRS examination related to fiscal 2004 in the amount of $0.7 million, excluding accrued interest of $0.2 million. We are also subject to examination in various state and foreign jurisdictions for the 2004-2008 tax years.

As of June 30, 2009 and 2008, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $0.7 million and $3.1 million, respectively. The decrease in the unrecognized tax benefit was the result of a decrease in certain tax positions on the Company’s books. As of June 30, 2009 and 2008, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that would affect the effective tax rate, if recognized is $0.4 million and $0.4 million, respectively. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits that are expected to be settled within the next twelve months is less than $0.2 million.

The following table summarizes the activity related to our unrecognized tax benefits (in thousands):

 

     Fiscal years ended
June 30,
 
     2009     2008  

Balances at beginning of year

   $ 3,076      $ 20,988   

Decrease due to reduction of tax positions

     (2,468     (17,912

Other

     50        —     
                

Balances at end of year

   $ 658      $ 3,076   
                

Excluding the benefit of the reversal of interest on uncertain tax positions in fiscal 2008, the Company’s effective rate from continuing operations for fiscal 2008 would have been 35.9%.

 

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Note 10—Impairment, Facility Closing, and Severance Charges

In fiscal 2009, the Company incurred impairment and severance charges of $4.4 million. Of that amount, approximately $2.5 million is related to a loss on student loan receivables associated with the Marietta and Jonesboro, Georgia campuses. These schools were branches of the Atlanta, Georgia campus during a portion of the previous fiscal year. Due to accreditation issues, the Atlanta campus was closed during fiscal 2008 and placed in discontinued operations. In addition, the Company recorded a severance charge of $1.9 million.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company incurred impairment, facility closing and severance charges of $6.6 million. Of that amount, approximately $4.8 million is related to a loss on student loan receivables associated with the Marietta and Jonesboro, Georgia campuses. These schools were branches of the Atlanta, Georgia campus. Due to accreditation issues, the Atlanta campus was closed and placed in discontinued operations. In addition, the Company recorded lease termination costs of $0.9 million related to student housing and a severance charge of $0.9 million.

The components of the charges and the related balance sheet accounts for fiscal year 2009 and 2008 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Receivables
Write-off
    Severance
and
Benefits
    Facility
Related
    Total  

Balance at June 30, 2007

   $ —        $ 477      $ 3,626      $ 4,103   

Charges

     4,800        893        910        6,603   

Adjustments

     —          (44     (166     (210

Cash payments

     —          (1,117     (2,329     (3,446

Asset writedowns

     (4,800     —          —          (4,800
                                

Balance at June 30, 2008

   $ —        $ 209      $ 2,041      $ 2,250   

Charges

     2,500        1,878        —          4,378   

Adjustments

     —          —          (66     (66

Cash payments

     —          (1,393     (858     (2,251

Asset writedowns

     (2,500     —          —          (2,500
                                

Balance at June 30, 2009

   $ —        $ 694      $ 1,117      $ 1,811   
                                

 

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Note 11—Commitments and Contingencies

Leases

The Company leases most of its operating facilities and certain equipment under non-cancelable operating leases expiring at various dates through 2027. In most cases, the facility leases require the Company to pay various operating expenses of the facilities in addition to base monthly lease payments. In certain cases, the Company has renewable options and or leases containing ordinary rental escalations on the space. Future minimum lease payments under operating leases are as follows for the twelve months ending June 30:

 

     Operating
Leases
     (In thousands)

2010

   $ 80,279

2011

     76,068

2012

     64,111

2013

     54,924

2014

     43,074

Thereafter

     169,328
      
   $ 487,784
      

Lease expense (facility and equipment) for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007 amounted to $75.5 million, $73.5 million and $68.9 million, respectively, and is reflected in educational services and general and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Legal Matters

In the ordinary conduct of its business, Corinthian Colleges, Inc. (“the Company”) and its subsidiaries are subject to lawsuits, demands in arbitration, investigations and other claims, including, but not limited to, lawsuits and claims involving current and former students, employment-related matters, , business disputes and regulatory demands. In some of the lawsuits and arbitrations pending against the Company, including matters not presently deemed to be material and which are not disclosed below, the plaintiffs seek certification of the matter as a class action in order to represent all other “similarly-situated persons.” None of the matters currently pending against the Company in which plaintiffs seek class certification has yet been certified as a class action. When the Company is aware of a claim or potential claim, it assesses the likelihood of any loss or exposure. If it is probable that a loss will result and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated, the Company records a liability for the loss. If the loss is not probable or the amount of the loss cannot be reasonably estimated, the Company discloses the nature of the specific claim if the likelihood of a potential loss is reasonably possible and the amount involved is material. There can be no assurance that the ultimate outcome of any of the matters threatened or pending against the Company, including those disclosed below, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

On March 8, 2004, the Company was served with two virtually identical putative class action complaints entitled Travis v. Rhodes Colleges, Inc., Corinthian Colleges, Inc., and Florida Metropolitan University, and Satz v. Rhodes Colleges, Inc., Corinthian Colleges, Inc., and Florida Metropolitan University. Additionally, on April 15, 2005, the Company received another complaint entitled Alan Alvarez, et al. v. Rhodes Colleges, Inc., Corinthian Colleges, Inc., and Florida Metropolitan University, Inc. The Alvarez first amended and supplemental complaint named ninety-nine plaintiffs. Additionally, the court in the Alvarez case granted the plaintiffs’ motion to add an additional seven plaintiffs to the first amended and supplemental complaint. The named plaintiffs in these lawsuits are current and former students in the Company’s Florida Metropolitan University (“FMU”) campuses, now known as Everest University, in Florida and online. The plaintiffs allege that FMU concealed the fact that it is not accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and that FMU credits are not transferable to other institutions. The Satz and Travis plaintiffs seek recovery of compensatory damages and attorneys’ fees under common law and Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act for themselves and all similarly situated people. The Alvarez plaintiffs seek damages on behalf of themselves under common law and Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. The arbitrator in the Satz case found for the Company on all counts in an award on the Company’s motion to dismiss. The arbitrator also found that Mr. Satz breached his agreement with FMU by filing in court rather than seeking arbitration and is therefore responsible to pay FMU’s damages associated with compelling the action to arbitration. The arbitrator also declared FMU the prevailing party for purposes of the Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. The Company is continuing to pursue its remedies against Mr. Satz related to these findings. Additionally, the Company affirmatively filed arbitration actions against Ms. Travis and approximately ninety of the Alvarez

 

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plaintiffs seeking damages for their respective breaches of their obligations to file in arbitration rather than in court, and seeking declaratory relief regarding their allegations. The arbitrator ruled against the Company in its affirmative claims against Ms. Travis. The Company has prevailed on its motions in court to dismiss the court actions and compel arbitration in both the Alvarez and Travis matters. Ms. Travis filed a motion to certify a class in her arbitration proceeding on behalf of all similarly situated persons, and the Company opposed that motion. The Company and the plaintiffs in the Alvarez and Travis matters have agreed to consolidate those actions before a single arbitrator. Following various procedural steps by the parties, on June 1, 2009, the Florida Circuit Court issued a judgment in the Company’s favor granting summary judgment, finding that FMU had not violated Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, dismissing the common law claims against FMU and declaring FMU the prevailing party for all statutory claims. Additionally, the Court denied class certification due to the predominance of individual issues. In order to avoid the expense and uncertainty of an appeal of this dispositive judgment, the Company and all of the named plaintiffs have resolved the consolidated Alvarez and Travis matters for an amount that is immaterial to the Company’s financial position and results of operations.

Between July 21, 2004 and July 23, 2004, two derivative actions captioned Collet, Derivatively on behalf of Corinthian Colleges, Inc., v. David Moore, et al., and Davila, Derivatively on behalf of Corinthian Colleges, Inc., v. David Moore, et al., were filed in the Orange County California Superior Court against David Moore, Dennis Beal, Dennis Devereux, Beth Wilson, Mary Barry, Stan Mortensen, Bruce Deyong, Loyal Wilson, Jack Massimino, Linda Skladany, Paul St. Pierre, Michael Berry, and Anthony Digiovanni, and against the Company as a nominal defendant. Each individual defendant is one of the Company’s current or former officers and/or directors. The lawsuits allege breach of fiduciary duty, abuse of control, gross mismanagement, waste of corporate assets, unjust enrichment, and violations of the California corporations’ code, essentially based on the same allegations of conduct complained of in the initial federal securities class action complaints. The Collet and Davila cases have now been consolidated into one action. A memorandum of understanding was executed by the parties resolving the Collet and Davila cases, pending court approval, for an immaterial amount of attorneys’ fees to be paid by the Company’s directors’ and officers’ insurance carrier to the plaintiffs’ lawyers, and with the Company agreeing to certain corporate governance matters. On August 6, 2009, the Court considered the parties’ motion for approval of the settlement and ordered further briefing on the fairness of the settlement and the proposed notice to shareholders.

On August 2, 2006, the Company was served with two virtually identical derivative complaints captioned Adolf, Derivatively on behalf of nominal defendant Corinthian Colleges, Inc., v. David Moore, et al., and, Gunkel, Derivatively on behalf of nominal defendant Corinthian Colleges, Inc., v. David Moore, et al. The complaints were filed in the Orange County California Superior Court against David Moore, Paul St. Pierre, Frank McCord, Dennis Devereux, Beth Wilson, Dennis Beal, Jack Massimino, Linda Skladany, and Hank Adler. Each individual defendant is one of the Company’s current or former officers and/or directors. The lawsuits allege breach of fiduciary duty and unjust enrichment by the individual defendants related to the Company’s past option grant practices. Three other similar derivative actions were filed in Federal District Court for the Central District of California, one entitled Pfeiffer, derivatively on behalf of Corinthian Colleges, Inc., v. David Moore, et al., the second entitled M. Alvin Edwards, III, derivatively on behalf of Corinthian Colleges, Inc., v. David Moore, et al. and the third entitled Lori Close, derivatively on behalf of Corinthian Colleges Inc., v. David Moore et al. The federal cases allege violation of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, violation of the California Corporations Code, unjust enrichment and return of unearned compensation, and breach of fiduciary duties, based on similar factual allegations to the Adolph and Gunkel cases. The Pfeiffer case is filed against the same defendants as the two state court cases. The Close and Edwards cases name the following individual defendants, all of whom are current and former directors and officers of the Company: Dave Moore, Jack Massimino, Ken Ord, William Murtagh, William Buchanan, Robert Owen, Stan Mortensen, Mark Pelesh, Mary Barry, Beth Wilson, Dennis Devereux, Paul St. Pierre, Alice Kane, Terry Hartshorn, Linda Skladany, Hank Adler, Loyal Wilson and Mike Berry. The federal derivative actions have since been consolidated in federal court; the state derivative actions have also been consolidated in state court. The parties have reached a stipulated settlement in these matters, subject to court approval, in which the Company has agreed to certain corporate governance practices and the Company and its insurer have agreed to pay the plaintiffs’ lawyers attorneys’ fees. The settlement is immaterial to the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. As previously disclosed, on July 6, 2009 the United States District Court for the Central District of California preliminarily approved a settlement of the consolidated Adolf, Gunkel, Pfeiffer, and Edwards actions. A summary Notice of Pendency and Proposed Settlement of Derivative Actions describing the material terms of the settlement was previously disclosed. The settlement documentation in its entirety is available at the Company’s web site under the Investor Relations heading.

On October 3, 2007, the Company was notified that a qui tam action had been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California by a former employee (the “relator”) on behalf of himself and the federal government. The case is captioned United States of America, ex rel. Steven Fuhr v. Corinthian Colleges, Inc. The Company subsequently learned of two other qui tam actions filed against the Company captioned United States of America, ex rel. Nyoka Lee and Talala Mshuja v. Corinthian Colleges, Inc., et al, and United States of America, ex rel. Stephen Backhus v. Corinthian Colleges, Inc., et al., filed in the United States District Courts for the Central District of California and the Middle District of Florida,

 

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respectively. These qui tam actions allege violations of the False Claims Act, 31 U.S.C. § 3729-33, by the Company for allegedly causing false claims to be paid, or allegedly using false statements to get claims paid or approved by the federal government, because of alleged Company violations of the Higher Education Act (the “HEA”) regarding the manner in which admissions personnel are compensated. The Lee complaint also alleges causes of action for common law fraud, unjust enrichment and payment under mistake of fact against the Company, Ernst & Young LLP (the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm), and David Moore, Jack Massimino, Paul St. Pierre, Alice Kane, Linda Skladany, Hank Adler and Terry Hartshorn (all of whom are current or former directors of the Company). On March 4, 2009, the Company received written notices that the U.S. Department of Justice has declined to intervene in, or take over, these qui tam actions, and the United States District Courts in which the cases were filed unsealed the complaints. Although the government declined to intervene in these actions, the relators may continue to pursue the litigation on behalf of the federal government and, if successful, receive a portion of the federal government’s recovery. Additionally, upon a showing of good cause, the government has the right to intervene in the actions at a later time. The Backhus complaint has since been voluntarily dismissed and, on August 3, 2009, the U.S. District Court issued an order dismissing the Fuhr complaint with prejudice. The Company has filed a motion to dismiss the Lee complaint. The Company believes these complaints are without merit and intends to defend itself and its current and former directors vigorously in these matters.

On May 28, 2008, a putative class action demand in arbitration captioned Rivera v. Sequoia Education, Inc. and Corinthian Colleges, Inc. was filed with the American Arbitration Association. The plaintiffs are nine current or former HVAC students from the Company’s WyoTech Fremont and WyoTech Oakland campuses. The arbitration demand alleges violations of California’s Business and Professions Code Sections 17200 and 17500, fraud and intentional deceit, negligent misrepresentation, breach of contract and unjust enrichment/restitution, all related to alleged deficiencies and misrepresentations regarding the HVAC program at these campuses. The plaintiffs seek to certify a class composed of all HVAC students in the Company’s WyoTech Fremont and WyoTech Oakland campuses over the prior four years, and seek recovery of compensatory and punitive damages, interest, restitution and attorneys’ fees and costs. The Company believes the complaint is without merit and intends to vigorously defend itself against these allegations.

In addition to the legal proceedings and other matters described above, the Company is or may become a party to pending or threatened lawsuits related primarily to services currently or formerly performed by the Company. Such cases and claims raise difficult and complex factual and legal issues and are subject to many uncertainties and complexities, including, but not limited to, class action certification, governmental intervention, regulatory or administrative agency involvement, the facts and circumstances of each particular case or claim, the jurisdiction in which each suit is brought, and differences in applicable statutory and common law.

As of June 30, 2009, the Company had established aggregate reserves for all of the matters disclosed above, as well as for those additional matters where the liabilities are probable and losses estimable but for which the Company does not believe the matters are reasonably likely to have a material impact on the results of operations or financial condition of the Company, which are immaterial to the Company’s financial position. The Company regularly evaluates the reasonableness of its accruals and makes any adjustments considered necessary. Due to the uncertainty of the outcome of litigation and claims, the Company is unable to make a reasonable estimate of the upper end of the range of potential liability for these matters. Upon resolution of any pending legal matters, the Company may incur charges in excess of presently established reserves. While any such charge could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations in the period in which it is recorded or paid, management does not believe that any such charge would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or liquidity.

Note 12—Employee Benefit Plans

The Company has established an employee savings plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code (the Plan). Employees classified as “regular” status as defined and who are regularly scheduled to work at least 30 hours per week (20 hours per week for instructors) are eligible to participate in the Plan beginning the first of the month following one month of employment. Company contributions begin the first of the month following 12 months of employment and 1,000 hours worked. Contributions to the plan by the Company are discretionary. The plan provides for vesting of Company contributions over a five-year period from the date of employment. Company contributions to the plan were approximately $5.1 million, $3.6 million and $3.0 million for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Note 13—Governmental Regulation

The Company and each institution are subject to extensive regulation by federal and state governmental agencies and accrediting bodies. In particular, HEA, and the regulations promulgated thereunder by ED subject the institutions to significant regulatory scrutiny on the basis of numerous standards that schools must satisfy in order to participate in the various federal student financial assistance programs under Title IV of the HEA.

 

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To participate in the Title IV Programs, an institution must be authorized to offer its programs of instruction by the relevant agencies of the state in which it is located, accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the ED and certified as eligible by the ED. The ED will certify an institution to participate in the Title IV Programs only after the institution has demonstrated compliance with the HEA and the ED’s extensive regulations regarding institutional eligibility. An institution must also demonstrate its compliance to the ED on an ongoing basis. As of June 30, 2009, management believes the Company’s institutions were in compliance with the applicable regulations in all material respects.

From time to time, certain of our institutions have also been the subject of program reviews by the ED. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 and the first quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company’s campuses in Fremont, California, Reseda, California, Tampa, Florida (including its additional locations in Orange Park and Brandon, Florida) and Gardena, California, and its online operations in Tampa, Florida and Tempe, Arizona, were the subject of ED program reviews. We have not yet received preliminary written program review reports regarding ED’s findings, if any, in these campuses, and the Company is continuing to cooperate with these reviews. Program reviews may often be unresolved for several months or years with little or no communication from the ED. We do not believe that any of our currently pending program reviews with the ED is reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company.

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

An accrediting agency probation or show cause order may be issued based upon the agency’s concerns that an accredited institution may be out of compliance with one or more accrediting standards. Probation or show cause orders afford the institution the opportunity to respond before the institution loses accreditation. The institution may demonstrate that the concern is unfounded, that it has taken corrective action to resolve the concern, or that it has implemented an ongoing plan of action which is deemed appropriate to resolve the concern. The accrediting agency may then vacate the probation or show cause order, continue the probation or show cause order or seek additional information through reports required of the institution. If the agency’s concerns are not resolved, it may act to withdraw accreditation from the institution. Institutions on probation or under show cause orders remain accredited while they are on probation. The institutions can continue to enroll new students, and students at the affected institutions remain eligible to receive federal student financial aid.

In a letter received from ACCSCT dated March 7, 2008, the Company was informed of a show cause action regarding our Everest College in San Jose, CA. In letters received from ACCSCT dated June 8, 2008, September 15, 2008, and March 11, 2009, San Jose was continued on show cause. In a letter dated August 13, 2009, from ACCSCT the Company was informed that it had voted to vacate the show cause order and grant Everest College, San Jose renewal of accreditation for a period of five years going forward from January 2008.

On May 1, 2009, the Company received notification from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (“HLC”) that the Company’s Everest College-Phoenix campus (including its branch campus in Mesa, Arizona and its online operations) had been placed on probation. At June 30, 2009, the combined enrollment for these operations was 4,381 students and combined revenue was approximately 5.1% of the Company’s total net revenues from continuing operations for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009. The probation action appears to be primarily related to questions about the institution’s autonomy as it relates to Corinthian’s ownership and control of the institution. The institution has recently made numerous changes to its governance and structure to comply with HLC’s accreditation criteria and is committed to continuing this process to resolve HLC’s concerns. HLC indicated that the probationary process is a period during which it will verify that these changes have, in fact, occurred and effectively meet HLC’s standards. If the problems have been addressed and the institution otherwise meets HLC’s Criteria for Accreditation, the probation will be removed at HLC’s October 2010 meeting. Although the Company cannot predict the outcome of this matter with certainty, it is confident it will be able to satisfy HLC’s accreditation criteria.

Political and budgetary concerns significantly affect the Title IV Programs. Congress must reauthorize the student financial assistance programs of the HEA approximately every five to six years, and the last reauthorization took place in 2008.

A significant component of Congress’ initiative to reduce abuse in the Title IV Programs has been the imposition of limitations on institutions whose former students default on the repayment of their federally guaranteed or funded student loans above specific rates (cohort default rate). Although the Company is not obligated to repay any of its students or former students defaults on payments of federally guaranteed student loans, if such default rates equal or exceed 25% for three consecutive years, the institution may lose participation eligibility in the guaranteed loan program and its students will be denied access to the federally guaranteed student loan programs. An institution whose cohort default rate under certain Title IV Programs for any federal fiscal year exceeds 40% may have its eligibility to participate in all of the Title IV Programs limited, suspended or terminated by the ED.

All institutions participating in the Title IV Programs must satisfy specific standards of financial responsibility. The ED evaluates institutions for compliance with these standards each year, based on the institution’s annual audited financial statements and following a change of ownership of the institution.

The ED calculates the institution’s composite score for financial responsibility based on its (i) equity ratio, which measures the institution’s capital resources, ability to borrow and financial viability; (ii) primary reserve ratio, which measures the institution’s ability to support current operations from expendable resources; and (iii) net income ratio, which measures the institution’s ability to operate at a profit. An institution that does not meet the ED’s minimum composite score

 

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may demonstrate its financial responsibility by posting a letter of credit in favor of the ED in an amount equal to at least 50% of the Title IV Program funds received by the institution during its prior fiscal year and possibly accepting other conditions on its participation in the Title IV Programs. At June 30, 2009, all of the Company’s U.S. institutions and the Company on a consolidated basis satisfied each of the ED’s standards of financial responsibility.

For fiscal 2009, the Company’s calculations reflect that all of the Company’s schools exceed the requirements for financial responsibility on an individual basis, with composite scores ranging from 1.5 to 3.0. For purposes of performing such calculations on an individual school basis, the Company makes certain allocations of corporate cash to the individual campuses. Also, the Company, on a consolidated basis, meets the requirements with the composite score of 2.6.

As required for regulatory reporting with ED, for fiscal 2009, approximately 81.3% of the Company’s revenues (on a cash basis) were derived from federal Title IV programs. For fiscal 2009 the Company had $1,004.7 million of Title IV cash receipts and $231.2 of Non-Title IV cash receipts, each in the United States as calculated pursuant to ED regulations.

As of June 30, 2009, fourteen of our colleges were placed on reporting to their respective accrediting agencies, primarily with respect to the completion, retention, and/or placement rates of their students. In certain of these cases, the periodic supplemental reports are required only with respect to particular programs at an institution, and not to the institution’s overall completion or placement rates. The Company is working to improve these retention and placement rates in the identified programs at these schools.

Because the Company operates in a highly regulated industry, it, like other industry participants, may be subject from time to time to investigations, claims of non-compliance, or lawsuits by governmental agencies or third parties, which allege statutory violations, regulatory infractions, or common law causes of action.

There can be no assurance that other regulatory agencies or third parties will not undertake investigations or make claims against the Company, or that such claims, if made, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations or financial condition.

Note 14—Selected Quarterly Financial Summary (Unaudited)

 

     Fiscal Quarters     Fiscal
Year
 
     First     Second     Third     Fourth    
     (In thousands, except per share amounts)  
Fiscal 2009           

Net revenues

   $ 289,581      $ 318,288      $ 346,443      $ 353,513      $ 1,307,825   

Income from continuing operations

     5,706        15,454        25,306        24,662        71,128   

(Loss) Income from discontinued operations

     (220     (374     (304     (1,470     (2,368

Net income

     5,486        15,080        25,002        23,192        68,760   

Income per share (1):

          

Basic

   $ 0.06      $ 0.18      $ 0.29      $ 0.27      $ 0.80   

Diluted

   $ 0.06      $ 0.17      $ 0.28      $ 0.26      $ 0.79   
Fiscal 2008           

Net revenues (2)

   $ 244,467      $ 270,253      $ 279,918      $ 274,033      $ 1,068,671   

Income from continuing operations (2)

     4,319        9,527        14,255        4,764        32,865   

(Loss) Income from discontinued operations (2)

     (2,366     (1,415     (2,433     (5,384     (11,598

Net income

     1,953        8,112        11,822        (620     21,267   

Income per share (1):

          

Basic

   $ 0.02      $ 0.10      $ 0.14      $ (0.01   $ 0.25   

Diluted

   $ 0.02      $ 0.10      $ 0.14      $ (0.01   $ 0.25   
Fiscal 2007           

Net revenues (2)

   $ 218,514      $ 231,529      $ 237,552      $ 231,629      $ 919,224   

Income from continuing operations (2)

     2,640        3,446        12,832        (2,091     16,827   

(Loss) Income from discontinued operations (2)

     (1,240     (863     (827     (6,665     (9,595

Net income

     1,400        2,583        12,005        (8,756     7,232   

Income per share (1):

          

Basic

   $ 0.02      $ 0.03      $ 0.14      $ (0.10   $ 0.08   

Diluted

   $ 0.02      $ 0.03      $ 0.14      $ (0.10   $ 0.08   

 

(1) Basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated independently for each of the quarters presented. Accordingly, the sum of the quarterly earnings per share may not agree with the annual earnings per share amount for the corresponding year.
(2) Amounts prior to fourth quarter of 2008 reflected in the table above differ from previously filed quarterly reports. During the fourth quarter of 2008 the Company began to classify the results of operations related to specific campuses closed or held for sale as discontinued operations. See Note 2 “Discontinued Operations” of these notes to our consolidated financial statements for further discussion of the Company’s discontinued operations.

 

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Note 15—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

     Balance at
Beginning
of Year
   Charged to
Statement of
Operations
   Deductions     Balance at
End of
Year
     (In thousands)

Allowance for doubtful accounts

          

Accounts receivable:

          

Year ended June 30, 2007

   $ 17,299    $ 50,980    $ (45,558   $ 22,721

Year ended June 30, 2008

     22,721      68,347      (51,759     39,309

Year ended June 30, 2009

     39,309      111,723      (125,616     25,416

Student notes receivable:

          

Year ended June 30, 2007

   $ 2,243    $ 1,627    $ (420   $ 3,450

Year ended June 30, 2008

     3,450      5,640      (30     9,060

Year ended June 30, 2009

     9,060      45,785      (25,667     29,178

 

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

None.

 

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e), as of the end of the period covered by this report and concluded that those controls and procedures were effective.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of June 30, 2009. The effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2009 has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included herein.

Changes in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2009 that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

It should be noted that any system of controls, however well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the system will be met. In addition, the design of any control system is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events. Because of these and other inherent limitations of control systems, there is only the reasonable assurance that our controls will succeed in achieving their goals under all potential future conditions.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Directors and Executive Officers

Certain information in response to this item is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after June 30, 2009. Information regarding executive officers of the Company is set forth under the caption “Executive Officers of the Registrant” in Item 1 hereof.

Corporate Governance

We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to all of our executive officers and senior financial officers (including our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, chief accounting officer, and any person performing similar functions). This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available on our website at http://www.cci.edu under the heading “Investor Relations.”

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Information in response to this Item is incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after June 30, 2009.

 

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

Information in response to this Item is incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after June 30, 2009.

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

Information in response to this Item is incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after June 30, 2009.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

Information required to be furnished by Item 9(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation S-K will be included in the Company’s 2009 Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission not later than 120 days after June 30, 2009, and is incorporated herein by reference.

PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

The following documents are filed as part of this Report:

1. Financial Statements

The required financial statements and financial statement schedules of the Company and its subsidiaries are included in Part II, Item 8, of this Form 10-K. All other schedules have been omitted since the required information is not present or not present in amounts sufficient to require the submission of such schedules, or because the information required is included in the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto.

3. Exhibits:

The exhibits listed in the accompanying Index to Exhibits are filed as part of this annual report.

 

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CORINTHIAN COLLEGES, INC.

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description of Exhibit

   Incorporation
Reference

3.1+

   Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation    (a)

3.2+

   Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company    (b)

10.52+

   1998 Performance Award Plan of the Company    (c)

10.53+

   Executive Deferral Plan of the Company    (d)

10.54+

   Form of Director Stock Option Agreement under the 2003 Performance Award Plan of the Company    (e)

10.55+

   Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement issued to executive officers under the 2003 Performance Award Plan of the Company    (f)

10.56+

   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement issued to executive officers under the 2003 Performance Award Plan of the Company    (g)

10.57+

   2004 New-Hire Award Plan of the Company    (h)

10.58+

   Form of Option Agreement under the 2004 New-Hire Award Plan of the Company    (i)

10.59+

   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2004 New-Hire Award Plan of the Company    (j)

10.60+

   Amendment 2005-1 to the 2004 New-Hire Award Plan of the Company    (k)

10.61+

   Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 8, 2005, among the Company, Corinthian Canada Acquisition, Inc., Bank of America, N.A., as Domestic Administrative Agent, Domestic Swing Line Lender and Domestic L/C Issuer, Bank of America, N.A., acting through its Canada Branch, as Canadian Administrative Agent, Canadian Swing Line Lender and Canadian L/C Issuer, Union Bank of California, N.A., as Syndication Agent, U.S. Bank National Association and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Co-Documentation Agents, each Lender from time to time party thereto, and Banc of America Securities LLC, as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Book Manager    (l)

10.61.1+

   Amendment No. 1 to Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of August 10, 2007, among the Company, CDI Career Development Institutes Ltd., the Lenders from time to time party thereto, Bank of America, N.A., as Domestic Administrative Agent, Domestic L/C Issuer and Domestic Swing Line Lender, Bank of America, N.A., acting through its Canadian Branch, as Canadian Administrative Agent, Canadian L/C Issuer and Canadian Swing Line Lender, and certain other agents    (m)

10.62+

   Form of Lock-Up Agreement between the Company and each of the officers of the Company with the title of Division President, Vice President, Senior Vice President, Executive Vice President, Chief Executive Officer or Chairman of the Board, each entered into as of June 30, 2006    (n)

10.63+

   Description of Compensation Arrangements with Non-Employee Members of the Company’s Board of Directors    (o)

10.64+

   Form of Stock Option Agreement Amendment between the Company and each of its Directors    (p)

 

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Table of Contents

Exhibit
Number

  

Description of Exhibit

   Incorporation
Reference

10.65+

   2003 Performance Award Plan of the Company, as amended and restated    (q)

10.66+

   Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement issued to certain executive officers under the 2003 Performance Award Plan    (r)

10.67+

   Form of Employment Agreement amended and restated as of August 21, 2007, by and between the Company and Jack D. Massimino    (s)

10.68+

   Form of performance-related Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement to be entered into between the Company and Jack D. Massimino under the 2003 Performance Award Plan    (t)

10.69+

   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2003 Performance Award Plan of the Company    (u)

10.70+

   Form of Director Stock Unit Award Notice under the 2003 Performance Award Plan of the Company    (v)

10.71+

   Form of Employment Agreement amended and restated as of March 17, 2008, by and between the Company and each of Peter Waller, Kenneth Ord, Beth Wilson and Mark Pelesh    (w)

10.72+

   Form of Executive Bonus Plan under the 2003 Performance Award Plan of the Company by and between the Company and certain of its executive officers    (x)

10.73+

   Form of Executive Bonus Plan Schedule under the 2003 Performance Award Plan of the Company by and between the Company and certain of its executive officers    (y)

10.74

   Deferred Compensation Plan of the Company   

10.75

   Form of Employment Agreement between the Company and certain of its officers, including Matthew Ouimet, the Company’s President and Chief Operating Officer   

21.1

   List of Subsidiaries   

23.1

   Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm   

24.1

   Power of Attorney (see signature page)   

31.1

   Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002   

31.2

   Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002   

32.1

   Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002   

32.2

   Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002   

 

 + Previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as set forth in the following table:
(a) Incorporated by reference to Appendix B of the Company’s Proxy Statement (Commission File No. 000-25283) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act on December 15, 2006.
(b) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of the Report on Form 8-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 21, 2008.
(c) Incorporated by reference to the like-numbered exhibit of the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-59505), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 21, 1998.
(d) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 of the Company’s Form S-8 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 3, 2004.
(e) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 11, 2004.
(f) Incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 11, 2004.
(g) Incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 10.3 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 11, 2004.
(h) Incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 22, 2004.
(i) Incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 10.2.1 of the Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 22, 2004.

 

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Table of Contents
(j) Incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 10.2.2 of the Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 22, 2004.
(k) Incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 28, 2005.
(l) Incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 10, 2005.
(m) Incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 16, 2007.
(n) Incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 7, 2005.
(o) Incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 6, 2009.
(p) Incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 6, 2005.
(q) Incorporated by Reference as Appendix A to the Company’s Proxy Statement (Commission File No. 000-25283) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act on October 14, 2005.
(r) Incorporated by Reference to the like-numbered exhibit of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 28, 2006.
(s) Incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 27, 2007.
(t) Incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 27, 2007.
(u) Incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 10.75 of the Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 29, 2007.
(v) Incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 29, 2008.
(w) Incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 21, 2008.
(x) Incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 3, 2009.
(y) Incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 3, 2009.

 

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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES AND POWER OF ATTORNEY

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

CORINTHIAN COLLEGES, INC.

 

By:

 

/s/    PETER C. WALLER        

  By:  

/s/    KENNETH S. ORD        

  By:  

/s/    ROBERT C. OWEN        

 

Peter C. Waller

Chief Executive Officer,

(Principal Executive Officer)

August 25, 2009

   

Kenneth S. Ord

Executive Vice President and Chief

Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

August 25, 2009

   

Robert C. Owen

Senior Vice President and Chief

Accounting Officer

(Principal Accounting Officer)

August 25, 2009

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. Each person whose signature appears below hereby authorizes and appoints Peter C. Waller and Kenneth S. Ord, or either of them, as attorneys-in-fact and agents to execute and file with the applicable regulatory authorities any amendment to this report on his or her behalf individually and in each capacity stated below.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/    JACK D. MASSIMINO        

Jack D. Massimino

   Executive Chairman of the Board   August 25, 2009
    

/s/    PETER WALLER        

   Chief Executive Officer, Director  

August 25, 2009

Peter Waller    (Principal Executive Officer)  

/s/    PAUL ST. PIERRE        

   Director  

August 25, 2009

Paul St. Pierre     

/s/    LINDA AREY SKLADANY        

   Director  

August 25, 2009

Linda Arey Skladany     

/s/    HANK ADLER        

   Director  

August 25, 2009

Hank Adler     

/s/    ROBERT LEE        

   Director  

August 25, 2009

Robert Lee     

/s/    TIM SULLIVAN        

   Director  

August 25, 2009

Tim Sullivan     

/s/    JOHN DIONISIO        

   Director  

August 25, 2009

John Dionisio     

/s/    ALICE T. KANE        

   Director  

August 25, 2009

Alice T. Kane     

 

   Director  
Terry O. Hartshorn     

 

89