Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

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

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED March 31, 2010

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

(Address of principal executive offices)

92707

(Zip Code)

(714) 427-3000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

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 website, if any, every interactive data file required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (section 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 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   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.):    Yes  ¨    No  x

At April 29, 2010, there were 88,126,490 shares of Common Stock of the Registrant outstanding.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

CORINTHIAN COLLEGES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2010

 

          Page No.
PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION   

Item 1

   Financial Statements    3
  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2010 (Unaudited) and June 30, 2009

   3
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited)

   4
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited)

   5
  

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

   6

Item 2

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   14

Item 3

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

   22

Item 4

  

Controls and Procedures

   22
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION   

Item 1

   Legal Proceedings    23

Item 1A

   Risk Factors    23

Item 2

   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    26

Item 3

   Defaults Upon Senior Securities    26

Item 5

   Other Information    26

Item 6

   Exhibits    27

SIGNATURES

   28

EXPLANATORY NOTE

During the fourth quarter of 2008, Corinthian Colleges, Inc. (“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 operations for all prior 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.

 

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Table of Contents

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

CORINTHIAN COLLEGES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

 

     March 31,
2010
    June 30,
2009
 
     (Unaudited)        
ASSETS     

CURRENT ASSETS:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 78,489      $ 160,276   

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $29,521 and $25,416 at March 31, 2010 and June 30, 2009, respectively

     71,645        65,976   

Student notes receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $9,362 and $8,203 at March 31, 2010 and June 30, 2009, respectively

     15,872        11,532   

Deferred income taxes

     32,473        32,369   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     42,410        38,378   
                

Total current assets

     240,889        308,531   

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net

     278,729        227,553   

OTHER ASSETS:

    

Goodwill, net

     391,013        186,644   

Other intangibles, net

     192,624        38,647   

Student notes receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $28,566 and $20,975 at March 31, 2010 and June 30, 2009, respectively

     50,285        29,938   

Deposits and other assets

     14,013        3,709   

Deferred income taxes

     4,365        3,849   
                

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 1,171,918      $ 798,871   
                
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY     

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 69,288      $ 39,159   

Accrued compensation and related liabilities

     86,709        79,989   

Accrued expenses

     28,625        14,305   

Prepaid tuition

     105,517        66,656   

Current portion of capital lease obligations

     511        474   
                

Total current liabilities

     290,650        200,583   

LONG-TERM CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS, net of current portion

     13,779        14,189   

LONG-TERM DEBT, net of current portion

     136,000        13,895   

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES

     23,106        14,922   

OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

     56,477        37,614   

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 8)

    

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

    

Common Stock, $0.0001 par value:

    

Common Stock, 120,000 shares authorized: 90,283 shares issued and 88,026 shares outstanding at March 31, 2010 and 89,341 shares issued and 87,085 shares outstanding at June 30, 2009

     9        9   

Additional paid-in capital

     226,042        208,331   

Treasury stock

     (31,368     (31,368

Retained earnings

     455,317        343,197   

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     1,906        (2,501
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     651,906        517,668   
                

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 1,171,918      $ 798,871   
                

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

 

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Table of Contents

CORINTHIAN COLLEGES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
    Nine Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  
     (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  

NET REVENUES

   $ 478,274      $ 346,443      $ 1,281,053      $ 954,312   

OPERATING EXPENSES:

        

Educational services

     259,340        194,232        696,227        555,870   

General and administrative

     54,811        35,452        141,616        97,078   

Marketing and admissions

     97,696        73,226        258,095        220,119   
                                

Total operating expenses

     411,847        302,910        1,095,938        873,067   
                                

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

     66,427        43,533        185,115        81,245   

Interest (income)

     (311     (448     (962     (1,381

Interest expense

     2,130        637        3,467        2,179   

Other (income) expense, net

     (1,727     813        (4,238     2,372   
                                

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

     66,335        42,531        186,848        78,075   

Provision for income taxes

     26,529        17,225        74,727        31,609   
                                

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

     39,806        25,306        112,121        46,466   

LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, net of tax

     —          (304     —          (899
                                

NET INCOME

   $ 39,806      $ 25,002      $ 112,121      $ 45,567   
                                

INCOME PER SHARE—BASIC:

        

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.45      $ 0.29      $ 1.28      $ 0.54   

Loss from discontinued operations

     —          —          —          (0.01
                                

Net income

   $ 0.45      $ 0.29      $ 1.28      $ 0.53   
                                

INCOME PER SHARE—DILUTED:

        

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.45      $ 0.29      $ 1.26      $ 0.53   

Loss from discontinued operations

     —          (0.01     —          (0.01
                                

Net income

   $ 0.45      $ 0.28      $ 1.26      $ 0.52   
                                

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

        

Basic

     87,791        86,450        87,558        85,821   
                                

Diluted

     88,796        88,409        88,672        87,299   
                                

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

 

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CORINTHIAN COLLEGES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FROM CONTINUING AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

(In thousands)

 

     Nine Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2010     2009  
     (Unaudited)     (Unaudited)  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net income

   $ 112,121      $ 45,567   

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

    

Depreciation and amortization

     46,745        38,562   

Stock based compensation

     9,930        8,586   

Loss on disposal of assets

     689        711   

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable, net

     (1,406     32,346   

Student notes receivable, net

     (23,861     (19,675

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     5,488        6,767   

Accounts payable

     16,766        (871

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     2,264        13,571   

Income taxes payable

     2,484        —     

Prepaid tuition

     34,619        27,215   

Other long-term liabilities

     4,820        (1,224
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     210,659        151,555   
                

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Acquisitions of Heald, net of cash acquired

     (347,299     —     

Capital expenditures

     (52,209     (34,272

Proceeds from sale of assets

     —          726   
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (399,508     (33,546
                

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Proceeds from borrowings

     252,133        —     

Principal repayments on capital lease obligations and long-term debt

     (154,587     (40,128

Proceeds from exercise of stock options and employee stock purchase plan

     8,964        13,958   
                

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     106,510        (26,170
                

EFFECTS OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     552        (255
                

NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

     (81,787     91,584   

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period

     160,276        32,004   
                

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period

   $ 78,489      $ 123,588   
                

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

    

Cash paid during the period for:

    

Income taxes

   $ 64,537      $ 21,351   
                

Interest paid, net of capitalized interest

   $ 3,154      $ 2,205   
                

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

 

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CORINTHIAN COLLEGES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

March 31, 2010

Note 1—The Company and Basis of Presentation

Corinthian Colleges, Inc. (the “Company”) is one of the largest post-secondary career education companies in North America. As of March 31, 2010, the Company had 112,489 students and operated 100 schools in 25 states and 17 colleges in the province of Ontario, Canada. The Company offers a variety of diploma programs and associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees, concentrating on programs in allied health, criminal justice, business, vehicle repair and maintenance, construction trades and information technology. The Company also offers exclusively online degrees, primarily in business and criminal justice.

On January 4, 2010 the Company completed its acquisition of Heald Capital, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Heald”) for consideration of $395 million. Heald, through its subsidiaries, operates Heald College, a regionally accredited institution that prepares students for careers in healthcare, business, legal, information technology and other growing fields, primarily through associate degree programs. Heald College operates 11 campuses and its results are included in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements from the date of acquisition.

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 the consolidated statements of operations for all prior 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.

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

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements have been omitted or condensed pursuant to such regulations. The Company believes the disclosures included in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, when read in conjunction with the June 30, 2009 consolidated financial statements of the Company included in the Company’s 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K and notes thereto, are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. In management’s opinion, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to summarize fairly the consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for such periods. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year ending June 30, 2010.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 2010 and for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 and the audited condensed consolidated financial statements as of June 30, 2009 include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries that it directly or indirectly controls through majority ownership. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The financial position and results of operations of the Company’s 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 (loss). Exchange gains and losses arising from transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are immediately included in earnings.

 

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CORINTHIAN COLLEGES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

March 31, 2010

 

The Company estimates fair value using a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3).

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, receivables and accounts payable approximates their fair value at March 31, 2010. In addition, the carrying value of all borrowings approximates fair value at March 31, 2010.

Note 2—Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding

Basic net income per share is calculated by dividing net income 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 weighted average number of common shares outstanding and the effects of dilutive securities used in computing basic and diluted net income per common share for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
March  31,
   Nine Months Ended
March  31,
     2010    2009    2010    2009

Basic common shares outstanding

   87,791    86,450    87,558    85,821

Effects of dilutive securities:

           

Stock options and restricted stock units

   1,005    1,959    1,114    1,478
                   

Diluted common shares outstanding

   88,796    88,409    88,672    87,299
                   

During the three and nine month periods ended March 31, 2010, the Company issued approximately 0.4 million and 0.9 million shares of common stock, respectively, related to the Company’s employee stock purchase plan, exercise of stock options and delivery of shares of common stock underlying restricted stock units.

Note 3—Business Acquisitions/Dispositions

Fiscal 2010

On January 4, 2010, Corinthian Colleges, Inc. (the “Company”) completed its previously-announced acquisition of Heald, SP PE VII-B Heald Holdings Corp., a Delaware corporation (“SP Holdings”), and SD III-B Heald Holdings Corp., a Delaware corporation (“SD Holdings”; each of SP Holdings and SD Holdings individually, a “Holding Company” and, collectively, the “Holding Companies”). The transaction was completed in accordance with a Securities Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated October 19, 2009 (the “Purchase Agreement”), by and among the Company, Heald, SP Holdings, SD Holdings, the individuals and entities set forth on Exhibit A of the Purchase Agreement (the “Sellers” and, each individually, a “Seller”) and Heald Investment, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as the Sellers’ Representative. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company acquired all of the limited liability company membership interests in Heald (“Membership Interests”) by purchasing all of the outstanding capital stock of each of the Holding Companies and by purchasing Membership Interests directly from the Sellers, for total consideration of $395 million. The consideration paid was financed via existing cash and borrowings against the Company’s line of credit in the amount of $224 million. The Company believes the acquisition is strategic given the experienced management team, strong operating metrics, regional accreditation and diverse program offerings and through its expertise and financial commitments it will be able to continue to grow the student population and program offerings.

Heald, through its subsidiaries, operates Heald College, a regionally accredited institution that prepares students for careers in healthcare, business, legal, information technology and other growing fields, primarily through associate degree programs. Heald College operates 11 campuses and had approximately 14,349 students at March 31, 2010.

The following is a summary, (in thousands), of the purchase transaction and the related preliminary allocation of the values assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Management is in the process of finalizing the valuation of such amounts thus the allocation of the purchase price is subject to refinement. The Company believes that approximately $173.1 million of goodwill will be deductable for tax purposes.

 

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CORINTHIAN COLLEGES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

March 31, 2010

 

Purchase price

   $ 395,000   

Preliminary working capital adjustment

     22,172   
        

Total consideration

   $ 417,172   
        

Allocation of purchase price:

  

Working capital

   $ 24,648   

Other long-term assets

     9,181   

Property, plant and equipment

     41,683   

Deferred rent

     (6,475

Deferred tax liability

     (8,184

Intangible assets:

  

Amortizable intangibles:

  

Student relationships (estimated useful life is 1 year)

     10,294   

Curriculum (estimated useful life is 5 years)

     1,600   

Non-amortizable intangibles:

  

Accreditation

     88,000   

Tradename

     57,500   

Goodwill

     198,925   
        

Net assets

   $ 417,172   
        

The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents the results of operations of Corinthian Colleges, Inc. and Heald as if the acquisition had occurred at the beginning of each period presented. Included within revenue and net income within the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the nine months ended March 31, 2010 is $57.9 million and $1.7 million, respectively. The pro forma information is based on historical results of operations and does not necessarily reflect the actual results that would have occurred, nor is it necessarily indicative of future results of operations of the combined enterprises (dollars in thousands except for per share amounts):

 

     Three Months  Ended
March 31,
   Pro Forma
        Three Months Ended
March  31,
   Nine Months Ended
March  31,
     2010    2009    2010    2009
     Unaudited    Unaudited    Unaudited    Unaudited

Revenues

   $ 478,274    $ 385,111    $ 1,380,617    $ 1,060,433

Operating income

     66,427      45,342      195,670      80,723

Net income

     39,806      29,553      117,039      43,937

Earnings per Share:

           

Basic:

   $ 0.45    $ 0.34    $ 1.34    $ 0.51

Diluted:

   $ 0.45    $ 0.33    $ 1.32    $ 0.50

The Heald acquisition yielded a $10.3 million intangible asset related to student contracts with a useful life of twelve months with actual amortization beginning January 4, 2010 and completing December 31, 2010. The student contract is amortized on a straight-line basis and included within educational services within the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The actual results for the three months ending March 31, 2010 contain student contract amortization of $2.6 million. Included within the pro forma information presented within operating income is student contract amortization of $2.6 million and $7.7 million for both the three months ending March 31, 2009 and March 31, 2010 and the nine months ending March 31, 2009 and March 31, 2010, respectively.

Included within pro forma net income for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2009 is a gain of $5.5 million net of tax related to the refinancing of debt by Heald which has been included within other income.

Fiscal 2008

During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company decided to divest the WyoTech Oakland campus. 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 these campuses are reflected as discontinued operations in the Company’s consolidated statements of income for all prior periods presented. 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 Statements of Operations for the year ended June 30, 2008. The Company expects to have no significant continuing involvement with this entity.

 

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CORINTHIAN COLLEGES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

March 31, 2010

 

Fiscal 2007

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 prior periods presented. 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.

These campuses were sold in fiscal year 2008. Accordingly, the results of operations of all these campuses are reflected as discontinued operations in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for all prior periods presented.

Note 4—Long-Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations

As of March 31, 2010, long-term debt consisted of the following:

 

     March 31,
2010
    June 30,
2009
 
     (unaudited)        
     (In thousands)  

Credit facility obligations, with interest at 3.3% per annum

   $ 120,000      $ 13,895   

Mortgage facility obligations, with interest at 6.25% per annum

     16,000        —     

Capital lease obligations

     14,290        14,663   
                
     150,290        28,558   

Less—current portion of capital lease obligations

     (511     (474
                
   $ 149,779      $ 28,084   
                

On September 30, 2009, the Company entered into a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Facility”) with aggregate borrowing capacity of $280 million, of which $260 million was a domestic facility and $20 million, was a Canadian facility. On February 22, 2010, the Company increased by $35 million the aggregate capacity under the Credit Facility. The aggregate borrowing capacity under the Credit Facility is now $315 million, of which $295 million is a domestic facility and $20 million, is a Canadian facility. The Credit Facility expires on October 1, 2012. The Credit Facility 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 $15 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 (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2 of 1%, (b) the Bank of America prime rate, or (c) the one-month Eurodollar Rate plus 1.00%. The Canadian base rate is defined as the higher of (a) the average rate for 30 day Canadian Dollar bankers’ acceptances plus 3/4 of 1%, (b) the Bank of America Canada prime rate or (c) the one-month Eurodollar Rate plus 1.00%. 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 U.S. Department of Education (“ED”) financial responsibility composite score ratio. As of March 31, 2010, the Company was in compliance with all of the covenants. As of March 31, 2010, the credit facility had borrowings outstanding of $120.0 million and approximately $27.4 million to support standby letters of credit. The third amended and restated credit agreement is secured by the stock of the Company’s significant operating subsidiaries and it is guaranteed by the Company’s present and future significant operating subsidiaries.

 

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CORINTHIAN COLLEGES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

March 31, 2010

 

Long-term debt also includes a term loan credit facility (the “Mortgage Facility”) dated March 24, 2009 between the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Heald Real Estate, LLC (“Heald Real Estate”), and Bank of America, N.A. (“B of A”) that is secured by real estate of Heald Real Estate and guaranteed by Heald Capital, LLC and Heald Education, LLC (the “Heald Guarantors”). On January 4, 2010, Heald Real Estate, the Heald Guarantors and B of A entered into an amendment and waiver to the Mortgage Facility (the “1st Amendment and Waiver”), pursuant to which B of A waived compliance with all covenants and defaults under the Mortgage Facility except for the requirement that Heald Real Estate continue making regularly scheduled payments under the Mortgage Facility. Also on January 4, 2010, Corinthian entered into a Continuing and Unconditional Guaranty to guarantee the obligations of Heald Real Estate under the Mortgage Facility. The parties also agreed that any defaults under Corinthian’s syndicated Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Facility”) will constitute a default under the Mortgage Facility. On March 31, 2010, Heald Real Estate, entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Amended Heald Credit Agreement”) with B of A as administrative agent for the lenders, and each lender from time to time party thereto. Pursuant to the terms of the Amended Heald Credit Agreement, the parties amended and restated the covenants and default provisions under the Mortgage Facility to substantially parallel those provisions in the Company’s Credit Facility. All other material provisions of the Mortgage Facility remained substantially unchanged. As a condition precedent to the effectiveness of the Amended Heald Credit Agreement, Bank of the West agreed to assume approximately $8 million, and Heald Real Estate prepaid approximately $7 million, of the loans outstanding under the Mortgage Facility. The total outstanding principal and interest under the Amended Heald Credit Agreement as of March 31, 2010 was approximately $16 million. The outstanding term loans under the Amended Heald Credit Agreement bear interest, at Heald Real Estate’s option, either (a) at the Base Rate (as defined in the Amended Heald Credit Agreement) or (b) at the Eurodollar Rate (as defined in the Amended Heald Credit Agreement) for the applicable interest period plus 3.00% per annum. The minimum interest rate is 4.00% per annum. The Amended Heald Credit Agreement matures on March 24, 2012. The Amended Heald Credit Agreement has a related fixed interest rate swap agreement with B of A that is guaranteed by the Heald Guarantors and secured by the same collateral that secures the Amended Heald Credit Agreement. The fair value of the fixed interest rate swap is not material at March 31, 2010.

Note 5—Comprehensive Income (from continuing and discontinued operations)

Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the total of net income and all changes that impact stockholders’ equity other than transactions involving stockholders’ ownership interests. The following table details the components of comprehensive income for the three and nine month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands, unaudited):

 

     Three Months Ended
March  31,
    Nine Months Ended
March 31,
 
     2010    2009     2010    2009  

Net income

   $ 39,806    $ 25,002      $ 112,121    $ 45,567   

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     1,363      (592     4,317      (5,231

Post employment benefits

     30      —          90      20   
                              

Comprehensive income

   $ 41,199    $ 24,410      $ 116,528    $ 40,356   
                              

Note 6—Impairment, Facility Closing, and Severance Charges

The table below summarizes the liability and activity for the nine month period ended March 31, 2010, relating to the impairment, facility closing and severance charges (in thousands):

 

     Severance
and
Benefits
    Facility
Related
    Total  

Balance at June 30, 2009

   $ 694      $ 1,977      $ 2,671   

Cash payments

     (694     (586     (1,280
                        

Balance at March 31, 2010 (Unaudited)

   $ —        $ 1,391      $ 1,391   
                        

Note 7—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 (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,
   Nine Months Ended
March 31,
     2010    2009    2010    2009
     (Unaudited)    (Unaudited)    (Unaudited)    (Unaudited)

Revenues from unaffiliated customers

           

U.S. operations

   $ 457,299    $ 332,286    $ 1,219,596    $ 911,957

Canadian operations

     20,975      14,157      61,457      42,355
                           

Consolidated

   $ 478,274    $ 346,443    $ 1,281,053    $ 954,312
                           

 

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CORINTHIAN COLLEGES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

March 31, 2010

 

     March 31,
2010
   June 30,
2009
     (unaudited)     

Long-lived assets

     

U.S. operations

   $ 869,678    $ 436,024

Canadian operations

     61,351      54,316
             

Consolidated

   $ 931,029    $ 490,340
             

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

Note 8—Commitments and Contingencies

Legal Matters

In the ordinary conduct of its business, 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 other similarly-situated persons. Except as disclosed below, 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.

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 filed at the same time. 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 October 29, 2009, the Court denied the parties’ motion for approval of the settlement. A status conference was scheduled for February 16, 2010, but was continued to May 18, 2010 as the parties continue to explore avenues to resolve this matter.

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

 

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CORINTHIAN COLLEGES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

March 31, 2010

 

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 had 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. That dismissal was appealed, but has since been voluntarily abandoned and dismissed by the relator in that case. The Lee complaint was dismissed with prejudice by the U.S. District Court on December 4, 2009. The Lee dismissal was also appealed. 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 campus. 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 never operated any HVAC programs at the Company’s WyoTech Oakland campus during its ownership of that campus. The Company believes the complaint is without merit and intends to vigorously defend itself against these allegations.

On September 4, 2009, the Company was served with a petition filed in Dallas County District Court entitled Miesha Daniels, et al. v. Rhodes Colleges, Inc., Rhodes Business Group, Inc., and Corinthian Colleges, Inc. The petition names thirteen former students of three Dallas-area Everest campuses as plaintiffs and does not seek certification as a class action. The plaintiffs allege violations of Texas’ Deceptive Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act, breach of contract and fraud related to alleged pre-enrollment representations regarding credit transfer, quality of education and outcomes. The plaintiffs seek recovery of compensatory and exemplary damages and attorneys’ fees. The action has been ordered to arbitration where individual arbitration demands have been filed. The plaintiffs’ attorney has also informed us of twelve additional current or former students upon whose behalf she intends to file arbitration or litigation claims. The Company believes the allegations are without merit and intends to vigorously defend itself.

On November 17, 2008, an action captioned Mary Credille and Roger Madden, on behalf of all similarly situated current and former employees, v. Corinthian Colleges et al., was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. The two named plaintiffs are former employees of the Company’s Chicago campus, and allege failure to receive proper compensation for all overtime hours allegedly worked in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Plaintiff Credille has voluntarily dismissed her claims against the Company. On December 8, 2009, the Court granted Plaintiff Madden’s motion to conditionally certify a collective action to include those current and former admissions representatives at the Company’s Chicago campus who also satisfy additional requirements. It is unknown whether any, or how many, of the prospective participants, estimated to be around 50 current and former employees, will choose to “opt in” to participate in the lawsuit. The Company intends to challenge the conditional certification at the second stage of the certification process. The Company believes the allegations are without merit and intends to vigorously defend itself.

On April 20, 2010, a putative class action complaint captioned Reed, an individual, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated v. Florida Metropolitan University, Inc. and Corinthian Colleges, Inc. was filed in the District Court of Travis County, Texas. Florida Metropolitan University, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Plaintiff purports to be a former student in the Company’s Everest University Online operations. The complaint claims violations of Texas Education Code Sections 132.051(a) and 132.059(a) for alleged failure of Everest University Online to receive a Certificate of Approval or an exemption from the appropriate Texas state licensing bodies to offer online courses in the State of Texas and to register its admissions representatives with the State of Texas. The plaintiff seeks to certify a class composed of all persons who contracted to receive distance education from Everest University Online while residing in Texas, and seeks damages on behalf of such persons, pre- and post-judgment interest, declaratory and injunctive relief, cost of suit, and such other relief as the court deems proper. The Company believes the complaint is without merit and intends to defend itself and its subsidiary vigorously.

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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CORINTHIAN COLLEGES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

March 31, 2010

 

As of March 31, 2010, 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 9—New Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance which established the FASB Accounting Standards Codification as the single source of authoritative accounting principles in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP. This guidance also explicitly recognized rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under federal securities laws as authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. This guidance was effective for financial statements issued for periods ending after September 15, 2009. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Note 10—Income Taxes

The Company employs 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.

The Company has classified uncertain tax positions as non-current income tax liabilities unless expected to be paid in one year. The Company also reports income tax-related interest expense in income tax expense in its Consolidated Statement of Operations. Penalties and tax-related interest expense are now reported as a component of income tax expense. As of March 31, 2010 and June 30, 2009, the total amount of accrued income tax-related interest and penalties included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations was $0.3 million.

As of March 31, 2010 and June 30, 2009, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $0.7 million. As of March 31, 2010 and June 30, 2009, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that would affect the effective tax rate, if recognized, is $0.4 million. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits that are expected to be settled within the next twelve months is less than $0.5 million.

The Company’s effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2010 was 40.0% compared to 40.5% for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2009.

Note 11—Subsequent Events

Corinthian has evaluated material transactions and events and concluded that no subsequent events have occurred that require reporting in this Form 10-Q as of the filing date.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking statements” as defined by the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “continues,” “contemplates,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should” or “would,” or the negatives thereof. Those statements are based on the intent, belief or expectation of the Company as of the date of this Quarterly Report. Any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and may involve risks and uncertainties that are outside the control of the Company. Results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of many factors, including the following: risks associated with variability in the expense and effectiveness of the Company’s advertising and promotional efforts; unfavorable changes in the cost or availability of alternative loans for our students; the uncertain future impact of the new student information system; increased competition; the Company’s effectiveness in its regulatory compliance efforts; the outcome of pending litigation against the Company; the outcome of ongoing reviews and inquiries by accrediting, state and federal agencies; general labor market conditions; general credit market conditions and lenders’ willingness or potential unwillingness to make loans to our students; risks related to the Heald Acquisition; and other factors, including those discussed under the headings entitled “Governmental Regulation and Financial Aid” and “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 0-25283) and other documents periodically filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in the Company’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. The following discussion of the Company’s results of operations and financial condition should be read in conjunction with the interim unaudited condensed financial statements of the Company and the notes thereto included herein and in conjunction with the information contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts on those financial statements. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including, but not limited to, those related to our allowance for doubtful accounts, intangible assets, deferred taxes, 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. 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 29.2% to 32.2% or $29.5 million to $32.5 million would result in a decrease in pre-tax income of $3.0 million for the period ending March 31, 2010. The effect of an increase in our student notes receivable allowance of 3% of our outstanding earned notes receivable from 36.4% to 39.4% or $37.9 million to $41.0 million would result in a decrease in pre-tax income of $3.1 million for the period ending March 31, 2010.

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 one or more of our 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

 

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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 Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, which reauthorized the HEA, 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. 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 March 31, 2010, the Company had recovered approximately $5.7 million in business interruption and property damage insurance that has been recognized as a reduction of educational services expense in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

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 the 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 within the accounting standards. Curricula are 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. 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 than the carrying value of its net 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 would 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.

 

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Discontinued Operations. During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company decided to divest the WyoTech Oakland campus. 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 these campuses are reflected as discontinued operations in the Company’s consolidated statements of income for all prior periods presented. 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 Statements of Operations for the year ended June 30, 2008. The Company expects to have no significant continuing involvement with these entities.

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 prior periods presented. 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.

Income 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.

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 be 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 matters disclosed will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Stock-based Compensation. In December 2004, the FASB issued accounting guidance that 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 guidance requires additional accounting and disclosure related to the income tax and cash flow effects resulting from share-based payment arrangements, beginning as of the first interim or annual reporting period beginning after June 15, 2005. Accordingly, we adopted this guidance 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.

 

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Results of Operations

Comparisons of results of operations between the three months and nine months ended March 31, 2010 and March 31, 2009 are complicated due to our acquisition on January 4, 2010 of Heald. Heald, through its subsidiaries, operates Heald College, a regionally accredited institution operating 11 campuses. See Note 3 to the attached condensed consolidated financial statements for unaudited pro forma financial information.

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

 

     Three Months Ended
March  31,
    Nine Months Ended
March  31,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Statement of Operations Data (Unaudited):

        

Net revenues

   100.0   100.0   100.0   100.0

Operating expenses:

        

Educational services

   54.2      56.1      54.3      58.2   

General and administrative

   11.5      10.2      11.1      10.2   

Marketing and admissions

   20.4      21.1      20.1      23.1   
                        

Total operating expenses

   86.1      87.4      85.5      91.5   

Income from operations

   13.9      12.6      14.5      8.5   

Interest (income)

   (0.1   (0.1   (0.1   (0.1

Interest expense

   0.5      0.2      0.3      0.2   

Other (income) expense

   (0.4   0.2      (0.3   0.2   
                        

Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes

   13.9      12.3      14.6      8.2   

Provision for income taxes

   5.6      5.0      5.8      3.3   
                        

Income from continuing operations

   8.3      7.3      8.8      4.9   

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

   —        (0.1   —        (0.1
                        

Net income

   8.3   7.2   8.8   4.8
                        

Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2009

Net Revenues. Net revenues increased $131.9 million, or 38.1%, from $346.4 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 to $478.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2010. The increase was due to an approximate 34.6% increase in average student population and a 2.5% increase in average revenue per student during the period. At March 31, 2010, student population related to continuing operations was 112,489 compared with 84,722 at March 31, 2009, an increase of 32.8%. Total student starts related to continuing operations increased 17.9% to 37,452 for the third quarter of fiscal 2010 when compared to the third quarter of last year. The revenue related to Heald for the three months ending March 31, 2010 was $57.9 million and the student population of Heald was 14,439 as of March 31, 2010.

Educational Services. Educational services expenses include direct operating expenses of the schools consisting primarily of payroll and payroll related expenses, rents, occupancy costs, supply expenses, bad debt expense and other educational related expenses. Educational services expenses increased $65.1 million, or 33.5%, from $194.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 to $259.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2010. As a percentage of net revenues, educational services expenses decreased from 56.1% of revenues in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 to 54.2% of revenues in the third quarter of fiscal 2010. The decrease was primarily due to a reduction in facility costs and bad debt expense as a percentage of revenue, partially offset by an increase in compensation expense. The reduction in facility costs as a percentage of revenue is primarily due to the amount being fixed in nature. Bad debt expense decreased to $20.6 million or 4.3% of net revenues for the third quarter of fiscal 2010 compared to $28.0 million or 8.1% of net revenues for the third quarter of fiscal 2009. The improvement in bad debt expense was primarily the result of higher student retention and continued efficiencies in packaging students with financial aid.

General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses include corporate compensation expenses, headquarters office rents and occupancy expenses, professional fees and other support related expenses. General and administrative expenses increased $19.3 million, or 54.4%, from $35.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 to $54.8 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2010. As a percentage of net revenues, general and administrative expenses increased from 10.2% of revenues in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 to 11.5% of revenues in the third quarter of fiscal 2010 primarily due to transaction costs of $4.0 million related to the Heald acquisition.

 

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Marketing and Admissions. Marketing and admissions expenses consist primarily of direct-response and other advertising expenses, payroll and payroll related expenses, promotional materials and other related marketing costs. Marketing and admissions expenses increased $24.5 million, or 33.5%, from $73.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2009 to $97.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2010. As a percentage of net revenues, marketing and admissions expenses decreased from 21.1% of revenues for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 to 20.4% of revenues for the third quarter of fiscal 2010. The decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease in advertising as a result of market conditions and increased efficiencies derived from brand consolidation partially offset by increased admissions representative staffing for the Everest high school recruiting program.

Provision for Income Taxes. The effective rate in the third quarter of fiscal 2010 was 40.0% as compared to 40.5% in the third quarter of fiscal 2009.

Nine Months Ended March 31, 2010 Compared to Nine Months Ended March 31, 2009

Net Revenues. Net revenues increased $326.8 million, or 34.2%, from $954.3 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 to $1,281.1 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2010. The increase was due to an approximate 28.4% increase in average student population and a 4.9% increase in average revenue per student during the period. At March 31, 2010, student population related to continuing operations was 112,489 compared with 84,722 at March 31, 2009, an increase of 32.8%. Total student starts related to continuing operations increased 17.2% to 103,345 for the first nine months of fiscal 2010 when compared to the first nine months of last year. The revenue related to Heald for the three months ending March 31, 2010 was $57.9 million and the student population of Heald was 14,349 as of March 31, 2010.

Educational Services. Educational services expenses include direct operating expenses of the schools consisting primarily of payroll and payroll related expenses, rents, occupancy costs, supply expenses, bad debt expense and other educational related expenses. Educational services expenses increased $140.3 million, or 25.2%, $555.9 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 to $696.2 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2010. As a percentage of net revenues, educational services expenses decreased from 58.2% of revenues in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 to 54.3% of revenues in the first nine months of fiscal 2010. The decrease was primarily due to a reduction in facility costs and bad debt expense as a percentage of revenue. The reduction in facility costs as a percentage of revenue is primarily due to the amount being fixed in nature. Bad debt expense decreased to $69.8 million or 5.5 % of net revenues for the first nine months of fiscal 2010 compared to $81.6 million or 8.5% of net revenues for the first nine months of fiscal 2009. The improvement in bad debt expense was primarily the result of higher student retention and continued efficiencies in packaging students with financial aid.

General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses include corporate compensation expenses, headquarters office rents and occupancy expenses, professional fees and other support related expenses. General and administrative expenses increased $44.5 million, or 45.8%, from $97.1 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 to $141.6 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2010. As a percentage of net revenues, general and administrative expenses increased from 10.2% of revenues in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 to 11.1% of revenues in the third quarter of fiscal 2010 primarily due to an increase in professional services related to Heald acquisition costs of $6.0 million and earlier timing of variable compensation accruals for management personnel throughout the Company.

Marketing and Admissions. Marketing and admissions expenses consist primarily of direct-response and other advertising expenses, payroll and payroll related expenses, promotional materials and other related marketing costs. Marketing and admissions expenses increased $38.0 million, or 17.3%, from $220.1 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2009 to $258.1 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2010. As a percentage of net revenues, marketing and admissions expenses decreased from 23.1% of revenues for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 to 20.1% of revenues for the first nine months of fiscal 2010. The decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease in the cost of advertising as a result of market conditions and increased efficiencies derived from brand consolidation.

Provision for Income Taxes. The effective rate in the first nine months of fiscal 2010 was 40.0% as compared to 40.5% in the first nine months of fiscal 2009.

Seasonality and Other Factors Affecting Quarterly Results

Our net revenues normally fluctuate as a result of seasonal variations in our business. Student population varies as a result of new student enrollments, graduations, and student attrition. Historically, our schools have had lower revenues in the first fiscal quarter than in the remainder of the fiscal 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. More importantly, quarterly results may be impacted based on the timing and extent of new acquisitions, new branch openings, relocations and remodels, new program adoptions and increased high school enrollments. The operating results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results for any future period.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

On September 30, 2009, we entered into a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Facility”) with aggregate borrowing capacity of $280 million, of which $260 million was a domestic facility and $20 million, was a Canadian facility. On February 22, 2010, we increased by $35 million the aggregate capacity under the Credit Facility. The aggregate borrowing capacity under the Credit Facility is now $315 million, of which $295 million is a domestic facility and $20 million, is a Canadian facility. The Credit Facility expires on October 1, 2012. The Credit Facility 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 $15 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 (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2 of 1%, (b) the Bank of America prime rate, or (c) the one-month Eurodollar Rate plus 1.00%. The Canadian base rate is defined as the higher of (a) the average rate for 30 day Canadian Dollar bankers’ acceptances plus 3/4 of 1%, (b) the Bank of America Canada prime rate or (c) the one-month Eurodollar Rate plus 1.00%. 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 U.S. Department of Education (“ED”) financial responsibility composite score ratio. As of March 31, 2010, we were in compliance with all of the covenants. As of March 31, 2010, the credit facility had borrowings outstanding of $120.0 million and approximately $27.4 million to support standby letters of credit. The third 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.

Long-term debt also includes a term loan credit facility (the “Mortgage Facility”) dated March 24, 2009 between the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Heald Real Estate, LLC (“Heald Real Estate”), and Bank of America, N.A. (“B of A”) that is secured by real estate of Heald Real Estate and guaranteed by Heald Capital, LLC and Heald Education, LLC (the “Heald Guarantors”). On January 4, 2010, Heald Real Estate, the Heald Guarantors and B of A entered into an amendment and waiver to the Mortgage Facility (the “1st Amendment and Waiver”), pursuant to which B of A waived compliance with all covenants and defaults under the Mortgage Facility except for the requirement that Heald Real Estate continue making regularly scheduled payments under the Mortgage Facility. Also on January 4, 2010, Corinthian entered into a Continuing and Unconditional Guaranty to guarantee the obligations of Heald Real Estate under the Mortgage Facility. The parties also agreed that any defaults under Corinthian’s syndicated Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Facility”) will constitute a default under the Mortgage Facility. On March 31, 2010, Heald Real Estate, entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Amended Heald Credit Agreement”) with B of A as administrative agent for the lenders, and each lender from time to time party thereto. Pursuant to the terms of the Amended Heald Credit Agreement, the parties amended and restated the covenants and default provisions under the Mortgage Facility to substantially parallel those provisions in the Company’s Credit Facility. All other material provisions of the Mortgage Facility remained substantially unchanged. As a condition precedent to the effectiveness of the Amended Heald Credit Agreement, Bank of the West agreed to assume approximately $8 million, and Heald Real Estate prepaid approximately $7 million, of the loans outstanding under the Mortgage Facility. The total outstanding principal and interest under the Amended Heald Credit Agreement as of March 31, 2010 was approximately $16 million. The outstanding term loans under the Amended Heald Credit Agreement bear interest, at Heald Real Estate’s option, either (a) at the Base Rate (as defined in the Amended Heald Credit Agreement) or (b) at the Eurodollar Rate (as defined in the Amended Heald Credit Agreement) for the applicable interest period plus 3.00% per annum. The minimum interest rate is 4.00% per annum. The Amended Heald Credit Agreement matures on March 24, 2012. The Amended Heald Credit Agreement has a related fixed interest rate swap agreement with B of A that is guaranteed by the Heald Guarantors and secured by the same collateral that secures the Amended Heald Credit Agreement.

 

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Working capital (deficit) amounted to ($49.8) million as of March 31, 2010 and $107.9 million as of June 30, 2009 and the current ratio was 0.8:1 and 1.5:1, respectively. The decrease in working capital compared to June 30, 2009 is primarily due to a decrease in cash balances resulting from cash paid to acquire Heald, net of proceeds from borrowings; partially offset by an increase in prepaid tuition and accounts payable.

Cash flows provided by operating activities amounted to $210.7 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2010 compared to $151.6 million provided by operating activities in the same period of fiscal 2009. The increase in cash provided by operating activities for the first nine months of fiscal 2010 compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2009 was primarily due to an increase in net income partially offset by the timing of cash receipts and payments related to working capital, primarily accounts receivable and accounts payable. Included in cash flows from operating activities is $0.0 million and $2.5 million of net cash used in operating activities related to discontinued operations for the first nine months of 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Cash flows used in investing activities amounted to $399.5 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2010 compared to cash flows used in investing activities of $33.5 million in the same period of fiscal 2009. The increase in cash used in investing activities in the first nine months of fiscal 2010 compared to the same period last year was due primarily to the acquisition of Heald. Capital expenditures of $52.2 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2010, compared to capital expenditures of $34.3 million in the same period of fiscal 2009, were incurred primarily for relocations, remodels and enlargements of existing campuses and to fund information systems expenditures. We expect capital expenditures to be approximately $95 to $105 million for fiscal 2010.

Cash flows provided by financing activities in the first nine months of fiscal 2010 amounted to approximately $106.5 million compared to cash used in financing activities of $26.2 million for the same period of fiscal 2009. The increase in cash provided by financing activities in the first nine months of fiscal 2010 compared to the same period last year was due primarily to borrowings on our credit facility to partially fund our acquisition of Heald.

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.

 

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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 were approximately $92.9 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2010 and are projected to be approximately $130 million for the year ending June 30, 2010. 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.

In fiscal 2009, we estimated that the average loan discount rate associated with this program would be approximately 55%, 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 56-58% for loans funded during fiscal years 2010.

Included within the Consolidated Statement of Operations, under the caption “Other (income) expense,” for the Nine Months Ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 is net other income of $3.9 million and $1.5 million, associated with the Genesis notes program, respectively. The net other income primarily reflects the interest income and loan origination fees, partially offset by costs related to servicing loans. 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.

Update Regarding Regulatory and Accreditation Matters

Accrediting Agency Action – 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. The institutions can continue to enroll new students, and students at the affected institutions remain eligible to receive federal student financial aid.

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. 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 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 could be removed as early as 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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We do not believe that any of our currently pending accreditation actions are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. However, if any of our institutions were to lose accreditation, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

ED conducts program reviews from time to time of institutions that participate in Title IV programs. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 and the first quarter of fiscal 2009, ED conducted site visits at 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 division of Everest College Phoenix (“ECP”). Site visits are the first step in the program review process. ED then prepares a program review report, the institution has the opportunity to respond, and ED issues a Final Program Review Determination, which may be appealed. We have received Final Determination letters regarding ED’s program reviews 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 have not yet received a program review report with respect to the site visit at our Fremont, CA campus.

In April 2010, we received ED’s program review report (the “Report”) for ECP, including the online division and the two ground campuses in Phoenix and Mesa, AZ. ECP had a total of 5,647 students in these three operations as of March 31, 2010. The Report maintains that ECP has failed to make students aware of the total amounts of financial aid for which they were entitled, failed to accurately inform students of the program costs, and delayed disbursements of Title IV funds. The Report also contains findings regarding inadequate documentation, verification and availability of records for ED review, and the failure to make certain disbursements. In the Report, ED characterizes certain of these findings as misrepresentations by ECP to its students, as a breach of fiduciary duty and as evidencing an intentional evasion of the 90/10 requirements. We disagree with these characterizations.

We are in the process of conducting a factual investigation of the findings as well as responding to ED’s requests for additional information with respect to certain of the findings. Based upon our investigation to date, we believe we have a reasonable basis to dispute certain of the findings and intend to address our differences in our submission to ED. We plan to submit our response to the Report to ED and will cooperate fully with ED in its review.

ED will review our response to the Report and ultimately will issue a Final Determination letter regarding the program review, setting forth its final findings as well as the action it intends to take based on those findings. If ED were to make significant findings of non-compliance in its Final Determination letter, it could result in the imposition of significant fines, penalties or other liabilities on us, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. We are unable to predict when ED will complete its review, as program reviews may often take months or years to reach final resolution.

Starting in late 2008, ED’s Office of the Inspector General (the “OIG”) began an audit of our Everest Institute in Brighton, MA, as well as the WyoTech Boston, MA campus that was sold during May 2008, to determine whether agreements between those institutions and lenders for the period of July 1, 2007 through September 30, 2008 were in compliance with the HEA. On April 26, 2010, we received draft audit reports from the OIG for each of these institutions. In these reports, the OIG did not identify any noncompliance by either institution with the HEA during our ownership, but did conclude that two lenders entered into agreements with us during the relevant period that did not comply with the HEA’s prohibitions on offering or paying inducements to institutions to secure loan applicants or offering FFELP loans as an inducement for a borrower to purchase another product from a lender. The draft audit reports indicate that both lenders have been provided with the results of the draft audit reports and both have responded that they do not concur with the results. We expect to respond to the draft audit reports and continue to cooperate with the OIG’s audit.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure 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 March 31, 2010, our only assets or liabilities subject to risks from interest rate changes are (i) debt under credit facilities in the aggregate amount of $136.0 million and capital lease obligations of $14.3 million, and (ii) student notes receivable, net, in the aggregate amount of $66.2 million. Our capital lease obligations and student notes receivable are all at fixed interest rates. The Mortgage Facility has a related fixed interest rate swap agreement with Bank of America that is guarantied by the Heald Guarantors and secured by the same collateral that secures the Mortgage Facility. 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 (CAD). Our investment in our foreign operations as of March 31, 2010 was CAD $20.7 million. As a result, the consolidated financial results have been and could continue to be affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

Item 4. 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.

Changes in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2010 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.

 

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

See Note 8 to the attached condensed consolidated financial statements regarding Commitments and Contingencies.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

In addition to the updated risk factors set forth below, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2009, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. Those risks, except to the extent they are updated or amended below, are incorporated herein by this reference. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

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. 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”). As a result, our schools are subject to extensive regulations by these agencies that, among other things, require us to:

 

   

undertake steps to assure that our schools do not have Cohort Default Rates that exceed applicable limits;

 

   

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 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.

The recently-enacted Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 eliminated the Federal Family Education Loan (“FFEL”) program so that our students may only receive federal student loans through the Federal Direct Loan program; the transition from the FFEL program to the FDL program involves risks and uncertainty for our institutions and students

Students at our U.S. institutions are currently eligible to receive loans to fund their education under the FFEL program and the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (“FDL”) program. The FFEL program consists of Stafford Loans, which can be both subsidized and unsubsidized, and PLUS loans, which are made available to parents of students classified as dependents. Under the FDL program, students may obtain loans directly from ED rather than commercial lenders. The conditions on FDL loans are generally the same as on loans made under the FFEL program.

In March 2010, Congress passed, and the President signed, the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (the “HCERA”). The HCERA eliminated the FFEL program in favor of the FDL program effective as of July 1, 2010. While our institutions and students have been eligible to participate in the FDL program, we have significantly more experience in participation in the FFEL program and the transition to the FDL program for the majority of our students involves risks and uncertainty. For

 

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instance, we are uncertain (i) whether our institutions will be able to interface with the FDL origination and servicing functions at the significantly higher expected volumes without interruption or delays; (ii) whether FDL origination and servicing functions will have sufficient capacity to administer the expected significantly higher volume as all higher education institutions in the United States which are currently participating in the FFEL program transition to the FDL program; (iii) whether we could experience delays in receiving disbursements in Title IV funds for our students; and (iv) whether the federal government’s direct administration of the Title IV programs through the FDL will involve changes in the availability of traditional measures we and other private sector institutions have used to manage cohort default rates by, among other things, assisting students with obtaining forbearances, deferments, and income-based repayment. Any substantial changes or difficulties in the government’s administration of the FDL program could have a material adverse impact 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.

Under the HEA, 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 federal student loans equal or exceed 25% per year for three consecutive years, or 40% in a single year. The term “institution” means a main campus and its additional locations, as defined by ED’s regulations. ED generally publishes draft cohort default rates in February of each year for the repayment period that ended the prior September 30. We review all annually published cohort default rates and appeal the rates we believe are inaccurate. Draft rates do not result in sanctions and can change between February and the release of the official cohort default rates in September.

On February 9, 2010, we filed a Report on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission in which we reported the draft cohort default rates from ED for students of our institutions who entered repayment during the federal fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 (the “2008 Cohort”). Of our 49 total institutions, 9 institutions exceeded the 25% threshold during the 2008 Cohort year, and no institutions exceeded the 40% threshold. The 2008 Cohort year was the first year in which any of our institutions exceeded the 25% threshold for any reporting period.

We monitor on an ongoing basis the preliminary data about cohorts which are in the process of repayment. We are currently monitoring the repayment and default status of our students who entered repayment during the federal fiscal year ended September 30, 2009 (the “2009 Cohort”), and the federal fiscal year ending September 30, 2010 (the “2010 Cohort”). The draft cohort default rates for the 2009 Cohort will not be available until February 2011. However, preliminary data show the negative impact of the ongoing recession for the students we serve on the 2009 Cohort. On a year-over-year basis, as of March 31 of the applicable year, the 2009 Cohort data show higher default rates than the 2008 Cohort data.

In order to improve our overall default rates, we have implemented a multi-faceted cohort default management program, which we believe is based upon industry best practices. This program includes: a new contact management system to assist in reaching students who are no longer in school; an internal department focused primarily on early stage delinquencies; an expanded program of entrance and exit counseling and financial literacy training for current students; and the use of outside firms and internal resources to reach borrowers and assist them in contacting their lenders and getting help with alternatives to default, including income-based repayment, forbearance and deferral. These efforts are now fully operational, and are having positive effects. While the overall default rates are higher for us on a company-wide basis in the 2009 Cohort versus the 2008 Cohort at the same time period, the rate of increase in defaults has begun to decelerate. Our ability to maintain or improve our overall defaults compared to prior cohort years is substantially dependent on the continuing success of our cohort default management efforts. If we are able to maintain the success of these efforts, we do not expect any of our institutions to exceed the 25% threshold for three consecutive years, or the 40% threshold in any single year based on the current two year measurement period.

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 the provisions on cohort default rates. Under the HEOA, a separate calculation will be performed starting for the 2009 Cohort that will add an additional federal fiscal year of borrowers’ repayment performance to the applicable cohort year. Sanctions will be imposed if an institution has a cohort default rate, under the new calculation, of 30% or more per year for three consecutive federal fiscal years, or more than 40% for a single year. As this is a new requirement, we are planning to extend our cohort default management efforts to cover the additional year of measurement under the HEOA. While we are actively preparing for default prevention during the third year of repayment, we do not yet have data upon which to base predictions about the success of these efforts and any failure to maintain our default rates below the new applicable guidelines could have a materially adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

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.

 

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Pending rulemaking by ED could result in regulatory changes that could materially adversely affect our business.

The agencies that regulate our U.S. schools, including ED, periodically revise their requirements and modify their interpretations of existing requirements. On September 9, 2009, the Department published a notice in the Federal Register announcing its intent to establish two negotiated rulemaking committees to prepare proposed regulations under Title IV of the HEA. In November 2009, the U.S. Department of Education convened two new negotiated rulemaking teams related to Title IV program integrity issues and foreign school issues.

Under negotiated rulemaking, ED works to develop a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in collaboration with representatives of the parties who will be affected significantly by the regulations through a series of meetings during which the representatives work with the ED to come to consensus on the ED’s proposed regulations. One of the negotiating rulemaking committees addressed the following issues, many of which are relevant to the Company: satisfactory academic progress; monitoring grade point averages; incentive compensation; gainful employment in a recognized occupation; state authorization as a component of institutional eligibility; definition of a credit hour; verification of information included on a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); definition of a high school diploma for purposes of establishing eligibility to participate in student financial aid programs; misrepresentation of information provided to students and prospective students; ability to benefit; agreements between institutions of higher education; retaking coursework; term-based module programs; institutions required to take attendance for purposes of the Return of Title IV Funds requirements; and timeliness and method of disbursement of Title IV funds. This negotiated rulemaking committee completed its work on January 29, 2010 without reaching consensus. Accordingly, under the negotiated rulemaking protocol, ED is free to propose rules without regard to the tentative agreement reached regarding certain of the rules. ED is expected to issue its proposed regulations for public comment sometime this spring or summer and final regulations prior to November 1, 2010, to be effective July 1, 2011.

The two proposed program integrity rulemaking topics that have the most significant potential impact for our business are the following:

 

   

the elimination of certain “safe harbors” regarding the prohibition on the payment of incentive compensation to employees involved in student recruitment and enrollment; and

 

   

the adoption of a definition of “gainful employment” for purposes of the requirement for Title IV student financial aid that a program of study prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.

Incentive Compensation

A school participating in Title IV programs may not pay any commission, bonus or other incentive payments to any person involved in student recruitment or admissions or awarding of Title IV program funds, if such payments are based directly or indirectly on success in enrolling students or obtaining student financial aid. The statutory language of this prohibition does not establish clear criteria for compliance in all circumstances, but there currently are twelve “safe harbors” that define specific types of compensation that are deemed not to constitute impermissible incentive compensation. Currently, we rely on several of these safe harbors to ensure that our compensation and recruitment practices comply with the statutory prohibition.

ED has proposed to eliminate these twelve safe harbors and, in lieu of the safe harbors, to define some of the relevant concepts relating to the incentive compensation limitations. As presented by ED in the negotiated rulemaking process, these changes would increase the uncertainty about what constitutes incentive compensation and which employees are covered by the regulation. If the final regulations increase this uncertainty or substantively modify the applicable standards, we may have to change some of our compensation practices for admissions representatives and others. This could adversely affect our ability to compensate our admissions representatives and other employees in a manner that appropriately reflects their job performance, which in turn could reduce their effectiveness and make it more difficult to attract and retain qualified and competent personnel. In addition, a lack of certainty could increase the risk of future Federal False Claims Act qui tam lawsuits in which private plaintiffs assert that our compensation practices violate the incentive compensation rules and, therefore, that our receipt of Title IV funds constitutes a false claim. We have been the subject of three such qui tam lawsuits relating to our compensation practices, all of which have been dismissed at the district court level, but one of which is on appeal to the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal. See the discussion of these lawsuits under the Commitments and Contingencies footnote, in Part 1, Item 1, Financial Statements.

Gainful Employment

Under the Higher Education Act of 1965, proprietary schools are eligible to participate in Title IV programs in respect of educational programs that lead to “gainful employment in a recognized occupation.” Historically, this concept has not been defined. ED has proposed adopting a definition of “gainful employment” that is based on a ratio of student debt to income. Specifically, in the negotiated rulemaking process, ED proposed rules pursuant to which a particular educational program would be eligible for Title IV funding only if student loan debt service for graduates of such a program does not exceed 8% of their annual income. As initially proposed, the student loan debt service would be calculated on the basis of the median level of debt for students who complete the particular course of study, assuming certain amortization periods and interest rates for the debt incurred, as well as other computational methodologies.

 

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As initially proposed by the ED, educational programs that do not meet the debt-to-income test would still be eligible if the student loan repayment rate among program graduates is at least 90%, measured over a three year period. We understand the current proposal being developed by ED may also contain certain other alternative compliance standards, but the proposed regulations appear to be evolving as they are considered by ED and other executive branch policymakers.

If this regulation is adopted in a form similar to that proposed by ED in the negotiated rulemaking process, it could render some of our programs, as well as programs offered by other private sector educational institutions, ineligible for Title IV funding to the extent they do not meet these standards. In addition, the continuing eligibility of our educational programs for Title IV funding would be at risk due to factors beyond our control, such as changes in the income level of persons employed in specific occupations or sectors, increases in interest rates, changes in student mix to persons requiring higher amounts of student loans to complete their programs, changes in student loan delinquency rates and other factors. If a particular program ceased to be eligible for Title IV funding, in most cases it would not be practical to continue offering that course under our current business model. Regulations in the form proposed in the negotiated rulemaking process could result in a significant realignment of the types of educational programs that are offered by us and by other private sector educational institutions in general, in order to comply with the rules or to avoid the uncertainty associated with compliance over time. This realignment could reduce our enrollment, perhaps materially.

In addition, for those programs that remain eligible only under an alternative basis of student loan repayment rates or other alternative standards, we may have to substantially increase our efforts to promote student loan repayment, course completion or job placement in order to ensure continued Title IV eligibility. This could materially increase our cost of doing business and/or cause us to further limit enrollment.

Potential Impact of Rulemaking

We cannot predict the form of the rules that ultimately will be proposed by the ED for public comment, or the form of any final rules that may be adopted by the ED. As presented by the ED in the negotiated rulemaking, the rules regarding incentive compensation and gainful employment could have a material impact on the manner in which we conduct our business. Compliance with these rules, which if adopted could be effective as early as July 1, 2011, could reduce our enrollment, increase our cost of doing business, and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

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

If we cannot effectively integrate acquired schools, it could harm our business.

The integration of any acquired operation entails certain risks. We cannot make assurances that any acquired schools, including the acquisition of Heald, 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;

 

   

possible adverse short-term effects on reported operating results; and

 

   

possible loss of key employees.

If we fail to successfully manage the acquisition of Heald, our business would likely suffer.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None

 

Item 5. Other Information

None

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

(a) Exhibits:

 

Exhibit 10.1    Amendment No. 2 and Waiver, dated as of February 22, 2010, by and among Heald Real Estate, LLC, Heald Capital, LLC, and Bank of America, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 26, 2010).
Exhibit 10.2   

Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2010, by and among Heald Real Estate, LLC, as the borrower, Corinthian Colleges, Inc., as the parent, and each other Guarantor party thereto, each lender from time to time party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent for the lenders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 6, 2010).

Exhibit 31.1    Chief Executive Officer Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Exhibit 31.2    Chief Financial Officer Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Exhibit 32.1    Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Exhibit 32.2    Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

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CORINTHIAN COLLEGES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements 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.
May 4, 2010     

/S/    PETER C. WALLER        

     Peter C. Waller
    

Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

May 4, 2010     

/S/    KENNETH S. ORD        

     Kenneth S. Ord
    

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

May 4, 2010     

/S/    ROBERT C. OWEN        

     Robert C. Owen
    

Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

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