UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-K
☒
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the fiscal year ended June 30 , 2025
☐
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: 001-42283
LEGACY
EDUCATION INC.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in charter)
Nevada
84-5167957
(State
or jurisdiction of
Incorporation
or organization)
I.R.S.
Employer
Identification
No.
701
W Avenue K , Suite 123 Lancaster , CA
93534
(Address of principal executive
offices)
(Zip code)
(661)
940-9300
(Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code)
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title
of each class
Trading
Symbol(s)
Name
of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, $0.001 par
value
LGCY
NYSE American LLC
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None.
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
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 ☒ No ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule
405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant
was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting
company, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller
reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated
filer
☐
Accelerated
filer
☐
Non-accelerated filer
☒
Smaller reporting company
☒
Emerging growth company
☒
If
an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying
with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness
of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered
public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐
If
securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant
included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation
received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
The
aggregate market value of the voting stock and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of the last business
day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2024 was approximately $ 102,094,674 , based
on the closing price of the registrant’s common stock of $8.32 on the NYSE American as of December 31, 2024.
Number
of common shares outstanding as of September 22, 2025 was 12,561,684 .
Documents
Incorporated by Reference: Portions of the Registrant’s proxy statement for its 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated
by reference into Part III herein. Such proxy statement will be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days
of the Registrant’s fiscal year ended June 30, 2025.
Table
of Contents
Page
Part I
Item
1.
Business
6
Item
1A.
Risk Factors
46
Item
1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
79
Item
1C.
Cybersecurity
79
Item
2.
Properties
79
Item
3.
Legal Proceedings
79
Item
4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
79
Part II
Item
5.
Market For Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
80
Item
6.
[Reserved]
80
Item
7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
81
Item
7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
89
Item
8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
90
Item
9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
91
Item
9A.
Controls and Procedures
91
Item
9B.
Other Information
91
Item
9C.
Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
91
Part III
Item
10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
92
Item
11.
Executive Compensation
92
Item
12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
92
Item
13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
92
Item
14.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
92
Part IV
Item
15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
92
Item
16.
Form 10-K Summary
93
Signatures
94
2
CAUTIONARY
NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This
Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the “Exchange Act”). These statements may be identified by such forward-looking terminology as “may,”
“should,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,”
“estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue” or the negative of these terms or other
comparable terminology. Our forward-looking statements are based on a series of expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections
about our company, are not guarantees of future results or performance and involve substantial risks and uncertainty. We may not actually
achieve the plans, intentions or expectations disclosed in these forward-looking statements. Actual results or events could differ materially
from the plans, intentions and expectations disclosed in these forward-looking statements. Our business and our forward-looking statements
involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties inherent in our statements regarding:
●
compliance
with the extensive existing legislative and regulatory framework applicable to our industry or our failure to timely obtain and maintain
regulatory approvals and accreditation;
●
compliance
with continuous changes in applicable federal laws and regulations including recently enacted federal legislation, executive orders and
pending rulemaking by the U.S. Department of Education (“ED”);
●
the effect of current and
future Title IV Program laws and regulations arising out of recent legislation, executive orders and negotiated rulemakings, including
any recent and potential future reductions in funding or restrictions on the use of funds received through Title IV Programs;
●
successful updating and
expansion of the content of existing programs and developing new programs in a cost-effective manner or on a timely basis;
●
uncertainties regarding
our ability to comply with current and future federal laws and regulations including the 90/10 Rule (as defined herein), gainful
employment and earnings metrics, and limits on cohort default rates;
●
successful
implementation of our strategic plan ;
●
our
inability to maintain eligibility for or to process federal student financial assistance ;
●
regulatory
investigations of, or actions commenced against, us or other companies in our industry ;
●
changes in the state regulatory
environment or budgetary constraints;
●
enrollment
declines or challenges in our students’ ability to find employment as a result of economic conditions ;
●
maintenance
and expansion of existing industry relationships and development of new industry relationships ;
●
a loss of members of our
senior management or other key employees;
●
uncertainties
associated with opening of new campuses and closing existing campuses ;
●
uncertainties associated
with integration of acquired schools;
●
industry competition;
●
the effect of any cybersecurity
incident;
●
general
economic conditions ; and
●
other factors discussed
under the headings “Business,” “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations.”
All
of our forward-looking statements are as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K only. In each case, actual results may differ
materially from such forward-looking information. We can give no assurance that such expectations or forward-looking statements will
prove to be correct. An occurrence of, or any material adverse change in, one or more of the risk factors or risks and uncertainties
referred to in this Annual Report on Form 10-K or included in our other public disclosures or our other periodic reports or other documents
or filings filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) could materially and adversely
affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. Except as required by law, we do not undertake or plan
to update or revise any such forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in plans, assumptions, estimates or projections
or other circumstances affecting such forward-looking statements occurring after the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, even if
such results, changes or circumstances make it clear that any forward-looking information will not be realized. Any public statements
or disclosures by us following this Annual Report on Form 10-K that modify or impact any of the forward-looking statements contained
in this Annual Report on Form 10-K will be deemed to modify or supersede such statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
3
RISK
FACTOR SUMMARY
Our
business is subject to significant risks and uncertainties that make an investment in us speculative and risky. Below we summarize what
we believe are the principal risk factors but these risks are not the only ones we face, and you should carefully review and consider
the full discussion of our risk factors in the section titled “Risk Factors,” together with the other information in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K. If any of the following risks actually occur (or if any of those listed elsewhere in this Annual Report
on Form 10-K occur), our business, reputation, financial condition, results of operations, revenue, and future prospects could be seriously
harmed. Additional risks and uncertainties that we are unaware of, or that we currently believe are not material, may also become important
factors that adversely affect our business.
Risks Related to the Highly Regulated Field in
Which We Operate
●
Current and future federal
and state statutes, or regulations promulgated by ED or other federal, state, or accrediting agencies, could materially and adversely
affect our operations, business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
●
The OBBBA (defined below)
provisions related to low earning outcome programs and ED’s gainful employment regulation may limit the programs we can offer
students and increase our cost of operations.
●
ED’s “borrower
defense to repayment” regulations may subject us to significant repayment liability to ED for discharged federal student loans,
posting of substantial letters of credit and other requirements that could have a material adverse effect on us.
●
A failure to maintain compliance
with ED’s “financial responsibility” regulations could have negative impacts on our operations.
●
A failure to maintain compliance
with ED’s “administrative capability” regulations could have negative impacts on our operations.
●
Our institutions could
be subject to liabilities and sanctions if they violate statutory provisions of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, and
related ED regulations and guidance limiting compensation to individuals and entities involved in certain recruiting, admissions
or financial aid activities.
●
Our institutions could
lose their eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs if the percentage of their revenues derived from applicable federal educational
assistance programs is too high.
●
Our institutions could
lose their eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs or have other limitations placed upon them if their federal student loan
cohort default rates are greater than the standards set forth in the HEA and implemented by ED.
●
If ED denies, or significantly
conditions, recertification of any of our institutions to participate in Title IV Programs, that institution could not conduct its
business as it is currently conducted and it could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
●
If we acquire an institution,
the acquisition generally constitutes a change in ownership and control that requires the institution to obtain approvals from ED
and applicable state and accrediting agencies in order to remain eligible to participate in the Title IV Programs and continue to
operate as an accredited institution in the states where the institution operates.
●
If we or one of our institutions
undergoes a change in ownership or control, we may be required to obtain approval from ED and other regulatory agencies that oversee
our institutions and may be subject to further conditions or restrictions as a result of the change.
●
Our failure to comply with
laws and regulations prohibiting misrepresentations regarding our institutions could result in sanctions, liabilities or litigation
that could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
4
●
If our institutions fail
to comply with regulations regarding accurate and timely refunds and returns of Title IV Program aid in connection with students
who withdraw from their programs, we could be subject to liabilities and sanctions.
●
If we open new campuses
or add or change new educational programs, we may be required to obtain approvals from ED and our state and accrediting agencies.
●
If our students’
access to financial aid from state sources, from federal sources other than the Title IV Programs, or from alternative loan programs
is lost or reduced, due to changes in legal requirements or funding availability or due to noncompliance with legal requirements,
it could impact our results of operations.
●
Government and regulatory
agencies and third parties may conduct compliance reviews and audits or bring actions against us that could result in monetary liabilities,
injunctions, loss of eligibility for the Title IV Programs or other adverse outcomes.
●
Our institutions could
be subject to liabilities, sanctions, or loss of eligibility if they violate statutory provisions of Title IV of the Higher Education
Act of 1965, as amended, and related ED regulations and guidance.
Risks Related to Our Business
●
Our financial performance
depends on the level of student enrollment in our institutions.
●
We compete with a variety
of educational institutions and if we are unable to compete effectively, our total student enrollment and revenue could be adversely
impacted.
●
Our business is subject
to fluctuations caused by seasonality or other factors beyond our control, which may cause our operating results to fluctuate from
quarter to quarter.
●
We rely on proprietary
rights and intellectual property in conducting our business, which may not be adequately protected under current laws, and we may
encounter disputes from time to time relating to our use of intellectual property of third parties.
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
●
We are subject to the rules and regulation of the NYSE American and are required to comply with certain continued exchange listing standards
and requirements or be subject to delisting.
●
Our stock price may be
volatile, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
●
We do not intend to pay
cash dividends.
●
Market and economic conditions may negatively impact our business, financial condition, and share price.
●
Future sales and issuances
of our securities could result in additional dilution of the percentage ownership of our shareholders and could cause our share price
to fall.
5
PART
I
Throughout
this Annual Report on Form 10-K, references to “we,” “our,” “us,” the “Company,” or “Legacy,”
refer to Legacy Education Inc., individually, or as the context requires, collectively with its subsidiaries.
ITEM
1. BUSINESS
Overview
We
provide career-focused, post-secondary education services to students at all stages of adult life, from recent high school graduates
to working parents, through our accredited academic institutions: High Desert Medical College, which we acquired in July 2010, Central
Coast College, which we acquired in January 2019, Integrity College of Health which we acquired in September 2020, and Contra Costa Medical
Career College, which we acquired in December 2024.
High
Desert Medical College (“HDMC”)
HDMC
was established in the State of California in 2002 and began offering classes in 2003. It started with campuses in Lancaster, California,
and added its first branch in 2008 in Bakersfield, California. Due to enrollment growth and high demand for its services, HDMC expanded
to add a branch campus in Temecula, California in order to accommodate 250 to 400 additional students. HDMC offers ultrasound tech (“UT”),
vocational nursing (“VN”), VN Associate of Applied Science degree program, Associate Degree of Nursing, nursing assistant,
MRI Associate of Applied Science, cardiac sonography, pharmacy technician, dental assisting, clinical medical assisting, medical administrative
assisting programs, medical billing and coding, veterinary assistant, phlebotomy technician avocational, nursing assistant avocational,
UT Associate of Applied Science degree programs, and an EMT program. HDMC also has obtained approval from the Accrediting Council for
Continuing Education and Training (“ACCET”) to offer a surgical technology Associate of Applied Science program and sterile
processing technician program and plans to begin doing so in October 2025, pending receipt of approval from the Bureau for Private Postsecondary
Education (“BPPE”) and ED. As of June 30, 2025, HDMC had 1,956 students
enrolled in its programs.
Central
Coast College (“CCC”)
CCC
was established in the State of California in 1983. In 1991, CCC moved to its current location in Salinas, California to accommodate
growing enrollment numbers and the addition of new training programs.
CCC
offers the following certificate or degree programs: business administrative specialist, computer specialist: accounting, medical
administrative assistant, medical assisting, nursing assistant, UT, UT Associate of Applied Science, veterinary assistant,
veterinary assistant, veterinary technology, Associate of Applied Science, VN, surgical technology (Associate of Applied Science),
dental assisting, sterile processing technician, and pharmacy technician. CCC also offers an
avocational phlebotomy technician program. CCC also has obtained approval from ACCET to offer an MRI Associate of Applied Science
Program and cardiac sonography Associate of Applied Science programs and plans to begin doing so in October 2025, pending receipt of
additional approvals. As of June 30, 2025, CCC had 495 students enrolled in its programs.
Integrity
College of Health (“Integrity”)
Integrity
was established in the State of California in 2007. Integrity’s campus is located in Pasadena, California. Integrity offers VN,
VN Associate of Applied Science, Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (“RN to BSN”), medical assisting, medical
billing and coding, veterinary assistant, and Diagnostic Medical Sonography programs. Integrity earned initial accreditation from
the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA) for its Bachelor of Science in Nursing RN-
BSN Track in June 2025. Integrity also plans to offer an emergency medical technician (“EMT”) program beginning in early
2026 and is in the process of obtaining approvals for the program (for which Integrity is not planning to seek ED approval because it
does not intend to make Title IV funds available for students who enroll in the program). For purposes of our financial statements, Legacy
Education, L.L.C. is deemed to have acquired Integrity in December 2019. As of June 30, 2025, Integrity had 202 students enrolled in
its programs.
6
Contra
Costa Medical Career College (“CCMCC”)
CCMCC
offers the following certificate and degree programs: surgical technology (Associate of Applied Science), sterile processing technician,
pharmacy technician, diagnostic medical sonography, medical assisting with phlebotomy, dental assisting, vocational nursing, clinical
medical assisting, EKG/ECG technician, medical administrative assistant/billing and coding specialist and medical assisting and phlebotomy
avocational. As of June 30, 2025, CCMCC had 448 students enrolled in its programs.
Our
History
●
In 2003, HDMC began offering
classes in Lancaster, CA (main campus).
●
In 2008, HDMC began offering
classes in Bakersfield, CA (branch campus).
●
In October 2009, our current
Chief Executive Officer, LeeAnn Rohmann founded our Company.
●
In July 2010, we acquired
the assets of HDMC.
●
From 2011 to 2013, HDMC
received VA approval, Workers Investment Act approval and Department of Rehabilitation approval for its programs.
●
In April 2013, HDMC received
ACCET accreditation.
●
In December 2013, HDMC
received Board of Professional Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (“BVNPT”)
accreditation of new licensed vocational nurses curriculum on a provisional basis, which provision was removed in 2017.
●
In March 2014, HDMC became
eligible to participate in the Title IV Programs and, in April 2014, received its first disbursements under the Title IV Programs.
●
From 2015 to 2017, HDMC
added pharmacy technician and dental assisting programs, went through re-accreditation with ACCET, received approval to participate
in Cal Grant programs, and was removed from provisional status by BVNPT.
●
In January 2018, the UT
Associate of Applied Science (“AAS”) degree program was approved by BPPE and ACCET to offer through interactive distance learning.
●
In July 2018, HDMC received
branch approval for the Temecula, CA campus.
●
In July 2018, HDMC introduced
medical billing and coding programs and online UT AAS program.
●
In December 2018, we entered
into the management services agreement with Integrity.
●
In December 2018, ED conducted
and completed a program review at HDMC to confirm compliance with Title IV regulations, noting only minor findings.
●
In January 2019, we acquired
CCC.
●
In January 2019, HDMC received
approval for licensed vocational nurse students (20 students) for Bakersfield, CA.
●
In February 2019, the UT
AAS degree program was approved by ED.
●
In February 2019, HDMC
opened its campus in Temecula, CA.
●
In December 2019, we acquired
a 24.5% ownership interest in Integrity.
●
In September 2020, we acquired
the remaining 75.5% interest in Integrity.
●
In 2021 and 2022, we received
hybrid approval for all programs, launched new accredited programs of Cardiac Sonography AAS, Vocational Nursing AAS, and Ultrasound
AAS in CCC, and obtained the Vocational Nursing program in HDMC Temecula.
●
In 2023, we launched new
accredited programs of Certified Nurse Assistant program at HDMC, Magnetic Resonance Imaging AAS (HDMC), Veterinary Assisting (ICH),
Vocational Nursing (CCC), RN approval (HDMC).
●
In January 2024, we started
our first Associates Degree of Nursing program (HDMC).
●
In
April 2024, HDMC was re-accredited by ACCET through April 2029 for all programs.
●
In December 2024 we acquired the assets of Contra Costa Medical Career College
●
In
April 2025, CCC was re-accredited by ACCET through April 2030 for all programs.
●
In
June 2025 Integrity earned initial accreditation from the National League for Nursing Commission
for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA) for its Bachelor of Science in Nursing RN-
BSN Track through February 2031.
7
Industry
Background
In
the United States, the post-secondary education market is large, fragmented, and competitive. According to National Center for Educational
Statistics, as of the 2022-23 school year, degree granting career colleges served approximately 1.7 million undergraduate students, which was approximately 8.0% of the estimated 21.5 million total undergraduates in degree
programs. Further, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly reduced the
number of students enrolled in post-secondary education institutions in recent years. According to estimates released by the National
Student Clearinghouse Research Center, total enrollments in all higher education sectors increased 2.4% and 3.2% in the spring of 2024 and 2025, respectively. Enrollment at proprietary colleges increased 5.1% and 3.7% in the spring of 2024 and 2025, respectively. The industry is heavily dependent
on continued availability of federal student financial assistance under Title IV of the Higher Education Act (“Title IV Programs”),
and concerns about potential reductions in such funding also could negatively affect demand for higher education.
Notwithstanding
weaker demand dynamics in past years, including the more recent adverse impact from the COVID-19 pandemic, we believe that over
time, demand for post-secondary education in the United States will continue to increase as a result of demographic, economic, and
social trends. The 2022 U.S. Census Bureau reported that approximately 64.0 million adults over the age of 25 in the United States
did not have more than a high school education, and approximately 32.2 million adults over the age of 25 had some college experience
but had not completed a college degree. Other trends that could positively impact demand for our programs include:
●
increasing demand by employers
for certain types of professional and skilled workers;
●
growth in the number of
high school graduates from 2.8 million in 1999-2000 to an estimated 3.8 million in 2022-2023, according to the National Center for
Education Statistics;
●
the significant and measurable
income premium and enhanced employment prospects attributable to post-secondary education;
●
a number of initiatives
underway to reduce the cost of a post-secondary education; and
●
a continued demand from
working adults for programs offered by accredited institutions.
Our
Market Opportunity
We
believe that the community college system in California, where we currently operate, is not meeting current educational and workforce
needs. Plagued by poor completion rates, uncertain career pathways and corresponding poor job placement rates, California community colleges
are not the stepping stones to success they once were. Aspiring students who want in-demand skills are often stuck between choosing an
expensive four-year school with course requirements unrelated to their interests, on one hand, and a community college that lacks a clear
mission and the ability to place them in their desired careers, on the other hand.
Our
colleges directly address this employment need through our focused, high-quality programs. Our campuses are strategically located near
hospitals and clinics to allow easy access for our students to externships and full-time employment opportunities.
The
geographic footprint of our colleges extends from Southern to Central California, home to approximately 24 million people, including
an aging population who will depend on the skills our students are able to provide as healthcare workers.
Our
target demographic is early to mid-20-year-old with a desire to better their economic situation by choosing a program with strong job
opportunities, primarily within a 100-mile radius of each campus for most programs for ease of drive and availability. Students choose
a for-profit career college because they can get trained and on the job within months. Prospective students need caring career direction
and advice, more so than your traditional college students.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the healthcare and social assistance industry is projected to grow 8.4% from
2024 to 2034 resulting in over 1.9 million new jobs. This growth rate is much stronger than other industries, largely due to the aging
population and the growing prevalence of chronic conditions.
8
Our
Growth Strategies
Our
growth strategy goals consist of the following:
●
Plan for moderate growth
in existing programs.
●
Approval of registered
nursing programs in Bakersfield and Salinas, California.
●
Add Associate of Applied
Sciences degrees to our shorter programs.
●
Add registered dental assisting
to our dental assistant program.
●
New programs in dental
hygiene and surgical technician.
●
Continued launch of new
program offerings, including online offerings.
●
Launch new branch campuses,
including in California and beyond.
●
Acquire new institutions
(new locations, new programs) outside of California, including in Nevada, Colorado and New Mexico and programs in business, automotive
and trade to increase national footprint.
●
Meet benchmark standards
for completion and placement.
Our
business strategy is based on helping our graduates succeed, which we believe will drive our financial results. To that end, we are pursuing
the following operating strategies:
●
Focusing on student and
graduate success, including improving retention rates while maintaining high standards of academic quality and rigor;
●
Maintaining and improving
upon our ability to offer affordable degrees, where graduates receive a high return on their investment;
●
Expanding and optimizing
our relationship-based marketing efforts and increasingly personalizing the prospective student experience; and
●
Further strengthening and
expanding our product offering and the alignment of our offering with employer needs.
We
are focused on the following operational priorities to deliver these strategies:
Curriculum
and Assessment. Across our portfolio, we continue to refine and implement best practices for teaching and learning models and
focus on learner success to improve completion rates and align the curriculum to employers’ needs to drive career success. Our
goal is to further strengthen our position as a recognized leader in high quality learning.
We
are committed to delivering a superior academic, professionally aligned, real-world education to our students. We seek to develop a deep
understanding of the professions we serve and the competencies required of skilled professionals in these fields. This commitment guides
the development of our curricula, the recruitment of our faculty and staff, and the design of our support services.
Graduate
Success. We look for opportunities to improve our student’s educational experience and increase the likelihood of students
successfully completing their programs. Our programs surround students with a supportive, flexible, and engaging environment to help
them achieve academic success. To foster that environment, we maintain a comprehensive focus on improving early cohort persistence, a
personalized on-boarding experience for new learners, simplified administrative interactions, and continuous improvements in the quality
and frequency of interaction between our learners and our faculty.
9
Relationship-Based
Marketing. We continue to focus on building our brands and establishing our strong differentiation as a provider of high quality
and professionally aligned educational offerings as well as an innovative and leading provider of job-ready skills for the 21 st
century workforce. We continue to expand on this differentiation through a variety of initiatives, including creating brand recognition,
optimizing marketing efforts, interacting with prospective students earlier in the decision process and expanding strategic employer
relationships. Our marketing strategy is designed to attain greater strategic control over our new enrollment growth and strengthen engagement
with prospective as well as current students and graduates, who can act as advocates for our institutions.
Innovation
and Diversification. We seek to expand the addressable market by investing in innovation, student success, academic infrastructure,
and new business models. We also seek to drive growth through a multifaceted strategy of enhancing existing program offerings, developing
new and innovative programs, and branching and acquisitions.
Competition
The
for-profit, post-secondary education industry is highly competitive and highly fragmented with no single participant controlling a significant
market share. We compete for students with traditional public and private two-year and four-year degree-granting accredited colleges
and universities, other proprietary degree-granting accredited schools, and alternatives to higher education. In addition, we face competition
from various non-traditional, credit-bearing and noncredit-bearing education programs, provided by both proprietary and not-for-profit
providers, including massive open online courses offered worldwide without charge by traditional educational institutions and other direct-to-consumer
education services. As the proportion of traditional colleges providing alternative learning modalities increases, we will face increasing
competition for students from traditional colleges, including colleges with well-established reputations for excellence. As online learning
matures as a modality for education delivery across higher education, we believe that the intensity of the competition we face will continue
to increase.
We
believe the key factors affecting our competitive position include the quality of the programs offered, the quality of other services
provided to students, our reputation among students and in the general marketplace, the cost and perceived value of our offerings, the
employment rate and terms of employment for our graduates, the ease of access to our offerings, the quality and reputation of our faculty
and other employees, the quality of our campus facilities and online platform, the time commitment required to complete our program and
obtain a degree, the quality and size of our alumni base, and our relationship with other learning institutions.
Some
of our local competitors include San Joaquin Valley College, Career Care Institute, UEI College, Bakersfield
College and the Pima Medical Institute. Such competitors may have greater financial resources and greater brand recognition than us.
For example, public institutions receive government subsidies and other financial sources not available to for-profit schools.
Marketing
and Recruiting
We
use a variety of marketing and recruiting methods to attract students and increase enrollment. Our marketing and recruiting efforts are
targeted at prospective students who are high school graduates entering the workforce, or who are currently underemployed or unemployed
and require additional training to enter or re-enter the workforce.
Marketing
and Advertising. We advertise through a variety of marketing channels to inform prospective students interested in entering or
advancing their healthcare careers about the college and the programs we offer. We utilize a fully integrated marketing approach in our
lead generation and admissions process that includes the use of traditional media such as radio, billboards, direct mail, a variety of
print media and event marketing campaigns. Our digital marketing efforts, which include paid search, search engine optimization, online
video and display advertising and social media, have grown significantly in recent years and currently drive the majority of our new
student leads and enrollments. Our websites’ integrated marketing campaigns direct prospective students to call us or visit the
HDMC, CCC, Integrity and CCMCC websites where they will find details regarding our programs and campuses and can request additional information
regarding the programs that interest them.
Referrals.
Referrals from current students, high school counselors and satisfied graduates and their employers have historically represented
approximately 25% of our new enrollments. Our school administrators actively work with our current students to encourage them to recommend
our programs to prospective students. We continue to build strong relationships with high school guidance counselors and instructors
by offering annual seminars at our training facilities to further familiarize these individuals on the strengths of our programs.
Recruiting. Our
recruiting efforts are conducted by a group of approximately 20 campus-based and field representatives who meet directly with
prospective students during presentations conducted at high schools, or during a visit to one of our campuses.
10
Student
Support
Admissions. Students
enrolling in our programs must have a high school diploma or a General Educational Development Certificate and demonstrate
competence in writing and logical reasoning. For programs leading to a degree students must also complete an application and pass
one or more entrance assessments, including the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (“SLE”) or HESI for the Vocational Nursing programs. While each of our programs has different admissions criteria, we screen all applications and counsel the students
on the most appropriate program to increase the likelihood that our students complete the requisite coursework and obtain and
sustain employment following graduation. As of June 30, 2025, our diverse population was comprised of 61% Hispanic, 13% Black/African American, 12% White, 5% Asian, 1% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific
Islander, and 1% American Indian or Alaksa Native. The age distribution shows 49% of our students are 25 and older, while 51% are 24 or
younger, with a significant majority of 88% being Women and 12% being Men.
Enrollment.
We enroll students continuously throughout the year, with our largest classes enrolling in late summer or early fall following
high school graduation. We had 3,101 students enrolled as of June 30, 2025, an increase of 42% compared to 2,187 students as of June
30, 2024. Our expanding student body reflects the trust and confidence in our educational offerings and our ability to prepare students
for successful careers.
The
chart below outlines our quarterly consolidated new student starts and end of quarter student enrollment across our colleges.
September 30,
2023
December 31,
2023
March 31,
2024
June 30,
2024
September 30, 2024
December 31,
2024
March 31,
2025
June 30,
2025
Consolidated
Starts
760
415
719
623
849
397
1,227
721
Ending Enrollment
2,024
1,912
2,166
2,187
2,539
2,768
3,245
3,101
Year over Year (%)
Starts
52 %
52 %
43 %
59 %
12 %
-4 %
71 %
16 %
Ending Enrollment
17 %
16 %
20 %
28 %
25 %
45 %
50 %
42 %
Retention.
To maximize student retention, the staff at each school is trained to recognize the early warning signs of a potential drop and
to assist and advise students on academic, financial, employment and personal matters. We monitor weekly our retention rates by instructor,
course, program and school. When we become aware that a particular instructor or program is experiencing a higher than normal dropout
rate, we quickly seek to determine the cause of the problem and attempt to correct it. When we identify that a student is experiencing
difficulty academically, we offer tutoring, remediation and assistance and guidance from the program director. With an average program
retention rate of 86%, our focus on student success and support throughout their educational journey is evident.
Outcome. Our
core mission is to prepare students for competitive careers in their chosen fields. As of June 30, 2025, we boast an average
placement rate of 74.5%, with individual rates of 74.9% for High Desert Medical College, 74.1% for Central Coast College, and 74.6%
for Integrity College of Health. CCMCC has achieved an average placement rate of 73.8%. Additionally, our students
have achieved an 81.8% NCLEX Pass Rate and a 50.0% Veterinary Technician National Exam Pass Rate, demonstrating the effectiveness of
our programs.
11
Faculty
and Employees
Across
the organization, we seek to hire faculty who have teaching and/or practitioner experience in their particular discipline and who possess
significant and appropriate academic credentials. We hire our faculty in accordance with established criteria set by the California Code
of Regulations and accreditation standards, including relevant work experience and educational background. We require meaningful industry
experience of our teaching staff in order to maintain the quality of instruction in all of our programs and to address current and industry-specific
issues in our course content. In addition, we provide intensive instructional training and continuing education, including quarterly
instructional development seminars, annual reviews, technical upgrade training, faculty development plans and weekly staff meetings.
We
also employ non-faculty staff in student services, academic advising and academic support, enrollment services, administration,
financial aid, information technology, human resources, finance and other administrative functions. The staff of each campus
typically includes a campus director, a director of education, a registrar, a career services coordinator, a financial-aid officer, a business officer
and a career advisor and instructors, all of whom are industry professionals with experience in our areas of study.
As
of June 30, 2025, we had approximately 103 full-time faculty, including program directors, as well as approximately 147 part-time faculty.
As
of June 30, 2025, we and our institution also employed approximately 177 combined non-faculty staff in the areas of university services,
academic advising and academic support, enrollment services, university administration, financial aid, information technology, human
resources, corporate accounting, finance and other administrative functions. None of our employees is a party to any collective bargaining
or similar agreement with us.
Education
Regulations
As
a provider of postsecondary education, we are subject to extensive regulation by federal, state and accrediting agencies. The applicable
educational regulatory requirements cover virtually all phases of the operations of our institutions, including, but not limited to,
educational program offerings, facilities, instructional and administrative staff, administrative procedures, marketing and recruiting,
financial operations, data security and privacy, adequacy and substantiation of graduation and job placement rates and other student
outcomes, distribution of information to current and prospective students, professional licensure requirements, payment of refunds to
students who withdraw, the receipt of federal and state financial aid by our students (including institutional, programmatic, and student
eligibility requirements), private and institutional loan programs, distance education, third party servicers, written arrangements with
other institutions or organizations to provide some or all of an educational program, student complaints, student services, student admissions,
transfer of academic credits, acquisitions or openings of new institutions, additions of new campuses and educational programs, closure
or relocation of existing locations and changes in corporate structure and ownership.
Each
of our institutions (HDMC, CCC, Integrity and CCMCC) participate in the Title IV Programs, as well as other federal and state financial
aid programs and are subject to extensive regulation by ED, other federal and state educational agencies and accreditors. CCC, HDMC,
and CCMCC are approved to offer, and must comply with applicable requirements related to, veterans education assistance administered
by the Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”). CCC and HDMC are also approved to offer and must comply with applicable requirements
related to Cal Grants administered by the California Student Aid Commission, and funds administered under the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act. We derive a substantial portion of our revenue and cash flows from the Title IV Programs and a significant portion of
our students rely on financial aid received under the Title IV Programs in order to attend our institutions. To participate in the Title
IV Programs, an institution must receive and maintain authorization by the appropriate state education agencies, be accredited by an
accrediting body recognized by ED, hold programmatic accreditation if required by a state or federal agency (including as a condition
of employment in the occupation for which the institutional program prepares the students), and be certified by ED as an eligible institution.
The
laws, regulations, standards and policies of our regulators change periodically and are subject to new and changing interpretation by
our regulators. Changes in, or new interpretations of, applicable laws, regulations, standards, or policies, or our failure to comply
with those laws, regulations, standards, or policies could have a material adverse effect on our receipt of funds under the Title IV
Programs and other federal and state financial aid programs, the accreditation of our institutions and programs, the authorization of
our institutions to operate in various states, our permissible activities, or our costs of doing business. We cannot predict with certainty
how all of the requirements applied by our regulators will be interpreted or whether our institutions will be able to comply with these
requirements in the future. Given the complex nature of these requirements and the fact that they are subject to interpretation, it is
possible that we may inadvertently violate these laws, regulations, standards, or policies. If we are found to have violated any applicable
regulations, laws, standards or policies, we may be subject to liabilities, sanctions, and other consequences. See “Risk Factor
- If our institutions fail to comply with the extensive educational regulatory requirements applicable to our business, we could incur
financial penalties, restrictions on our operations, loss of federal and state financial aid funding for our students, loss of accreditation,
or loss of our authorization to operate our institutions or our educational programs .”
12
Under
the provisions of the Higher Education Act (“HEA”), an institution must apply to ED for continued certification to participate
in the Title IV Programs at least every six years or when it undergoes a change in ownership resulting in a change of control. ED defines
an institution to consist of both a main campus and its additional locations, if any. Under this definition, for ED purposes, we operate
the following four institutions, collectively consisting of four main campuses and two additional locations: HDMC with locations in Lancaster,
Bakersfield, and Temecula, CCC with a location in Salinas, Integrity with a location in Pasadena, and CCMCC with a location in Antioch.
Generally, the recertification process includes a review by ED of an institution’s educational programs and locations, administrative
capability, financial responsibility and other oversight categories. The current expiration date of the program participation agreements
for HDMC and CCC is September 30, 2026. Integrity and CCMCC are currently participating in the Title IV Programs under a temporary provisional
program participation agreement in connection with their change in ownership and control resulting from our acquisition of the institutions.
The CCMCC temporary provisional program participation agreement had an expiration date of January 31, 2025 and the Integrity temporary
provisional program participation agreement had an expiration date of November 30, 2020, but each temporary provisional program participation
agreement continues on a month-to-month basis thereafter based on the institution’s submission to ED of certain required documentation
and remains in effect until the conclusion of ED’s review of Integrity’s and CCMCC’s pending applications for approval
of their change in ownership and control.
ED
typically provides provisional certification to an institution following a change in ownership resulting in a change of control and also
may provisionally certify an institution for other reasons, including, but not limited to, noncompliance with certain standards of administrative
capability and financial responsibility. Our Integrity and CCMCC institutions are currently approved under a temporary provisional program
participation agreement which (as described in a subsequent section) permits an institution to continue participating in the Title IV
Programs on a month-to-month basis while ED reviews the change in ownership and as long as the institution timely submits certain documentation
to ED during the process. An institution that is provisionally certified receives fewer due process rights than those received by other
institutions in the event ED takes certain adverse actions against the institution, is required to obtain prior ED approvals of new campuses
and educational programs and may be subject to heightened scrutiny by ED. However, provisional certification does not otherwise limit
an institution’s access to Title IV Program funds.
On
October 31, 2023, ED published a final rule revising its Title IV Program certification regulations with an effective date of July 1,
2024. The rule codifies additional grounds for placing an institution on provisional certification, including a determination by ED that
an institution is at risk of closure and ED’s consideration of supplementary performance measures that include an institution’s
withdrawal rate, recruiting expenses, and licensure pass rate. The revised certification regulations also increase the number of requirements
contained in an institution’s Program Participation Agreement (including, for example, a requirement to comply with all state laws
related to closure), require certain ownership entities to sign the Program Participation Agreement, establish new standards for maximum
program length (including a prohibition on the length of certain educational programs from exceeding the required minimum number of hours
established by applicable state(s) for entry-level training requirements for the occupation for which the programs train students), requires
certification that an institution’s programs meet applicable educational requirements for graduates to obtain required occupational
licensure or certification in a state, and restricts the ability of institutions to withhold transcripts. The revised regulations also
impose new potential conditions on provisionally certified institutions, including, but not limited to, the submission of teach-out and/or
document retention plans, growth restrictions, acquisition restrictions, additional reporting requirements, limitations on written arrangements,
and additional conditions applicable to institutions found to have engaged in substantial misrepresentations or institutions seeking
to convert to nonprofit status following a change in ownership. The revised certification regulations are expansive, complex and could
be difficult for our institutions to comply with their applicable requirements as interpreted by ED. If ED finds that any of our institutions
do not fully satisfy all required eligibility and certification standards, ED could limit, condition, suspend, terminate, revoke, or
decline to renew our institutions’ participation in the Title IV Programs or impose liabilities or other sanctions. Continued Title
IV Program eligibility is critical to the operation of our business. If our institutions become ineligible to participate in the Title
IV Programs, or have that participation significantly conditioned, we may be unable to conduct our business as it is currently conducted
which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
13
State
Authorization. Our institutions are subject to the educational laws and regulations of the State of California where our physical
campuses are located. We also may be subject to the educational laws of other states if we acquire a new institution in the state or
if one of our institutions adds a new campus in the state or otherwise conducts other operations in the state covered by applicable state
educational law including, but not limited to, student recruitment, advertising, or certain types of distance education. State educational
laws establish standards and requirements for, among other things, student instruction, faculty qualifications, campuses and facilities,
educational programs, financial stability, administrative staff, marketing and recruiting, distribution of information to current and
prospective students, payment of refunds to students who withdraw, private and institutional loans, distance education, student services,
student complaints, student admissions, transfer of academic credits, substantive changes, acquisitions, and policies and minimum graduation
and job placement outcomes for institutions and/or their individual educational programs. Our institutions are authorized to operate
by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (“BPPE”). We also may be required to obtain approvals and comply
with requirements of state agencies that regulate certain occupational educational programs such as, for example, VN and phlebotomy.
The California Board of Registered Nurses approves the Associate degree of Nursing program at HDMC. The VN programs at HDMC, Integrity
and CCMCC are approved by BVNPT. The phlebotomy programs at HDMC and CCC are approved by California Department of Public Health. In addition,
we are subject to state consumer protection laws.
Attorneys
general in many states have become more active in enforcing consumer protection laws, including, for example, laws related to marketing,
advertising and recruiting practices and the financing of education at for-profit educational institutions. Further, some state attorneys
general have partnered with federal and state agencies to review industry practices and collaborate on enforcement actions against educational
institutions. These actions increase the likelihood of scrutiny of marketing, advertising, recruiting, financing, and other practices
of educational institutions and may result in unforeseen consequences, increasing risk and making our operating environment more challenging.
Adverse
media coverage regarding the allegations of state consumer protection law violations by us or other for-profit education companies could
damage our reputation, result in decreased enrollments, revenues and profitability and have a negative impact on our stock price. Such
coverage could also result in continued scrutiny and regulation by ED, Congress, accreditors, state legislatures, state attorneys general
or other governmental authorities of us and other for-profit educational institutions.
State
education laws and regulations may limit our campuses’ ability to operate or to award degrees, diplomas, or certificates or offer
new programs. Moreover, under the HEA, authorization by state education agencies is necessary to maintain eligibility to participate
in the Title IV Programs. ED regulations also require institutions offering postsecondary education through distance education to students
located in a state in which the institution is not physically located (as determined by the institution at the time of a student’s
initial enrollment and, if applicable, upon formal receipt of information from the student that their location has changed to another
state) to meet state educational requirements in that state or participate in a state authorization reciprocity agreement in order to
disburse Title IV funds to such students. We have obtained approval to offer portions of our programs via distance education from ACCET
for CCC, CCMCC and HDMC, ABHES for Integrity, and from BPPE for HDMC, CCC, CCMCC and Integrity. The State of California does not,
however, presently participate in any state authorization reciprocity agreement whereby our institutions may offer programs via distance
education to students located in other states without our applicable state authorizations from those other states. Our institutions presently
do not have any state postsecondary authorizations outside of California. In addition, an institution must make disclosures readily available
to enrolled and prospective students regarding whether programs leading to professional licensure or certification meet state educational
requirements, and provide a direct disclosure to students in writing if the program leading to professional licensure or certification
does not meet state educational requirements in the state in which the student is located (which is only California for our current students).
Under ED’s rules effective July 1, 2024, an institution must certify that its programs satisfy the applicable educational requirements
for professional licensure or certification needed to practice or find employment in an occupation for which the program prepares a student
in the state in which the school or where a student is located or intends to seek employment (which, although our current students are
located in California, could be a state other than California and could require us to refrain from enrolling students in a state if our
program does not satisfy the applicable educational requirements in the state). We believe the Title IV-eligible educational programs
offered by our institutions satisfy all currently applicable state educational requirements for professional licensure or certification.
14
State
legislatures often consider legislation affecting regulation of postsecondary educational institutions. Our institutions are located
in California which has expansive laws and regulations impacting for-profit schools like our institutions. Enactment of this legislation
and ensuing regulations, or changes in interpretation of existing regulations, may impose substantial costs on our institutions and require
them to modify their operations in order to comply with the new regulations. If we are unable to comply with applicable past, current
or future state education, consumer protection, licensing, authorization or other requirements, or determine that we are unable to cost
effectively comply with new or revised requirements, we could be subject to liabilities, sanctions and other consequences. See “Risk
Factor – Any failure to comply with state laws and regulatory requirements, including educational requirements, or new state
legislative or regulatory initiatives affecting our institutions, could have a material adverse effect on our total student enrollment,
results of operations, financial condition and cash flows .”
Institutional
Accreditation. In the U.S., accrediting agencies are non-governmental entities that periodically review the academic quality
of an institution’s instructional programs and its administrative and financial operations to ensure the institution has the resources
to perform its educational mission. Accrediting agencies impose standards that extend to most aspects of an institution’s operations
and educational programs including, but not limited to, requirements to maintain threshold graduation and job placement rates for its
educational programs. HDMC, CCC, and CCMCC are currently accredited by ACCET through April 2029, April 2030, and April 2026, respectively.
Integrity is accredited by ABHES through February 2026. ED requires an institution to be accredited by an ED-recognized accrediting agency
in order for the institution to participate in the Title IV Programs. ACCET and ABHES are ED-recognized accrediting agencies. The failure
to comply with accreditation standards could subject an institution to additional requirements, sanctions, and consequences including
the potential loss of accreditation. See “Risk Factor - If one or more of our institutions fails to maintain institutional accreditation,
or if certain of our programs cannot obtain or maintain programmatic accreditation, our student enrollments would diminish, and our business
would suffer .”
Programmatic Accreditation . Many
states and professional associations require professional programs to be accredited. While programmatic accreditation is not a sufficient
basis to qualify for institutional Title IV Program certification, programmatic accreditation may improve employment opportunities for
program graduates in their chosen field. Moreover, ED requires an institution to hold programmatic accreditation for an educational program
if required by a state or federal agency (including as a condition of employment in the occupation for which the institutional program
prepares the students). The veterinary technology program at CCC is accredited by American Veterinary Medical Association. Integrity’s
Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing has received initial accreditation from the Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation.
Additionally, CCC is pursuing initial programmatic accreditation with ABHES for the Surgical Technology Associate of Applied Science program
for consideration during the Spring 2026 visit cycle. The Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology at CCMCC is accredited by
ABHES and will engage in reaccreditation in the Spring 2026 visit cycle. All of the Title IV-eligible educational programs offered by
our institutions are within the scope of institutional accreditation from either ACCET or ABHES, and we do not believe any of our Title
IV-eligible educational programs that do not hold programmatic accreditation are required to hold programmatic accreditation by any currently
applicable state or federal agency. Those of our programs that do not have programmatic accreditation where available, or fail to maintain
such accreditation, may experience adverse publicity, loss of access to Title IV funds, declining enrollments, litigation or other claims
from students or suffer other adverse impacts, which could result in it being impractical for us to continue offering such programs.
ED
Recognition of Accrediting Agencies. Our participation in the Title IV Programs is dependent on ED continuing to recognize the
accrediting agencies that accredit our colleges and universities. Each of our institutions currently are accredited by an ED-recognized
accrediting agency. The standards and practices of these agencies have become a focus of attention by state attorneys general, members
of Congress, ED’s Office of Inspector General and ED over recent years. ED held negotiated rulemaking sessions between January
and March 2024, and the negotiators did not reach consensus on proposed language. ED proposed expanding requirements related to accrediting
agencies’ conflict of interest policies and student achievement standards, for example. ED terminated the negotiated rulemaking
process for accreditation as of December 20, 2024. However, ED published a proposed regulatory agenda in early September 2025 that, among
other things, includes a proposal to engage in negotiated rulemaking to provide institutions flexibility to change accreditors and “remove
other burdensome requirements that erect barriers to entry for new accreditation agencies.” This proposal is in its early stages
and, therefore, we cannot predict whether and how such a rulemaking would impact the accreditors that accredit our institutions or the
accreditation requirements applicable to our institutions.
15
If
ED withdraws recognition from ACCET and/or ABHES, ED may continue our schools’ eligibility for a period of up to 18 months from
the date of the withdrawal of recognition, and our schools could apply for accreditation from the other ED-recognized accrediting agencies.
ED could impose provisional certification and other conditions and restrictions on our schools during this period. If ACCET and/or ABHES
lose recognition from ED and our schools are unable to obtain accreditation from a different ED-recognized accrediting agency in the
required time period, our schools could lose eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs.
Congressional
Action. The U.S. Congress must periodically reauthorize the HEA and other laws governing the Title IV Programs and annually determine
the funding level for each Title IV Program, and may pass new laws or revise existing laws at any time. Political and budgetary concerns
significantly affect the Title IV Programs. We cannot predict when or whether Congress will consider or vote on legislation to reauthorize
the HEA or to create new laws or revise existing laws. Furthermore, we cannot predict with any certainty the outcome of the HEA reauthorization
process nor the extent to which any legislation that Congress could adopt at any time could materially affect our business, financial
condition and results of operations. Current requirements for student or school participation in Title IV Programs may change or one
or more of the present Title IV Programs could be replaced by other programs with materially different student or school eligibility
requirements. For example, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”) was signed into law in March 2021 and included,
among other things, a provision that amended the 90/10 Rule in the HEA. See “Risk Factors - Our institutions could lose their
eligibility to participate in the Title IV programs if the percentage of their revenues derived from applicable federal educational student
aid programs is too high.” If we cannot comply with the provisions of the HEA, as they may be enforced or amended, or if the
cost of such compliance is excessive, or if funding is materially reduced, our revenues or profit margin could be materially adversely
affected.
More
recently, on July 4, 2025, the President signed into law the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (“OBBBA”), which has a general effective
date of July 1, 2026 and makes changes to the HEA, including the Title IV programs. ED intends to conduct a negotiated rulemaking process
in 2025 for the purpose of establishing new regulations impacting the new OBBBA requirements. See “Education Regulations –
Negotiated Rulemaking.” Consequently, we expect the new requirements will impact our institutions and operations, but we cannot
predict the ultimate scope, content, and impact of the new OBBBA requirements under future ED regulations and guidance. We are currently
assessing, and will continue to assess, the potential impact of the requirements on us and our institutions. Among other things, the
OBBBA establishes limits on the amount of Title IV loans students and parents can borrow. These limits will not apply to students that
will be enrolled as of the effective date, up until their expected time of completion as defined by the OBBBA. The OBBBA establishes
a limit of $20,000 annually and $65,000 in total for PLUS loans taken out by parent borrowers for undergraduate programs. The OBBBA also
creates a lifetime loan limit of $257,500 for all borrowers. It also requires institutions to prorate loans for students attending less
than full-time. We are in the process of evaluating the impact these loan limitations may have on our institutions and enrollments and
the extent to which alternative sources of funding such as third-party loans may be needed for some of our students.
The
OBBBA also establishes a new accountability measure that applies to our degree programs and that is based on a comparison of
graduate earnings to the earnings of working adults without degrees under a complex formula that ED is expected to address in future
regulations. Under the new accountability measure, an associate degree program would lose its Title IV loan eligibility if the
median earnings of a cohort of graduates are less than the median earnings of working adults with a high school diploma and no
further degrees for two out of three years. ED will create a process for appealing the programmatic median earnings data.
Institutions that do not meet the accountability measure for one year will also be required to notify students of the risk of losing
eligibility. Our institutions offer a limited number of associate degree programs that will be subject to the new accountability
measure. We cannot yet predict with certainty whether our degree programs will meet the accountability measure or whether they will
be at risk of losing eligibility to participate in the Title IV loan programs.
16
The
OBBBA also restricts student eligibility for the Pell Grant by disqualifying students with a student aid index that equals or exceeds
twice the amount of the total maximum Pell Grant, and disqualifying students who receive grant aid from non-federal sources that equals
or exceeds the student’s cost of attendance for that period. We are evaluating whether and to what extent this change might impact
the Pell eligibility of some of our students and whether alternative sources of financial aid, such as third-party loans, might be necessary
for these students. The OBBBA also establishes Workforce Pell Grants for eligible students enrolled in certain short-term educational
programs that meet eligibility requirements. The eligibility requirements include criteria related to the program’s length and
a determination of eligibility by the state. Many of our programs are longer than the eligibility requirements, but we are evaluating
whether opportunities exist for other current or future programs at our institutions.
Additionally,
the OBBBA delays the effective date of the 2022 version of the revised borrower defense to repayment regulations and closed school loan
discharge regulations for ten years, until July 1, 2035. See “Education Regulations - Borrower Defense to Repayment Regulations.”
Congressional
committees and members actively continue to propose and consider legislation on a wide range of topics related to the Title IV programs
that could impact further the amount of Title IV funding available to schools and students and impose additional accountability requirements
on institutions and also that could eliminate or modify certain rules that are less favorable to schools like ours. However, the process
of Congressional passage of new legislation is ongoing, is subject to further negotiation and amendment, and is further subject to Congressional
approval. Therefore, the timing and outcome of this process and the scope of any additional legislation that might be enacted cannot
be predicted with any certainty at this time. We are continuing to monitor the process.
Executive
Action . As previously reported, there are indications based on recent elections that the new administration, and potentially
the U.S. Congress, will attempt to dissolve ED, diminish its operational role, and/or transfer some or all of its functions to one or
more agencies. See the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on February 13, 2025, for the section titled
“Regulatory Updates” for additional information. In March 2025, ED implemented a reduction in force (“RIF”) that,
coupled with resignations by ED staff, reportedly reduced ED’s workforce by approximately half. The RIF also eliminated several
school participation divisions, including the school participation division that previously oversaw the operations of our institutions,
and eliminated or significantly reduced several other offices or divisions within ED. We currently are working with other offices and
personnel at ED on some of our pending matters, but it is possible that we could encounter delays and difficulties obtaining timely ED
approval of recent and future acquisitions of other schools. See “Education Regulations – School Acquisitions” and
“Education Regulations – Change of Control.” We also could encounter delays and difficulties obtaining timely ED approval
of new campuses or other educational programs for which we wish to offer Title IV funds to students and which require ED approval. See
“Education Regulations – Opening Additional Campuses and Adding Educational Programs.”
In
March 2025, the President issued an Executive Order calling for all necessary steps to close ED although the executive order did not
indicate the process or timing for accomplishing this task nor identify where some of the functions of ED might be transferred. We continue
to monitor developments in this area, but cannot yet predict whether the administration or Congress will be successful in closing or
further reducing ED and/or transferring some or all of its functions to one or more agencies, or whether such a proposal would disrupt
or change the availability of Title IV funds to us and our students or change the rules applicable to us and our schools to continue
receiving Title IV funds. We also cannot predict the success of any litigation challenging any efforts to close or restructure ED. Any
executive or legislative action impacting ED, the availability of Title IV funds, or the rules applicable to us could have a material
adverse effect on us and our institutions.
17
Financial
Value Transparency and Gainful Employment Regulations. In May 2021, ED announced its intention to initiate a rulemaking process
on several topics, including gainful employment. On May 19, 2023, ED published a notice of proposed rulemaking on financial value transparency
and gainful employment, and on October 10, 2023, ED published final regulations which became effective on July 1, 2024. Multiple lawsuits
were filed challenging these regulations, and these were consolidated into one case. We cannot predict the outcome of this case. The
financial value transparency and gainful employment regulations include standards for annually evaluating postsecondary educational programs
based on the calculation of debt-to-earnings rates and an “earnings premium” measure. The rule establishes formulae for calculating
these rates using data such as student debt, student earnings data, and median earnings data for working adults with only a high school
diploma or GED, which the rule uses to compare to median earnings data of the institution’s graduates. Under the regulations, ED
will annually calculate and publish the debt-to-earnings rates and median earnings data for our educational programs. If these calculations
show that any of our educational programs do not comply with debt-to-earnings or median earnings regulatory thresholds for two of three
consecutive years, those educational programs would lose Title IV Program eligibility. ED also requires institutions to provide warnings
to current and prospective students about programs in danger of losing of Title IV Program eligibility which could negatively impact
our retention of current students and enrollment of new students in these programs. The regulations also require certifications and data
reporting to ED and providing required student disclosures related to gainful employment. Some of the data ED will use to calculate the
debt-to-earnings rates and earnings premium measures is not yet readily accessible to institutions. Therefore, it is difficult for us
to predict how our institutions will perform under the new standards and the extent to which our programs could lose Title IV Program
eligibility under the new standards. We also do not have control over some of the factors that could impact the rates and measures for
our programs which could make it difficult to mitigate the impact of the regulations on our programs. However, the new regulations could
require us to modify or eliminate programs to comply with the new regulations and could result in the loss of Title IV Program eligibility
for our programs that fail to comply with the regulations which could have a material adverse effect on our student population and our
revenues. As noted elsewhere, our degree programs also will be subject to a new separate earnings measure under the OBBBA. See “Risk
Factor - ED’s financial value transparency and gainful employment regulations may limit the programs we can offer students and
increase our cost of operations.”
Borrower
Defense to Repayment Regulations. In 1994, pursuant to certain provisions of the Higher Education Act, ED published its first
version of the “borrower defense to repayment” (“BDR”) regulations which generally allow federal student loan
borrowers to assert a defense to repaying their federal loans based on the conduct of the institution they attended. The amount of loans
discharged by ED pursuant to an adjudicated BDR claim may be assessed by ED as a Title IV Program liability against the institution.
On November 1, 2016, the Department adopted revised BDR regulations that became effective on July 1, 2017. Under the 2017 version of
the BDR regulations, borrowers with federal student loans disbursed after July 1, 2017 can assert a defense to repayment and be eligible
for relief based on a nondefault, favorable, contested judgement against the institution from a state or federal court; a claim that
the institution failed to perform its obligations under a contract with the student or a claim the institution committed a “substantial
misrepresentation” on which the borrower reasonably relied to his or her detriment. On September 23, 2019, the Department again
revised its BDR regulations effective July 1, 2020, and created a distinct standard and process for BDR applications applicable to federal
student loans first disbursed after July 1, 2020. Under the 2019 version of the BDR regulations, a borrower can assert a defense to repayment
and be eligible for relief if the borrower establishes that the institution made a misrepresentation of material fact upon which the
borrower reasonably relied in deciding to obtain their loan; the misrepresentation related to the borrower’s enrollment or continuing
enrollment at the institution or the provision of education services for which the loan was made; and the borrower was financially harmed
by the misrepresentation.
On
November 1, 2022, ED again revised the BDR regulations with an effective date of July 1, 2023. The 2022 version of the BDR regulations
included amendments regarding, among other things, (i) acts or omissions by or on behalf of an institution of higher education a borrower
may assert as a defense to repayment of certain Title IV Program loans; (ii) procedures for adjudicating borrower defense claims, and
(iii) prohibiting the use of mandatory pre-dispute arbitration clauses and class action waivers in enrollment agreements and requiring
disclosures of judicial and arbitration filings and awards pertaining to a borrower defense claim.
Among
other things, the revised 2022 version of the BDR regulations also amended the processes for borrowers to receive from ED a discharge
of the obligation to repay certain Title IV Program loans when the BDR applications are received on or after, or pending with ED as of
July 1, 2023. The revised 2022 version of the BDR regulations applies the revised federal BDR standard to all BDR claims received on
or after, or pending with the Secretary as of July 1, 2023, but would not allow for recovery against institutions for discharged amounts
first disbursed prior to July 1, 2023 unless the BDR claim would have been approved under the substantive BDR standard applicable to
the time period in which the loan was disbursed as set forth in the prior versions of the BDR regulations. The defenses to repayment
are based on certain acts or omissions, including misrepresentations by an institution or a covered party. The regulations establish
detailed procedures and standards for the loan discharge processes, including the information required for borrowers to receive a loan
discharge, and the authority of ED to seek recovery from the institution of the amount of discharged loans. The 2022 version of the revised
BDR regulations were to take effect on July 1, 2023, in addition to certain closed school loan discharge provisions part of the same
rule, but are currently enjoined and delayed. The Career Colleges and Schools of Texas (“CCST”) filed a complaint challenging
the regulations in February 2023. In April 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted a preliminary injunction to
block enforcement of the revised 2022 version of the BDR regulations while the case is pending. Further, the OBBBA, enacted July 4, 2025,
delays the effective date of the 2022 version of the revised BDR regulations for ten years, until July 1, 2035. Therefore, the amendments
to the BDR regulations that were to take effect on July 1, 2023 are not in effect, but the previous BDR regulations in effect prior to
July 1, 2023, generally remain in effect in the meantime and apply different substantive standards and procedures based on when a BDR
claimant’s loans were disbursed.
18
On
June 22, 2022, ED reached a settlement with plaintiffs in the case titled Sweet v. Cardona , which was filed by student loan
borrowers to challenge ED’s adjudication of BDR claims. The settlement resulted in automatic relief of claims pending as of
June 22, 2022 that were filed against institutions on a list of about 150 institutions named in the settlement agreement, which did
not include any of our institutions. In addition, under the settlement, any borrower who filed a defense to repayment claim between
June 22, 2022 and November 15, 2022 are “Post-Class Applicants” whose applications will be adjudicated under the 2016
version of the BDR regulations and will be decided by January 2026. HDMC received and timely responded to seven BDR applications
from Post-Class Applicants. CCC, Integrity, and CCMCC (at least since we acquired CCMCC) have not received any BDR applications
from Post-Class Applicants. It is possible that we could receive BDR claims in the future. If we or our representatives are found to
have engaged in certain acts or omissions under the broad definitions contained in the 2016 version of the BDR regulations, or other
BDR regulations that could be in place in the future, we could be subject to substantial repayment obligations and subject to other
sanctions.
The
enjoined 2022 version of the BDR regulations, and the versions of the BDR regulations that are currently in effect and that could be
in effect in the future, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash
flows and result in the imposition of significant restrictions on us and our ability to operate, including a requirement that our
institutions to submit a letter of credit based on expanded standards of financial responsibility. See “Education Regulations
- Financial Responsibility Standards.”
In
recent years, ED has been more active in processing BDR applications and has recently distributed claims to institutions for an opportunity
to respond to borrower allegations. ED may, on its own or in response to other constituencies, allocate additional resources to reviewing
and adjudicating BDR applications from federal student loan borrowers. We cannot predict how many BDR applications have been filed by
our former students, but if we receive such claims from ED, we may incur significant costs in responding to the borrower allegations
and, if adjudicated as valid by ED, repaying the federal government for the amount of loans discharged pursuant to such claims.
ED
also grants closed school loan discharges to students when it determines the student’s institution or campus has closed. When an institution
or location meets ED’s definition of a closed school or location, affected students can apply for a discharge of the Title IV loans
incurred for the program of study the student did not complete due to the closure, and ED grants the discharge if the student meets certain
requirements. ED also may seek to recover the cost of the discharge from the institution. If any of our locations or institutions close,
our institutions could be subject to liabilities for closed school loan discharges. In conjunction with the 2022 revisions to the BDR
rule, ED also revised the closed school loan discharge provisions. However, these revisions are also enjoined as well as delayed under
the OBBBA. We cannot predict the outcome of any future revisions to the closed school loan discharge provisions that ED may initiate.
90/10
Revenue Test. Under the HEA, a proprietary institution that derives more than 90% of its total revenue from the Title IV
Programs or, for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2023 from all federal educational assistance funds, for two
consecutive fiscal years becomes immediately ineligible to participate in the Title IV Programs and may not reapply for eligibility
until the end of at least two fiscal years (“90/10 Rule”). An institution whose receipts of applicable funds exceeds 90%
of revenue for a single fiscal year will be placed on provisional certification, be required to notify ED and its students of the
possibility of a loss of Title IV Program eligibility, and may be subject to other enforcement measures, including a requirement to
submit a letter of credit. See “Education Regulations - Financial Responsibility Standards.” If an institution violated
the 90/10 Rule and became ineligible to participate in Title IV Programs but continued to disburse Title IV Program funds, ED would
require the institution to repay all Title IV Program funds received by the institution after the effective date of the loss of
eligibility.
19
We have calculated the 90/10 Rule percentage
for the 2024, 2023, and 2022 fiscal years as follows for HDMC, CCC, and Integrity: HDMC 87.55%, 84.53%, and 82.17%; CCC 79.51%,
74.48%, and 72.34%; and Integrity 84.19%, 88.14%, and 85.43%, respectively. CCMCC’s 90/10 Rule percentage for its 2022 fiscal
year was 21.76%, and for its 2023 fiscal year was 48.63%. CCMCC’s next 90/10 Rule percentage will be reported to ED in
connection with the Company’s next annual financial statement and compliance audit submissions. Our calculations of the 90/10
Rule percentage for the 2025 fiscal year for HDMC, CCC, Integrity, and CCMCC are due on December 31, 2025 and each are expected to
be below 90%. The 90/10 calculations for our institutions are subject to review and potential recalculation by ED. In addition, the
90/10 Rule is complex and there is some ambiguity in certain technical aspects of the calculation methodology by ED under the 90/10
Rule. If ED comes out with additional guidance of interpretations that are different than our interpretations, ED could recalculate
the 90/10 Rule percentages of our institutions, which could result in one or more of the percentages exceeding 90%. A loss of
eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs for any of our institutions would have a significant impact on the rate at which our
students enroll in our programs and on our business and results of operations. Moreover, if an institution violated the 90/10 Rule
and became ineligible to participate in Title IV Programs but continued to disburse Title IV Program funds, ED would require the
institution to repay all Title IV Program funds received by the institution after the effective date of the loss of eligibility.
ARPA
amended the 90/10 Rule by treating other federal student financial assistance funds in the same manner as Title IV Program funds in the
90/10 Rule calculation. This amendment requires our institutions to limit the combined amount of Title IV Program funds and other federal
student financial assistance funds in a fiscal year to no more than 90% in a fiscal year as calculated under the 90/10 Rule. ED published
final regulations on the 90/10 Rule on October 28, 2022. The final regulations became effective July 1, 2023 and applied to fiscal years
beginning on or after January 1, 2023 (which was the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024 for our schools). The new rule modified how institutions
counted revenue when calculating compliance with the 90/10 Rule, and added a requirement to notify students of the potential loss of
eligibility resulting from not meeting the 90/10 standard, among other changes. ED published a Notice in the Federal Register listing
the types of funds that are considered federal education assistance funds under the new 90/10 Rule. The funds include GI Bill funding
and Military Tuition Assistance, among other sources of funds. We expect the change in the 90/10 Rule will increase our 90/10 Rule percentages
and make it more difficult to comply with the 90/10 Rule and could require changes to our operations in order to maintain compliance.
ED
regulations have restricted the ability of institutions to limit the amount of Title IV Program loans that students and parents may borrow
which can impact our ability to control compliance with the 90/10 Rule at our institutions. However, under a provision of the OBBBA that
will be effective July 1, 2026, institutions are permitted to limit the total amount of loans that a student may borrow, and that a parent
may borrow on behalf of a student, as long as the limit is applied consistently to all students in a program of study. In addition, there
is a lack of clarity regarding some of the technical aspects of the calculation methodology under the 90/10 Rule, which may lead to regulatory
action or investigation by ED. Changes in, or new interpretations of the calculation methodology or other industry practices under the
90/10 Rule could further significantly impact our compliance with the 90/10 Rule, and responding to any review or investigation by ED
involving us could require a significant amount of resources.
Efforts
to reduce the 90/10 Rule percentage for our institutions have and may in the future involve taking measures that involve interpretations
of the 90/10 Rule that are without clear precedent, reduce our revenue or increase our operating expenses (or all of the foregoing, in
each case perhaps significantly). Because of the changes to the 90/10 Rule made by ARPA and ED, we may be required to make structural
changes to our business to remain in compliance, which changes may materially alter the manner in which we conduct our business and materially
and adversely impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Furthermore, these required changes could
be unsuccessful and could make more difficult our ability to comply with other important regulatory requirements, such as the cohort
default rate regulations.
However,
we cannot predict the need or timing of any such changes, whether these changes would be successful in maintaining compliance with the
90/10 Rule or whether such changes will have other adverse effects on our business.
Cohort
default rate. The HEA limits participation in the Title IV Programs by institutions whose percentage of former students who defaulted
on the repayment of certain federally guaranteed or funded student loans (the “cohort default rate”) exceeds prescribed thresholds.
ED calculates these rates based on the number of students who have defaulted, not the dollar amount of such defaults. The cohort default
rate is calculated on a federal fiscal year basis and measures the percentage of students who enter repayment of a loan during the federal
fiscal year and default on the loan on or before the end of the federal fiscal year or the subsequent two federal fiscal years.
20
Under
the HEA, an institution whose cohort default rate is 30% or greater for three consecutive federal fiscal years loses eligibility to participate
in certain Title IV Programs and the Pell programs for the remainder of the federal fiscal year in which ED determines that such institution
has lost its eligibility and for the two subsequent federal fiscal years. An institution whose cohort default rate for any single federal
fiscal year exceeds 40% loses its eligibility to participate in certain Title IV Programs for the remainder of the federal fiscal year
in which ED determines that such institution has lost its eligibility and for the two subsequent federal fiscal years. If an institution’s
three-year cohort default rate equals or exceeds 30% in two of the three most recent federal fiscal years for which ED has issued cohort
default rates, the institution may be placed on provisional certification status and could be required to submit a letter of credit to
ED. See “Risk Factor - A failure to maintain compliance with ED’s “financial responsibility” requirements
would have negative impacts on our operations .”
In September 2025, ED released the final cohort
default rates for the 2022 federal fiscal year. These are the most recent final rates published by ED. The rates for our existing institutions
for the 2022, 2021, and 2020 federal fiscal years are as follows: HDMC 0%, 0%, and 0%; CCC 0%, 0% and 0%; Integrity 0%, 0%, and 0%; and
CCMCC 0%, 0%, and 0%, respectively. Consequently, none of our institutions had a cohort default rate equal to or greater than 30% for
the 2022, 2021, and 2020 federal fiscal years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, ED temporarily suspended federal student loan repayment obligations.
This suspension, which lasted over three years, contributed to a reduction in our cohort default rates. Our cohort default rates could
be substantially higher for the periods after October 2023, when the suspension expired if borrowers do not timely repay their federal
student loans. We are engaging in activities aimed at reminding borrowers of their obligations to repay loans and to reduce the number
of borrowers who default on their loans; however, we cannot predict or guarantee that these activities will be successful or that the
cohort default rates will not increase or exceed applicable eligibility thresholds.
Financial
Responsibility Standards. All institutions participating in the Title IV Programs must satisfy specific standards of financial
responsibility. ED evaluates institutions for compliance with these standards each year, based on the institution’s annual audited
financial statements, as well as following a change in ownership resulting in a change of control of the institution. The most significant
financial responsibility measurement is the institution’s composite score, which is calculated by ED based on three ratios:
●
the equity ratio, which
measures the institution’s capital resources, ability to borrow and financial viability;
●
the primary reserve ratio,
which measures the institution’s ability to support current operations from expendable resources; and
●
the net income ratio, which
measures the institution’s ability to operate at a profit.
ED
assigns a strength factor to the results of each of these ratios on a scale from negative 1.0 to positive 3.0, with negative 1.0 reflecting
financial weakness and positive 3.0 reflecting financial strength. ED then assigns a weighting percentage to each ratio and adds the
weighted scores for the three ratios together to produce a composite score for the institution. The composite score must be at least
1.5 for the institution to be deemed financially responsible without the need for further oversight. If an institution’s composite
score is below 1.5, but is at least 1.0, it is in a category denominated by ED as “the zone.” Under ED regulations, institutions
that are in the zone typically may be permitted by ED to continue to participate in the Title IV Programs by choosing one of two alternatives:
1) the “Zone Alternative” under which an institution is required to make disbursements to students under the HCM1 payment
method (or another payment method that differs from the standard advance payment method) and to notify ED within 10 days after the occurrence
of certain oversight and financial events or 2) submit a letter of credit to ED equal to at least 50 percent of the Title IV Program
funds received by the institution during its most recent fiscal year. ED permits an institution to participate under the “Zone
Alternative” for a period of up to three consecutive fiscal years. Under the HCM1 payment method, the institution is required to
make Title IV Program disbursements to eligible students and parents before it requests or receives funds for the amount of those disbursements
from ED. Unlike the HCM2 and the reimbursement payment methods, the HCM1 payment method typically does not require schools to submit
documentation to ED and wait for ED approval before drawing down Title IV Program funds. Schools under HCM1, HCM2 or reimbursement payment
methods must also pay any credit balances due to a student before drawing down funds for the amount of those disbursements from ED, even
if the student or parent provides written authorization for the schools to hold the credit balance.
21
If
an institution’s composite score is below 1.0, the institution is considered by ED to lack financial responsibility. If ED determines
that an institution does not satisfy ED’s financial responsibility standards, depending on its composite score and other factors,
that institution may establish its eligibility to participate in the Title IV Programs on an alternative basis by, among other things:
●
posting a letter of credit
in an amount equal to at least 50% of the total Title IV Program funds received by the institution during the institution’s
most recently completed fiscal year; or
●
posting a letter of credit
in an amount equal to at least 10% of the Title IV Program funds received by the institution during its most recently completed fiscal
year accepting provisional certification; complying with additional ED monitoring requirements and agreeing to receive Title IV Program
funds under an arrangement other than ED’s standard advance funding arrangement.
If,
in the future, we are required to satisfy ED’s standards of financial responsibility on an alternative basis, including potentially
by posting irrevocable letters of credit, we may not have the capacity to post these letters of credit which could result in sanctions
including loss of Title IV Program eligibility.
ED annually evaluates the financial responsibility
of HDMC, CCC, Integrity, and CCMCC on a consolidated basis. We have calculated our composite score for the 2024 fiscal year to be 3.0;
however, this score is subject to determination by ED based on its review of our consolidated audited financial statements for the 2024
fiscal year. Our next composite score will be calculated based on audited financial statements for the 2025 fiscal year due for submission
to ED by December 31, 2025. We expect the composite score for the 2025 fiscal year to exceed 1.5, but the final composite score is subject
to our final calculation and to determination by ED based on its review of our consolidated financial statements for the 2025 fiscal year.
However, if our composite scores in the future were to decrease, we may become subject to the additional requirements noted above or our
Title IV Program eligibility could be affected. We cannot predict how long it will take ED to make its determination or the outcome of
its determination. On January 30, 2024, due to a failure to timely return unearned Title IV funds to ED, Integrity was required to submit
an acceptable form of financial protection for 25% of the refunds that were made for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 in the amount
of $18,828.
On
October 31, 2023, ED published final regulations with a general effective date of July 1, 2024 that, among other things, amended the
“general” standards of financial responsibility to revise the timeframe for institutions to submit annual audits, require
reporting on the status of foreign entity owners, and add events that constitute a failure to demonstrate an institution is able to meet
financial obligations. These regulations also modified the list of triggering events that could result in ED determining that the institution
lacks financial responsibility and must submit to ED a letter of credit or other form of acceptable financial protection and accept other
conditions on the institution’s Title IV Program eligibility. The regulations create lists of mandatory triggering events and discretionary
triggering events. An institution is not able to meet its financial or administrative obligations if a mandatory triggering event occurs.
The mandatory triggering events include:
●
an institution with a composite
score of less than 1.5 has a recalculated composite score of less than 1.0 as determined by ED as a result of an institutional liability
from a monetary award or judgment or settlement resulting from a legal proceeding;
●
an institution (or an entity
that has submitted financial statements to ED in connection with a change in ownership) is subject to a government enforcement action
(sued by a federal or state authority or via a qui tam action) and the action has been pending for 120 days and no motion to dismiss
is pending or has been granted;
●
the institution’s
recalculated composite score is less than 1.0 after ED initiates action to recoup funds from institution after BDR claim decided
in borrower’s favor;
22
●
an institution or entity
that submitted an application with ED for a change of ownership has a recalculated composite score is less than 1.0 after a final
monetary judgment, award or settlement that was entered against it at any point through the end of the second full fiscal year after
the change of ownership;
●
a proprietary institution
with a composite score of less than 1.5 or that underwent a change of ownership in the current or previous fiscal year has a recalculated
composite score of. less than 1.0 as determined by ED as a result of a withdrawal of owner’s equity from the institution unless
certain exceptions apply;
●
at least half of Title
IV funds in the institution’s most recently completed fiscal year are for “failing” gainful employment programs;
●
the institution is required
to submit a teach-out plan due to financial concerns;
●
the SEC takes certain actions
against a publicly listed entity that directly or indirectly owns at least 50% of an institution or such entity fails to comply with
certain filing requirements;
●
the institution did not
receive at least 10 percent of its revenue from sources other than Federal educational assistance as calculated under 90/10 rule
during its most recently completed fiscal year;
●
the institution’s
two most recent cohort default rates are 30 percent or greater, unless a pending appeal could reduce one of the rates;
●
the institution’s
composite score is less than 1.0 when recalculated to reflect the offset of distribution after a contribution;
●
the institution or entity
included in financial statements is subject to adverse or impermissible conditions under a financing arrangement as a result of ED
action;
●
the institution declares
financial exigency to government agency or accrediting agency;
●
the institution or an owner
files for a receivership or is ordered to appoint a receiver.
ED
also may determine that an institution lacks financial responsibility if one or more of the following discretionary triggering events
occurs and the event is likely to have a significant adverse effect on the financial condition of the institution:
●
a show cause or similar
order from the institution’s accrediting agency or a government authority;
●
a notice from the institution’s
state authorizing or licensing agency of an intent to withdraw or terminate the institution’s state authorization or licensure
if the institution does not take steps to comply with state requirements;
●
the institution (or an
owner entity covered by the regulation) is subject to a default, delinquency, or other adverse creditor event or to a condition not
permitted under the regulation under or related to a loan agreement or other financing agreement or has a judgement awarding monetary
relief entered against it that is subject to appeal or under appeal;
●
there is a significant
fluctuation in Pell Grant and/or Direct Loans received by an institution during a period of award years;
●
high annual drop-out rates
from the institution as determined by ED;
●
ED requires the institutions
to provide additional financial reporting due to a failure to meet financial responsibility standards or indicators of significant
change in the financial condition of the institution;
●
ED forms a group process
to consider pending borrower defense to repayment claims that could be subject to recoupment;
23
●
a program is discontinued
that enrolls more than 25% of the institution’s total enrolled students who receive Title IV Program funds;
●
the institution closes
a location that enrolls more than 25% of its total enrolled students who receive Title IV Program funds;
●
the institution, or one
of its programs, is cited by a State agency for failing to meet requirements;
●
the institution, or one
of its programs, loses eligibility to participate in another Federal educational assistance program;
●
a publicly traded company
that directly or indirectly owns at least 50% of the institution discloses in public securities exchange filing that it is under
investigation for possible violation of law;
●
the institution is cited
by another federal agency and risks losing education assistance funds by that agency;
●
the institution is required
to submit a teach-out plan due to concerns other than those constituting a mandatory triggering event; or
●
any other event or condition
that ED finds is likely to have significant adverse effect on the financial condition of the institution.
The
regulations require an institution to notify ED of the occurrence of a mandatory or discretionary triggering event and, in some cases,
provide an opportunity to submit certain information to ED to demonstrate why the event does not establish the institution’s lack
of financial responsibility or require the submission of a letter of credit and impose other conditions or requirements. If more than
one of these financial responsibility triggers occur, ED could impose separate letters of credit to address each triggering event.
The
financial responsibility regulations could result in ED recalculating and reducing our composite score, on a retroactive basis, to account
for ED estimates of potential losses under one or more of the extensive list of triggering circumstances and also could result in the
imposition of conditions and requirements including a requirement to provide one or more letters of credit or other form of financial
protection. It is difficult to predict the amount or duration of any letter of credit requirements that ED might impose under the regulation.
The requirement to submit letters of credit or to accept other conditions or restrictions could have a material adverse effect on our
schools’ business and results of operations.
Accreditor
and state regulatory requirements also address financial responsibility, and these requirements vary among agencies and also are different
from ED requirements. Any developments relating to our satisfaction of ED’s financial responsibility requirements may lead to additional
focus or review by our accreditors or applicable state agencies regarding their respective financial responsibility requirements.
If
our institutions fail to maintain financial responsibility, they could lose their eligibility to participate in the Title IV Programs,
have that eligibility adversely conditioned or be subject to similar negative consequences under accreditor and state regulatory requirements,
which would have a material adverse effect on our business. In particular, limitations on, or termination of, participation in the Title
IV Programs as a result of the failure to demonstrate financial responsibility or administrative capability would limit students’
access to Title IV Program funds, which would materially and adversely reduce the enrollments and revenues of our institutions.
ED’s
proposed regulatory agenda first published in early September 2025 includes an intent to address certain issues including financial responsibility
requirements via negotiated rulemaking. We cannot predict how ED will address these requirements or the impact the changes to financial
responsibility requirements may have on our schools.
Return
of Title IV Program Funds. An institution participating in the Title IV Programs must calculate the amount of unearned Title
IV Program funds that have been disbursed to students who withdraw from their educational programs before completing them, and must return
those unearned funds to ED in a timely manner, which is generally within 45 days from the date the institution determines that the student
has withdrawn. The failure to timely return funds can result in liabilities or sanctions.
24
If
an institution is cited in an audit or program review for late returns of Title IV Program funds for 5% or more of the pertinent students
within the audit or program review sample, or if an audit identifies a material weakness in the institution’s report on internal
controls relating to the return of unearned Title IV Program funds, the institution may be required to post a letter of credit in favor
of ED in an amount equal to 25% of the total amount of Title IV Program funds that should have been returned for students who withdrew
in the institution’s prior fiscal year. Neither HDMC nor CCC has received such a finding in either of the two most recently completed
annual Title IV Program compliance audits submitted to ED. On January 30, 2024, due to a failure to timely return unearned Title IV Program
funds to ED, Integrity was required to submit an acceptable form of financial protection for 25% of the refunds that were made for the
fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 in the amount of $18,828. In January through March 2024, ED conducted negotiated rulemaking to prepare
proposed regulations on several topics including the rules pertaining to returns of Title IV Program funds. On July 24, 2024, ED promulgated
proposed amended regulations related to return of Title IV calculations. ED published the final regulations on January 3, 2025, with
a general effective date of July 1, 2026. The regulations codify ED’s guidance requiring the date of determination of withdrawal
to be documented within 14 days after the student’s last date of attendance for institutions that take attendance; remove the option
for clock-hour programs to use the “cumulative” method to calculate Title IV earned; and changes Return of Title IV calculations
for programs offered in modules. We are evaluating whether and the extent to which the new regulations may negatively impact our performance
of return of title IV.
Negotiated
Rulemaking. ED has promulgated a substantial number of new regulations in recent years that impact our business, including, but
not limited to, the “borrower defense to repayment” regulations discussed in the risk factors below, as well as rules regarding
compensation for persons engaged in certain aspects of admissions and financial aid, state authorization, clock and credit hours, prohibitions
on “substantial misrepresentations,” gainful employment, certification procedures, financial responsibility, administrative
capability, ability to benefit, closed school loan discharges, the 90/10 Rule, changes in ownership, Title IX, cash management, return
of Title IV funds, distance education, accreditation and other topics. These and other regulations have had significant impacts on our
business, requiring a large number of reporting and operational changes and resulting in changes to and elimination of certain educational
programs.
On
July 24, 2025, ED announced it intends to establish two negotiated rulemaking committees: one that will consider changes to the federal
student loan programs and one that will consider institutional and programmatic accountability, including changes to the Pell Grant.
The rulemaking is intended to implement recent changes to the Title IV, HEA programs included in the OBBBA. See “Education Regulations
– Congressional Action.” We expect the new requirements will impact our institutions and operations, but we cannot predict
the ultimate scope, content, and impact of the new OBBBA requirements under future ED regulations and guidance. We are currently assessing,
and will continue to assess, the potential impact of the requirements on us and our institutions and to monitor the negotiated rulemaking
process.
On
April 4, 2025, ED announced its intention to conduct negotiated rulemaking to prepare proposed regulations on topics pertaining to Title
IV regulations, potentially including Public Service Loan Forgiveness, loan repayment programs, and “streamlining” current
federal student financial assistance regulations. ED held public hearings to discuss the rulemaking agenda on April 29, 2025 and May
1, 2025 and requested comments on rulemaking topics be submitted by May 5, 2025. The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Committee met from
June 30, 2025 to July 2, 2025. We cannot predict the ultimate timing, content, and impact of any regulations and guidance ED might propose
and ultimately adopt. In addition, the President directed federal agencies on April 9, 2025 to identify existing regulations that are
unlawful or otherwise objectionable and to take steps to repeal or modify these regulations. We cannot predict what rules ED might attempt
to repeal or modify, the timing and outcome of these efforts, or the impact of any regulatory repeals of modifications on our business
and schools.
ED’s
proposed regulatory agenda published in early September 2025 indicates an intent to address several topics (including through rulemaking),
including accreditation, changes in ownership, cash management, administrative capability, and financial responsibility requirements,
civil rights investigations, and privacy of education records. Whether via sub-regulatory guidance or a rulemaking process, we cannot
predict how ED’s actions on these topics will impact schools like ours. Future regulatory actions by ED or other agencies that
regulate our institutions are likely to occur and to have significant impacts on our business, require us to change our business practices
and incur costs of compliance and of developing and implementing changes in operations, as has been the case with past regulatory changes.
25
We
cannot predict with certainty the ultimate combined impact of the regulatory changes which have occurred in recent years, nor can we
predict the effect of future legislative or regulatory action by federal, state or other agencies regulating our education programs or
other aspects of our operations, how any resulting regulations will be interpreted or whether we and our institutions will be able to
comply with these requirements in the future. Any such actions by legislative or regulatory bodies that affect our programs and operations
could have a material adverse effect on our student population and our institutions, including the need to cease offering a number of
programs.
Substantial
Misrepresentation. ED’s regulations prohibit an institution that participates in the Title IV Programs from engaging in
misrepresentations regarding the nature of its educational programs, financial charges, graduate employability or its relationship with
ED. A “misrepresentation” includes any false, erroneous, or misleading statement (whether made in writing, visually, orally,
or through other means) that is made by an eligible institution, by one of its representatives, or by a third party that provides to
the institution educational programs, marketing, advertising, recruiting or admissions services and that is made to a student, prospective
student, any member of the public, an accrediting or state agency, or to ED. If ED determines that one of our institutions has engaged
in “substantial misrepresentation,” ED may impose sanctions or other conditions upon the institution including, but not limited
to, initiating an action to fine the institution or limit, suspend, or terminate its eligibility to participate in the Title IV Programs
and may seek to discharge students’ loans and impose liabilities upon the institution. ED defines a “substantial misrepresentation”
to include any misrepresentation on which the person to whom it was made could reasonably be expected to rely, or has reasonably relied,
to that person’s detriment. The definition of “substantial misrepresentation” is broad and, therefore, it is possible
that a statement made by the institution or one of its service providers or representatives could be construed by ED to constitute a
substantial misrepresentation. Other federal agencies, state agencies, and accrediting agencies have similar rules that prohibit certain
types of misrepresentations or unfair marketing and advertising practices by us or others on our behalf on a variety of subjects including,
without limitation, the accuracy and substantiation of rates of graduation, job placement and passage of occupational licensure examinations.
Noncompliance with these requirements could result in sanctions, liabilities, or third-party litigation that could have an adverse effect
on our business and results of operations. ED published a final rule on November 1, 2022 which expanded the scope of prohibited misrepresentations,
and which also prohibits certain types of conduct with respect to the recruitment of students. The adoption and implementation of new
regulations could lead to findings of noncompliance and result in liabilities and other sanctions that could have an adverse effect on
our business and results of operations.
In
addition, the FTC has indicated an increased focus on direct or implied misrepresentations. For example, on October 6, 2021, the FTC
issued letters including a “Notice of Penalty Offenses Concerning Deceptive or Unfair Conduct in the Education Marketplace”
to 70 institutions. These letters were meant to place the recipients on actual notice of conduct the FTC previously found to violate
the Federal Trade Commission Act. This conduct included several categories of direct or implied misrepresentations made by proprietary
schools. These letters may reflect an increased interest by the FTC in monitoring the for-profit proprietary school sector. If our institutions
fail to comply with an FTC statute or rule or are found to have committed misconduct of which they had actual notice the FTC had previously
determined to be unfair or deceptive, our institutions could face civil penalties, injunctions, or other remedies available to the FTC.
School
Acquisitions. When a company acquires an institution that is eligible to participate in the Title IV Programs, the acquisition
generally will result in the institution undergoing a change of ownership resulting in a change of control as defined by ED and under
the rules of other agencies and accreditors. Upon such a change, an institution’s eligibility to participate in the Title IV Programs
is generally suspended until it has applied for recertification by ED as an eligible school under its new ownership, which requires that
the school also re-establish its state authorization and accreditation. ED may temporarily and provisionally certify an institution seeking
approval of a change of control under certain circumstances while ED reviews the institution’s application. The temporary provisional
certification typically remains in effect on a month-to-month basis during ED’s review of the application as long as the school
timely submits certain documentation during the course of ED’s review. ED’s proposed regulatory agenda published in early
September of 2025 includes an intent to address certain issues including change of ownership requirements. We cannot predict how
ED will address these requirements or the impact the changes to change of ownership requirements may have on our schools.
26
The
time required for ED to act on such an application may vary substantially. ED recertification of an institution following a change of
control will be on a provisional basis if ED approves the institution’s application and could contain restrictions or conditions
depending on the outcome of its review of the institution including its administrative capability and financial stability. Under ED regulations
that took effect July 1, 2023, the institutions must submit certain information and documentation at least 90 days in advance of the
change in ownership including, for example, notice to current and prospective students of the planned change in ownership. The approval
processes for state and accrediting agencies vary in scope and timing with some agencies requiring approval prior to the acquisition
and others not conducting their review until after the acquisition has taken place. Thus, any plans to expand our business through acquisition
of additional schools and have them certified by ED to participate in the Title IV Programs will be subject to the timing and outcome
of the application, review and approval processes and requirements of ED and the relevant state education agencies and accreditors and
could be impacted by any conditions or restrictions imposed by ED or other agencies on the institution under our ownership.
On
December 31, 2019, we entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement with the sole member of Integrity. We purchased from the
sole member of Integrity on that date 24.5% of her interest and obtained an exclusive option to acquire her remaining membership interest
upon payment of $100, which was exercised on September 15, 2020. For purposes of our financial statements, our acquisition of Integrity
is deemed to have been effective as of December 31, 2019. We believe that a change in ownership and control of Integrity did not occur
until September 15, 2020 under the change in ownership and control standards of ED and the other educational agencies that regulate Integrity,
but these standards are subject to interpretation by the respective agencies. The review by ED of the change in ownership and control
of Integrity in connection with our acquisition of Integrity remains ongoing. Integrity currently holds a temporary provisional program
participation agreement with ED in connection with our acquisition of the institution, which has continued its Title IV Program participation
on a month-to-month basis pending ED’s approval of the change in ownership and control. If ED concludes that a change in ownership
or control of Integrity occurred prior to September 15, 2020, we could be subject to liabilities or other sanctions by ED, which could
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Legacy
Education Antioch, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legacy LLC (as defined herein) (the “Buyer”) entered into the APA with
Legacy Education Inc., Legacy Education, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (“Legacy LLC” and together with the
Company and the Buyer, the “Buyer Parties”), CCMCC, Contra Costa Medical Career College Online, Inc. (“CCMCC Online”
and together with CCMCC, “Sellers”) and, solely with respect to certain portions of the APA, Stacey Orozco and Bulmaro Orozco,
the sole owners CCMCC and CCMCC Online (the “CCMCC Transaction”). The CCMCC Transaction was consummated on December 18, 2024.
When
a company acquires an institution that is eligible to participate in the Title IV Programs, like CCMCC, the acquisition generally will
result in the institution undergoing a change of ownership resulting in a change of control as defined by ED and under the rules of other
educational agencies and accreditors. Upon such a change, an institution’s eligibility to participate in the Title IV Programs
is generally suspended until it has applied for recertification by ED as an eligible school under its new ownership, which requires that
the school also re-establish its state authorization and accreditation. ED may temporarily and provisionally certify an institution seeking
approval of a change of control under certain circumstances while ED reviews the institution’s application. The temporary provisional
certification typically remains in effect on a month-to-month basis during ED’s review of the application as long as the school
timely submits certain documentation during the course of ED’s review. Legacy timely submitted a materially complete change in
ownership application to ED and CCMCC is now a party to a temporary provisional program participation agreement (“TPPPA”)
that allows CCMCC to continue participating in the Title IV Programs. CCMCC also timely filed the required documentation for the TPPPA
to remain in effect during ED’s review of the change of ownership. On March 11, 2025, CCMCC provided additional financial information
requested by ED.
CCMCC’s
TPPPA contains conditions on its participation in the Title IV Programs that are typically imposed by ED when a change of ownership occurs.
These conditions include restrictions on growth (e.g., the addition of new programs and locations, increase in credential level, change
in program length), bi-weekly and monthly financial reporting, and a reporting requirement related to certain types of student complaints.
If CCMCC does not timely comply with these reporting requirements, or its reports contain information of concern to ED, ED may request
further information from CCMCC or the Company or take action against CCMCC or the Company.
27
We
cannot predict the timing or outcome of ED’s review of the change of ownership of CCMCC. The time required for ED to act on such
an application for approval of a change of ownership resulting in a change of control may vary substantially. ED recertification of an
institution following a change of control will be on a provisional basis if ED approves the institution’s application and could
contain restrictions or conditions depending on the outcome of its review of the institution under the new ownership including its administrative
capability and financial stability.
The
approval processes for state and accrediting agencies vary in scope and timing with some agencies requiring approval prior to the acquisition
and others not conducting their review until after the acquisition has taken place. With regard to the agencies that accredit CCMCC and
CCMCC Online, authorize them to operate in the state of California, or approve their programs:
●
California
Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (“BPPE”) : Institutions that are licensed by BPPE by means of accreditation,
like CCMC, are required to notify BPPE of the change within 30 days of the change and demonstrate that the substantive change was
made in accordance with the institution’s accreditation standards. CCMCC submitted an Application for a Change of Business
Organization/Control/Ownership to BPPE on January 16, 2025 which included ACCET’s approval of the change of ownership. By letter
dated January 31, 2025, BPPE approved CCMCC to operate under its new ownership.
●
Accrediting
Council for Continuing Education and Training (“ACCET”) : ACCET accreditation standards require that institutions
undergoing a change in ownership or control submit notice at least ten days prior to a prospective agreement for the change. ACCET
also requires submission of an application for approval of the change in ownership or control within ten days following the change.
CCMCC submitted the application on December 27, 2024. By letter dated January 15, 2025, ACCET provisionally reinstated CCMCC’s
accreditation following the change in ownership, and by letter dated September 4, 2025, ACCET granted final approval of the change
of ownership.
●
California State Approving
Agency for Veterans Education (“CSAAVE”) : CSAAVE requires approved institutions to make a post-change submission
to CSAAVE for approval of the change when there has been a material change to the institution’s current approval. CCMCC provided
notice to CSAAVE of the change on November 12, 2024, and submitted the change of ownership forms. On April 28, 2025, CCMCC provided additional
information to CSAAVE regarding its reapproval and on May 1, 2025, CSAAVE approved the application.
●
Accreditation Bureau
of Health Education Schools (“ABHES”) : ABHES requires institutions that hold ABHES programmatic accreditation to
notify it of any change in organizational oversight or legal structure, and to submit a completed application for change in legal
status, ownership, or control within five days after the change. CCMCC submitted the application on December 23, 2024. By letter
dated January 29, 2025, ABHES approved the change in ownership.
●
California Board of
Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (“BVNPT”) : BVNPT instructed CCMCC to submit formal notification of
the change of ownership after receiving BVNPT’s approval to admit a new class of students. CCMCC received such approval on
February 4, 2025 and submitted the required form for the change of ownership on February 12, 2025, and is awaiting approval.
●
California Department
of Public Health, Laboratory Field Services (“CDPH”) : CDPH requires certain training programs undergoing a change
of ownership to notify CDPH within 30 days after the change has occurred and submit a new application package. CCMCC notified CDPH
of the change and submitted the application on February 6, 2025, and is awaiting approval.
28
If
agencies require us to obtain other approvals in connection with the CCMCC Transaction, we will be required to undergo an application
process for approvals from the applicable agencies and could be subject to conditions or restrictions (or loss of approval) depending
on the outcome of the approval process. If any applicable agencies determine that we did not follow required procedures in providing
notification and seeking approval of the CCMCC Transaction, or if any agencies do not approve the CCMCC Transaction, we could be subject
to sanctions by the applicable agencies including loss of CCMCC’s approvals from these agencies.
Change
of Control. In addition to school acquisitions, other types of transactions can also cause a change of control. ED, most of our
state education agencies, our accreditors, and other regulators have standards pertaining to the change of control of schools, but these
standards are not uniform. ED regulations describe some transactions that constitute a change of control, including the transfer of a
controlling interest in the voting stock of an institution or the institution’s parent corporation including our Company. A significant
purchase or disposition of our common stock could be determined by ED to be a change of control under this standard. On October 28, 2022,
ED published a final rule revising its change in ownership regulations, which became effective July 1, 2023. The new requirements, such
as requiring notice to ED and current and prospective students at least 90 days prior to a change in ownership, could make it more difficult
to execute a change in ownership or an acquisition, which could make it less desirable to acquire an ownership interest in our Company,
or which could result in conditions or restrictions as a result of a transaction involving us or an acquired institution. In addition,
ED’s revisions to its financial responsibility standards published on October 31, 2023 and effective July 1, 2024 impose additional
financial tests, and potentially additional letter of credit requirements, related to changes in ownership.
Most
of our state education agencies, our accreditors, and other regulators include the sale of a controlling interest of common stock in
the definition of a change of control although some agencies could determine that the sale or disposition of a smaller interest would
result in a change of control. A change of control under the definition of one of these agencies would require the affected school to
reaffirm its state authorization, accreditation, or other approval. Some agencies would require approval prior to a sale or disposition
that would result in a change of control in order to maintain authorization or accreditation. The requirements to obtain such reaffirmation
from the states and our accreditors vary widely.
ED
requires institutions to periodically report changes in ownership even when a change does not result in a change in control or require
ED approval. While ED’s regulations require reporting of owners holding at least a five percent ownership interest (as well as
changes representing at least 5% but under 25% on a quarterly basis or sooner if the institution plans to undergo a change in ownership),
the recently implemented overhaul of ED’s electronic application system through which institutions report ownership requests a
disclosure of all owners regardless of their ownership percentage. The new electronic application also requests granular detail about
reported owners. We may not have access to contemporaneous ownership information given the day-to-day fluctuations of trading on the
public market. Access to information regarding Non-Objecting Beneficial Owners is expensive and this information is typically not current
by the time obtained. Moreover, we cannot predict whether investors will timely report investments such that we could access accurate
beneficial ownership information and even if investors do comply with reporting requirements, certain passive investors would not typically
be reported until 45 days following our fiscal year end. We are as yet uncertain regarding our ability to timely obtain ownership information
and timely report this information to ED. Failure to timely report ownership changes could result in adverse action by ED, or conditions
or restrictions imposed by ED on one or more of our institutions.
Our
institutions may encounter difficulty timely identifying and reporting to ED on the electronic application for each of our institutions’ several hundred owners. Integrity may also encounter additional difficulty reporting ownership
given ED has not yet approved the prior change in control of Integrity and, as a result, we could encounter difficulty obtaining access
to the electronic application. ED has informed us that it only will require us to report owners with a five percent or greater ownership
interest in the Company although this guidance could change in the future and we could encounter difficulty identifying and timely reporting
owners under current or future ED guidance. Our institutions will also be required to timely report any additional changes to ownership
percentages and given the frequency such changes can occur for a publicly traded company, we may have difficulty timely complying with
ED’s reporting requirements. These difficulties could result in adverse action by ED, or conditions or restrictions imposed by
ED on one or more of our institutions.
29
If
we decide to issue preferred stock or additional common stock in the future, this issuance could result in a change in ownership or control
requiring regulatory approval. ED considers both control rights and beneficial ownership interest among other factors when evaluating
whether a change in ownership resulting in a change in control has occurred. Similarly, changes to our board of directors or the right
to appoint directors could result in a change in ownership or control requiring regulatory approval.
We have verified that most of our education regulators and accreditors
do not treat the initial public offering as a change in ownership or control requiring agency approval. If agencies require us to obtain
approvals in connection with the initial public offering, we will be required to undergo an application process for approvals from the
applicable agencies and could be subject to conditions or restrictions depending on the outcome of the approval process. If an agency
notified us that we moved forward with the initial public offering without making or obtaining required pre-closing notices and approvals
prior to the initial public offering, we could be subject to sanctions by the applicable agencies including loss of our approvals from
these agencies. On July 30, 2024, ED provided written confirmation the initial public offering as described would not constitute a change
of control under its regulations. However, subsequent offerings, transactions or other events could be deemed to be a change of control
in the future.
With
regard to the agencies that institutionally accredit our institutions or authorize them to operate in the state of California:
●
BPPE : BPPE regulations require that institutions that are authorized based on their accredited status and which undergo a change in ownership timely submit notice of such change with accompanying documentation to demonstrate that the change was made in accordance with the applicable accreditation standards. On August 8, 2024, BPPE responded to our request for guidance regarding a potential change of ownership process and stated that it would look to the determinations of ABHES and ACCET with respect to the initial public offering. As described below, ABHES and ACCET have provided written confirmation that the initial public offering as described would not constitute a change in legal status, ownership or control under the respective standards. Based on those responses from ABHES and ACCET, we sought confirmation that our institutions need not undergo an approval process with BPPE prior to the offering, and BPPE confirmed on September 11, 2024 that the initial public offering would not be viewed as a change in control and would not require approval from BPPE.
●
ABHES : ABHES accreditation standards require that institutions undergoing a change in legal status, ownership or control submit an application for approval of the change at least 90 days in advance, and that ABHES must approve the change before it takes place. ABHES accreditation standards also require institutions undergoing a change in legal status, ownership or control to submit an additional application within five days after the change, which would also be subject to ABHES approval. We requested guidance from ABHES regarding whether the initial public offering as described will constitute a change in in legal status, ownership or control for the purposes of its accreditation standards. On August 12, 2024, ABHES provided written confirmation that the initial public offering as described would not constitute a change in legal status, ownership or control under its standards.
●
ACCET : ACCET accreditation standards require that institutions undergoing a change in ownership or control submit a notice at least ten days prior to such a change, and further submit an application for approval of such a change within ten days following the change. We requested guidance from ACCET regarding whether the initial public offering as described will constitute a change in ownership or control under its accreditation standards and confirmation no approval would be required from ACCET. On September 6, 2024, ACCET provided written confirmation that the initial public offering as described would not constitute a change in ownership or control under its standards.
The California Board of Registered Nursing requires
pre-closing approval of a change of ownership before it occurs and requires post-closing approval of a change in organizational structure.
We requested confirmation from the California Board of Registered Nursing that the initial public offering as described will not be treated
as a change in ownership that requires approval before the offering occurs, but have not received a determination from the agency. If
the California Board of Registered Nursing determines we were required to obtain the agency’s approval prior to the initial public
offering under its statutes, rules or standards, then, as noted above, we could be subject to sanctions by this agency including potential
loss of our approval.
We
are in the process of initiating communications with our education regulators and accreditors on this subject and have not received
responses as to whether they will treat the initial public offering as a change in ownership or control requiring agency approval.
If we are required to go through a change of ownership and/or control review process with these agencies, one or more of these
agencies could impose additional conditions or restrictions or delay or decline to issue an approval. If an agency does not require
us to go through a change of ownership and/or control review process, we may be required to submit notices or other information to
the agency which could result in further scrutiny or inquiries by the agency.
30
A
change of control could occur as a result of future transactions in which the Company or our institutions are involved. Some corporate
reorganizations and some changes in the board of directors of the Company are examples of such transactions. Once we become a publicly
traded corporation, ED regulations provide that a change of control also could occur in one of at least two ways: (a) if a person acquires
ownership and control of the corporation so that the corporation is required to file a Current Report on Form 8-K with the Securities
and Exchange Commission disclosing the change of control or (b) if the corporation has a shareholder that owns at least 25% of the total
outstanding voting stock of the corporation and is the largest shareholder of the corporation, and that shareholder ceases to own at
least 25% of such stock or ceases to be the largest shareholder. These standards are subject to interpretation by ED.
Moreover,
the potential adverse effects of a change of control could influence future decisions by us and our stockholders regarding the sale,
purchase, transfer, issuance or redemption of our stock. In addition, the adverse regulatory effect of a change of control also could
discourage bids for shares of our common stock and could have an adverse effect on the market price of our shares.
Opening
Additional Campuses and Adding Educational Programs. For-profit educational institutions must be authorized by their state education
agencies and be fully operational for two years before applying to ED to participate in the Title IV Programs. However, an institution
that is certified to participate in the Title IV Programs may establish an additional location and apply to participate in the Title
IV Programs at that location without reference to the two-year requirement, if such additional location satisfies all other applicable
ED eligibility requirements. Our expansion plans are based, in part, on our ability to open new schools as additional locations of our
existing institutions and are dependent upon ED’s timely review and approval of new campuses. Effective July 1, 2024, ED has discretion
to condition the participation of provisionally certified schools by restricting or limiting the addition of new programs or locations.
If ED chose to impose such a condition on one or more of our institutions, that could negatively impact our expansion plans.
A
student may use Title IV Program funds only to pay the costs associated with enrollment in an eligible educational program offered by
an institution participating in Title IV Programs. Generally, unless otherwise required by ED or regulation, an institution that is eligible
to participate in Title IV Programs may add a new educational program without ED approval. Institutions that are provisionally certified
may be required to obtain approval of certain educational programs. Our Integrity and CCMCC institutions are provisionally certified
and required to obtain prior ED approval of new locations and educational programs. If an institution erroneously determines that an
educational program is eligible for purposes of the Title IV Programs, the institution would likely be liable for repayment of Title
IV Program funds provided to students in that educational program. Our expansion plans are based, in part, on our ability to add new
educational programs at our existing schools and make periodic updates to our programs.
In
addition to ED, some of the state education agencies and our accreditors also have requirements that may affect our schools’ ability
to open a new campus, establish an additional location of an existing institution or add or change educational programs. Approval by
these agencies may be conditioned, delayed or denied and could be negatively impacted due to regulatory inquiries or reviews and any
adverse publicity relating to such matters or the industry generally.
Administrative
Capability. ED assesses the administrative capability of each institution that participates in the Title IV Programs under a
series of separate standards. Failure to satisfy any of the standards may lead ED to find the institution ineligible to participate in
the Title IV Programs or to place the institution on provisional certification as a condition of its participation and potentially impose
fines or other sanctions. On October 31, 2023, ED published new regulations revising and expanding its administrative capability standards.
Those revisions, effective July 1, 2024, modified the criteria for administrative capability such that they now include, among other
things, that the institution:
●
comply with all applicable
federal student financial aid requirements;
31
●
have capable and sufficient
personnel to administer the Title IV Programs;
●
administer the Title IV
Programs with adequate checks and balances in its system of internal controls over financial reporting;
●
divide the function of
authorizing and disbursing or delivering Title IV Program funds so that no office has the responsibility for both functions;
●
establish and maintain
records required under the Title IV Program regulations;
●
develop and apply an adequate
system to identify and resolve discrepancies in information from sources regarding a student’s application for financial aid
under the Title IV Programs;
●
have acceptable methods
of defining and measuring the satisfactory academic progress of its students;
●
refer to the Office of
the Inspector General any credible information indicating that any applicant, student, employee, third party servicer or other agent
of the school has been engaged in any fraud or other illegal conduct involving the Title IV Programs;
●
not be, and not have any
principal or affiliate who is, debarred or suspended from federal contracting or engaging in activity that is cause for debarment
or suspension;
●
provide adequate financial
aid counseling to its students;
●
submit in a timely manner
all reports and financial statements required by the Title IV Program regulations;
●
provide adequate career
services and geographically accessible clinical or externship opportunities to its students;
●
disburse funds to students
in a timely manner that best meets their needs;
●
does not have programs
that “fail” gainful employment rates and measures and that represent 50 percent or more of its total receipts under the
Title IV Programs in the most recent award year;
●
does not engage in substantial
misrepresentations or aggressive and deceptive recruitment tactics; and
●
not otherwise appear to
lack administrative capability.
Failure
by us to satisfy any of these or other administrative capability criteria could cause our institutions to be subject to sanctions or
other actions by ED or to lose eligibility to participate in the Title IV Programs, which would have a significant impact on our business
and results of operations.
ED
published a notice in early September 2025 regarding its agenda for regulatory initiatives which, among other things, indicated an intent
to address certain issues including administrative capability requirements. We cannot predict whether ED intends to address these requirements
through negotiated rulemaking, published guidance, or other actions, nor can we predict the impact on our institutions of any changes
that might occur to the administrative capability requirements. We are continuing to monitor developments on this topic.
Restrictions
on Payment of Commissions, Bonuses and Other Incentive Payments. An institution participating in the Title IV Programs may not
provide any commission, bonus or other incentive payment based directly or indirectly on success in securing enrollments or financial
aid to any person or entity engaged in any student recruiting or admission activities or in making decisions regarding the awarding of
Title IV Program funds. This statutory prohibition under the HEA, and as implemented by ED, applies to all institutional employees and
service providers who are engaged in or responsible for any student recruitment or admission activity or making decisions regarding the
award of financial aid. We cannot predict how ED will interpret and enforce the incentive compensation prohibition. The prohibition on
incentive compensation has had and will continue to have a significant impact on the productivity of our employees, on the retention
of our employees and on our business and results of operations. Failure to comply with the incentive compensation prohibition could result
in loss of an institution’s certification to participate in the Title IV Programs, limitations on Title IV Program participation
or financial penalties. On July 17, 2024, ED announced it will issue guidance related to the incentive compensation rule no sooner than
later that year, but it has not yet issued such guidance.
32
Compliance Reviews Regarding Compliance
with Regulatory Standards and Effect of Regulatory Violations. Because we operate in a highly regulated industry, we are subject
to compliance reviews and audits as well as claims of noncompliance and lawsuits by government agencies, regulatory agencies and third
parties. Our institutions are subject to audits, program reviews, site visits, and other reviews by various federal and state regulatory
agencies, including, but not limited to, ED, ED’s Office of Inspector General, state education agencies and other state regulators,
the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and other federal agencies, and by our accrediting agencies. In addition, each of our institutions
must retain an independent certified public accountant to conduct an annual audit of the institution’s administration of Title IV
Program funds. Each of our institutions must submit the resulting audit report to ED for review.
If
one of our institutions fails to comply with accrediting or state licensing requirements, such school and its main and/or branch campuses
and educational programs could be subject to the loss of state licensure or accreditation, which in turn could result in a loss of eligibility
to participate in the Title IV Programs. If ED or another agency determined that one of our institutions improperly disbursed Title IV
Program funds or other financial assistance funds or violated a provision of the HEA or ED regulations, the institution could be required
to repay such funds and related costs to ED or other agencies, and could be assessed an administrative fine or subject to other sanctions
including loss of eligibility to participate in the impacted financial assistance program. ED could also place the institution on provisional
certification status and/or transfer the institution to the reimbursement or cash monitoring system of receiving Title IV Program funds,
under which an institution must disburse its own funds to students and document the students’ eligibility for Title IV Program
funds before receiving such funds from ED. It could also impose letters of credit, restrict participation, or take actions such as suspensions
or emergency action.
Significant
violations of Title IV Program requirements by us or any of our institutions could be the basis for ED to limit, suspend, terminate,
revoke, or decline to renew the participation of the affected institution in the Title IV Programs or to seek civil or criminal penalties.
We and our institutions are also subject to claims and lawsuits relating to regulatory compliance brought not only by federal and state
regulatory agencies and our accrediting bodies, but also by third parties, such as present or former students or employees and other
members of the public.
If
the result of any pending or future review, audit, proceeding, lawsuit or investigation is unfavorable to us, we may be required to pay
money damages or be subject to fines, limitations, conditions, loss of Title IV Program funding, loss of accreditation or state authorization,
injunctions or other penalties which could impact our results of operations. Even if we adequately address issues raised by an agency
review or successfully defend a lawsuit or claim, we may have to divert significant financial and management resources from our ongoing
business operations to address issues raised by those actions. Claims and lawsuits brought against us may damage our reputation or adversely
affect our stock price, even if such actions are eventually determined to be without merit. See “Risk Factor - Government and
regulatory agencies and third parties may conduct compliance reviews and audits or bring actions against us that could result in monetary
liabilities, injunctions, loss of eligibility for Title IV Programs or other adverse outcomes .”
Financial
Aid Fraud Detection . Institutions must detect and prevent financial aid fraud attempts. For example, ED requires institutions
to maintain systems to identify conflicting information that affects a student’s eligibility for financial aid and resolve it before
disbursing aid. ED also requires institutions to report suspicions of fraud to ED’s Office of the Inspector General. If our efforts
to detect and prevent financial aid fraud are unsuccessful or found to be deficient, it could lead to a finding of noncompliance with
Title IV requirements, accreditation standards, or other agencies, and could result in liabilities, loss of accreditation or Title IV
eligibility, as well as third-party claims.
Other
Financial Assistance Programs. Some of our students receive financial aid from federal sources other than the Title IV Programs,
such as programs administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (“WIOA”).
In addition, some of our students receive state financial aid in the form of grants, loans or scholarships. The eligibility and compliance
requirements for these federal and state financial aid programs are extensive and vary among the funding agencies and by program. Our
failure to comply with legal requirements applicable to federal and state financial assistance programs could result in repayment liabilities,
sanctions, or loss of eligibility to participate in those programs which could impact our results of operations and also impact our compliance
with ED’s 90/10 Rule which requires our institutions to generate revenues from sources other than the Title IV Programs and other
federal financial assistance.
33
States
that provide financial aid to our students face budgetary constraints, which in certain instances has reduced the level of state financial
aid available to our students. Due to state budgetary shortfalls and constraints in certain states in which we operate, the overall level
of state financial aid for our students could decrease in the near term, but we cannot predict how significant any such reductions will
be or how long they will last. Federal budgetary shortfalls and constraints, or decisions by federal lawmakers to limit or prohibit access
by our institutions or their students to federal financial aid, could result in a decrease in the level of federal financial aid for
our students. Moreover, our failure to comply with legal requirements applicable to federal and state financial assistance programs could
result in repayment liabilities, sanctions, or loss of eligibility to participate in those programs which could impact our results of
operations.
Under
the WIOA, institutions currently must report data regarding credential attainment rates, job placement rates, and other information and
may be required to meet negotiated performance goals set by the state agency administering WIOA funds. Members of Congress have made
proposals to reauthorize WIOA but no reauthorization bills have been passed. If passed, proposals to reauthorize WIOA that increase requirements
or impose penalties could impact our schools.
If
our participating institutions and their programs were to not meet other WIOA requirements, they would risk losing eligibility to participate
in the program. Further, reauthorization of the WIOA could result in changes to the process for determining funding for its programs,
which could affect our institutions’ revenues.
In
addition to the Title IV Programs and other government-administered programs, all of our schools participate in alternative loan
programs for their students. Alternative loans fill the gap between what the student receives from all financial aid sources and
what the student may need to cover the full cost of his or her education. We also extend credit for tuition and fees to many of our
students that attend our campuses. We are required to comply with applicable federal and state laws related to certain consumer and
educational loans and credit extensions and education financing and are subject to review by federal and state agencies responsible
for overseeing compliance with these requirements. Our failure to comply with these requirements could result in repayment
liabilities, sanctions, investigations or litigation which could impact our results of operations.
On
January 20, 2022, the CFPB announced its intent to examine the operations of postsecondary schools that extend private loans directly
to students. Accompanying this announcement was an update to the CFPB’s Examination Procedures to now require CFPB examiners to
review several aspects of educational loans including enrollment restrictions, withholding transcripts, improper accelerated payments,
failure to issue refunds, and improper lending relationships. In September 2023, the CFPB published a report indicating concerns with
tuition payment plans, including coercive debt collection practices, high fees, and confusing consumer disclosures. In May 2025, the
CFPB indicated it would deprioritize regulation of student loans. Failure to comply with applicable laws and requirements could result
in repayment liabilities, sanctions, investigations or litigation which could impact our operations. If the CFPB prioritizes education
of student loans in the future, the likelihood of these results would increase.
Programs
and Curricula
High
Desert Medical College
HDMC’s
academic offerings are designed to prepare its graduates for challenging and rewarding careers in high- growth fields. We believe that
HDMC’s hands-on approach and flexible scheduling options provide students with a practical learning experience that fits into their
busy lives.
HDMC’s
approach allows students to learn through a mix of lecture, laboratory and externship experiences, in addition to assigned homework.
This allows students to practice what they learn and accommodates different learning styles.
34
HDMC
offers start dates throughout the year for its various programs, across the three campuses. The programs currently offered as of June
30, 2025 are as follows:
Current
Programs Offered
Area of Study
Program
Program Length
Estimated Total
Fees, Charges and
Expenses
Ultrasound Technician
Associate of Applied Science
108-123 weeks
$ 59,120
Vocational Nursing AAS
Associate of Applied Science
48 weeks
$ 19,735
Associate Degree Nursing
Association Degree
96 weeks
$ 89,995
Cardiac Sonography
Associate of Applied Science
115-130 weeks
$ 59,120
Ultrasound Technician
Diploma
84-99 weeks
$ 51,699
Clinical Medical Assisting
Certificate
34-42 weeks
$ 19,340
Dental Assisting
Certificate
34-42 weeks
$ 19,340
Medical Administrative Assisting
Certificate
15 weeks
$ 7,784
Medical Billing and Coding
Certificate
35-51 weeks
$ 19,340
Pharmacy Technician
Certificate
34-42 weeks
$ 19,534
Veterinary Assistant
Certificate
35-42 weeks
$ 19,340
Vocational Nursing
Diploma
56-68 weeks
$ 35,311
Phlebotomy Technician
Course (Avocational)
5 weeks
$ 1,915
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Associate of Applied Science
115 weeks
$ 59,120
Nursing Assistant
Certificate
9 weeks
$ 3,255
Pit and Fissure Sealant
Course (Avocational)
2 weeks
$ 525
California Dental Practice Act
Course (Avocational)
2 hours
$ 99
Infection Control
Course (Avocational)
8 hours
$ 249
Radiation Safety
Course (Avocational)
32 hours
$ 449
Teaching Adult Learner - Strategies and Techniques for Nurses and Allied Health Program Educators
Course (Avocational)
30 hours
$ 115
Coronal Polishing
Course (Avocational)
6 weeks
$ 3,255
Dispensary Agent Certification
Course (Avocational)
10 hours
$ 242
Vocational Nursing Pre-Requisite
Course (Avocational)
4 weeks
$ 850
LVN IV Therapy Certificate
Course (Avocational)
4 days
$ 275
Emergency Medical Technician Certification
Certificate
12 weeks
$ 2,495
Degree
Program
Ultrasound
Technician Associate of Applied Science Degree Program
The
UT program is designed to prepare graduates for employment as an ultrasound technologist in the general abdomen, OB/GYN, small body parts
and vascular. The graduate can work in imaging centers, physician’s offices, clinics, mobile units or hospitals that do not require
a certification to be employed. The general education courses for the UT Associate of Applied Science Degree program are offered online
only using interactive distance learning. The core ultrasound principles and subjects are taught on campus. Certificate program graduates
can complete an UT Associate of Applied Science Degree remotely.
Cardiac
Sonography Associate of Applied Science Degree Program
The
Cardiac Sonography program is designed to prepare graduates for employment as a cardiac sonographer. The graduate can work in imaging
centers, physician’s offices, clinics, mobile units or hospitals that do not require a certification to be employed. The cardiac
sonographer plays a key role in today’s modern diagnosis and treatment team of cardiac disorders. The cardiac sonographer produces
two-dimensional ultrasonic recordings of the heart and related blood vessels using ultrasound equipment for use by physicians in diagnosing
certain cardiac diseases and malfunctions of the heart.
35
Vocational
Nursing Associate of Applied Science Degree Program
The
VN AAS degree program builds on the Vocational Nursing Diploma by adding the same online general education and science courses required
for graduates of the pre-licensure Associate Degree Registered Nursing program. The goal of this post-licensure program is to educate
and develop VNs such that they become more well-rounded professionals through undergraduate general education. It is anticipated that
graduates will have enhanced critical thinking skills, science knowledge, and verbal/written communication skills which will expand employment
opportunities.
Associate
Degree of Nursing
The
High Desert Medical College Associate Degree of Nursing Program (ADN) provides students with a high-quality education in a dynamic,
supportive and engaging environment. The nursing curriculum at High Desert Medical College prepares the student to become a
Registered Nurse with an associate degree. The program promotes a culture of educational excellence among a diverse student
population in collaboration with healthcare partners that leads to an associate degree in nursing licensure. An entry-level
professional with the ability to utilize the latest healthcare technology while utilizing current evidence-based practice and
clinical reasoning. The acquisition of the knowledge, skills and attitudes to provide safe patient-centered care that meets the
changing health care needs of diverse individuals, families, communities and desire for life-long learning. The program strives to
foster a commitment to individual excellence, integrity, lifelong learning and professional development within each
graduate.
Diploma
Program
Ultrasound
Technician Diploma Program
The
UT program is designed to prepare graduates for employment as an ultrasound technologist in the general abdomen, OB/GYN, small body parts
and vascular. The graduate can work in imaging centers, physician’s offices, clinics, mobile units or hospitals that do not require
a certification to be employed.
Vocational
Nursing Program Diploma Program
The
VN program is designed to provide the student with the basic knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of a VN in a health
care environment. The program is approved by the BVNPT as an accredited training program, the completion of which meets the minimum requirements
set forth as necessary for application to take the VN license examination.
Certificate
Programs
Clinical
Medical Assisting Certificate Program
The
clinical medical assisting program is designed to give graduates the knowledge and skills necessary to work as an entry-level medical
assistant in a healthcare setting.
Dental
Assisting Certificate Program
The
dental assisting program prepares the graduate for an entry-level position in a dental office. Graduates may find employment in dental
clinics as dental assistants. With additional training and/or experience, graduates may be eligible for the radiation safety exam and
receive radiation safety certificate or be eligible for the coronal polish exam. Graduates receive CPR and First Aid certification from
American Red Cross and a diploma in dental assisting.
Medical
Administrative Assisting Certificate Program
The
medical administrative assisting program prepares the graduate to enter the health professions fields as an administrative medical assistant
in various settings, including medical offices, hospitals, and medical clinics.
36
Medical
Billing and Coding Certificate Program
The
medical billing and coding program provides theory and clinical training geared to prepare the student for an entry level position in
a hospital, medical or dental office, and medical insurance/billing companies. Graduates receive CPR and First Aid certification from
American Red Cross and Diploma in medical billing and coding.
Nursing
Assistant Certificate Program
The
nursing assistant program is designed to prepare students to become practicing state certified nursing assistants in the State of California.
The course work will include safety, anatomy and physiology, nutrition, asepsis, patient care, body mechanics and rehabilitation and
restoration care. Students should expect two to three hours of homework per class.
Emergency
Medical Technician Certification Program
The
EMT program prepares entry-level healthcare professionals to manage emergencies. EMTs assess scenes, prioritize care, provide immediate
treatment, and coordinate patient transport. Graduates qualify to take the National Registry Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT) computerized
certification exam to obtain the National EMT Certification.
Pharmacy
Technician Certificate Program
The
pharmacy technician program is designed to provide students with the skills, knowledge and training for an entry-level position in retail,
hospitals or clinics or home health pharmacy settings or other positions in a pharmacy-related product/company. Graduates are encouraged
to seek certification from the State of California for a registration as a pharmacy technician and a national competency certification.
Avocational
Courses
Phlebotomy
Technician Course
The
phlebotomy technician course (Avocational) is designed for employees who currently work or have worked in the medical field and are seeking
additional skills/certifications to add to their portfolio. The profession of phlebotomy is taught through didactic, student laboratory,
and clinical experiences. The student will be trained to perform a variety of blood collection methods using proper techniques and precautions.
Pit
& Fissure Sealant Course
This
specialized course is designed for dental professionals in California seeking expertise in the application of pit and fissure sealants.
Participants will acquire in-depth knowledge and hands-on skills necessary for effective sealant placement, emphasizing California-specific
regulations and ethical considerations. The course aims to empower participants to integrate pit and fissure sealants into their preventive
dental care practices with confidence and compliance.
California
Dental Practice Act Course
This
course is presented pursuant to the Dental Board of California requirement that each licensee must take a minimum two-unit course in
California Dental Law during each two-year license renewal period. This course has been developed in accordance with the California Code
of Regulations Section 1600 to provide the most current information on California Dental Practice Act and is approved by the Dental Board
of California for two units. This coursework does not interpret or make comment upon the law, but presents a condensed version of the
State of California statutes which constitute the Dental Practice Act.
37
Infection
Control Course
This
course covers the definition and implementation of sterilization methods and guidelines. Including patient medical history, infection
control, prevention of contamination, and the use of personal protective equipment. In addition, verification of infection, disinfection,
care of treatment room, handling and disposal of hazardous waste, handling soiled instruments, hand pieces, burs, water and air syringes
are presented. This course has been developed in accordance with the California Code of Regulations Section 1005 to provide the most
current information on infection control practices and principles and is approved by the Dental Board of California.
Radiation
Safety Course
In
the state of California, a Dental Assistant must have their California Radiation Safety (x-ray) certificate to be permitted to take x-rays
in a dental office. In addition, all applicants for Registered Dental Assistant licensure must submit evidence of having completed an
approved radiation safety course. This course introduces the didactic and clinical application of x-ray safety, bisecting and parallel
techniques, film exposure, processing and mounting of non-digital x-rays, digital x-ray (Dexis) training, and evaluation of both digital
and non-digital dental x-rays. This course is approved by the Dental Board of California.
Teaching
Adult Learner -Strategies and Techniques for Nurses and Allied Health Program Educators
This
a 30 hour continuing education course and approved for 30 continuing education units by the Board of Registered Nursing. In this course,
students learn how to use the newest educational methods to create a classroom that is suited for adult learners. This is a 10-module
course with topics that include teaching theory and strategies, curriculum development and program administration.
Vocational
Nursing Pre-Requisite
This
course is a pre-requisite requirement for admissions into the vocational nursing program. Students must successfully pass this course
with a 75% or higher. The course introduces the nursing student to critical thinking, basic arithmetic and medication dosage calculation
and normal anatomy and physiology, the interrelationships between structure and functions of human cells, tissues, and systems, and the
effects of disease on body systems and basic medical terminology as well as study techniques and strategies to ensure student success
throughout the program.
LVN
IV Therapy Certificate
The
course is designed to prepare licensed vocational nurses to start and superimpose intravenous fluid via primary or secondary infusion
lines and perform blood withdrawal. The course will cover psychological preparation of the patient based on the growth and developmental
stage, legal aspect in IV therapy and blood withdrawal, infection control, indications for IV therapy, types of venipuncture devices,
delivery systems, intravenous fluids, venipuncture sites, observation of the patient, regulation of the fluid flow, selection of equipment,
complications of IV therapy, methods of blood withdrawal, method selection, safety measures, universal precautions, complications and
preparation of withdrawal sites.
Coronal
Polishing Course
This
specialized course is designed for dental professionals in California seeking proficiency in coronal polishing procedures. Participants
will gain comprehensive knowledge and hands-on skills to perform effective coronal polishing, contributing to enhanced patient oral health
and aesthetic outcomes. The course emphasizes California-specific regulations and ethical considerations, ensuring participants can confidently
integrate coronal polishing into their dental practice.
Dispensary
Agent Certification
The
dispensary agent certification will help give students an understanding of the fundamentals needed to be successful in the rapidly emerging
cannabis industry. This course includes nine virtual modules, quizzes and a final exam covering everything from the plant’s history,
terminology and chemistry to the routes of administration and effects on the human body. Our instructors include entrepreneurs, activists,
health care providers and educators who have spent years building their careers in the cannabis space. This course is self-paced and
delivered online.
38
Central
Coast College
CCC’s
model is to provide intensive coursework and learning experiences in order to prepare its students to be ready for work in their desired
fields upon graduation. An emphasis is placed on practical instruction which enables graduates to succeed in their initial jobs after
graduation and successfully advance in their careers.
CCC
offers start dates throughout the year for its various programs. The programs currently offered as of June 30, 2025 are as follows:
Current
Programs Offered
Area of Study
Program
Program Length
Estimated Total
Fees, Charges
and Expenses
Medical Assisting
Certificate
46 weeks
$ 19,340
Medical Administrative Assistant
Certificate
48 weeks
$ 19,340
Nursing Assistant
Certificate
9 weeks
$ 3,255
Phlebotomy Technician
Course (Avocational)
4-12 weeks
$ 4,400
Veterinary Assistant
Certificate
38 weeks
$ 19,340
Veterinary Technology
Degree (Associate of Applied Science)
84 weeks
$ 40,220
Computer Specialist: Accounting
Certificate
48 weeks
$ 19,340
Ultrasound Technician
Diploma
84-99 weeks
$ 51,699
Vocational Nursing
Diploma
59 weeks
$ 35,311
Ultrasound Technician
Associate of Applied Science
108-123 weeks
$ 59,120
Surgical Technology
Associate of Applied Science
80 weeks
$ 35,311
Sterile Processing Technician
Certificate
34 weeks
$ 15,372
Dental Assisting
Certificate
34 weeks
$ 19,340
Pharmacy Technician
Certificate
18 weeks
$ 5,286
Healthcare
Career Training Programs
Medical
Assisting Certificate
The
medical assisting program teaches skills such as: medical terminology, medical office procedures, medical records keeping and electronic
medical records, patient vital signs, venipuncture and injections, use of laboratory equipment and use of EKGs.
Medical
Administrative Assistant Certificate
Completing
the medical administrative assistant program gives the student a comprehensive set of administrative skills needed to work in a medical
office. These include knowledge, skills and abilities in: medical terminology, medical office procedures, medical record keeping and
electronic medical records and medical insurance billing.
Nursing
Assistant Certificate
Nursing
assistant training is designed for those who seek entry-level employment in the healthcare field. The program prepares a student to take
the state licensing exam to become a certified nursing assistant. The nursing assistant program may also be a prerequisite for students
who need direct patient care experience as an admission requirement for a higher level healthcare program or for those who wish to test
their interest in healthcare as a career. Individuals might also consider the nursing assistant training if they are interested in working
in healthcare to support their education.
39
Phlebotomy
Technician Course
Phlebotomists
are allied health professionals who draw blood from patients for medical testing. The phlebotomy technician program is designed to prepare
students to take the phlebotomy exam and apply to become a practicing, certified phlebotomist in the State of California.
Veterinary
Assistant Certificate
The
veterinary assistant program is designed to give hands-on experience working with animals and to prepare the students to successfully
work alongside veterinarians and veterinary technicians in a variety of animal care settings. Classes are a combination of lecture, demonstration,
guided practice, lab and clinical hours. An externship is provided at the end of the program.
Veterinary
Technology Associate of Applied Science Degree Program
The
veterinary technology program offers an AAS degree. The Veterinary Technology program is the only CVTEA (Committee on Veterinary Technician
Education and Activities)-accredited program offered in Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz tri-county area. The veterinary technology program
consists of two academic years, with the first year completing veterinary assistant program and giving students the option of a second
year that fulfills the requirements for an AAS degree in veterinary technology. Graduates of the veterinary technology program are eligible
for state licensing as a registered veterinary technician after successfully passing the Veterinary Technician National Examination and
California State Veterinary Technician Examinations.
Ultrasound
Technician Diploma Program
The
UT program is designed to prepare graduates for employment as an ultrasound technologist in the general abdomen, OB/GYN, small body parts
and vascular. The graduate can work in imaging centers, physician’s offices, clinics, mobile units or hospitals that do not require
a certification to be employed.
Ultrasound
Technician Associate of Applied Science Degree Program
The
UT program is designed to prepare graduates for employment as an ultrasound technologist in the general abdomen, OB/GYN, small body parts
and vascular. The graduate can work in imaging centers, physician’s offices, clinics, mobile units or hospitals that do not require
a certification to be employed. The general education courses for the UT Associate of Applied Science Degree program are offered online
only using interactive distance learning. The core ultrasound principles and subjects are taught on campus. Certificate program graduates
can complete an UT Associate of Applied Science Degree remotely.
Vocational
Nursing Diploma Program
The
vocational nursing program is designed to provide the student with the basic knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of
a vocational nurse in a health care environment. The program is approved by the BVNPT as an accredited training program, the completion
of which meets the minimum requirements set forth as necessary for application to take the Vocational Nurse License examination.
Surgical
Technology Associate of Applied Science (“STAAS”) Degree Program
The
STAAS program is designed to prepare students to enter a medical career in the healthcare industry. Surgical Technologists work to provide
quality patient care through functioning in a sterile environment and assisting physicians in operating rooms for procedures performed
in hospitals, outpatient surgery centers, physician’s offices and other medical facilities.
Sterile
Processing Technician Certificate Program
The
sterile processing technician program is designed to prepare students to enter a medical career and play a critical role in preventing
infection. Sterile processing technicians sterilize, clean, process, assemble, store, and distribute medical equipment and reusable surgical
instrumentation, utilizing infection control and safety practices during all phases of the process.
40
Dental
Assisting Certificate Program
The
dental assisting program prepares the graduate for an entry-level position in a dental office. Graduates may find employment in dental
clinics as dental assistants. With additional training and/or experience, graduates may be eligible for the radiation safety exam and
receive radiation safety certificate or be eligible for the coronal polish exam. Graduates receive CPR and First Aid certification from
American Red Cross and a diploma in dental assisting.
Pharmacy
Technician Certificate Program
The
pharmacy technician program is designed to provide students with the skills, knowledge and training for an entry-level position in retail,
hospitals or clinics or home health pharmacy settings or other positions in a pharmacy-related product/company. Graduates are encouraged
to seek certification from the State of California for a registration as a pharmacy technician and a national competency certification.
Business
Career Training Programs
Computer
Accounting Specialist Certificate Program
The
computer accounting specialist program is designed to prepare students for a career in which they would maintain and prepare records,
post details of transactions, and reconcile bank statements in both large and small businesses in many industries.
Business
Administrative Specialist Certificate Program
The
business administrative specialist program is designed to prepare students for a career in which they would need office skills such as
preparing reports and documents, bookkeeping, keeping schedules, answering telephones, taking messages and providing information.
Integrity
College of Health
Integrity
offers start dates throughout the year for its various programs. The programs currently offered as of June 30, 2025, are as follows:
Current
Programs Offered
Area of Study
Program
Program Length
Estimated Total
Fees, Charges
and Expenses
Vocational Nursing
Diploma
56-68 weeks
$ 35,311
Medical Assisting
Certificate
34-42 weeks
$ 19,340
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Diploma
84-99 weeks
$ 46,965
Medical Billing and Coding
Certificate
35-42 weeks
$ 19,340
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN)
BS Degree
46 weeks
$ 11,143
Veterinary Assistant
Certificate
35-43 weeks
$ 19,340
Vocational Nursing AAS
Associate of Applied Science
48 weeks
$ 19,735
41
Healthcare
Career Training Programs
Vocational
Nursing Diploma Program
The
VN program provides students with nursing skills for direct patient care. Graduates should be able to function as part of the interdisciplinary
healthcare team in selected healthcare settings with individuals, families and communities across the life span.
Medical
Assistant Certificate Program
The
medical assistant program is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions as a medical assistant in either clinical and/or
administrative capacity.
Medical
assistants are multi-skilled health professionals who perform a wide range of roles in physician’s offices and other health care
settings. Medical assistants may also be employed by medical centers, medical specialty clinics, insurance billing agencies, laboratories,
and emergency rooms.
Diagnostic
Medical Sonography Diploma Program
The
diagnostic medical sonography program is designed to prepare graduates for employment as an ultrasound technologist in the general abdomen,
OB/GYN, small body parts and vascular. The graduate can work in imaging centers, physician’s offices, clinics, mobile units or
hospitals that do not require a certification to be employed. The ultra-sonographer plays an important role in today’s modern diagnosis
and treatment team. Ultra-sonographer produces two-dimensional ultrasonic recordings of internal organs using ultrasound equipment for
use by physicians in diagnosing certain diseases and malfunctions of certain organs. The program includes a 960-hour externship.
Medical
Insurance Coding and Billing Specialist Certificate Program
The
medical insurance coding and billing program provides theory and clinical training geared to prepare the student for an entry level position
in a hospital, medical or dental office, and medical insurance/billing companies. The program provides all the necessary training to
enable the students to acquire the necessary skills and demonstrate competencies in a variety of medical office procedures and billing
and coding techniques. Instruction combines theory and practice to meet the competencies needed to be a medical biller and coder. Students
learn to prepare various health claim forms using medical billing software. In doing so, they acquire a working knowledge of human anatomy
and medical terminology, as well as comprehension of the legal, ethical and regulatory standards of medical records management. Students
learn to accurately interpret medical records, including diagnoses and procedures of health care providers, as well as to document and
code the information for submission to insurance companies. Graduates receive CPR and first aid certification from American Red Cross
and a diploma in medical billing and coding.
Bachelor
of Science in Nursing
The
RN–BSN degree program is designed students who possess an associate degree and Diploma Registered Nurse license. The blended or
online method of delivery is offered for working nurses who require greater flexibility in the education schedule in order to complete
their Bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Veterinary
Assistant Certificate Program
The
veterinary assistant (VA) program is based on theory and clinical training geared to prepare the students for entry level as veterinary
assistants in veterinary offices, veterinary hospitals, research facilities, animal shelters, wildlife refuges and zoos. The veterinary
assistant program consists of five areas of training: career and personal development, clinical experience, anatomy and terminology,
veterinary assistant duties and species and breeds of animals commonly seen in veterinary clinics. The program provides knowledge of
veterinary front and back-office procedures to prepare the students to work under the supervision of a veterinarian or registered veterinary
technician.
Vocational
Nursing Associate of Applied Science Program
The
vocational nursing associate of applied science (VN AAS) program consists of one hundred and one-half credits, of which sixty-eight and
one-half credits are transferred into the program. Students must provide a current LVN license to receive these sixty-eight and one-half
credits. The remaining credits are completed during the AAS program. The VN AAS degree program builds on the vocational nursing diploma
by adding the same one hundred percent online general education and science courses required for graduates of the pre-licensure associate
degree registered nursing program. The goal of this post-licensure program is to educate and develop vocational nurses to become more
well-rounded professionals through undergraduate general education.
42
Contra
Costa Medical Career College
CCMCC
offers start dates throughout the year for its various programs. The programs currently offered as of June 30, 2025, are as follows:
Current
Programs Offered
Area of Study
Program
Program Length
Estimated Total
Fees, Charges
and Expenses
Surgical Technology
Associate of Applied Science
61 weeks
$ 35,740
Sterile Processing Technician
Diploma
25 weeks
$ 11,550
Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Certificate
72 weeks
$ 32,435
Medical Assisting with Phlebotomy
Certificate
35 weeks
$ 11,849
Dental Assisting
Certificate
43 weeks
$ 11,598
Vocational Nursing
Certificate
52 weeks
$ 31,209
Clinical Medical Assisting
Certificate
10 weeks
$ 5,085
Coronal Polishing
Course (Avocational)
16 hours
$ 525
Infection Control
Course (Avocational)
8 hours
$ 425
Dental Radiology
Course (Avocational)
2 weeks
$ 525
Pit and Fissure Sealant
Course (Avocational)
2 weeks
$ 525
EKG/ECG Technician
Certificate
10 weeks
$ 3,078
Medical Administrative Assistant /Billing and Coding Specialist
Certificate
10 weeks
$ 5,151
Medical Assisting
Certificate
20 weeks
$ 8,716
Pharmacy Technician
Certificate
21 weeks
$ 5,562
Phlebotomy Technician
Course (Avocational)
4-10 weeks
$ 3,298
Healthcare
Career Training Programs
Associate
of Applied Science in Surgical Technology Degree Program
The
STAAS program is designed to prepare students to enter a medical career in the healthcare industry. Surgical Technologists work to provide
quality patient care through functioning in a sterile environment and assisting physicians in operating rooms for procedures performed
in hospitals, outpatient surgery centers, physician’s offices and other medical facilities.
Sterile
Processing Technician Certificate Program
The
sterile processing technician program is designed to prepare students to enter a medical career and play a critical role in preventing
infection. Sterile processing technicians sterilize, clean, process, assemble, store, and distribute medical equipment and reusable surgical
instrumentation, utilizing infection control and safety practices during all phases of the process.
43
Diagnostic
Medical Sonography Diploma Program
The
diagnostic medical sonography program is designed to prepare graduates for employment as an ultrasound technologist in the general abdomen,
OB/GYN, small body parts and vascular. The graduate can work in imaging centers, physician’s offices, clinics, mobile units or
hospitals that do not require a certification to be employed. Students learn to use specialized equipment and are prepared for immediate
entry-level positions in the field through a combination of coursework, clinical labs, and access to the innovative Sonosim training
technology. Students also receive real-world on-the-job experience through clinical experience.
Medical
Assisting with Phlebotomy Certificate Program
The
medical assisting program with phlebotomy is designed to prepare students to work in essential positions in the field of healthcare.
Medical Assistants are critical allied healthcare workers, performing important administrative and clinical duties in the offices of
doctors, medical clinics, and hospitals.
Dental
Assisting Certificate Program
The
dental assisting program is designed to prepare students to enter a dental career in the healthcare industry. Dental Assistants work
closely with dentists to provide quality patient care, performing important administrative and clinical tasks to support dental offices.
Graduates may find employment in dental offices or clinics as dental assistants.
Vocational
Nursing Diploma Program
The
VN program provides students with nursing skills for direct patient care. Graduates should be able to function as part of the interdisciplinary
healthcare team in selected healthcare settings with individuals, families and communities across the life span.
Clinical
Medical Assisting Certificate Program
The
clinical medical assisting program is designed to prepare students for entry-level positions as a medical assistant in either clinical
and/or administrative capacity. Medical assistants are multi-skilled health professionals who perform a wide range of roles in physician’s
offices and other health care settings. Medical assistants may also be employed by medical centers, medical specialty clinics, insurance
billing agencies, laboratories, and emergency rooms.
Medical
Administrative Assistant /Billing and Coding Specialist Certificate Program
The
medical administrative assistant/medical billing and coding program is designed to prepare students to enter the healthcare industry.
Medical Administrative Assistant / Medical Billing and Coding Specialists are administrative healthcare professionals, performing critical
tasks in support of doctors and medical practices.
EKG/ECG
Technician Certificate Program
The
EKG/ECG Technician course trains students in performing and interpreting electrocardiograms to help diagnose heart and cardiovascular
conditions. It covers essential concepts like EKG basics, waveforms, rhythms, and lead patterns, as well as advanced topics such as 12-lead
EKGs, axis interpretation, heart muscle damage, and pacemaker monitoring.
Medical
Assisting Certificate Program
The
medical assisting program is designed to prepare students to work in essential positions in the field of healthcare. Medical Assistants
are critical allied healthcare workers, performing important administrative and clinical duties in the offices of doctors, medical clinics,
and hospitals.
Avocational
Courses
Pharmacy
Technician
The
pharmacy technician program is designed to prepare students for a pharmacy career in the healthcare industry. Pharmacy technicians are
responsible for helping licensed pharmacists, by assisting in measuring, mixing, counting, labeling, and recording the correct dosages
of prescription medications. Pharmacy Technicians are also responsible for establishing and maintaining patient record files, submitting
insurance claim forms, and managing prescription and over-the-counter medication inventories.
44
Coronal
Polishing Course
This
specialized course is designed for dental professionals in California seeking proficiency in coronal polishing procedures. Participants
will gain comprehensive knowledge and hands-on skills to perform effective coronal polishing, contributing to enhanced patient oral health
and aesthetic outcomes. The course emphasizes California-specific regulations and ethical considerations, ensuring participants can confidently
integrate coronal polishing into their dental practice.
Infection
Control Course
This
course covers the definition and implementation of sterilization methods and guidelines. Including patient medical history, infection
control, prevention of contamination, and the use of personal protective equipment. In addition, verification of infection, disinfection,
care of treatment room, handling and disposal of hazardous waste, handling soiled instruments, hand pieces, burs, water and air syringes
are presented. This course has been developed in accordance with the California Code of Regulations Section 1005 to provide the most
current information on infection control practices and principles and is approved by the Dental Board of California.
Dental
Radiology Course
This
Dental Board of California approved course is for dental assistants wanting to learn the proper techniques of dental x-rays. Students
will receive full instructional training in radiation safety. The course includes conventional dental radiographs, processing, and mounting
films. Instruction in digital radiography is provided utilizing DEXIS.
Pit
& Fissure Sealant Course
This
specialized course is designed for dental professionals in California seeking expertise in the application of pit and fissure sealants.
Participants will acquire in-depth knowledge and hands-on skills necessary for effective sealant placement, emphasizing California-specific
regulations and ethical considerations. The course aims to empower participants to integrate pit and fissure sealants into their preventive
dental care practices with confidence and compliance.
Phlebotomy
Technician Course
Phlebotomists
are trained allied health professionals who draw blood from patients for medical testing. The Phlebotomy Technician course is designed
to supplement current healthcare experience and prepare students to become state-certified phlebotomists in the State of California.
Job
Placement
We
believe that assisting our graduates in securing employment after completing their program of study is critical to our ability to attract
high quality students and enhancing our reputation in the industry. Accordingly, we dedicate significant resources to maintaining an
effective graduate placement program. We provide placement assistance to all qualified graduates at no additional charge. Our institutions
work closely with local employers to ensure that we are training students with skills that employers need. Our placement department maintains
databases of potential employers throughout the country, allowing us to more effectively assist our graduates in securing employment
in their career field upon graduation. The placement department also assists with locating current job openings and scheduling interviews
for graduates in their career field through personal contact with employers, review and investigation of advertised openings and memberships
and attendance in local organizations to market our graduates to local employers. Throughout the year, we hold numerous job fairs at
our facilities where we provide the opportunity for our students to meet and interact with potential employers. In addition, all of our
programs (except for VN) have an externship as part of their course curriculum, which provides our students with opportunities to work
with employers prior to graduation. We also assist students with resume writing, interviewing and other job search skills.
Intellectual
Property
Intellectual
property is important to our business. We rely on a combination of copyrights, trademarks, service marks, trade secrets, domain names
and agreements with third parties to protect our proprietary rights. In many instances, our course content is produced for us by faculty
and other content experts under work-for-hire agreements pursuant to which we own the course content in return for a fixed development
fee.
Available
Information
Our
website address is www.legacyed.com . The contents of, or information accessible through, our website are not part of this Annual
Report on Form 10-K, and our website address is included in this document as an inactive textual reference only. We make our filings
with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and all amendments
to those reports, available free of charge on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we file such reports with, or furnish
such reports to, the SEC. The public may read and copy the materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at
100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the
SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Additionally, the SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other
information. The address of the SEC’s website is www.sec.gov . The information contained in the SEC’s website is not
intended to be a part of this filing.
45
ITEM
1A. RISK FACTORS
An
investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following risk factors and the other
information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K before investing in our common stock. Our business and results of operations could be
seriously harmed by any of the following risks. The risks set out below are not the only risks we face. 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. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be
materially adversely affected. In such case, the value and trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part
of your investment.
Risks
Related to the Highly Regulated Field in Which We Operate
If
our institutions fail to comply with the extensive educational regulatory requirements applicable to our business, we could incur financial
penalties, restrictions on our operations, loss of federal and state financial aid funding for our students, loss of accreditation, or
loss of our authorization to operate our institutions or our educational programs.
As
a provider of postsecondary education, we are subject to extensive regulation by federal, state, and accrediting agencies. The applicable
educational regulatory requirements cover virtually all phases of the operations of our institutions, including, but not limited to,
educational program offerings, facilities, instructional and administrative staff, administrative procedures, marketing and recruiting,
financial operations, data security and privacy, adequacy and substantiation of graduation and job placement rates and other student
outcomes, distribution of information to current and prospective students, professional licensure requirements, payment of refunds to
students who withdraw, the receipt of federal and state financial aid by our students (including institutional, programmatic, and student
eligibility requirements), private and institutional loan programs, distance education, third party servicers, written arrangements with
other institutions or organizations to provide some or all of an educational program, student complaints, student services, student admissions,
transfer of academic credits, acquisitions or openings of new institutions, additions of new campuses and educational programs, closure
or relocation of existing locations, and changes in corporate structure and ownership.
Each of our institutions (HDMC,
CCC, Integrity, and CCMCC) participates in the federal student aid programs authorized by Title IV of the HEA, as amended (Title IV Programs),
as well as other federal and state financial aid programs and are subject to extensive regulation by ED, other federal and state educational
agencies and accreditors. CCC, HDMC, and CCMCC are approved to offer, and must comply with applicable requirements related to, veterans
education assistance administered by the VA. CCC and HDMC are also approved to offer, and must comply with applicable requirements related
to, Cal Grants administered by the California Student Aid Commission, and funds administered under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
Act. We derive a substantial portion of our revenue and cash flows from the Title IV Programs and a significant portion of our students
rely on financial aid received under the Title IV Programs in order to attend our institutions. To qualify as an eligible institution
to participate in the Title IV Programs, an institution must among other things receive and maintain authorization by the appropriate
state education agencies, be accredited by an accreditor recognized by ED, and be certified by ED as an eligible institution.
The
laws, regulations, standards and policies of our regulators change periodically and are subject to new and changing interpretation by
our regulators. Changes in, or new interpretations of, applicable laws, regulations, standards, or policies, or our failure to comply
with those laws, regulations, standards, or policies could have a material adverse effect on our receipt of funds under the Title IV
Programs and other federal and state financial aid programs, the accreditation of our institutions and programs, the authorization of
our institutions to operate in various states, our permissible activities or our costs of doing business. We cannot predict with certainty
how all of the requirements applied by our regulators will be interpreted or whether our institutions will be able to comply with these
requirements in the future. Given the complex nature of these requirements and the fact that they are subject to interpretation, it is
possible that we may inadvertently violate these laws, regulations, standards, or policies.
If
we are found to have violated any applicable laws, regulations, standards or policies, we may be subject to the following sanctions,
among others, imposed by any one or more regulatory agencies or other government bodies who regulate us and our schools:
●
imposition
of monetary fines or penalties, including imposition of a requirement to submit a substantial letter of credit or other form of financial
protection;
46
●
repayment
of funds received under the Title IV Programs or other federal or state financial aid programs the amounts of which could be material;
●
restrictions
on, or termination, revocation, or nonrenewal of, the eligibility of one or more of our institutions or one or more of their locations
or programs to participate in the Title IV Programs or other federal or state financial aid programs;
●
limits
on, or termination, revocation, or nonrenewal of, our authorizations to operate our institutions in one or more states or ability
to grant degrees, diplomas and certificates;
●
restrictions
on, or termination, revocation or nonrenewal of, our institutions’ approvals and/or accreditations or the approval and/or accreditation
of one or more of our locations or programs;
●
limitations
on our operations including, but not limited to, our ability to open new institutions or locations (i.e., campuses), offer new programs,
change the length of our existing programs, or increase enrollment levels or amounts of funding received from Title IV or other financial
assistance programs;
●
costly
investigations, litigation or other adversarial proceedings; and
●
civil
or criminal penalties being levied against us or our institutions.
In
addition, findings or allegations of noncompliance may subject us to qui tam lawsuits under the Federal False Claims Act, under
which private plaintiffs seek to enforce remedies on behalf of the U.S. and, if successful, are entitled to recover their costs and to
receive a portion of any amounts recovered by the U.S. in the lawsuit. The U.S. can also bring a Federal False Claims Act claim on its
own behalf, and in either instance, a party found to have violated the Federal False Claims Act can be subject to treble damages. We
may be subject to similar lawsuits brought under state false claims acts. We may also be subject to other types of lawsuits or claims
by third parties. The costs of these proceedings may be significant, and we may not have sufficient resources to fund any material adverse
outcomes.
Any
penalties, repayment obligations, injunctions, restrictions, terminations, revocations, nonrenewal, lawsuits or other sanctions or conditions
could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. If any of our institutions
lose or experience limitations on their Title IV Program eligibility, we would experience a dramatic decline in revenue, and we would
be unable to continue our business as it currently is conducted.
Any
failure to comply with state laws and regulatory requirements, including educational regulations, or new state legislative or regulatory
initiatives affecting our institutions, could have a material adverse effect on our total student enrollment, results of operations,
financial condition and cash flows.
Our
institutions are subject to the educational laws and regulations of the State of California where our physical campuses are located.
We also may be subject to the educational laws of other states if we acquire a new institution in the state or if one of our institutions
adds a new campus in the state or otherwise conducts other operations in the state covered by applicable state educational law including,
but not limited to, student recruitment, advertising or certain types of distance education. State educational laws establish standards
and requirements for, among other things, student instruction, faculty qualifications, campuses and facilities, educational programs,
financial stability, administrative staff, marketing and recruiting, distribution of information to current and prospective students,
payment of refunds to students who withdraw, private and institutional loans, distance education, student services, student complaints,
student admissions, transfer of academic credits, substantive changes, acquisitions, and policies and minimum graduation and job placement
outcomes for institutions and/or their individual educational programs. Our institutions are authorized to operate by BPPE. We also may be required to obtain approvals and comply with requirements
of state agencies that regulate certain occupational educational programs such as, for example, VN and phlebotomy. The California Board
of Registered Nurses approves the Associate degree of Nursing program at HDMC. The VN programs at HDMC, Integrity, and CCMCC are approved
by BVNPT. The phlebotomy programs at HDMC and CCC are approved by California Department of Public Health. In addition, we are subject
to state consumer protection laws.
47
Attorneys
general in many states have become more active in enforcing consumer protection laws, including, for example, laws related to marketing,
advertising and recruiting practices and the financing of education at for-profit educational institutions. Further, some state attorneys
general have partnered with federal and state agencies to review industry practices and collaborate on enforcement actions against educational
institutions. These actions increase the likelihood of scrutiny of marketing, advertising, recruiting, financing, and other practices
of educational institutions and may result in unforeseen consequences, increasing risk and making our operating environment more challenging.
Adverse
media coverage regarding the allegations of state consumer protection law violations by us or other for-profit education companies could
damage our reputation, result in decreased enrollments, revenues and profitability, and have a negative impact on our stock price. Such
coverage could also result in continued scrutiny and regulation by ED, Congress, accreditors, state legislatures, state attorneys general
or other governmental authorities of us and other for-profit educational institutions.
State
education laws and regulations may limit our campuses’ ability to operate or to award degrees, diplomas, or certificates or offer
new programs. Moreover, under the HEA, authorization by state education agencies is necessary to maintain eligibility to participate
in the Title IV Programs. ED regulations also require institutions offering postsecondary education through distance education to students
located in a state in which the institution is not physically located (as determined by the institution at the time of a student’s
initial enrollment and, if applicable, upon formal receipt of information from the student that their location has changed to another
state) to meet state educational requirements in that state or participate in a state authorization reciprocity agreement in order to
disburse Title IV funds to such students. We have obtained approval to offer portions of our programs via distance education from ACCET
for CCC, CCMCC and HDMC, ABHES for Integrity, and from the BPPE for HDMC, CCC, CCMCC and Integrity. The State of California does not, however,
presently participate in any state authorization reciprocity agreement whereby our institutions may offer programs via distance education
to students located in other states without our obtaining applicable authorizations from those other states. Our institutions presently
do not have any state postsecondary authorizations outside of California.
In
addition, an institution must make disclosures readily available to enrolled and prospective students regarding whether programs leading
to professional licensure or certification meet state educational requirements, and provide a direct disclosure to students in writing
if the program leading to professional licensure or certification does not meet state educational requirements in the state in which
the student is located (which is only California for our current students). Under ED’s rules effective July 1, 2024, an institution
must certify that its programs satisfy the applicable educational requirements for professional licensure or certification needed to
practice or find employment in an occupation for which the program prepares a student in the state in which the school or where a student
is located or intends to seek employment (which, although our current students are located in California, could be a state other than
California and could require us to refrain from enrolling students in a state if our program does not satisfy the applicable educational
requirements in the state). We believe the Title IV-eligible educational programs offered by our institutions satisfy all such currently
applicable state educational requirements for professional licensure or certification.
State
legislatures often consider legislation affecting regulation of postsecondary educational institutions. Our institutions are located
in California which has expansive laws and regulations impacting for-profit schools like our institutions. Enactment of this legislation
and ensuing regulations, or changes in interpretation of existing regulations, may impose substantial costs on our institutions and require
them to modify their operations in order to comply with the new regulations.
If
we are unable to comply with applicable past, current or future state education, consumer protection, licensing, authorization or other
requirements, or determine that we are unable to cost effectively comply with new or revised requirements, we could be subject to loss
of state authorization and to monetary fines or penalties or limitations on the manner in which we conduct our business, or we could
lose enrollments, eligibility to participate in the Title IV Programs and revenues, in any affected states, which could materially affect
our results of operations and our growth opportunities.
48
If
one or more of our institutions fails to maintain institutional accreditation, or if certain of our programs cannot obtain or maintain
programmatic accreditation, our student enrollments would diminish, and our business would suffer.
Institutional
Accreditation. In the U.S., accrediting agencies are non-governmental entities that periodically review the academic quality of an
institution’s instructional programs and its administrative and financial operations to ensure the institution has the resources
to perform its educational mission. Accrediting agencies impose standards that extend to most aspects of an institution’s operations
and educational programs including, but not limited to, requirements to maintain threshold graduation and job placement rates for its
educational programs. ED requires an institution to be accredited by an ED-recognized accrediting agency in order for the institution
to participate in the Title IV Programs. HDMC, CCC, and CCMCC are currently accredited by ACCET through April 2029, April 2030, and April
2026, respectively. Integrity is accredited by ABHES through February 2026. ACCET and ABHES are ED-recognized accrediting agencies. The
failure to comply with accreditation standards could subject an institution to additional oversight and reporting requirements, accreditation
proceedings such as a show-cause directive, an action to defer or deny action related to an institution’s application for a new
grant of accreditation, or an action to suspend or revoke an institution’s accreditation or a program’s approval. If our
institutions or programs are subject to negative accreditation actions or are placed on probationary accreditation status, we may experience
adverse publicity, impaired ability to attract and retain students, and substantial expense to obtain unqualified accreditation status.
The inability to obtain reaccreditation following periodic reviews or any final loss of institutional accreditation after exhaustion
of the administrative agency processes would result in a loss of Title IV Program funds and state authorization for the affected institution.
Such events and any related claims brought against us could have a material adverse impact on our business, reputation, financial condition,
results of operations and cash flows.
Programmatic
Accreditation. Many states and professional associations require professional programs to be accredited. While programmatic
accreditation is not a sufficient basis to qualify for institutional Title IV Program certification, programmatic accreditation may
improve employment opportunities for program graduates in their chosen field. Moreover, ED requires an institution to hold
programmatic accreditation for an educational program if required by a state or federal agency (including as a condition of
employment in the occupation for which the institutional program prepares the students). The veterinary technology program at CCC is
accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Integrity’s Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
holds pre- accreditation candidacy status from the Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation. Additionally, CCC is pursuing
initial programmatic accreditation with ABHES for the Surgical Technology Associate of Applied Science program for consideration
during the Spring 2026 visit cycle. The Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology at CCMCC is accredited by ABHES and will
engage in reaccreditation in the Spring 2026 visit cycle. All of the Title IV-eligible educational programs offered by our
institutions are within the scope of institutional accreditation from either ACCET or ABHES, and we do not believe any of our Title
IV-eligible educational programs that do not hold programmatic accreditation are required to hold programmatic accreditation by any
currently applicable state or federal agency. Those of our programs that do not have programmatic accreditation, where available, or
fail to maintain such accreditation, may experience adverse publicity, loss of access to Title IV funds, declining enrollments,
litigation or other claims from students or suffer other adverse impacts, which could result in it being impractical for us to
continue offering such programs.
ED
Recognition of Accrediting Agencies. Our participation in Title IV Programs is dependent on ED continuing to recognize the accrediting
agencies that accredit our colleges and universities. Each of our institutions currently are accredited by an ED- recognized accrediting
agency. The standards and practices of these agencies have become a focus of attention by state attorneys general, members of Congress,
ED’s Office of Inspector General and ED over recent years. ED held negotiated rulemaking sessions between January and March 2024,
and the negotiators did not reach consensus on proposed language. ED terminated the negotiated rulemaking process for accreditation as
of December 20, 2024. However, ED published a proposed regulatory agenda in early September 2025 that, among other things, includes a
proposal to engage in negotiated rulemaking to provide institutions flexibility to change accreditors and “remove other burdensome
requirements that erect barriers to entry for new accreditation agencies.” This proposal is in its early stages and, therefore,
we cannot predict whether and how such a rulemaking would impact the accreditors that accredit our institutions or the accreditation
requirements applicable to our institutions.
If
ED withdraws recognition from ACCET and/or ABHES, ED may continue our schools’ eligibility for a period of up to 18 months from
the date of the withdrawal of recognition, and our schools could apply for accreditation from other ED-recognized accrediting agencies.
ED could impose provisional certification and other conditions and restrictions on our schools during this period. If ACCET and/or ABHES
lose recognition from ED and our schools are unable to obtain accreditation from a different ED-recognized accrediting agency in the
required time period, our schools could lose eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs.
49
Congress
may revise the laws governing the Title IV Programs or reduce funding for those programs which could reduce our enrollment and revenue
and increase costs of operations.
The
U.S. Congress must periodically reauthorize the HEA and other laws governing the Title IV Programs and annually determine the funding
level for each Title IV Program, and may pass new laws or revise existing laws at any time. Political and budgetary concerns significantly
affect the Title IV Programs. We cannot predict when or whether Congress will consider or vote on legislation to reauthorize the HEA
or to create new laws or revise existing laws. Furthermore, we cannot predict with any certainty the outcome of the HEA reauthorization
process nor the extent to which any legislation that Congress could adopt at any time could materially affect our business, financial
condition and results of operations. Current requirements for student or school participation in Title IV Programs may change or one
or more of the present Title IV Programs could be replaced by other programs with materially different student or school eligibility
requirements. For example, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (“ARPA”) was signed into law in March 2021 and included,
among other things, a provision that amended the 90/10 Rule (as defined herein) in the HEA. See “Risk Factors - Our institutions
could lose their eligibility to participate in the Title IV programs if the percentage of their revenues derived from applicable federal
educational student aid programs is too high.” If we cannot comply with the provisions of the HEA, as they may be enforced
or amended, or if the cost of such compliance is excessive, or if funding is materially reduced, our revenues or profit margin could
be materially adversely affected.
More
recently, on July 4, 2025, the President signed into law the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (“OBBBA”), which has a general effective
date of July 1, 2026 and makes changes to the HEA, including the Title IV programs. ED intends to conduct a negotiated rulemaking process
in 2025 for the purpose of establishing new regulations impacting the new OBBBA requirements. See “Education Regulations –
Negotiated Rulemaking.” Consequently, we expect the new requirements will impact our institutions and operations, but we cannot
predict the ultimate scope, content, and impact of the new OBBBA requirements under future ED regulations and guidance. We are currently
assessing, and will continue to assess, the potential impact of the requirements on us and our institutions.
Among
other things, the OBBBA establishes limits on the amount of Title IV loans students and parents can borrow. These limits will not apply
to students that will be enrolled as of the effective date, up until their expected time of completion as defined by the OBBBA. The OBBBA
establishes a limit of $20,000 annually and $65,000 in total for PLUS loans taken out by parent borrowers for undergraduate programs.
The OBBBA also creates a lifetime loan limit of $257,500 for all borrowers. It also requires institutions to prorate loans for students
attending less than full-time. We are in the process of evaluating the impact these loan limitations may have on our institutions and
enrollments and the extent to which alternative sources of funding such as third-party loans may be needed for some of our students.
The
OBBBA also establishes a new accountability measure that applies to our degree programs and that is based on a comparison of
graduate earnings to the earnings of working adults without degrees under a complex formula that ED is expected to address in future
regulations. Under the new accountability measure, an associate degree program would lose its Title IV loan eligibility if the
median earnings of a cohort of graduates are less than the median earnings of working adults with a high school diploma and no
further degrees for two out of three years. ED will create a process for appealing the programmatic median earnings data.
Institutions that do not meet the accountability measure for one year will also be required to notify students of the risk of losing
eligibility. Our institutions offer a limited number of associate degree programs that will be subject to the new accountability
measure. We cannot yet predict with certainty whether our degree programs will meet the accountability measure or whether they will
be at risk of losing eligibility to participate in the Title IV loan programs.
The
OBBBA also restricts student eligibility for the Pell Grant by disqualifying students with a student aid index that equals or exceeds
twice the amount of the total maximum Pell Grant, and disqualifying students who receive grant aid from non-federal sources that equals
or exceeds the student’s cost of attendance for that period. We are evaluating whether and to what extent this change might impact
the Pell eligibility of some of our students and whether alternative sources of financial aid, such as third-party loans, might be necessary
for these students. The OBBBA also establishes Workforce Pell Grants for eligible students enrolled in certain short-term educational
programs that meet eligibility requirements. The eligibility requirements include criteria related to the program’s length and
a determination of eligibility by the state. Many of our programs are longer than the eligibility requirements, but we are evaluating
whether opportunities exist for other current or future programs at our institutions.
50
Additionally,
the OBBBA delays the effective date of the 2022 version of the revised borrower defense to repayment regulations and closed school loan
discharge regulations for ten years, until July 1, 2035. See “Education Regulations - Borrower Defense to Repayment Regulations.”
Congressional
committees and members actively continue to propose and consider legislation on a wide range of topics related to the Title IV programs
that could impact further the amount of Title IV funding available to schools and students and impose additional accountability requirements
on institutions and also that could eliminate or modify certain rules that are less favorable to schools like ours. However, the process
of Congressional passage of new legislation is ongoing, is subject to further negotiation and amendment, and is further subject to Congressional
approval. Therefore, the timing and outcome of this process and the scope of any additional legislation that might be enacted cannot
be predicted with any certainty at this time. We are continuing to monitor the process.
Executive
action could affect access to Title IV funding which could reduce our enrollment and revenue and increase costs of operations .
As
previously reported, there are indications based on recent elections that the new administration, and potentially the U.S. Congress,
will attempt to dissolve ED, diminish its operational role, and/or transfer some or all of its functions to one or more agencies. See
our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, filed with the SEC on February 13, 2025, for the section titled “Regulatory Updates” for
additional information. In March 2025, ED implemented a reduction in force (“RIF”) that, coupled with resignations by ED
staff, reportedly reduced ED’s workforce by approximately half. The RIF also eliminated several school participation divisions,
including the school participation division that previously oversaw the operations of our institutions, and eliminated or significantly
reduced several other offices or divisions within ED. We currently are working with other offices and personnel at ED on some of our
pending matters, but it is possible that we could encounter delays and difficulties obtaining timely ED approval of recent and future
acquisitions of other schools. See “Education Regulations – School Acquisitions” and “Education Regulations –
Change of Control.” We also could encounter delays and difficulties obtaining timely ED approval of new campuses or other educational
programs for which we wish to offer Title IV funds to students and which require ED approval. See “Education Regulations –
Opening Additional Campuses and Adding Educational Programs.”
In
March 2025, the President issued an Executive Order calling for all necessary steps to close ED although the executive order did not
indicate the process or timing for accomplishing this task nor identify where some of the functions of ED might be transferred. We continue
to monitor developments in this area, but cannot yet predict whether the administration or Congress will be successful in closing or
further reducing ED and/or transferring some or all of its functions to one or more agencies, or whether such a proposal would disrupt
or change the availability of Title IV funds to us and our students or change the rules applicable to us and our schools to continue
receiving Title IV funds. We also cannot predict the success of any litigation challenging any efforts to close or restructure ED. Any
executive or legislative action impacting ED, the availability of Title IV funds, or the rules applicable to us could have a material
adverse effect on us and our institutions.
Additional
ED or other rulemaking could materially and adversely affect our operations, business, results of operations, financial condition and
cash flows.
ED
has promulgated a substantial number of new regulations in recent years that impact our business, including, but not limited to, the
“borrower defense to repayment” regulations discussed in the risk factors below, as well as rules regarding compensation
for persons engaged in certain aspects of admissions and financial aid, state authorization, clock and credit hours, prohibitions on
“substantial misrepresentations,” gainful employment, certification procedures, financial responsibility, administrative
capability, ability to benefit, closed school loan discharges, the 90/10 Rule, changes in ownership, Title IX, cash management, return
of Title IV funds, distance education, accreditation and other topics. These and other regulations have had significant impacts on our
business, requiring a large number of reporting and operational changes and resulting in changes to and elimination of certain educational
programs.
51
On
July 24, 2025, ED announced it intends to establish two negotiated rulemaking committees: one that will consider changes to the federal
student loan programs and one that will consider institutional and programmatic accountability, including changes to the Pell Grant.
The rulemaking is intended to implement recent changes to the Title IV, HEA programs included in the OBBBA. See “Education Regulations
– Congressional Action.” We expect the new requirements will impact our institutions and operations, but we cannot predict
the ultimate scope, content, and impact of the new OBBBA requirements under future ED regulations and guidance. We are currently assessing,
and will continue to assess, the potential impact of the requirements on us and our institutions and to monitor the negotiated rulemaking
process.
On
April 4, 2025, ED announced its intention to conduct negotiated rulemaking to prepare proposed regulations on topics pertaining to Title
IV regulations, potentially including Public Service Loan Forgiveness, loan repayment programs, and “streamlining” current
federal student financial assistance regulations. ED held public hearings to discuss the rulemaking agenda on April 29, 2025 and May
1, 2025 and requested comments on rulemaking topics be submitted by May 5, 2025. The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Committee met from
June 30, 2025 to July 2, 2025. We cannot predict the ultimate timing, content, and impact of any regulations and guidance ED might propose
and ultimately adopt. In addition, the President directed federal agencies on April 9, 2025 to identify existing regulations that are
unlawful or otherwise objectionable and to take steps to repeal or modify these regulations. We cannot predict what rules ED might attempt
to repeal or modify, the timing and outcome of these efforts, or the impact of any regulatory repeals of modifications on our business
and schools.
ED’s
proposed regulatory agenda published in early September 2025 indicates an intent to address several topics (including through rulemaking),
including accreditation, changes in ownership, cash management, administrative capability, and financial responsibility requirements,
civil rights investigations, and privacy of education records. Whether via sub-regulatory guidance or a rulemaking process, we cannot
predict how ED’s actions on these topics will impact schools like ours. Future regulatory actions by ED or other agencies that
regulate our institutions are likely to occur and to have significant impacts on our business, require us to change our business practices
and incur costs of compliance and of developing and implementing changes in operations, as has been the case with past regulatory changes.
We
cannot predict with certainty the ultimate combined impact of the regulatory changes which have occurred in recent years, nor can we
predict the effect of future legislative or regulatory action by federal, state or other agencies regulating our education programs or
other aspects of our operations, how any resulting regulations will be interpreted or whether we and our institutions will be able to
comply with these requirements in the future. Any such actions by legislative or regulatory bodies that affect our programs and operations
could have a material adverse effect on our student population and our institutions, including the need to cease offering a number of
programs.
ED’s
financial value transparency and gainful employment regulations may limit the programs we can offer students and increase our cost of
operations.
In
May 2021, ED announced its intention to initiate a rulemaking process on several topics, including gainful employment. On May 19, 2023,
ED published a notice of proposed rulemaking on financial value transparency and gainful employment, and on October 10, 2023, ED published
final regulations which became effective on July 1, 2024. Multiple lawsuits were filed challenging these regulations and these were consolidated
into one case. We cannot predict the outcome of this case.
The
financial value transparency and gainful employment regulations include standards for annually evaluating postsecondary educational programs
based on the calculation of debt-to-earnings rates and an “earnings premium” measure. The rule establishes formulae for calculating
these rates using data such as student debt, student earnings data, and median earnings data for working adults with only a high school
diploma or GED, which the rule uses to compare to median earnings data of the institution’s graduates. Under the regulations, ED
will annually calculate and publish the debt-to-earnings rates and median earnings data for our educational programs. If these calculations
show that any of our educational programs do not comply with debt-to-earnings or median earnings regulatory thresholds for two of three
consecutive years, those educational programs would lose Title IV Program eligibility. ED also requires institutions to provide warnings
to current and prospective students about programs in danger of losing of Title IV Program eligibility which could negatively impact
our retention of current students and enrollment of new students in these programs. The regulations also require certifications and data
reporting to ED and providing required student disclosures related to gainful employment. Some of the data ED will use to calculate the
debt-to-earnings rates and earnings premium measures is not yet readily accessible to institutions. Therefore, it is difficult for us
to predict how our institutions will perform under the new standards and the extent to which our programs could lose Title IV Program
eligibility under the new standards. We also do not have control over some of the factors that could impact the rates and measures for
our programs which could make it difficult to mitigate the impact of the regulations on our programs. However, the new regulations could
require us to modify or eliminate programs to comply with the new regulations and could result in the loss of Title IV Program eligibility
for our programs that fail to comply with the regulations which could have a material adverse effect on our student population and our
revenues. As noted elsewhere, our degree programs also will be subject to a new separate earnings measure under the OBBBA.
52
ED’s
“borrower defense to repayment” regulations may subject us to significant repayment liability to ED for discharged federal
student loans, posting of substantial letters of credit and other requirements that could have a material adverse effect on us.
In
1994, pursuant to certain provisions of the Higher Education Act, ED published its first version of the “borrower defense to repayment”
(“BDR”) regulations which generally allow federal student loan borrowers to assert a defense to repaying their federal loans
based on the conduct of the institution they attended. The amount of loans discharged by ED pursuant to an adjudicated BDR claim may
be assessed by ED as a Title IV Program liability against the institution. On November 1, 2016, the Department adopted revised BDR regulations
that became effective on July 1, 2017. Under the 2017 version of the BDR regulations, borrowers with federal student loans disbursed
after July 1, 2017 can assert a defense to repayment and be eligible for relief based on a nondefault, favorable, contested judgement
against the institution from a state or federal court; a claim that the institution failed to perform its obligations under a contract
with the student or a claim the institution committed a “substantial misrepresentation” on which the borrower reasonably
relied to his or her detriment. On September 23, 2019, the Department again revised its BDR regulations effective July 1, 2020, and created
a distinct standard and process for BDR applications applicable to federal student loans first disbursed after July 1, 2020. Under the
2019 version of the BDR regulations, a borrower can assert a defense to repayment and be eligible for relief if the borrower establishes
that the institution made a misrepresentation of material fact upon which the borrower reasonably relied in deciding to obtain their
loan; the misrepresentation related to the borrower’s enrollment or continuing enrollment at the institution or the provision of
education services for which the loan was made; and the borrower was financially harmed by the misrepresentation.
On
November 1, 2022, ED again revised the BDR regulations with an effective date of July 1, 2023. The 2022 version of the BDR regulations
included amendments regarding, among other things, (i) acts or omissions by or on behalf of an institution of higher education a borrower
may assert as a defense to repayment of certain Title IV Program loans; (ii) procedures for adjudicating borrower defense claims, and
(iii) prohibiting the use of mandatory pre-dispute arbitration clauses and class action waivers in enrollment agreements and requiring
disclosures of judicial and arbitration filings and awards pertaining to a borrower defense claim.
Among
other things, the 2022 version of the BDR regulations also amended the processes for borrowers to receive from ED a discharge of the
obligation to repay certain Title IV Program loans when the BDR applications received on or after, or that were pending with ED as of,
July 1, 2023. The 2022 version of the BDR regulations applies the revised federal BDR standard to all BDR claims received on or after,
or pending with the Secretary as of, July 1, 2023, but would not allow for recovery against institutions for discharged amounts first
disbursed prior to July 1, 2023 unless the BDR claim would have been approved under the substantive BDR standard applicable to the time
period in which the loan was disbursed as set forth in the prior versions of the BDR regulations. The defenses to repayment are based
on certain acts or omissions, including misrepresentations, by an institution or a covered party. The regulations establish detailed
procedures and standards for the loan discharge processes, including the information required for borrowers to receive a loan discharge,
and the authority of ED to seek recovery from the institution of the amount of discharged loans. The 2022 version of the BDR regulations
were to take effect on July 1, 2023, in addition to certain closed school loan discharge provisions part of the same rule, but are currently
enjoined and delayed. The Career Colleges and Schools of Texas (“CCST”) filed a complaint challenging the regulations in
February 2023. In April 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted a preliminary injunction to block enforcement of
the 2022 version of the BDR regulations while the case is pending. Further, the OBBBA, enacted July 4, 2025, delays the effective date
of the 2022 version of the revised BDR regulations for ten years, until July 1, 2035.Therefore, the 2022 version of the BDR regulations
are not in effect, but the previous BDR regulations in effect prior to July 1, 2023, generally remain in effect in the meantime and apply
different substantive standards and procedures based on when a BDR claimant’s loans were disbursed.
53
On
June 22, 2022, ED reached a settlement with plaintiffs in the case titled Sweet v. Cardona , which was filed by student loan borrowers
to challenge ED’s adjudication of BDR claims. The settlement resulted in automatic relief of claims pending as of June 22, 2022
that were filed against institutions on a list of about 150 institutions named in the settlement agreement, which did not include any
of our institutions. In addition, under the settlement, any borrower who filed a defense to repayment claim between June 22, 2022 and
November 15, 2022 are “Post-Class Applicants” whose applications will be adjudicated under the 2016 version of the BDR regulations
and will be decided by January 2026. HDMC received and timely responded to seven BDR applications from Post-Class Applicants. CCC,
Integrity, and CCMCC (at least since we acquired CCMCC) have not received any BDR applications from Post-Class Applicants. It is possible that we could receive BDR claims in the future.
If we or our representatives are found to have engaged in certain acts or omissions under the broad definitions contained in the 2016
version of the BDR regulations, or other BDR regulations that could be in place in the future, we could be subject to substantial repayment
obligations and subject to other sanctions.
The
enjoined 2022 version of the BDR regulations, and the versions of the BDR regulations that are currently in effect and that could be
in effect in the future, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows
and result in the imposition of significant restrictions on us and our ability to operate, including a requirement that our institutions
to submit a letter of credit based on expanded standards of financial responsibility. See “Risk Factors - A failure to maintain
compliance with ED’s “financial responsibility” requirements would have negative impacts on our operations .”
In
recent years, ED has been more active in processing BDR applications and has recently distributed claims to institutions for an opportunity
to respond to borrower allegations. ED may, on its own or in response to other constituencies, allocate additional resources to reviewing
and adjudicating BDR applications from federal student loan borrowers. We cannot predict how many BDR applications have been filed by
our former students, but if we receive such claims from ED, we may incur significant costs in responding to the borrower allegations
and, if adjudicated as valid by ED, repaying the federal government for the amount of loans discharged pursuant to such claims.
ED
also grants closed school loan discharges to students when it determines the student’s institution or campus has closed. When an institution
or location meets ED’s definition of a closed school or location, affected students can apply for a discharge of the Title IV loans
incurred for the program of study the student did not complete due to the closure, and ED grants the discharge if the student meets certain
requirements. ED also may seek to recover the cost of the discharge from the institution. If any of our locations or institutions close,
our institutions could be subject to liabilities for closed school loan discharges. In conjunction with the 2022 revisions to the BDR
rule, ED also revised the closed school loan discharge provisions. However, these revisions are also enjoined as well as delayed under
the OBBBA. We cannot predict the outcome of any future revisions to the closed school loan discharge provisions that ED may initiate.
A
failure to maintain compliance with ED’s “financial responsibility” requirements would have negative impacts on our
operations.
All
institutions participating in the Title IV Programs must satisfy specific standards of financial responsibility. ED evaluates institutions
for compliance with these standards each year, based on the institution’s annual audited financial statements, as well as following
a change in ownership resulting in a change of control of the institution. The most significant financial responsibility measurement
is the institution’s composite score, which is calculated by ED based on three ratios:
●
the
equity ratio, which measures the institution’s capital resources, ability to borrow and financial viability;
●
the
primary reserve ratio, which measures the institution’s ability to support current operations from expendable resources; and
●
the
net income ratio, which measures the institution’s ability to operate at a profit.
54
ED
assigns a strength factor to the results of each of these ratios on a scale from negative 1.0 to positive 3.0, with negative 1.0 reflecting
financial weakness and positive 3.0 reflecting financial strength. ED then assigns a weighting percentage to each ratio and adds the
weighted scores for the three ratios together to produce a composite score for the institution. The composite score must be at least
1.5 for the institution to be deemed financially responsible without the need for further oversight. If an institution’s composite
score is below 1.5, but is at least 1.0, it is in a category denominated by ED as “the zone.” Under ED regulations, institutions
that are in the zone typically may be permitted by ED to continue to participate in the Title IV Programs by choosing one of two alternatives:
1) the “Zone Alternative” under which an institution is required to make disbursements to students under the Heightened Cash
Monitoring 1 (“HCM1”) payment method (or another payment method that differs from the standard advance payment method) and
to notify ED within 10 days after the occurrence of certain oversight and financial events or 2) submit a letter of credit to ED equal
to at least 50 percent of the Title IV Program funds received by the institution during its most recent fiscal year. ED permits an institution
to participate under the “Zone Alternative” for a period of up to three consecutive fiscal years. Under the HCM1 payment
method, the institution is required to make Title IV Program disbursements to eligible students and parents before it requests or receives
funds for the amount of those disbursements from ED. Unlike the Heightened Cash Monitoring 2 (“HCM2”) and the reimbursement
payment methods, the HCM1 payment method typically does not require schools to submit documentation to ED and wait for ED approval before
drawing down Title IV Program funds. Schools under HCM1, HCM2 or reimbursement payment methods must also pay any credit balances due
to a student before drawing down funds for the amount of those disbursements from ED, even if the student or parent provides written
authorization for the schools to hold the credit balance.
If
an institution’s composite score is below 1.0, the institution is considered by ED to lack financial responsibility. If ED determines
that an institution does not satisfy ED’s financial responsibility standards, depending on its composite score and other factors,
that institution may establish its eligibility to participate in the Title IV Programs on an alternative basis by, among other things:
●
posting
a letter of credit in an amount equal to at least 50% of the total Title IV Program funds received by the institution during the
institution’s most recently completed fiscal year; or
●
posting
a letter of credit in an amount equal to at least 10% of the Title IV Program funds received by the institution during its most recently
completed fiscal year accepting provisional certification; complying with additional ED monitoring requirements and agreeing to receive
Title IV Program funds under an arrangement other than ED’s standard advance funding arrangement.
If,
in the future, we are required to satisfy ED’s standards of financial responsibility on an alternative basis, including potentially
by posting irrevocable letters of credit, we may not have the capacity to post these letters of credit which could result in sanctions
including loss of Title IV Program eligibility.
ED
annually evaluates the financial responsibility of HDMC, CCC, Integrity, and CCMCC on a consolidated basis. We have calculated our composite
score for the 2024 fiscal year to be 3.0, however this score is subject to determination by ED based on its review of our consolidated
audited financial statements for the 2024 fiscal year. Our next composite score will be calculated based on audited financial statements
for the 2025 fiscal year due for submission to ED by December 31, 2025. We expect the composite score for the 2025 fiscal year to exceed
1.5, but the final composite score is subject to our final calculation and to determination by ED based on its review of our consolidated
financial statements for the 2025 fiscal year. However, if our composite scores in the future were to decrease, we may become subject
to the additional requirements noted above or our Title IV Program eligibility could be affected. We cannot predict how long it will
take the ED to make its determination or the outcome of its determination.
55
On
October 31, 2023, ED published final regulations with a general effective date of July 1, 2024 that, among other things, amended the
“general” standards of financial responsibility to revise the timeframe for institutions to submit annual audits, require
reporting on the status of foreign entity owners, and add events that constitute a failure to demonstrate an institution is able to meet
financial obligations. These regulations also modified the list of triggering events that could result in ED determining that the institution
lacks financial responsibility and must submit to ED a letter of credit or other form of acceptable financial protection and accept other
conditions on the institution’s Title IV Program eligibility. The regulations create lists of mandatory triggering events and discretionary
triggering events. An institution is not able to meet its financial or administrative obligations if a mandatory triggering event occurs.
The mandatory triggering events include:
●
an
institution with a composite score of less than 1.5 has a recalculated composite score of less than 1.0 as determined by ED as a
result of an institutional liability from a monetary award or judgment or settlement resulting from a legal proceeding;
●
an
institution (or an entity that has submitted financial statements to ED in connection with a change in ownership) is subject to a
government enforcement action (sued by a federal or state authority or via a qui tam action) and the action has been pending for
120 days and no motion to dismiss is pending or has been granted;
●
the
institution’s recalculated composite score is less than 1.0 after ED initiates action to recoup funds from institution after
BDR claim decided in borrower’s favor;
●
an
institution or entity that submitted an application with ED for a change of ownership has a recalculated composite score is less
than 1.0 after a final monetary judgment, award or settlement that was entered against it at any point through the end of the second
full fiscal year after the change of ownership;
●
a
proprietary institution with a composite score of less than 1.5 or that underwent a change of ownership in the current or previous
fiscal year has a recalculated composite score of. less than 1.0 as determined by ED as a result of a withdrawal of owner’s
equity from the institution unless certain exceptions apply;
●
at
least half of Title IV funds in the institution’s most recently completed fiscal year are for “failing” gainful
employment programs;
●
the
institution is required to submit a teach-out plan due to financial concerns;
●
the
SEC takes certain actions against a publicly listed entity that directly or indirectly owns at least 50% of an institution or such
entity fails to comply with certain filing requirements;
●
the
institution did not receive at least 10 percent of its revenue from sources other than Federal educational assistance as calculated
under 90/10 rule during its most recently completed fiscal year;
●
the
institution’s two most recent cohort default rates are 30 percent or greater, unless a pending appeal could reduce one of the
rates;
●
the
institution’s composite score is less than 1.0 when recalculated to reflect the offset of distribution after a contribution;
●
the
institution or entity included in financial statements is subject to adverse or impermissible conditions under a financing arrangement
as a result of ED action;
●
the
institution declares financial exigency to government agency or accrediting agency;
●
the
institution or an owner files for a receivership or is ordered to appoint a receiver.
ED
also may determine that an institution lacks financial responsibility if one or more of the following discretionary triggering events
occurs and the event is likely to have a significant adverse effect on the financial condition of the institution:
●
a
show cause or similar order from the institution’s accrediting agency or a government authority;
●
a
notice from the institution’s state authorizing or licensing agency of an intent to withdraw or terminate the institution’s
state authorization or licensure if the institution does not take steps to comply with state requirements;
56
●
the
institution (or an owner entity covered by the regulation) is subject to a default, delinquency, or other adverse creditor event,
or to a condition not permitted under the regulation, under or related to a loan agreement or other financing arrangement or has
a judgement awarding monetary relief entered against it that is subject to appeal or under appeal;
●
there
is a significant fluctuation in Pell Grant and/or Direct Loans received by an institution during a period of award years;
●
high
annual drop-out rates from the institution as determined by ED;
●
ED
requires the institutions to provide additional financial reporting due to a failure to meet financial responsibility standards or
indicators of significant change in the financial condition of the institution;
●
ED
forms a group process to consider pending borrower defense to repayment claims that could be subject to recoupment;
●
a
program is discontinued that enrolls more than 25% of the institution’s total enrolled students who receive Title IV Program
funds;
●
the
institution closes a location that enrolls more than 25% of its total enrolled students who receive Title IV Program funds;
●
the
institution, or one of its programs, is cited by a State agency for failing to meet requirements;
●
the
institution, or one of its programs, loses eligibility to participate in another Federal educational assistance program;
●
a
publicly traded company that directly or indirectly owns at least 50% of the institution discloses in public securities exchange
filing that it is under investigation for possible violation of law;
●
the
institution is cited by another federal agency and risks losing education assistance funds by that agency;
●
the
institution is required to submit a teach-out plan due to concerns other than those constituting a mandatory triggering event; or
●
any
other event or condition that ED finds is likely to have significant adverse effect on the financial condition of the institution.
The
regulations require an institution to notify ED of the occurrence of a mandatory or discretionary triggering event and, in some cases,
provide an opportunity to submit certain information to ED to demonstrate why the event does not establish the institution’s lack
of financial responsibility or require the submission of a letter of credit and impose other conditions or requirements. If more than
one of these financial responsibility triggers occur, ED could impose separate letters of credit to address each triggering event.
The
financial responsibility regulations could result in ED recalculating and reducing our composite score, on a retroactive basis, to account
for ED estimates of potential losses under one or more of the extensive list of triggering circumstances and also could result in the
imposition of conditions and requirements including a requirement to provide one or more letters of credit or other form of financial
protection. It is difficult to predict the amount or duration of any letter of credit requirements that ED might impose under the regulation.
The requirement to submit letters of credit or to accept other conditions or restrictions could have a material adverse effect on our
schools’ business and results of operations.
Accreditor
and state regulatory requirements also address financial responsibility, and these requirements vary among agencies and also are different
from ED requirements. Any developments relating to our satisfaction of ED’s financial responsibility requirements may lead to additional
focus or review by our accreditors or applicable state agencies regarding their respective financial responsibility requirements.
57
If
our institutions fail to maintain financial responsibility, they could lose their eligibility to participate in the Title IV Programs,
have that eligibility adversely conditioned or be subject to similar negative consequences under accreditor and state regulatory requirements,
which would have a material adverse effect on our business. In particular, limitations on, or termination of, participation in the Title
IV Programs as a result of the failure to demonstrate financial responsibility or administrative capability would limit students’
access to Title IV Program funds, which would materially and adversely reduce the enrollments and revenues of our institutions.
ED’s
proposed regulatory agenda first published in early September 2025 includes an intent to address certain issues including financial responsibility
requirements via negotiated rulemaking. We cannot predict how ED will address these requirements or the impact the changes to financial
responsibility requirements may have on our schools.
A
failure to maintain compliance with ED’s “administrative capability” requirements would negatively impact our operations.
ED
assesses the administrative capability of each institution that participates in the Title IV Programs under a series of separate standards.
Failure to satisfy any of the standards may lead ED to find the institution ineligible to participate in the Title IV Programs or to
place the institution on provisional certification as a condition of its participation and potentially impose fines or other sanctions.
On October 31, 2023, ED published regulations revising and expanding its administrative capability standards. Those revisions, effective
July 1, 2024, modified the criteria for administrative capability such that they now include, among other things, that the institution:
●
comply
with all applicable federal student financial aid requirements;
●
have
capable and sufficient personnel to administer the Title IV Programs;
●
administer
the Title IV Programs with adequate checks and balances in its system of internal controls over financial reporting;
●
divide
the function of authorizing and disbursing or delivering Title IV Program funds so that no office has the responsibility for both
functions;
●
establish
and maintain records required under the Title IV Programs regulations;
●
develop
and apply an adequate system to identify and resolve discrepancies in information from sources regarding a student’s application
for financial aid under the Title IV Programs;
●
have
acceptable methods of defining and measuring the satisfactory academic progress of its students;
●
refer
to the Office of the Inspector General any credible information indicating that any applicant, student, employee, third party servicer
or other agent of the school has been engaged in any fraud or other illegal conduct involving the Title IV Programs;
●
not
be, and not have any principal or affiliate who is, debarred or suspended from federal contracting or engaging in activity that is
cause for debarment or suspension;
●
provide
adequate financial aid counseling to its students;
●
submit,
in a timely manner, all reports and financial statements required by the Title IV Program regulations;
●
provide
adequate career services and geographically accessible clinical or externship opportunities to it students;
●
disburse
funds to students in a timely manner that best meets their needs;
58
●
does
not have programs that “fail” gainful employment rates and measures and that represent 50 percent or more of its total
receipts under the Title IV Programs in the most recent award year;
●
does
not engage in substantial misrepresentations or aggressive and deceptive recruitment tactics; and
●
not
otherwise appear to lack administrative capability.
Failure
by us to satisfy any of these or other administrative capability criteria could cause our institutions to be subject to sanctions or
other actions by ED or to lose eligibility to participate in the Title IV Programs, which would have a significant impact on our business
and results of operations.
ED
published a notice in early September 2025 regarding its agenda for regulatory initiatives which, among other things, indicated an intent
to address certain issues including administrative capability requirements. We cannot predict whether ED intends to address these requirements
through negotiated rulemaking, published guidance, or other actions, nor can we predict the impact on our institutions of any changes
that might occur to the administrative capability requirements. We are continuing to monitor developments on this topic.
Our
institutions could be subject to liabilities and sanctions if they violate ED regulations and guidance limiting compensation to individuals
and entities involved in certain recruiting, admissions or financial aid activities.
An
institution participating in the Title IV Programs may not provide any commission, bonus or other incentive payment based directly or
indirectly on success in securing enrollments or financial aid to any person or entity engaged in any student recruiting or admission
activities or in making decisions regarding the awarding of Title IV Program funds. This statutory prohibition under the HEA, and as
implemented by ED, applies to all institutional employees and service providers who are engaged in or responsible for any student recruitment
or admission activity or making decisions regarding the award of financial aid. We cannot predict how ED will interpret and enforce the
incentive compensation prohibition. The prohibition on incentive compensation has had and will continue to have a significant impact
on the productivity of our employees, on the retention of our employees and on our business and results of operations. Failure to comply
with the incentive compensation prohibition could result in loss of an institution’s certification to participate in the Title
IV Programs, limitations on Title IV Program participation or financial penalties. On July 17, 2024, ED announced it will issue guidance
related to the incentive compensation rule no sooner than later that year, but it has not yet issued such guidance.
Our
institutions could lose their eligibility to participate in the Title IV programs if the percentage of their revenues derived from applicable
federal educational assistance programs is too high.
Under
the HEA, a proprietary institution that derives more than 90% of its total revenue from the Title IV Programs or, for fiscal years beginning
on or after January 1, 2023, from all federal educational assistance funds, for two consecutive fiscal years becomes immediately ineligible
to participate in the Title IV Programs and may not reapply for eligibility until the end of at least two fiscal years (“90/10
Rule”). An institution whose receipts of applicable funds exceeds 90% of revenue for a single fiscal year will be placed on provisional
certification, be required to notify ED and its students of the possibility of a loss of Title IV Program eligibility, and may be subject
to other enforcement measures, including a requirement to submit a letter of credit. See “Business - Education Regulations - Financial
Responsibility Standards.” We have calculated the 90/10 Rule percentages for the 2024, 2023, and 2022 fiscal years as follows for
HDMC, CCC, and Integrity: HDMC 87.55%, 84.53%, and 82.17%; CCC 79.51%, 74.48%, and 72.34%; Integrity 84.19%, 88.14%, and 85.43% respectively.
CCMCC’s 90/10 Rule percentage
for its 2022 fiscal year was 21.76%, and for its 2023 fiscal year was 48.63%. CCMCC’s next 90/10 Rule percentage will be reported to ED in connection with the Company’s next
annual financial statement and compliance audit submissions. Our calculations of the
90/10 Rule percentage for the 2025 fiscal year for HDMC, CCC, Integrity, and CCMCC are due on December 31, 2025 and each are expected
to be below 90%. The 90/10 calculations for our institutions are subject to review and potential recalculation by ED. In addition, the
90/10 Rule is complex and there is some ambiguity in certain technical aspects of the calculation methodology under the 90/10 Rule. If
ED comes out with additional guidance or interpretations that are different than our interpretations, ED could recalculate the 90/10
Rule percentages of our institutions, which could result in one or more of the percentages exceeding 90%. All of these calculations
are subject to review, differing interpretations, and potential recalculation by ED which makes it more difficult for our institutions
to comply with the 90/10 Rule. A loss of eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs for any of our institutions would have a significant
impact on the rate at which our students enroll in our programs and on our business and results of operations. Moreover, if an institution
violated the 90/10 Rule and became ineligible to participate in Title IV Programs but continued to disburse Title IV Program funds, ED
would require the institution to repay all Title IV Program funds received by the institution after the effective date of the loss of
eligibility.
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The
American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) amended the 90/10 Rule by treating other federal student financial assistance funds in
the same manner as Title IV Program funds in the 90/10 Rule percentage. This amendment requires our institutions to limit the combined
amount of Title IV Program funds and other federal student financial assistance funds in a fiscal year to no more than 90% in a fiscal
year as calculated under the 90/10 Rule. ED published final regulations on the 90/10 Rule on October 28, 2022. The final regulations
became effective July 1, 2023 and applied to fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2023 (which was the fiscal years ending June
30, 2024 for our schools). The new rule modified how institutions counted revenue when calculating compliance with the 90/10 Rule, and
added a requirement to notify students of the potential loss of eligibility resulting from not meeting the 90/10 standard, among other
changes. ED has published a Notice in the Federal Register listing the types of funds that are considered federal education assistance
funds under the new 90/10 Rule. The funds include GI Bill funding and Military Tuition Assistance, among other sources of funds. We expect
the change in the 90/10 Rule will increase our 90/10 Rule percentages and make it more difficult to comply with the 90/10 Rule and could
require changes to maintain compliance.
ED
regulations have restricted the ability of institutions to limit the amount of Title IV Program loans that students and parents may borrow
which can impact our ability to control compliance with the 90/10 Rule at our institutions. However, under a provision of the OBBBA that
will be effective July 1, 2026, institutions are permitted to limit the total amount of loans that a student may borrow, and that a parent
may borrow on behalf of a student, as long as the limit is applied consistently to all students in a program of study. In addition, there
is a lack of clarity regarding some of the technical aspects of the calculation methodology under the 90/10 Rule, which may lead to regulatory
action or investigations by ED. Changes in, or new interpretations of, the calculation methodology or other industry practices under
the 90/10 Rule could further significantly impact our compliance with the 90/10 Rule, and responding to any review or investigation by
ED involving us could require a significant amount of resources. Efforts to reduce the 90/10 Rule percentage for our institutions have
and may in the future involve taking measures that involve interpretations of the 90/10 Rule that are without clear precedent, reduce
our revenue or increase our operating expenses (or all of the foregoing, in each case perhaps significantly). Because of the changes
to the 90/10 Rule made by ARPA and ED, we may be required to make structural changes to our business to remain in compliance, which changes
may materially alter the manner in which we conduct our business and materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition,
results of operations and cash flows. Furthermore, these required changes could be unsuccessful and could make more difficult our ability
to comply with other important regulatory requirements, such as the cohort default rate regulations.
However,
we cannot predict the need or timing of any such changes, whether these changes would be successful in maintaining compliance with the
90/10 Rule or whether such changes will have other adverse effects on our business.
Our
institutions could lose their eligibility to participate in the Title IV Programs or have other limitations placed upon them if their
federal student loan cohort default rates are greater than the standards set by ED.
The
HEA limits participation in the Title IV Programs by institutions whose percentage of former students who defaulted on the repayment
of certain federally guaranteed or funded student loans (the “cohort default rate”) exceeds prescribed thresholds. ED calculates
these rates based on the number of students who have defaulted, not the dollar amount of such defaults. The cohort default rate is calculated
on a federal fiscal year basis and measures the percentage of students who enter repayment of a loan during the federal fiscal year and
default on the loan on or before the end of the federal fiscal year or the subsequent two federal fiscal years.
Under
the HEA, an institution whose cohort default rate is 30% or greater for three consecutive federal fiscal years loses eligibility to participate
in certain Title IV Programs for the remainder of the federal fiscal year in which ED determines that such institution has lost its eligibility
and for the two subsequent federal fiscal years. An institution whose cohort default rate for any single federal fiscal year exceeds
40% loses its eligibility to participate in certain Title IV Programs for the remainder of the federal fiscal year in which ED determines
that such institution has lost its eligibility and for the two subsequent federal fiscal years. If an institution’s three-year
cohort default rate equals or exceeds 30% in two of the three most recent federal fiscal years for which ED has issued cohort default
rates, the institution may be placed on provisional certification status and could be required to submit a letter of credit to ED. See
“Risk Factors - A failure to maintain compliance with ED’s “financial responsibility” requirements would have
negative impacts on our operations. ”
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In
September 2025, ED released the final cohort default rates for the 2022 federal fiscal year. These are the most recent final rates
published by ED. The rates for our existing institutions for the 2022, 2021, and 2020 federal fiscal years respectively
are as follows: HDMC 0%, 0% and 0%; CCC 0%, 0% and 0%, Integrity 0%, 0%, and 0%; and CCMCC 0%, 0%, and 0%. Consequently, none
of our institutions had a cohort default rate equal to or greater than 30% for the 2022, 2021, and 2020 federal fiscal years. During
the COVID-19 pandemic, ED temporarily suspended federal student loan repayment obligations. This suspension, which lasted over three
years, contributed to a reduction in our cohort default rates. Our cohort default rates could be substantially higher for the
periods after October 2023, when the suspension expired if borrowers do not timely repay their federal student loans. We are
engaging in activities aimed at reminding borrowers of their obligations to repay loans and to reduce the number of borrowers who
default on their loans; however, we cannot predict or guarantee that these activities will be successful or that the cohort default
rates will not increase or exceed applicable eligibility thresholds.
If
any of our institutions were to lose eligibility to participate in the Title IV Programs due to student loan default rates being higher
than ED’s thresholds and we could not arrange for adequate alternative student financing sources, we might have to close those
institutions, which could have a material adverse effect on our total student enrollment, financial condition, results of operations
and cash flows.
If
ED denies, or significantly conditions, recertification of any of our institutions to participate in the Title IV Programs, that institution
could not conduct its business as it is currently conducted.
Under
the provisions of the HEA, an institution must apply to ED for continued certification to participate
in the Title IV Programs at least every six years or when it undergoes a change in ownership resulting in a change of control. ED defines
an institution to consist of both a main campus and its additional locations, if any. Under this definition, for ED purposes, we operate
the following four institutions, collectively consisting of four main campuses and two additional locations: HDMC with locations in Lancaster,
Bakersfield, and Temecula; CCC located in Salinas; Integrity located in Pasadena, and CCMCC with a location in Antioch. Generally, the
recertification process includes a review by ED of an institution’s educational programs and locations, administrative capability,
financial responsibility and other oversight categories. The current expiration date of the program participation agreements for HDMC
and CCC is September 30, 2026. Integrity and CMCC are currently participating in the Title IV Programs under a temporary provisional
program participation agreement in connection with their change in ownership and control resulting from our acquisition of the institutions.
The CCMCC temporary provisional program participation agreement had an expiration date of January 31, 2025 and the Integrity temporary
provisional program participation agreement had an expiration date of November 30, 2020, but each temporary provisional program participation
agreement continues on a month-to-month basis thereafter based on the institution’s submission to ED of certain required documentation
and remains in effect until the conclusion of ED’s review of Integrity’s and CCMCC’s pending applications for approval
of its change in ownership and control.
ED
typically provides provisional certification to an institution following a change in ownership resulting in a change of control and also
may provisionally certify an institution for other reasons, including, but not limited to, noncompliance with certain standards of administrative
capability and financial responsibility. Our Integrity and CCMCC institutions are currently approved under a temporary provisional program
participation agreement which (as described in the subsequent section) permits an institution to continue participating in the Title
IV Programs on a month-to-month basis while ED reviews the change in ownership and as long as the institution timely submits certain
documentation to ED during the process. An institution that is provisionally certified receives fewer due process rights than those received
by other institutions in the event ED takes certain adverse actions against the institution, is required to obtain prior ED approvals
of new campuses and educational programs and may be subject to heightened scrutiny by ED. However, provisional certification does not
otherwise limit an institution’s access to Title IV Program funds.
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On
October 31, 2023, ED published a final rule revising its Title IV Program certification regulations, with an effective date of July 1,
2024. The rule codifies additional grounds for placing an institution on provisional certification, including a determination by ED that
an institution is at risk of closure and ED’s consideration of supplementary performance measures that include an institution’s
withdrawal rate, recruiting expenses, and licensure pass rate. The revised certification regulations also increase the number of requirements
contained in an institution’s Program Participation Agreement (including, for example, a requirement to comply with all state laws
related to closure), require certain ownership entities to sign the Program Participation Agreement, establish new standards for maximum
program length (including a prohibition on the length of certain educational programs from exceeding the required minimum number of hours
established by applicable state(s) for entry-level training requirements for the occupation for which the programs train students), require
certification that an institution’s programs meet applicable educational requirements for graduates to obtain required occupational
licensure or certification in a state, and restricts the ability of institutions to withhold transcripts. The revised regulations also
impose new potential conditions on provisionally certified institutions, including but not limited to the submission of teach-out and/or
document retention plans, growth restrictions, acquisition restrictions, additional reporting requirements, limitations on written arrangements,
and additional conditions applicable to institutions found to have engaged in substantial misrepresentations or institutions seeking
to convert to nonprofit status following a change in ownership. The revised certification regulations are expansive, complex and could
be difficult for our institutions to comply with as its applicable requirements are interpreted by ED. If ED finds that any of our institutions
do not fully satisfy all required eligibility and certification standards, ED could limit, condition, suspend, terminate, revoke, or
decline to renew our institutions’ participation in the Title IV Programs or impose liabilities or other sanctions. Continued Title
IV Program eligibility is critical to the operation of our business. If our institutions become ineligible to participate in the Title
IV Programs, or have that participation significantly conditioned, we may be unable to conduct our business as it is currently conducted
which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
If
we acquire an institution, the acquisition generally constitutes a change in ownership and control that requires the institution to obtain
approvals from ED and applicable state and accrediting agencies in order to remain eligible to participate in the Title IV Programs and
continue to operate as an accredited institution in the states where the institution operates.
When
a company acquires an institution that is eligible to participate in the Title IV Programs, the acquisition generally will result in
the institution undergoing a change of ownership resulting in a change of control as defined by ED and under the rules of other agencies
and accreditors. Upon such a change, an institution’s eligibility to participate in the Title IV Programs is generally suspended
until it has applied for recertification by ED as an eligible school under its new ownership, which requires that the school also re-
establish its state authorization and accreditation. ED may temporarily and provisionally certify an institution seeking approval of
a change of control under certain circumstances while ED reviews the institution’s application. The temporary provisional certification
typically remains in effect on a month-to-month basis during ED’s review of the application as long as the school timely submits
certain documentation during the course of ED’s review. ED’s proposed regulatory agenda published in early September of 2025 includes an intent to address certain issues including change of ownership requirements. We cannot predict how ED will address these
requirements or the impact the changes to change of ownership requirements may have on our schools.
The
time required for ED to act on such an application may vary substantially. ED recertification of an institution following a change of
control will be on a provisional basis if ED approves the institution’s application and could contain restrictions or conditions
depending on the outcome of its review of the institution including its administrative capability and financial stability. Under ED regulations
that took effect July 1, 2023, the institutions must submit certain information and documentation at least 90 days in advance of the
change in ownership including, for example, notice to current and prospective students of the planned change in ownership. The approval
processes for state and accrediting agencies vary in scope and timing with some agencies requiring approval prior to the acquisition
and others not conducting their review until after the acquisition has taken place. Thus, any plans to expand our business through acquisition
of additional schools and have them certified by ED to participate in the Title IV Programs will be subject to the timing and outcome
of the application, review and approval processes and requirements of ED and the relevant state education agencies and accreditors and
could be impacted by any conditions or restrictions imposed by ED or other agencies on the institution under our ownership.
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On
December 31, 2019, we entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement with the sole member of Integrity. We purchased from the
sole member of Integrity on that date 24.5% of her interest and obtained an exclusive option to acquire her remaining membership interest
upon payment of $100, which was exercised on September 15, 2020. For purposes of our financial statements, our acquisition of Integrity
is deemed to have been effective as of December 31, 2019. We believe that a change in ownership and control of Integrity did not occur
until September 15, 2020 under the change in ownership and control standards of ED and the other educational agencies that regulate Integrity,
but these standards are subject to interpretation by the respective agencies. The review by ED of the change in ownership and control
of Integrity in connection with our acquisition of Integrity remains ongoing. Integrity currently holds a temporary provisional program
participation agreement with ED in connection with our acquisition of the institution, which has continued its Title IV Program participation
on a month-to-month basis pending ED’s approval of the change in ownership and control. If ED concludes that a change in ownership
or control of Integrity occurred prior to September 15, 2020, we could be subject to liabilities or other sanctions by ED, which could
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Legacy
Education Antioch, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Legacy LLC entered into the APA with the Company, Legacy Education, LLC, a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company, CCMCC, CCMCC Online and, solely with respect to certain portions of the APA, Stacey Orozco and Bulmaro Orozco,
the sole owners CCMCC and CCMCC Online. The CCMCC Transaction was consummated on December 18, 2024.
When
a company acquires an institution that is eligible to participate in the Title IV Programs, like CCMCC, the acquisition generally will
result in the institution undergoing a change of ownership resulting in a change of control as defined by ED and under the rules of other
educational agencies and accreditors. Upon such a change, an institution’s eligibility to participate in the Title IV Programs
is generally suspended until it has applied for recertification by ED as an eligible school under its new ownership, which requires that
the school also re-establish its state authorization and accreditation. ED may temporarily and provisionally certify an institution seeking
approval of a change of control under certain circumstances while ED reviews the institution’s application. The temporary provisional
certification typically remains in effect on a month-to-month basis during ED’s review of the application as long as the school
timely submits certain documentation during the course of ED’s review. Legacy timely submitted a materially complete change in
ownership application to ED and CCMCC is now a party to a temporary provisional program participation agreement (“TPPPA”)
that allows CCMCC to continue participating in the Title IV Programs. CCMCC also timely filed the required documentation for the TPPPA
to remain in effect during ED’s review of the change of ownership. On March 11, 2025, CCMCC provided additional financial information
requested by ED.
CCMCC’s
TPPPA contains conditions on its participation in the Title IV Programs that are typically imposed by ED when a change of ownership occurs.
These conditions include restrictions on growth (e.g., the addition of new programs and locations, increase in credential level, change
in program length), bi-weekly and monthly financial reporting, and a reporting requirement related to certain types of student complaints.
If CCMCC does not timely comply with these reporting requirements, or its reports contain information of concern to ED, ED may request
further information from CCMCC or the Company or take action against CCMCC or the Company.
We
cannot predict the timing or outcome of ED’s review of the change of ownership of CCMCC. The time required for ED to act on such
an application for approval of a change of ownership resulting in a change of control may vary substantially. ED recertification of an
institution following a change of control will be on a provisional basis if ED approves the institution’s application and could
contain restrictions or conditions depending on the outcome of its review of the institution under the new ownership including its administrative
capability and financial stability.
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The
approval processes for state and accrediting agencies vary in scope and timing with some agencies requiring approval prior to the acquisition
and others not conducting their review until after the acquisition has taken place. With regard to the agencies that accredit CCMCC and
CCMCC Online, authorize them to operate in the state of California, or approve their programs:
●
California
Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (“BPPE”) : Institutions that are licensed by BPPE by means of accreditation,
like CCMC, are required to notify BPPE of the change within 30 days of the change and demonstrate that the substantive change was
made in accordance with the institution’s accreditation standards. CCMCC submitted an Application for a Change of Business
Organization/Control/Ownership to BPPE on January 16, 2025 which included ACCET’s approval of the change of ownership. By letter
dated January 31, 2025, BPPE approved CCMCC to operate under its new ownership.
●
Accrediting
Council for Continuing Education and Training (“ACCET”) : ACCET accreditation standards require that institutions
undergoing a change in ownership or control submit notice at least ten days prior to a prospective agreement for the change. ACCET
also requires submission of an application for approval of the change in ownership or control within ten days following the change.
CCMCC submitted the application on December 27, 2024. By letter dated January 15, 2025, ACCET provisionally reinstated CCMCC’s
accreditation following the change in ownership, and by letter dated September 4, 2025, ACCET granted final approval of the change
of ownership.
●
California
State Approving Agency for Veterans Education (“CSAAVE”) : CSAAVE requires approved institutions to make a post-change
submission to CSAAVE for approval of the change when there has been a material change to the institution’s current approval.
CCMCC provided notice to CSAAVE of the change on November 12, 2024, and submitted the change of ownership forms. On April 28, 2025, CCMCC
provided additional information to CSAAVE regarding its reapproval and on May 1, 2025, CSAAVE approved the application.
●
Accreditation
Bureau of Health Education Schools (“ABHES”) : ABHES requires institutions that hold ABHES programmatic accreditation
to notify it of any change in organizational oversight or legal structure, and to submit a completed application for change in legal
status, ownership, or control within five days after the change. CCMCC submitted the application on December 23, 2024. By letter
dated January 29, 2025, ABHES approved the change in ownership.
●
California
Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (“BVNPT”) : BVNPT instructed CCMCC to submit formal notification
of the change of ownership after receiving BVNPT’s approval to admit a new class of students. CCMCC received such approval
on February 4, 2025 and submitted the required form for the change of ownership on February 12, 2025, and is awaiting approval.
●
California
Department of Public Health, Laboratory Field Services (“CDPH”) : CDPH requires certain training programs undergoing
a change of ownership to notify CDPH within 30 days after the change has occurred and submit a new application package. CCMCC notified
CDPH of the change and submitted the application on February 6, 2025, and is awaiting approval.
If
agencies require us to obtain other approvals in connection with the CCMCC Transaction, we will be required to undergo an application
process for approvals from the applicable agencies and could be subject to conditions or restrictions (or loss of approval) depending
on the outcome of the approval process. If any applicable agencies determine that we did not follow required procedures in providing
notification and seeking approval of the CCMCC Transaction, or if any agencies do not approve the CCMCC Transaction, we could be subject
to sanctions by the applicable agencies including loss of CCMCC’s approvals from these agencies.
64
Other
types of transactions could constitute a change in ownership and control that requires the institution to obtain approvals from ED and
applicable state and accrediting agencies in order to remain eligible to participate in the Title IV Programs and continue to operate
as an accredited institution in the states where the institution operates.
In
addition to school acquisitions, other types of transactions can also cause a change of control. ED, most of our state education agencies,
our accreditors, and other regulators have standards pertaining to the change of control of schools, but these standards are not uniform.
ED regulations describe some transactions that constitute a change of control, including the transfer of a controlling interest in the
voting stock of an institution or the institution’s parent corporation including our Company. A significant purchase or disposition
of our common stock could be determined by ED to be a change of control under this standard. On October 28, 2022, ED published a final
rule revising its change in ownership regulations, which became effective July 1, 2023. The new requirements, such as requiring notice
to ED and current and prospective students at least 90 days prior to a change in ownership, could make it more difficult to execute a
change in ownership or an acquisition, which could make it less desirable to acquire an ownership interest in our Company, or which could
result in conditions or restrictions as a result of a transaction involving us or an acquired institution. In addition, ED’s revisions
to its financial responsibility standards published on October 31, 2023 and effective July 1, 2024 impose additional financial tests,
and potentially additional letter of credit requirements, related to changes in ownership.
Most
of our state education agencies, our accreditors, and other regulators include the sale of a controlling interest of common stock in
the definition of a change of control although some agencies could determine that the sale or disposition of a smaller interest would
result in a change of control. A change of control under the definition of one of these agencies would require the affected school to
reaffirm its state authorization, accreditation, or other approval. Some agencies would require approval prior to a sale or disposition
that would result in a change of control in order to maintain authorization or accreditation. The requirements to obtain such reaffirmation
from the states and our accreditors vary widely.
ED
requires institutions to periodically report changes in ownership even when a change does not result in a change in control or require
ED approval. While ED’s regulations require reporting of owners holding at least a five percent ownership interest (as well as
changes representing at least 5% but under 25% on a quarterly basis or sooner if the institution plans to undergo a change in ownership),
the recently implemented overhaul of ED’s electronic application system through which institutions report ownership requests a
disclosure of all owners regardless of their ownership percentage. The new electronic application also requests granular detail about
reported owners. We may not have access to contemporaneous ownership information given the day-to-day fluctuations of trading on the
public market. Access to information regarding Non-Objecting Beneficial Owners is expensive and this information is typically not current
by the time obtained. Moreover, we cannot predict whether investors will timely report investments such that we could access accurate
beneficial ownership information and even if investors do comply with reporting requirements, certain passive investors would not typically
be reported until 45 days following our fiscal year end. We are as yet uncertain regarding our ability to timely obtain ownership information
and timely report this information to ED. Failure to timely report ownership changes could result in adverse action by ED, or conditions
or restrictions imposed by ED on one or more of our institutions.
Our
institutions may encounter difficulty timely identifying and reporting to ED on the electronic application for each of our institutions’ several hundred owners. Integrity may also encounter additional difficulty reporting ownership
given ED has not yet approved the prior change in control of Integrity and, as a result, we could encounter difficulty obtaining access
to the electronic application. ED has informed us that it only will require us to report owners with a five percent or greater ownership
interest in the Company although this guidance could change in the future and we could encounter difficulty identifying and timely reporting
owners under current or future ED guidance. Our institutions will also be required to timely report any additional changes to ownership
percentages and given the frequency such changes can occur for a publicly traded company, we may have difficulty timely complying with
ED’s reporting requirements. These difficulties could result in adverse action by ED, or conditions or restrictions imposed by
ED on one or more of our institutions.
If
we decide to issue preferred stock or additional common stock in the future, this issuance could result in a change in ownership or control
requiring regulatory approval. ED considers both control rights and beneficial ownership interest among other factors when evaluating
whether a change in ownership resulting in a change in control has occurred. Similarly, changes to our board of directors or the right
to appoint directors could result in a change in ownership or control requiring regulatory approval.
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We
have verified that most of our education regulators and accreditors do not treat the initial public offering as a change in
ownership or control requiring agency approval. If agencies require us to obtain approvals in connection with the initial public
offering, we will be required to undergo an application process for approvals from the applicable agencies and could be subject to
conditions or restrictions depending on the outcome of the approval process. If an agency notified us that we moved forward with the
initial public offering without making or obtaining required pre-closing notices and approvals prior to the initial public offering,
we could be subject to sanctions by the applicable agencies including loss of our approvals from these agencies. On July 30, 2024, ED provided written confirmation the offering as described would not constitute a change of
control under its regulations. However, subsequent offerings, transactions or other events could be deemed to be a change of control in
the future.
With
regard to the agencies that institutionally accredit our institutions or authorize them to operate in the state of California:
●
BPPE :
BPPE regulations require that institutions that are authorized based on their accredited status and which undergo a change in
ownership timely submit notice of such change with accompanying documentation to demonstrate that the change was made in accordance
with the applicable accreditation standards. On August 8, 2024, BPPE responded to our request for guidance regarding a potential
change of ownership process and stated that it would look to the determinations of ABHES and ACCET with respect to the initial
public offering. As described below, ABHES and ACCET have provided written confirmation that the initial public offering as
described would not constitute a change in legal status, ownership or control under the respective standards. Based on those
responses from ABHES and ACCET, we sought confirmation that our institutions need not undergo an approval process with BPPE prior to
the offering, and BPPE confirmed on September 11, 2024 that the initial public offering would not be viewed as a change in control
and would not require approval from BPPE.
●
ABHES :
ABHES accreditation standards require that institutions undergoing a change in legal status, ownership or control submit an
application for approval of the change at least 90 days in advance, and that ABHES must approve the change before it takes place.
ABHES accreditation standards also require institutions undergoing a change in legal status, ownership or control to submit an
additional application within five days after the change, which would also be subject to ABHES approval. We requested guidance from
ABHES regarding whether the initial public offering as described will constitute a change in in legal status, ownership or control
for the purposes of its accreditation standards. On August 12, 2024, ABHES provided written confirmation that the initial public
offering as described would not constitute a change in legal status, ownership or control under its standards.
●
ACCET :
ACCET accreditation standards require that institutions undergoing a change in ownership or control submit a notice at least ten
days prior to such a change, and further submit an application for approval of such a change within ten days following the change.
We requested guidance from ACCET regarding whether the initial public offering as described will constitute a change in ownership or
control under its accreditation standards and confirmation no approval would be required from ACCET. On September 6, 2024, ACCET
provided written confirmation that the initial public offering as described would not constitute a change in ownership or control
under its standards.
The
California Board of Registered Nursing requires pre-closing approval of a change of ownership before it occurs and requires
post-closing approval of a change in organizational structure. We requested confirmation from the California Board of Registered
Nursing that the initial public offering as described will not be treated as a change in ownership that requires approval before the
offering occurs, but have not received a determination from the agency. If the California Board of Registered Nursing determines we
were required to obtain the agency’s approval prior to the initial public offering under its statutes, rules or standards,
then, as noted above, we could be subject to sanctions by this agency including potential loss of our approval.
We
are in the process of initiating communications with our education regulators and accreditors on this subject and have not received
responses as to whether they will treat the initial public offering as a change in ownership or control requiring agency approval.
If we are required to go through a change of ownership and/or control review process with these agencies, one or more of these
agencies could impose additional conditions or restrictions or delay or decline to issue an approval. If an agency does not require
us to go through a change of ownership and/or control review process, we may be required to submit notices or other information to
the agency which could result in further scrutiny or inquiries by the agency.
A
change of control could occur as a result of future transactions in which the Company or our institutions are involved. Some corporate
reorganizations and some changes in the board of directors of the Company are examples of such transactions. Once we become a publicly
traded corporation, ED regulations provide that a change of control also could occur in one of at least two ways: (a) if a person acquires
ownership and control of the corporation so that the corporation is required to file a Current Report on Form 8-K with the Securities
and Exchange Commission disclosing the change of control or (b) if the corporation has a shareholder that owns at least 25% of the total
outstanding voting stock of the corporation and is the largest shareholder of the corporation, and that shareholder ceases to own at
least 25% of such stock or ceases to be the largest shareholder. These standards are subject to interpretation by ED.
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Moreover,
the potential adverse effects of a change of control could influence future decisions by us and our stockholders regarding the sale,
purchase, transfer, issuance or redemption of our stock. In addition, the adverse regulatory effect of a change of control also could
discourage bids for shares of our common stock and could have an adverse effect on the market price of our shares.
Our
failure to comply with laws and regulations regarding prohibited misrepresentation could result in sanctions, liabilities or litigation
that could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
ED’s
regulations prohibit an institution that participates in the Title IV Programs from engaging in misrepresentations regarding the nature
of its educational programs, financial charges, graduate employability or its relationship with ED. A “misrepresentation”
includes any false, erroneous, or misleading statement (whether made in writing, visually, orally, or through other means) that is made
by an eligible institution, by one of its representatives, or by a third party that provides to the institution educational programs,
marketing, advertising, recruiting, or admissions services and that is made to a student, prospective student, any member of the public,
an accrediting or state agency, or to ED. If ED determines that one of our institutions has engaged in “substantial misrepresentation,”
ED may impose sanctions or other conditions upon the institution including, but not limited to, initiating an action to fine the institution
or limit, suspend, or terminate its eligibility to participate in the Title IV Programs and may seek to discharge students’ loans
and impose liabilities upon the institution. ED defines a “substantial misrepresentation” to include any misrepresentation
on which the person to whom it was made could reasonably be expected to rely, or has reasonably relied, to that person’s detriment.
The definition of “substantial misrepresentation” is broad and, therefore, it is possible that a statement made by the institution
or one of its service providers or representatives could be construed by ED to constitute a substantial misrepresentation. Other federal
agencies, state agencies, and accrediting agencies have similar rules that prohibit certain types of misrepresentations or unfair marketing
and advertising practices by us or others on our behalf on a variety of subjects including, without limitation, the accuracy and substantiation
of rates of graduation, job placement, and passage of occupational licensure examinations. Noncompliance with these requirements could
result in sanctions, liabilities, or third-party litigation that could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
ED published a final rule on November 1, 2022 which expanded the scope of prohibited misrepresentations, and which also prohibits certain
types of conduct with respect to the recruitment of students. The adoption and implementation of new regulations could lead to findings
of noncompliance and result in liabilities and other sanctions that could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
In
addition, the FTC has indicated an increased focus on direct or implied misrepresentations. For example, on October 6, 2021, the FTC
issued letters including a “Notice of Penalty Offenses Concerning Deceptive or Unfair Conduct in the Education Marketplace”
to 70 institutions of higher education, but not any of our institutions. These letters were meant to place the recipients on actual notice
of conduct the FTC previously found to violate the Federal Trade Commission Act. This conduct included several categories of direct or
implied misrepresentations made by proprietary schools. These letters may reflect an increased interest by the FTC in monitoring schools
in the for-profit proprietary school sector, including our schools. If our institutions fail to comply with an FTC statute or rule or
are found to have committed misconduct determined to be unfair, deceptive, or otherwise improper, we and our institutions could face
civil penalties, injunctions, or other remedies available to the FTC.
If
our institutions fail to comply with regulations regarding accurate and timely refunds and returns of Title IV Program funds in connection
with students who withdraw from their programs, we could be subject to liabilities and sanctions.
An
institution participating in the Title IV Programs must calculate the amount of unearned Title IV Program funds that have been disbursed
to students who withdraw from their educational programs before completing them, and must return those unearned funds to ED in a timely
manner, which is generally within 45 days from the date the institution determines that the student has withdrawn. The failure to timely
return funds can result in liabilities or sanctions.
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If
an institution is cited in an audit or program review for late returns of Title IV Program funds for 5% or more of the pertinent students
within the audit or program review sample, or if an audit identifies a material weakness in the institution’s report on internal
controls relating to the return of unearned Title IV Program funds, the institution may be required to post a letter of credit in favor
of ED in an amount equal to 25% of the total amount of Title IV Program funds that should have been returned for students who withdrew
in the institution’s prior fiscal year. Neither HDMC nor CCC has received such a finding in either of the two most recently completed
annual Title IV Program compliance audits submitted to ED. On January 30, 2024, due to a failure to timely return unearned Title IV Program
funds to ED, Integrity was required to submit an acceptable form of financial protection for 25% of the refunds that were made for the
fiscal year ended June 30, 2023 in the amount of $18,828.
In
January through March 2024, ED conducted negotiated rulemaking to prepare proposed regulations on several topics including the rules
pertaining to returns of Title IV Program funds. On July 24, 2024, ED promulgated proposed amended regulations related to return of Title
IV calculations. ED published the final regulations on January 3, 2025, with a general effective date of July 1, 2026. The regulations
codify ED’s guidance requiring the date of determination of withdrawal to be documented within 14 days after the student’s
last date of attendance for institutions that take attendance; remove the option for clock-hour programs to use the “cumulative”
method to calculate Title IV earned; and changes Return of Title IV calculations amended for programs offered in modules. We are evaluating
whether and the extent to which the new regulations may negatively impact our performance of return of Title IV.
If
our institutions open new campuses or add or change new educational programs, we may be required to obtain approvals from ED and our
state and accrediting agencies.
For-profit
educational institutions must be authorized by their state education agencies and be fully operational for two years before applying
to ED to participate in the Title IV Programs. However, an institution that is certified to participate in the Title IV Programs may
establish an additional location and apply to participate in the Title IV Programs at that location without reference to the two-year
requirement, if such additional location satisfies all other applicable ED eligibility requirements. Our expansion plans are based, in
part, on our ability to open new schools as additional locations of our existing institutions and are dependent upon ED’s timely
review and approval of new campuses. Effective July 1, 2024, ED has discretion to condition the participation of provisionally certified
schools by restricting or limiting the addition of new programs or locations. If ED chose to impose such a condition on one or more of
our institutions, that could negatively impact our expansion plans.
A
student may use Title IV Program funds only to pay the costs associated with enrollment in an eligible educational program offered by
an institution participating in the Title IV Programs. Generally, unless otherwise required by ED or regulation, an institution that
is eligible to participate in the Title IV Programs may add a new educational program without ED approval. Institutions that are provisionally
certified may be required to obtain approval of certain educational programs. Our Integrity and CCMCC institutions are provisionally
certified and required to obtain prior ED approval of new locations and educational programs. If an institution erroneously determines
that an educational program is eligible for purposes of the Title IV Programs, the institution would likely be liable for repayment of
Title IV Program funds provided to students in that educational program. Our expansion plans are based, in part, on our ability to add
new educational programs at our existing schools and make periodic updates to our programs.
In
addition to ED, some of the state education agencies and our accreditors also have requirements that may affect our schools’ ability
to open a new campus, establish an additional location of an existing institution or add or change educational programs. Approval by
these agencies may be conditioned, delayed or denied and could be negatively impacted due to regulatory inquiries or reviews and any
adverse publicity relating to such matters or the industry generally.
If
our students’ access to financial aid from state sources, from federal sources other than the Title IV Programs, or from alternative
loan programs is lost or reduced, it could impact our results of operations.
Some
of our students receive financial aid from federal sources other than the Title IV Programs, such as programs administered by the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs and under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. In addition, some of our students receive state
financial aid in the form of grants, loans or scholarships. The eligibility and compliance requirements for these federal and state financial
aid programs are extensive and vary among the funding agencies and by program. Our failure to comply with legal requirements applicable
to federal and state financial assistance programs could result in repayment liabilities, sanctions, or loss of eligibility to participate
in those programs which could impact our results of operations and also impact our compliance with ED’s 90/10 Rule which requires
our institutions to generate revenues from sources other than the Title IV Programs and other federal financial assistance.
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States
that provide financial aid to our students face budgetary constraints, which in certain instances has reduced the level of state financial
aid available to our students. Due to state budgetary shortfalls and constraints in certain states in which we operate, the overall level
of state financial aid for our students could decrease in the near term, but we cannot predict how significant any such reductions will
be or how long they will last. Federal budgetary shortfalls and constraints, or decisions by federal lawmakers to limit or prohibit access
by our institutions or their students to federal financial aid, could result in a decrease in the level of federal financial aid for
our students.
Under
the WIOA, institutions currently must report data regarding credential attainment rates, job placement rates and other information and
may be required to meet negotiated performance goals set by the state agency administering WIOA funds. Members of Congress have made
proposals to reauthorize WIOA but no reauthorization bills have been passed. If passed, proposals to reauthorize WIOA that increase requirements
or impose penalties could impact our schools.
If
our participating institutions and their programs were to not meet other WIOA requirements, they would risk losing eligibility to participate
in the program. Further, reauthorization of the WIOA could result in changes to the process for determining funding for its programs,
which could affect our institutions’ revenues.
In
addition to the Title IV Programs and other government-administered programs, all our schools participate in alternative loan
programs for their students. Alternative loans fill the gap between what the student receives from all financial aid sources and
what the student may need to cover the full cost of his or her education. We also extend credit for tuition and fees to students
that attend our campuses. We are required to comply with applicable federal and state laws related to certain consumer and
educational loans and credit extensions and education financing and are subject to review by federal and state agencies responsible
for overseeing compliance with these requirements. Our failure to comply with these requirements could result in repayment
liabilities, sanctions, investigations or litigation which could impact our results of operations.
On
January 20, 2022, the CFPB announced its intent to examine the operations of postsecondary schools that extend private loans directly
to students. Accompanying this announcement was an update to the CFPB’s Examination Procedures to now require CFPB examiners to
review several aspects of educational loans including enrollment restrictions, withholding transcripts, improper accelerated payments,
failure to issue refunds, and improper lending relationships. In May 2025, the CFPB indicated it would deprioritize regulation of student
loans. Failure to comply with applicable laws and requirements could result in repayment liabilities, sanctions, investigations or litigation
which could impact our operations. If the CFPB prioritizes regulation of student loans in the future, the likelihood of these results
would increase.
Government
and regulatory agencies and third parties may conduct compliance reviews and audits or bring actions against us that could result in
monetary liabilities, injunctions, loss of eligibility for the Title IV Programs or other adverse outcomes.
Because
we operate in a highly regulated industry, we are subject to compliance reviews and audits as well as claims of noncompliance and lawsuits
by government agencies, regulatory agencies and third parties. Our institutions are subject to audits, program reviews, site visits and
other reviews by various federal and state regulatory agencies, including, but not limited to, ED, ED’s Office of Inspector General,
state education agencies and other state regulators, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and other federal agencies and by our accrediting
agencies. In addition, each of our institutions must retain an independent certified public accountant to conduct an annual audit of
the institution’s administration of Title IV Program funds. Each of our institutions must submit the resulting audit report to ED for review.
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If
one of our institutions fails to comply with accrediting or state licensing requirements, such school and its main and/or branch campuses
and educational programs could be subject to the loss of state licensure or accreditation, which in turn could result in a loss of eligibility
to participate in the Title IV Programs. If ED or another agency determined that one of our institutions improperly disbursed Title IV
Program funds or other financial assistance funds or violated a provision of the HEA or ED regulations, the institution could be required
to repay such funds and related costs to ED or other agencies, and could be assessed an administrative fine or subject to other sanctions
including loss of eligibility to participate in the impacted financial assistance program. ED could also place the institution on provisional
certification status and/or transfer the institution to the reimbursement or cash monitoring system of receiving Title IV Program funds,
under which an institution must disburse its own funds to students and document the students’ eligibility for Title IV Program
funds before receiving such funds from ED. It could also impose letters of credit, restrict participation, or take actions such as suspensions
or emergency actions.
Significant
violations of Title IV Program requirements by us or any of our institutions could be the basis for ED to limit, suspend, terminate,
revoke, or decline to renew the participation of the affected institution in the Title IV Programs or to seek civil or criminal penalties.
We and our institutions are also subject to claims and lawsuits relating to regulatory compliance brought not only by federal and state
regulatory agencies and our accrediting bodies, but also by third parties, such as present or former students or employees and other
members of the public.
If
the result of any pending or future proceeding, lawsuit, audit, review, or investigation is unfavorable to us, we may be required to
pay money damages or be subject to fines, limitations, conditions, loss of Title IV Program funding and eligibility for other financial
assistance programs, loss of accreditation or state authorization, injunctions or other penalties which could impact our results of operations.
Even if we adequately address issues raised by an agency review or successfully defend a lawsuit or claim, we may have to divert significant
financial and management resources from our ongoing business operations to address issues raised by those actions. Claims and lawsuits
brought against us may damage our reputation or adversely affect our stock price, even if such actions are eventually determined to be
without merit.
The
failure of any of our institutions to detect and prevent financial aid fraud could result in liabilities, loss of accreditation or Title
IV eligibility, or third-party claims.
Institutions
must detect and prevent financial aid fraud attempts. For example, ED requires institutions to maintain systems to identify conflicting
information that affects a student’s eligibility for financial aid and resolve it before disbursing aid. ED also requires institutions
to report suspicions of fraud to the ED’s Office of the Inspector General. If our efforts to detect and prevent financial aid fraud
are unsuccessful or found to be deficient, it could lead to a finding of noncompliance with Title IV requirements, accreditation standards,
or other agencies, and could result in liabilities, loss of accreditation or Title IV eligibility, as well as third-party claims.
Risks
Related to Our Business
If
we fail to comply with the rules under Sarbanes-Oxley related to accounting controls and procedures in the future, or, if we discover
material weaknesses and other deficiencies in our internal control and accounting procedures, our stock price could decline significantly
and raising capital could be more difficult.
Section
404 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended (“Sarbanes-Oxley”), requires annual management assessments of the effectiveness
of our internal control over financial reporting. If we fail to comply with the rules under Sarbanes-Oxley related to disclosure controls
and procedures in the future, or, if we discover material weaknesses and other deficiencies in our internal control and accounting procedures,
our stock price could decline significantly and raising capital could be more difficult. If material weaknesses or significant deficiencies
are discovered or if we otherwise fail to achieve and maintain the adequacy of our internal control, we may not be able to ensure that
we can conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal controls over financial reporting in accordance with Section 404
of Sarbanes-Oxley. Moreover, effective internal controls are necessary for us to produce reliable financial reports and are important
to helping prevent financial fraud. If we cannot provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, our business and operating results
could be harmed, investors could lose confidence in our reported financial information, and the trading price of our common stock could
drop significantly.
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Our
financial performance depends on the level of student enrollment in our institutions.
Stagnant
wage growth and heightened financial worries could continue to affect the willingness of students to incur loans to pay for postsecondary
education and to pursue postsecondary education in general. An improving economy and improving job prospects may lead prospective students
to choose to work rather than to pursue postsecondary education. Our enrollments could suffer from any of these circumstances.
Enrollment
of students at our institutions is impacted by many of the regulatory risks discussed above and business risks discussed below, many
of which are beyond our control. If the costs of Title IV loans increase and if availability of alternate student financial aid decreases,
students may decide not to enroll in a postsecondary institution, including our institutions. We could experience decreasing enrollments
in our institutions due to changing demographic trends in family size, overall declines in enrollment in postsecondary institutions or
in for-profit institutions, job growth in fields unrelated to our core disciplines, immigration and visa laws, or other societal factors.
Reduced
enrollments at our institutions, for any of the reasons mentioned or otherwise, may reduce our profitability and is likely to have a
negative impact on our business, results of operation, financial condition and cash flows, which, depending on the level of the decline,
could be material.
We
compete with a variety of educational institutions and if we are unable to compete effectively, our total student enrollment and revenue
could be adversely impacted.
The
postsecondary education industry is highly fragmented and increasingly competitive. Our institutions compete with traditional public
and private two-year and four-year colleges and universities, other for-profit institutions, and alternatives to higher education, such
as immediate employment and military service. Some public and private institutions charge lower tuition for courses of study similar
to those offered by our institutions due, in part, to government subsidies, government and foundation grants, tax-deductible contributions
and other financial resources not available to for-profit institutions, and this competition may increase if additional subsidies or
resources become available to those institutions. For example, a typical community college is subsidized by local or state government
and, as a result, tuition rates for associate degree programs are much lower at community colleges than at our institutions. Both the
federal government and several states have proposed programs to enable residents to attend public institutions and community colleges
for free. Our competitors may have substantially greater brand recognition and financial and other resources than we have or may be subject
to fewer regulatory burdens on enrollment and financial aid processes, which may enable them to compete more effectively for potential
students. An increase in competition could affect the success of our recruiting efforts or cause us to reduce our tuition rates and increase
our marketing and other recruiting expenses, which could adversely impact our profitability and cash flows.
Our
financial performance depends on our ability to develop awareness among, and enroll and retain, students in our institutions and programs
in a cost effective manner.
If
our institutions are unable to successfully market and advertise their educational programs, our institutions’ ability to attract
and enroll prospective students in those programs could be adversely affected. We have been investing in initiatives to improve student
experiences, retention and academic outcomes. If these initiatives do not succeed, our ability to attract, enroll and retain students
in our programs could be adversely affected. Consequently, our ability to increase revenue or maintain profitability could be impaired.
Some of the factors that could prevent us from successfully marketing our institutions and the programs that they offer include, but
are not limited to: student or employer dissatisfaction with educational programs and services; diminished access to prospective
students; our failure to maintain or expand our brand names or other factors related to our marketing or advertising practices;
FTC restrictions on contacting prospective students, Internet, mobile phone and other advertising and marketing media; costs and
effectiveness of Internet, mobile phone and other advertising programs; and changing media preferences of our target audiences.
Our
business is subject to fluctuations caused by seasonality or other factors beyond our control, which may cause our operating results
to fluctuate from quarter to quarter.
We
have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, seasonal fluctuations in our revenues and results of operations, primarily due
to seasonal changes in student enrollments. We generally experience a seasonal increase in new enrollments during the first quarter of
our fiscal year, as well as during the third quarter each year, when most other colleges and universities begin their fall semesters
and subsequent to holiday break. While we enroll students throughout the year, our second quarter revenue generally is lower than other
quarters due to the holiday season. Other factors beyond our control, such as special events that take place during a quarter when our
student enrollment would normally be high, may have a negative impact on our student enrollments. We expect quarterly fluctuations in
our revenues and results of operations to continue. These fluctuations could result in volatility and adversely affect our operations
from one quarter to the next.
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If
we are unable to successfully resolve future litigation and regulatory and governmental inquiries involving us, or face regulatory actions
or litigation, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
From
time to time, we and certain of our current and former directors and executive officers may become named as defendants in various lawsuits,
investigations and claims covering a range of matters, including, but not limited to, violations of the federal securities laws, breaches
of fiduciary duty and claims made by current and former students and employees of our institutions. Claims may include qui tam actions
filed in federal court by individual plaintiffs on behalf of themselves and the federal government alleging violations of the False Claims
Act. Qui tam actions are filed under seal and remain under seal until the government decides whether it will intervene in the
case. If the government elects to intervene in an action, it assumes primary control of that matter; if the government elects not
to intervene, then individual plaintiffs may continue the litigation at their own expense on behalf of the government.
We
and our institutions may also become subject to audits, compliance reviews, inquiries, investigations, claims of non-compliance and litigation
by ED, federal and state regulatory agencies, accrediting agencies, state attorney general offices, present and former students and employees,
and others that may allege violations of statutes, regulations, accreditation standards, consumer protection and other legal and regulatory
requirements applicable to us or our institutions. If the results of any such audits, reviews, inquiries, investigations, claims, or
actions are unfavorable to us, we may be required to pay monetary damages or be subject to fines, operational limitations, loss of federal
funding, injunctions, undertakings, additional oversight and reporting, or other civil or criminal penalties.
Even
if we maintain compliance with applicable governmental and accrediting body regulations, regulatory scrutiny or adverse publicity arising
from allegations of non-compliance may increase our costs of regulatory compliance and adversely affect our financial results, growth
rates and prospects. For example, Congressional hearings and investigations by state attorneys general, CFPB, FTC, or other federal,
state, or accrediting agencies affecting for-profit institutions may spur plaintiffs’ law firms or others to initiate additional
litigation against us and other for-profit education providers.
We
are subject to a variety of other claims and litigation that arise from time to time alleging non-compliance with or violations of state
or federal regulatory matters including, but not limited to, claims involving students, graduates and employees. In the event the extensive
changes in the overall federal and state regulatory construct results in additional statutory or regulatory bases for these types of
matters, or other events result in more of such claims or unfavorable outcomes to such claims, there exists the possibility of a material
adverse impact on our business, reputation, financial position, cash flows and results of operations for the periods in which the effects
of any such matter or matters becomes probable and reasonably estimable. In addition, federal and other regulatory limitations on the
use of pre-dispute resolution clauses and class action waivers in student enrollments agreements may result in increased litigation costs.
We
cannot predict the ultimate outcome of these and future matters and may incur significant defense costs and other expenses in connection
with them. We may be required to pay substantial damages or settlement costs in excess of our insurance coverage related to these matters.
Government investigations and any related legal and administrative proceedings may result in the institution of administrative, civil
injunctive or criminal proceedings against us and/or our current or former directors, officers or employees, or the imposition of significant
fines, penalties or suspensions, or other remedies and sanctions. Any such costs and expenses could have a material adverse effect on
our financial condition and results of operations and the market price of our common stock.
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Our
future financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected if we are required to write down the carrying
value of non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, including long-lived assets, deferred tax assets and goodwill and intangible
assets, such as our trade names.
In
accordance with GAAP, we review our non-financial assets, including goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, such as our trade
names, for impairment on at least an annual basis. We test goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis on
June 30 for each fiscal year or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of goodwill may
not be recoverable. If it is determined that the fair value is less than its carrying amount, the excess of the goodwill carrying amount
over the implied fair value is recognized as an impairment loss. We evaluate long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes
in circumstances indicate that their net book value may not be recoverable. When such factors and circumstances exist, we compare the
projected undiscounted future cash flows associated with the related asset or group of assets over their estimated useful lives against
their respective carrying amount. Impairment, if any, is based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value, based on market
value when available, or discounted expected cash flows, of those assets and is recorded in the period in which the determination is
made. On an interim basis, we review our assets and liabilities to determine if a triggering event had occurred that would result in
it being more likely than not that the fair value would be less than the carrying amount for any of our reporting units or indefinite-lived
intangible assets. Our estimates of fair value for these are based primarily on projected future results and expected cash flows consistent
with our plans to manage the underlying businesses. However, should we encounter unexpected economic conditions or operational results
or need to take additional actions not currently foreseen to comply with current and future regulations, the assumptions used to calculate
the fair value of our assets, estimate of future cash flows, revenue growth, and discount rates, could be negatively impacted and could
result in an impairment of goodwill or other long-lived assets which could materially adversely affect our financial condition and results
of operations.
The
loss of our key personnel could harm us.
Our
future success depends largely on the skills, efforts and motivation of our executive officers and other key personnel, including LeeAnn
Rohmann, our Chief Executive Officer, as well as on our ability to attract and retain qualified managers and our institutions’
ability to attract and retain qualified faculty members and administrators. These transitions and loss of key personnel in the future
could slow implementation of key initiatives, lead to changes in or create uncertainty about our business strategies or otherwise impact
management’s attention to operations. We face competition in attracting, hiring and retaining executives and key personnel who
possess the skill sets and experiences that we seek. In particular, our performance is dependent upon the availability and retention
of qualified personnel for our ongoing investments in our student support operations. Cost reduction measures due to declining enrollments,
our recent operating losses and the negative publicity surrounding our industry make it difficult and more expensive to attract, hire
and retain qualified and experienced personnel. In addition, key personnel may leave us and subsequently compete against us after any
period they are contractually obligated not to pursue such activities. The loss of the services of our key personnel, or our failure
to attract, integrate and retain other qualified and experienced personnel on acceptable terms and in a timely manner could adversely
affect our results of operations or growth prospects.
We
may be compelled to terminate programs due to regulatory considerations or declining enrollments and may incur additional costs and expenses,
or fail to achieve anticipated cost savings and business efficiencies, associated with past or future exit or restructuring activities.
We
must balance current student populations and projected changes in student population with appropriate levels of costs and investment
in real estate and our online platforms. Changes in the economy, regulatory environment or our eligibility for Title IV Program funds
or other federal and state student financial assistance may cause us to terminate programs. Closing facilities or other exit activities
involve costs and expenses which can be significant. Actual costs and expenses involved in closing facilities or other exit activities
may be higher than expected. Under ED regulations, students who attended a closed institution or a closed location of an institution
may qualify for discharges of federal student loans and ED may impose the amount of loan discharges as liabilities on the institution
or affiliated parties including us. Under ED regulations effective July 1, 2024, a discontinuation of programs or locations that enroll
more than 25 percent of an institution’s enrolled students can constitute a discretionary triggering event if ED determines the
discontinuation is likely to have a significant adverse effect on the financial condition of the institution. The benefits anticipated
from closing facilities, other exit activities or restructuring activities such as those involved in our transformation strategy may
be less than anticipated due to a number of factors including unanticipated expenses in teaching out campuses and higher than expected
lease costs. Negative trends in the real estate market could impact the costs related to teaching out campuses and the success of our
initiatives to reduce our real estate obligations. Finally, our transformation strategy may not achieve the anticipated cost savings
and business efficiencies.
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Our
financial performance depends, in part, on our ability to keep pace with changing market needs and technology.
Increasingly,
prospective employers of students who graduate from our institutions demand that their new employees possess appropriate technological
skills and also appropriate “soft” skills, such as communication, critical thinking and teamwork skills. These skills can
evolve rapidly in a changing economic and technological environment, so it is important for our institutions’ educational programs
to evolve in response to those economic and technological changes. Current or prospective students or the employers of our graduates
may not accept expansion of our existing programs, improved program content and the development of new programs. Even if our institutions
are able to develop acceptable new and improved programs in a cost-effective manner, our institutions may not be able to begin offering
them as quickly as prospective employers would like or as quickly as our competitors offer similar programs. If we are unable to adequately
respond to changes in market requirements due to regulatory or financial constraints, rapid technological changes or other factors, our
ability to attract and retain students could be impaired, the rates at which our graduates obtain jobs involving their fields of study
could decline, and our results of operations and cash flows could be adversely affected.
Government
regulations relating to the Internet could increase our cost of doing business or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business.
The
increasing popularity and use of the Internet and other online services has led and may lead to the adoption of new laws and regulatory
practices in the United States or in foreign countries and to new interpretations of existing laws and regulations. These new laws and
interpretations may relate to issues such as online privacy, copyrights, trademarks and service marks, sales taxes, fair business practices
and the requirement that online education institutions qualify to do business as foreign corporations or be licensed in one or more jurisdictions
where they have no physical location or other presence. New laws, regulations or interpretations related to doing business over the Internet
could increase our costs and adversely affect enrollments.
We
are subject to privacy and information security laws and regulations due to our collection and use of personal information, and any violations
of those laws or regulations, or any breach, theft or loss of that information, could adversely affect our reputation and operations.
Our
efforts to attract and enroll students result in us collecting, using and keeping substantial amounts of personal information regarding
applicants, our students, their families and alumni, including social security numbers and financial data. We also maintain personal
information about our employees in the ordinary course of our activities. Our services and those of our vendors and other information
can be accessed globally through the Internet. We rely extensively on our network of interconnected applications and databases for day
to day operations as well as financial reporting and the processing of financial transactions. Our computer networks and those of our
vendors that manage confidential information for us or provide services to our students may be vulnerable to unauthorized access, inadvertent
access or display, theft or misuse, hackers, computer viruses, or third parties in connection with hardware and software upgrades and
changes. Such unauthorized access, misuse, theft or hacks could evade our intrusion detection and prevention precautions without alerting
us to the breach or loss for some period of time or may never be detected. We have experienced malware and virus attacks on our systems
which went undetected by our virus detection and prevention software. Regular patching of our computer systems and frequent updates to
our virus detection and prevention software with the latest virus and malware signatures may not catch newly introduced malware and viruses
or “zero-day” viruses, prior to their infecting our systems and potentially disrupting our data integrity, taking sensitive
information or affecting financial transactions. Because our services can be accessed globally via the Internet, we may be subject to
privacy laws in countries outside the U.S. from which students access our services, which laws may constrain the way we market and provide
our services. While we utilize security and business controls to limit access to and use of personal information, any breach of student
or employee privacy or errors in storing, using or transmitting personal information could violate privacy laws and regulations resulting
in fines or other penalties. The adoption of new or modified state or federal data or cybersecurity legislation could increase our costs
and/or require changes in our operating procedures or systems. A breach, theft or loss of personal information held by us or our vendors,
or a violation of the laws and regulations governing privacy could have a material adverse effect on our reputation or result in lawsuits,
additional regulation, remediation and compliance costs or investments in additional security systems to protect our computer networks,
the costs of which may be substantial.
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System
disruptions and vulnerability from security risks to our online technology infrastructure could have a material adverse effect on our
ability to attract and retain students.
For
our campuses, the performance and reliability of program infrastructure is critical to their operations, reputation and ability to attract
and retain students. Any computer system error or failure, significant increase in traffic on our computer networks, or any significant
failure or unavailability of our computer networks, including, but not limited to, those as a result of natural disasters and network
and telecommunications failures could materially disrupt our delivery of these programs. Any interruption to our institutions’
computer systems or operations could have a material adverse effect on our total student enrollment, our business, financial condition,
results of operations and cash flows.
Our
computer networks may also be vulnerable to unauthorized access, computer hackers, computer viruses and other security threats. A user
who circumvents security measures could misappropriate proprietary information or cause interruptions or malfunctions in our operations.
Due to the sensitive nature of the information contained on our networks hackers may target our networks. We may be required to expend
significant resources to protect against the threat of these security breaches or to alleviate problems caused by these breaches. We
cannot ensure that these efforts will protect our computer networks against security breaches despite our regular monitoring of our technology
infrastructure security.
Any
general decline in Internet use for any reason, including security or privacy concerns, cost of Internet service or changes in government
regulation, could result in less demand for online educational services and inhibit growth in our online programs.
We
may incur liability for the unauthorized duplication or distribution of class materials posted online for class discussions.
In
some instances our faculty members or our students may post various articles or other third-party content on class discussion boards
or download third-party content to personal computers. We may incur claims or liability for the unauthorized duplication or distribution
of this material. Any such claims could subject us to costly litigation and could impose a strain on our financial resources and management
personnel regardless of whether the claims have merit.
We
rely on proprietary rights and intellectual property in conducting our business, which may not be adequately protected under current
laws, and we may encounter disputes from time to time relating to our use of intellectual property of third parties.
Our
success depends in part on our ability to protect our proprietary rights. We rely on a combination of copyrights, trademarks, service
marks, trade secrets, domain names and agreements to protect our proprietary rights. We may also rely upon service mark and trademark
protection in the United States to protect our rights to our marks as well as distinctive logos and other marks associated with our services;
however, any measures we may take may not be adequate, and we cannot be certain that we will be able to secure, appropriate protections
for our proprietary rights. Unauthorized third parties may attempt to duplicate proprietary aspects of our curricula, online resource
material and other content despite our efforts to protect these rights. Our management’s attention may be diverted by these attempts,
and we may need to use funds for lawsuits to protect our proprietary rights against any infringement or violation.
In
addition, we may encounter disputes from time to time over rights and obligations concerning intellectual property, and we may not prevail
in these disputes. Third parties may raise a claim against us alleging an infringement or violation of the intellectual property of that
third party. Some third-party intellectual property rights may be extremely broad, and it may not be possible for us to conduct our operations
in such a way as to avoid those intellectual property rights. Any such intellectual property claim could subject us to costly litigation
and impose a significant strain on our financial resources and management personnel regardless of whether such claim has merit.
75
We
may acquire other companies or technologies which could divert our management’s attention, result in dilution to our shareholders
and otherwise disrupt our operations and adversely affect our operating results.
We
may in the future seek to acquire or invest in businesses, applications and services or technologies that we believe could complement
or expand our services, enhance our technical capabilities or otherwise offer growth opportunities. The pursuit of potential acquisitions
may divert the attention of management and cause us to incur various expenses in identifying, investigating and pursuing suitable acquisitions,
whether or not they are consummated.
In
addition, we do not have any experience in acquiring other businesses. If we acquire additional businesses, we may not be able to integrate
the acquired personnel, operations and technologies successfully, or effectively manage the combined business following the acquisition.
We also may not achieve the anticipated benefits from the acquired business due to a number of factors, including:
●
inability to
integrate or benefit from acquired technologies or services in a profitable manner;
●
unanticipated costs or
liabilities associated with the acquisition;
●
difficulty integrating
the accounting systems, operations and personnel of the acquired business;
●
difficulties and additional
expenses associated with supporting legacy products and hosting infrastructure of the acquired business;
●
difficulty converting the
customers of the acquired business onto our platform and contract terms, including disparities in the revenue, licensing, support
or professional services model of the acquired company;
●
diversion of management’s
attention from other business concerns;
●
adverse effects to our
existing business relationships with business partners and customers as a result of the acquisition;
●
the potential loss of key
employees;
●
use of resources that are
needed in other parts of our business; and
●
use of substantial portions
of our available cash to consummate the acquisition.
In
addition, a significant portion of the purchase price of companies we acquire may be allocated to acquired goodwill and other intangible
assets, which must be assessed for impairment at least annually. In the future, if our acquisitions do not yield expected returns, we
may be required to take charges to our operating results based on this impairment assessment process, which could adversely affect our
results of operations. Acquisitions could also result in dilutive issuances of equity securities or the incurrence of debt, which could
adversely affect our operating results. In addition, if an acquired business fails to meet our expectations, our operating results, business
and financial position may suffer.
Risks
Related to Our Common Stock
We
are subject to the rules and regulation of the NYSE American and are required to comply with certain continued exchange listing
standards and requirements or be subject to delisting.
We
must meet certain financial and liquidity criteria to maintain the listing of our common stock on the NYSE American. If we fail
to meet any of the NYSE American’s continued listing standards or we violate NYSE American listing requirements, our
common stock may be delisted. A delisting of our common stock from NYSE American may materially impair our shareholders’
ability to buy and sell our common stock and could have an adverse effect on the market price of, and the efficiency of the trading market
for, our common stock. The delisting of our common stock could significantly impair our ability to raise capital and the value of your
investment.
Our
stock price may be volatile, and you could lose all or part of your investment.
You
should consider an investment in our common stock to be risky, and you should invest in our common stock only if you can withstand a
significant loss and wide fluctuations in the market value of your investment. The trading price of our common stock may fluctuate substantially.
This may be especially true for companies with a small public float. These fluctuations could cause you to lose all or part of your investment
in our common stock. Some factors that may cause the market price of our common stock to fluctuate, in addition to the other risks mentioned
in this “Risk Factors” section and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, are:
●
actual
or anticipated variations in our revenues, earnings, cash flow and changes or revisions of our expected results;
●
announcements
of new investments, acquisitions, strategic partnerships or joint ventures by us or our competitors;
●
announcements
of new products, services and courses and expansions by us or our competitors;
●
announcements
of studies and reports relating to the quality of our product, service and course offerings or those of our competitors;
●
changes
in the performance or market valuations of other education companies;
●
conditions
in the education market;
●
detrimental
negative publicity about us, our competitors or our industry;
●
additions
or departures of key personnel;
●
regulatory
developments affecting us or our industry; and
●
general
economic or political conditions.
In
addition, if the market for stocks in our industry or industries related to our industry, or the stock market in general, experiences
a loss of investor confidence, the trading price of our common stock could decline for reasons unrelated to our business, financial condition
and results of operations. Furthermore, in the past, shareholders of public companies have often brought securities class action suits
against companies following periods of instability in the market price of their securities. If we were involved in a class action suit,
it could divert a significant amount of our management’s attention and other resources from our business and operations and require
us to incur significant expenses to defend the suit, which could harm our results of operations. Any such class action suit, whether
or not successful, could harm our reputation and restrict our ability to raise capital in the future. In addition, if a claim is successfully
made against us, we may be required to pay significant damages, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition
and results of operations.
Future
sales and issuances of our securities could result in additional dilution of the percentage ownership of our shareholders and could cause
our share price to fall.
We
expect that significant additional capital will be needed in the future to continue our planned operations, including research and development,
increased marketing, hiring new personnel, commercializing our products, and continuing activities as an operating public company. To
the extent we raise additional capital by issuing equity securities, our shareholders may experience substantial dilution. We may sell
common stock, convertible securities or other equity securities in one or more transactions at prices and in a manner we determine from
time to time. If we sell common stock, convertible securities or other equity securities in more than one transaction, investors may
be materially diluted by subsequent sales. Such sales may also result in material dilution to our existing shareholders, and new investors
could gain rights superior to our existing shareholders.
76
We
do not intend to pay cash dividends.
While
we have declared and paid cash dividends on our capital stock in 2023, we currently intend to retain all available funds and any future
earnings for use in the operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
In addition, the terms of any future debt or credit facility may preclude us from paying any dividends. As a result, capital appreciation,
if any, of our common stock will be your sole source of potential gain for the foreseeable future.
Market
and economic conditions may negatively impact our business, financial condition, and share price.
Concerns
over medical epidemics, energy costs, geopolitical issues, the U.S. mortgage market and a deteriorating real estate market, unstable
global credit markets and financial conditions, tariffs and volatile oil prices have led to periods of significant economic instability,
diminished liquidity and credit availability, declines in consumer confidence and discretionary spending, diminished expectations for
the global economy and expectations of slower global economic growth, increased unemployment rates, and increased credit defaults in
recent years. Our general business strategy may be adversely affected by any such economic downturns, volatile business environments
and continued unstable or unpredictable economic and market conditions. If these conditions continue to deteriorate or do not improve,
it may make any necessary debt or equity financing more difficult to complete, more costly, and more dilutive. Failure to secure any
necessary financing in a timely manner and on favorable terms could have a material adverse effect on our growth strategy, financial
performance, and share price and could require us to delay, curtail or abandon our business plans.
Our
Bylaws provide that the Eighth Judicial District Court of Clark County, Nevada will be the sole and exclusive forum for substantially
all disputes between the Company and its stockholders, which could limit stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum
for disputes with the Company or its directors, officers or employees.
Our
Bylaws provide that unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Eighth Judicial District Court
of Clark County, Nevada shall be the sole and exclusive forum for state law claims with respect to: (i) any derivative action or proceeding
brought in the name or right of the Company or on its behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim for breach of any fiduciary duty owed
by any director, officer, employee or agent of the Company to the Company or the Company’s stockholders, (iii) any action arising
or asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of Nevada Revised Statutes Chapters 78 or 92A or any provision of the Company’s
Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws (“Bylaws”) or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine,
including, without limitation, any action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation
or Bylaws. This exclusive forum provision would not apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”), or the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive
jurisdiction. To the extent that any such claims may be based upon federal law claims, Section 27 of the Exchange Act creates exclusive
federal jurisdiction over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Exchange Act or the rules and regulations
thereunder. Furthermore, Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all suits
brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder.
This
choice of forum provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes
with the Company or its directors, officers, other employees or agents, which may discourage such lawsuits against the Company and its
directors, officers, other employees and agents. Alternatively, if a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in our
Bylaws to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, the Company may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action
in other jurisdictions, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations, and financial
condition.
77
Certain
provisions of our Articles of Incorporation and Nevada law make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us and make a takeover
more difficult to complete, even if such a transaction were in stockholders’ interest.
Our
Articles of Incorporation and the Nevada Revised Statutes (“NRS”) contain certain provisions that may have the effect of
making it more difficult or delaying attempts by others to obtain control of our company, even when these attempts may be in the best
interests of our stockholders. For example, our Articles of Incorporation authorize us to issue up to 10 million shares of preferred
stock. This preferred stock may be issued in one or more series, the terms of which may be determined at the time of issuance by our
board of directors without further action by stockholders. The terms of any series of preferred stock may include voting rights (including
the right to vote as a series on particular matters), preferences as to dividend, liquidation, conversion and redemption rights and sinking
fund provisions. The issuance of any preferred stock could materially adversely affect the rights of the holders of our common stock,
and therefore, reduce the value of our common stock. In particular, specific rights granted to future holders of preferred stock could
be used to restrict our ability to merge with, or sell our assets to, a third party and thereby preserve control by the present management.
Provisions of our Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and Nevada law also could have the effect of discouraging potential acquisition proposals
or making a tender offer or delaying or preventing a change in control, including changes a stockholder might consider favorable. Such
provisions may also prevent or frustrate attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our management. In particular, our Articles
of Incorporation, Bylaws and Nevada law, as applicable, among other things:
●
provide the board of directors
with the ability to alter the Bylaws without stockholder approval;
●
establish advance notice
requirements for nominations for election to the board of directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon at stockholder
meetings; and
●
provide that vacancies
on the board of directors may be filled by a majority of directors in office, although less than a quorum.
General
Risk Factors
If
securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research reports about our business, our
stock price and trading volume could decline.
The
trading market for our common stock depends in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us
or our business, our market and our competitors. If no or few securities or industry analysts cover our company, the trading price for
our common stock would be negatively impacted. If one or more of the analysts who covers us downgrades our common stock or publishes
incorrect or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts ceases coverage
of our company or fails to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our common stock could decrease, which could cause our stock price
or trading volume to decline.
We
are an “emerging growth company” and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth
companies will make our securities less attractive to investors.
We
are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act. We will remain an “emerging growth company” for
up to five years. We may take advantage of these provisions until the earlier of (i) the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth
anniversary of the closing of our initial public offering, (ii) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have total annual gross revenue
of at least $1.235 billion or more, (iii) the date on which we are deemed to be a large accelerated filer, which means the market value
of our equity securities that is held by non-affiliates exceeds $700 million as of the last business day of our most recently completed
second fiscal quarter, and (iv) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion of non-convertible debt during the previous three-year
period. These exemptions include not being required to comply with the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements and being exempt from
the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments
not previously approved. Additionally, as an emerging growth company, we have elected to delay the adoption of new or revised accounting
standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies until those standards apply to private companies. As such,
our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with public company effective dates. We cannot predict if investors
will find our shares less attractive because we may rely on these provisions. If some investors find our shares less attractive as a
result, there may be a less active trading market for our shares and our share price may be more volatile.
Financial
reporting obligations of being a public company in the U.S. are expensive and time-consuming, and our management will be required to
devote substantial time to compliance matters.
As
a publicly traded company we incur significant additional legal, accounting and other expenses. The obligations of being a public company
in the U.S. require significant expenditures and place significant demands on our management and other personnel, including costs resulting
from public company reporting obligations under the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations regarding corporate governance practices,
including those under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and the listing requirements
of the stock exchange on which our securities are listed. These rules require the establishment and maintenance of effective disclosure
and financial controls and procedures, internal control over financial reporting and changes in corporate governance practices, among
many other complex rules that are often difficult to implement, monitor and maintain compliance with. Moreover, despite recent reforms
made possible by the JOBS Act, the reporting requirements, rules, and regulations will make some activities more time-consuming and costly,
particularly after we are no longer an “emerging growth company” and/or a “smaller reporting company.” Our management
and other personnel will need to devote a substantial amount of time to ensure that we comply with all of these requirements and to keep
pace with new regulations, otherwise we may fall out of compliance and risk becoming subject to litigation or being delisted, among other
potential problems.
78
ITEM
1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM
1C. CYBERSECURITY
We
recognize the critical importance of maintaining the safety and security of our systems and data and we take a holistic approach to the
oversight and management of cybersecurity and related risks. This approach is supported by our Board of Directors and management who
are actively involved in the oversight of our risk management program.
Like
all companies that utilize technology, we face significant cybersecurity threats that include, among other things, attempts to gain unauthorized
access to sensitive student and employee information; attempts to compromise the integrity, confidentiality and/or availability of our
systems, hardware and networks, and the information on them; insider threats; malware; ransomware; threats to the safety of our directors,
officers and employees; and threats to our facilities, infrastructure and service. As cybersecurity threats may arise, the cybersecurity
team focuses on responding to and containing the threat and minimizing any business impact, as appropriate. In the event of a perceived
threat or possible cybersecurity incident, the cybersecurity team is trained to assess, among other factors, student safety impact, data
and personal information impact, the possibility of business operations disruption, projected cost, if any, and potential for reputational
harm, with support from external technical, legal and law enforcement support, as appropriate.
Management
of the Company is responsible for overseeing our enterprise risk management. In that regard, management receives periodic updates, as
appropriate (and no less frequently than annually), regarding the Company’s cybersecurity risk management processes and the risk
trends related to cybersecurity. Our Board of Directors, in coordination with the Audit Committee, shall review and discuss with management
the Company’s risks related to information security, including cybersecurity.
While
we have experienced minor cybersecurity threats in the past, such as spear phishing or smishing (SMS phishing), to date no such threats
have materially affected the Company or our financial position, results of operations and/or cash flows.
We
continue to invest in the cybersecurity and resiliency of our networks and to enhance our internal controls and processes, which are
designed to help protect our systems and infrastructure, and the information contained therein.
We
maintain cybersecurity insurance coverage in amounts that we believe are adequate to address any incidents such as data destruction,
extortion, theft, hacking, denial of service attacks and other such incidents.
For
more information concerning the risks that we face from cybersecurity threats, please see Part I, Item IA, “Risk Factors”.
ITEM
2. PROPERTIES
Our
executive office, which we lease on a month-to-month basis, is located at 701 W Avenue K, Suite 123, Lancaster, CA 93534. We lease property
in California for academic operations, corporate functions, enrollment services and student support services. Below is a table summarizing
our leased properties as of June 30, 2025:
Number of Buildings
Location
Total Square Footage
Lease Expiration
1
Bakersfield, CA
26,515
2026
1
Lancaster, CA
28,316
2025
1
Temecula, CA
16,852
2031
2
Salinas, CA
47,892
2027 & 2032
1
Pasadena, CA
8,879
2025 & 2027
1
Antioch, CA
32,235
2035
Our
facilities are utilized consistent with management’s expectations, and we believe such facilities are suitable and adequate for
current requirements and that additional space can be obtained on commercially reasonable terms to meet any future requirements.
ITEM
3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From
time to time, we may become involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings, which arise in the ordinary course of business. Litigation
is subject to inherent uncertainties and an adverse result in these or other matters may arise from time to time that may harm our business.
We are currently not aware of any such legal proceedings or claims that will have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition or operating results.
ITEM
4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not
applicable.
79
PART
II
ITEM
5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market
Information
On
September 27, 2024, our common stock began trading on the NYSE American LLC under the symbol “LGCY.” Prior to that time,
there was no public market for our common stock.
Stockholders
As
of September 22, 2025, there were approximately 31 stockholders of record of our common stock. The actual number of holders of our
common stock is greater than this number of record holders, and includes stockholders who are beneficial owners, but whose shares
are held in street name by brokers or held by other nominees. This number of holders of record also does not include stockholders
whose shares may be held in trust by other entities.
Dividend
Policy
While
we have previously paid cash dividends on our capital stock, we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the
foreseeable future. We intend to retain future earnings to fund ongoing operations and future capital requirements. Any future determination
to pay cash dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will be dependent upon financial condition, results of
operations, capital requirements and such other factors as the board of directors deems relevant.
Recent
Sales of Unregistered Securities
In
August 2024, we issued 76,000 shares of common stock upon exercise of options.
On
December 18, 2024, we issued 118,906 shares of our common stock to Equiniti Trust Company, LLC (“Equiniti”), as escrow agent
for CCMCC, pursuant to the that certain Stock Escrow Agreement by and among the Buyer, CCMCC and Equiniti dated as of December 18, 2024.
The
issuances above were made pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.
Issuer
Purchases of Equity Securities
None.
ITEM
6. [RESERVED]
80
ITEM
7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
You
should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and plan of operations together with and our accompanying
consolidated financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition to historical
information, this discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Our
actual results may differ materially from those discussed below. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include,
but are not limited to, those identified below, and those discussed in the section titled “Risk Factors” included elsewhere
in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. All amounts in this report are in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted.
Overview
We
provide career-focused, post-secondary education services to students at all stages of adult life, from recent high school graduates
to working parents, through our accredited academic institutions: High Desert Medical College, which we acquired in July 2010, Central
Coast College, which we acquired in January 2019, Contra Costa Medical Career College, which we acquired in December 2024, and Integrity
College of Health. On December 31, 2019, we entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement with the sole member of Integrity.
We purchased from the sole member of Integrity on that date 24.5% of her interest and obtained an exclusive option to acquire her remaining
membership interest upon payment of $100, which was exercised on September 15, 2020. For purposes of our financial statements, the acquisition
of Integrity is deemed to have been effective as of December 31, 2019. As of June 30, 2025, we enrolled 3,101 students.
High
Desert Medical College
HDMC
was established in the State of California in 2002 and began offering classes in 2003. It started with campuses in Lancaster, California,
and added its first branch in 2008 in Bakersfield, California. Due to enrollment growth and high demand for its services, HDMC expanded
to add a branch campus in Temecula, California in order to accommodate 250 to 400 additional students. HDMC offers UT, VN, VN Associate
of Applied Science degree program, Associate Degree of Nursing, nursing assistant, MRI Associate of Applied Science, cardiac sonography,
pharmacy technician, dental assisting, clinical medical assisting, medical administrative assisting programs, medical billing and coding,
veterinary assistant, phlebotomy technician avocational, nursing assistant avocational, UT Associate of Applied Science degree programs,
and an EMT program. HDMC also has obtained approval ACCET to offer a surgical technology Associate of Applied Science program and sterile
processing technician program and plans to begin doing so in October 2025, pending receipt of approval from the BPPE and ED. As of June
30, 2025, HDMC had 1,956 students enrolled in its programs.
Central
Coast College
CCC
was established in the State of California in 1983. In 1991, CCC moved to its current location in Salinas, California to accommodate
growing enrollment numbers and the addition of new training programs.
CCC
offers the following certificate or degree programs: business administrative specialist, computer specialist: accounting, medical administrative
assistant, medical assisting, nursing assistant, UT, UT Associate of Applied Science, veterinary assistant, veterinary technology Associate
of Applied Science, VN, surgical technology (Associate of Applied Science), dental assisting, sterile processing technician and pharmacy
technician. CCC also offers an avocational phlebotomy technician program. CCC also has obtained approval from ACCET to offer an MRI Associate
of Applied Science Program and cardiac sonography Associate of Applied Science programs and plans to begin doing so in October 2025,
pending receipt of additional approvals. As of June 30, 2025, CCC had 495 students enrolled in its programs.
Integrity
College of Health
Integrity
was established in the State of California in 2007. Integrity’s campus is located in Pasadena, California. Integrity offers VN,
VN Associate of Applied Science, RN to BSN, medical assisting, medical billing and coding, veterinary assistant, and Diagnostic Medical
Sonography programs. Integrity also plans to offer an EMT program beginning in early 2026 and is in the process of obtaining approvals
for the program (for which Integrity is not planning for ED approval to make Title IV funds available for students who enroll in the
program). For purposes of our financial statements, Legacy Education, L.L.C. is deemed to have acquired Integrity in December 2019. As
of June 30, 2025, Integrity had 202 students enrolled in its programs.
Contra
Costa Medical Career College
CCMCC
offers the following certificate and degree programs: surgical technology (Associate of Applied Science), sterile processing technician,
pharmacy technician, diagnostic medical sonography, medical assisting with phlebotomy, dental assisting, vocational nursing, clinical
medical assisting, EKG/ECG technician, medical administrative assistant/billing and coding specialist and medical assisting and phlebotomy
avocational. As of June 30, 2025, CCMCC had 448 students enrolled in its programs.
81
Key
operating data
In
evaluating our operating performance, our management focuses in large part on our revenue and income before income taxes and period-end
enrollment at our academic institutions.
Trends
and uncertainties regarding revenue and operations
Liquidity
We
currently believe our liquidity position is stable and we expect to be able to fund our business for at least the next 12 months. We
believe that we have sufficient capital to withstand a potential downturn in our business. Regulatory agencies have also provided regulatory
capital relief to institutions as a result of the crisis as discussed below.
Regulatory
Impact from COVID-19 Pandemic
On
March 27, 2020, Congress enacted the CARES Act, which included a $2 trillion federal economic relief package providing financial assistance
and other relief to individuals and business impacted by the spread of COVID-19. The spread of COVID-19 has had an unprecedented impact
on higher educational institutions across the country, including our schools, and has led to the closure of campuses and the transition
of academic programs from on-ground to online delivery. The CARES Act includes provisions for financial assistance and other regulatory
relief benefitting students and their postsecondary institutions.
Among
other things, the CARES Act included a $14 billion Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (“HEERF”) for ED to distribute
directly to institutions of higher education. Institutions were required to use at least half of the HEERF funds for emergency grants
to students for expenses related to disruptions in campus operations (e.g., food, housing, etc.). Institutions were permitted to use
the remainder of the funds for additional emergency grants to students or to cover institutional costs associated with significant changes
to the delivery of instruction due to the COVID-19 emergency, provided that those costs do not include payment to contractors for the
provision of pre-enrollment recruitment activities, endowments, or capital outlays associated with facilities related to athletics, sectarian
instruction, or religious worship. The law required institutions receiving funds to continue to the greatest extent practicable to pay
its employees and contractors during the period of any disruptions or closures related to the COVID-19 emergency.
ED
subsequently allocated funds to each institution of higher education based on a formula contained in the CARES Act. The formula was heavily
weighted toward institutions with large numbers of Pell Grant recipients. ED collectively allocated approximately $3.1 million to our
schools. As of June 30, 2022, we had used approximately $2.1 million on student grants and approximately $1.0 million of the allocated
funds were reimbursements for qualified expenses. These qualified expenses were reflected on the statement of operations as reductions
to general and administrative expenses. The failure to comply with requirements for the usage and reporting of these funds could result
in requirements to repay some or all of the allocated funds and in other sanctions.
82
During
the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, we applied for certain Employee Retention Credits (“ERTC”) under the CARES Act in the
approximate $2.9 million, which was reflected within the statement of operations as a reduction to educational services expense. The
remaining balance of the ERTC receivable as of December 31, 2023 was $47,000.
During
the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020, pursuant to the Payroll Protection Program (“PPP”) established under the CARES Act,
we had obtained a loan in the amount of $1.4 million (“PPP Loan”). Upon our request, the PPP Loan was subject to forgiveness,
to the extent that the proceeds were used to pay expenses permitted by the PPP, including payroll costs, covered rent, mortgage obligations
and covered utility payments. We submitted a request for full forgiveness to the lender, with the expectation that the PPP Loan would
be forgiven in full. As a result, during the period ended June 30, 2020, we recorded the full amount of the PPP Loan received as other
income. We received forgiveness in full of the PPP Loan during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021.
The
CARES Act also contained separate educational provisions that relieved both institutions and students from complying with the requirement
to return certain Title IV Program funds following a student’s withdrawal as a result of the COVID-19 emergency. Ordinarily, when
a student withdraws, the institution (and, in some cases, the student) may be required to return unearned portions of the Title IV Program
funds awarded for the period. Institutions are required to report to ED the total amount of grant and loan funds the institution has
not returned due to the waiver. For federal loan borrowers, the CARES Act also directed ED to cancel the borrower’s obligation
to repay any direct loan associated with the relevant period. The law also expanded the options to avoid student withdrawals due to a
cessation of attendance by placing students on an approved leave of absence and waives certain requirements normally applicable to a
leave of absence. The CARES Act also allowed institutions to exclude from the calculation of a student’s satisfactory academic
progress any attempted credits not completed due to the COVID-19 emergency.
On
December 27, 2020, Congress enacted the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. This annual appropriations bill contained the Coronavirus
Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (“CRRSAA”). CRRSAA provided an additional $81.9 billion to the
Education Stabilization Fund including $22.7 billion for HEERF, which were originally created by the CARES Act in March 2020. The higher
education provisions of the CRRSAA were intended in part to provide additional financial assistance benefitting students and their postsecondary
institutions in the wake of the spread of COVID-19 across the country and its impact on higher educational institutions.
Like
the CARES Act, the CRRSAA directed the majority of HEERF funds to a general program providing direct grants to institutions. Institutions
generally were required to designate “at least the same amount” of the funds for direct grants to students as was required
under the CARES Act. However, for-profit institutions could only use the additional HEERF funds under the CRRSAA for grants to students.
The student grants had to prioritize students with exceptional need and could be used for any component of the student’s cost of
attendance or for emergency costs that arose due to coronavirus, such as tuition, food, housing, health care (including mental health
care), or childcare. Public and nonprofit institutions could use the remaining HEERF funds to (1) defray expenses associated with coronavirus
(including lost revenue, reimbursement for expenses already incurred, technology costs associated with a transition to distance education,
faculty and staff trainings, and payroll); (2) carry out student support activities authorized by the HEA that address needs related
to coronavirus; or (3) for additional financial aid grants to students. ED collectively allocated approximately $1.15 million in CRRSAA
funds to our schools. As of June 30, 2023, our schools had expended all of these funds on grants to our students.
In
March 2021, Congress enacted the $1.9 trillion ARPA. ARPA provided nearly $40 billion in relief funds that go directly to colleges and
universities with $395.8 million going to for-profit institutions. Institutions are required to spend at least half of their allocations
on emergency financial aid grants to students.
We
did not incur any benefits related to federal funds directly resulting from COVID-19 programs in each of the fiscal years ended June
30, 2025 or 2024.
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Key
Financial Metrics
Revenue
Tuition
revenue is primarily derived from postsecondary education services provided to students. Generally, tuition and other fees are paid upfront
and recorded in contract liabilities in advance of the date when education services are provided to the student. A tuition receivable
is recorded for the portion of tuition not
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