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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]  
Business Activities
Business Activities—Lincoln Educational Services Corporation and Subsidiaries (the "Company") is a provider of diversified career-oriented post-secondary education. The Company offers recent high school graduates and working adults degree and diploma programs in five principal areas of study: Automotive Technology, Health Science, Skilled Trades, Hospitality Services and Business and Information Technology. The Company currently has 38 schools and five training sites in 17 states across the United States.
Principles of Consolidation
Principles of Consolidation—The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Lincoln Educational Services Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Recognition—Revenue is derived primarily from programs taught at the schools. Tuition revenue and one-time fees, such as nonrefundable application fees, registration fees, and course material fees are recognized on a straight-line basis over the length of the applicable program. If a student withdraws from a program prior to a specified date, any paid but unearned tuition is refunded. Other revenues, such as tool sales and contract training revenues are recognized as services are performed or goods are delivered. On an individual student basis, tuition earned in excess of cash received is recorded as accounts receivable, and cash received in excess of tuition earned is recorded as unearned tuition. Refunds are calculated and paid in accordance with federal, state and accrediting agency standards.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents—Cash and cash equivalents include all cash balances and highly liquid short-term investments, which mature within three months of purchase.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts Receivable—The Company reports accounts receivable at net realizable value, which is equal to the gross receivable less an estimated allowance for uncollectible accounts.  Noncurrent accounts receivable represent amounts due from graduates in excess of 12 months from the balance sheet date.
 
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair Value of Financial Instruments—The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value at December 31, 2012 and 2011. In addition, the carrying value of all borrowings under the credit agreement approximates fair value at December 31, 2012 and 2011. The account receivable, net balances are presented within current and non-current assets on the consolidated balance sheets. It is not practicable to estimate the fair value of these financial instruments, since observable market data is not readily available, and no reasonable estimation methodology exists.
 
Allowance for uncollectible accounts
Allowance for uncollectible accounts—Based upon experience and judgment, an allowance is established for uncollectible accounts with respect to receivables. In establishing the allowance for uncollectible accounts, we consider, among other things, current and expected economic conditions, a student's status (in-school or out-of-school), whether or not a student is currently making payments, and overall collection history. Changes in trends in any of these areas may impact the allowance for uncollectible accounts. The receivables balances of withdrawn students with delinquent obligations are reserved for based on our collection history.
Inventories
Inventories—Inventories consist mainly of textbooks, tools and supplies. Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market on a first-in, first-out basis.
Property, Equipment and Facilities
Property, Equipment and FacilitiesDepreciation and Amortization—Property, equipment and facilities are stated at cost. Major renewals and improvements are capitalized, while repairs and maintenance are expensed when incurred. Upon the retirement, sale or other disposition of assets, costs and related accumulated depreciation are eliminated from the accounts and any gain or loss is reflected in operating (loss) income. For financial statement purposes, depreciation of property and equipment is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, and amortization of leasehold improvements is computed over the lesser of the term of the lease or its estimated useful life.
Rent Expense
Rent Expense—Rent expense related to operating leases where scheduled rent increases exist, is determined by expensing the total amount of rent due over the life of the operating lease on a straight-line basis. The difference between the rent paid under the terms of the lease and the rent expensed on a straight-line basis is included in accrued rent and other long-term liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Advertising Costs
Advertising Costs—Costs related to advertising are expensed as incurred and approximated $34.2 million, $40.8 million and $44.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. These amounts are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets— The Company tests its goodwill for impairment annually, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate an impairment may have occurred, by comparing its reporting unit's carrying value to its implied fair value. Impairment may result from, among other things, deterioration in the performance of the acquired business, adverse market conditions, adverse changes in applicable laws or regulations, reductions in market value of the Company, including changes that restrict the activities of the acquired business, and a variety of other circumstances. If the Company determines that an impairment has occurred, it is required to record a write-down of the carrying value and charge the impairment as an operating expense in the period the determination is made. In evaluating the recoverability of the carrying value of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, the Company must make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows and other factors to determine the fair value of the acquired assets. Changes in strategy or market conditions could significantly impact these judgments in the future and require an adjustment to the recorded balances.
 
At December 31, 2012, the Company tested goodwill for impairment and determined that an impairment of approximately $18.3 million existed for seven of its reporting units.  The Company concluded that the decrease in the Company's market capitalization as of June 30, 2012 was an indicator of potential impairment and, accordingly, the Company tested goodwill for impairment.  The tests indicated that five of the Company's reporting units were impaired as a result of lower than expected student population, which resulted in a pre-tax charge of $15.4 million in the second quarter of 2012 ($5.5 million included in discontinued operations).  The fair values of these reporting units were estimated using the expected present value of future cash flows.  No other reporting unit's carrying goodwill amount exceeded or approximated its implied value.

The Company concluded that the decrease in the Company's market capitalization as of September 30, 2011 was an indicator of potential impairment and, accordingly, the Company tested goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles for impairment.  The tests indicated that five of the Company's reporting units were impaired, which resulted in an expense of $9.3 million in the third quarter of 2011 ($1.0 million included in discontinued operations).  At December 31, 2011, the Company tested goodwill for impairment and determined it did not have an impairment.  At December 31, 2010, the Company tested goodwill for impairment and determined that an impairment of approximately $6.2 million existed for three of its reporting units ($1.4 million included in discontinued operations).
Concentration of Credit Risk
Concentration of Credit Risk—Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of temporary cash investments.  The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with high credit quality financial institutions. The Company's cash balances with financial institutions typically exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance limit of $0.25 million. The Company's cash balances on deposit at December 31, 2012, exceeded the balance insured by the FDIC by approximately $60.3 million. The Company has not experienced any losses to date on its invested cash.
 
The Company extends credit for tuition and fees to many of its students. The credit risk with respect to these accounts receivable is mitigated through the students' participation in federally funded financial aid programs unless students withdraw prior to the receipt of federal funds for those students. In addition, the remaining tuition receivables are primarily comprised of smaller individual amounts due from students.
 
With respect to student receivables, the Company had no significant concentrations of credit risk as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP') requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates the estimates and assumptions, including those related to revenue recognition, bad debts, impairments, fixed assets, income taxes, benefit plans and certain accruals.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Stock-Based Compensation Plans
Stock-Based Compensation Plans—The Company measures the value of stock options on the grant date at fair value, using the Black-Scholes option valuation model.  The Company amortizes the fair value of stock options, net of estimated forfeitures, utilizing straight-line amortization of compensation expense over the requisite service period of the grant.

The Company measures the value of service and performance-based restricted stock on the fair value of a share of common stock on the date of the grant. The Company amortizes the fair value of service based restricted stock utilizing straight-line amortization of compensation expense over the requisite service period of the grant.

The Company amortizes the fair value of the performance-based restricted stock based on determination of the probable outcome of the performance condition.  If the performance condition is expected to be met, then the Company amortizes the fair value of the number of shares expected to vest utilizing straight-line basis over the requisite performance period of the grant.  However, if the associated performance condition is not expected to be met, then the Company does not recognize the stock-based compensation expense.
Income Taxes
Income TaxesDeferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of changes in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.  During the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, the interest and penalties expense associated with uncertain tax positions are not significant to the Company's results of operations or financial position.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Impairment of Long-Lived AssetsThe Company reviews the carrying value of our long-lived assets and identifiable intangibles for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. The Company evaluates long-lived assets for impairment by examining estimated future cash flows. These cash flows are evaluated by using weighted probability techniques as well as comparisons of past performance against projections. Assets may also be evaluated by identifying independent market values. If the Company determines that an asset's carrying value is impaired, it will record a write-down of the carrying value of the asset and charge the impairment as an operating expense in the period in which the determination is made.

The Company concluded that as of December 31, 2012 there was an indicator of potential impairment and, accordingly, the Company tested long-lived assets for impairment and determined that certain long-lived assets at four campuses were impaired.  This resulted in a pre-tax charge of $1.3 million for leasehold improvements.  The Company concluded that as of June 30, 2012 there was an indicator of potential impairment and, accordingly, the Company tested long-lived assets for impairment and determined that certain long-lived assets at 10 campuses were impaired.  This resulted in a pre-tax charge of $8.3 million which included leasehold improvements of $8.1 million and definite-lived intangible assets of $0.2 million ($4.0 million included in discontinued operations).

The Company recorded an impairment charge of $1.0 million in the third quarter of 2011 related to a regional accreditation indefinite intangible asset that is no longer being utilized and is included in discontinued operations.
Start-up Costs
Start-up CostsCosts related to the start of new campuses are expensed as incurred.
New Accounting Pronouncements
New Accounting Pronouncements
 
In October 2012, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2012-04, which makes technical corrections, clarifications and limited-scope improvements to various topics throughout the Codification. The amendments in this ASU that do not have transition guidance and are effective upon issuance and the amendments that are subject to transition guidance will be effective for our interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2013. The adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
In August 2012, the FASB issued ASU No. 2012-03, which amends and corrects various sections in the Codification pursuant to Staff Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 114, SEC Release No. 33-9250 and ASU No. 2010-22. The amendments and corrections in this ASU are effective upon issuance. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU No. 2012-02, which is included in the Codification under ASC 350, "Intangibles – Goodwill and Other" ("ASC 350"). This update allows an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it must perform a quantitative impairment test. An entity would be required to calculate the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset, if the entity determines, based on a qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. This guidance is effective for impairment tests performed for our interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2013. The adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
In June 2011, issued an amendment to an existing accounting standard which requires companies to present net income and other comprehensive income in one continuous statement or in two separate, but consecutive, statements. In addition, in December 2011, the FASB issued an amendment to an existing accounting standard which defers the requirement to present components of reclassifications of other comprehensive income on the face of the income statement.  The Company early adopted this amendment and has presented statements of comprehensive (loss) income.

In September 2011, the FASB issued a revised standard on testing for goodwill impairment. The revised standard allows an entity to first assess qualitatively whether it is necessary to perform step one of the two-step annual goodwill impairment test. An entity is required to perform step one only if the entity concludes that it is more likely than not that a reporting unit's fair value is less than its carrying amount, a likelihood of more than 50 percent. An entity can choose to perform the qualitative assessment on none, some, or all of its reporting units. Moreover, an entity can bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period and proceed directly to step one of the impairment test, and then perform the qualitative assessment in any subsequent period. The revised standard is effective for the Company for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed beginning after January 1, 2012 for the Company. The adoption of this standard did not have any impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.