1.	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

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 31 schools and five training sites in 15 states across the United States.

Liquidity—For the last several years, the Company and the proprietary school sector generally have faced various forms of adversity which have contributed to deteriorating earnings growth. Government regulations have negatively impacted earnings by making it more difficult for potential students to obtain loans, which when coupled with the overall economic environment have hindered potential students from enrolling in its schools. In light of these factors, the Company has incurred significant operating losses as a result of lower student population. The Company also recorded a pre-tax goodwill impairment charge of $39.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 as a result of a significant decline in market capitalization. Despite these events, the Company believes that its likely sources of cash should be sufficient to fund operations for the next twelve months. The Company’s available sources of cash primarily include cash from operations, cash and cash equivalents on hand at December 31, 2014 of $12.3 million and the ability to draw up to $20 million under the revolving line of credit less letters of credit that was extended through April 2016. To fund the Company’s business plans, including any anticipated future losses, purchase commitments, capital expenditures, principal and interest payments on borrowings and to satisfy the DOE financial responsibility standards, the Company has the ability to leverage its owned real estate that is not classified as held for sale. The Company is also continuing to take actions to improve cash flow by aligning its cost structure to its student population.

In addition to the aforementioned current sources of capital that will provide short term liquidity, the Company also plans to sell approximately $50.9 million in assets which are currently classified as held for sale and are expected to be sold within one year. The Company also is currently exploring various other alternatives including debt financing vehicles and strategic partnerships. However, at this time the Company has no commitments to obtain any additional funds, and there can be no assurance such funds will be available on acceptable terms or at all.

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 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 include all cash balances and highly liquid short-term investments, which mature within three months of purchase.

Restricted Cash—Restricted cash consists of deposits maintained at financial institutions under a cash collateralized agreement under the Company’s credit agreement. Refer to Note 8 for more information on the credit agreement.

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.

Allowance for uncollectible accounts—Based upon experience and judgment, an allowance is established for uncollectible accounts with respect to tuition 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.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments—The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value at December 31, 2014 and 2013. In addition, the carrying value of all borrowings under the credit agreement approximates fair value at December 31, 2014 and 2013. 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.

Inventories—Inventories consist mainly of textbooks, computers, tools and supplies. Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market on a first-in, first-out basis.

Property, Equipment and Facilities—Depreciation 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 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—Costs related to advertising are expensed as incurred and approximated $27.5 million, $29.0 million and $30.1 million from continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These amounts are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

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, 2014, the Company conducted its annual test for goodwill impairment and determined it did not have an impairment. The fair value of the Company’s reporting units were determined using Level 3 inputs included in its multiple of earnings and discounted cash flow approach. The Company concluded that as of September 30, 2014 there was an indicator of potential impairment as a result of a decrease in market capitalization and, accordingly, the Company tested goodwill for impairment. The test indicated that 10 of the Company’s reporting units were impaired, which resulted in a pre-tax non-cash charge of $39.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014 ($1.9 million of which is included in discontinued operations).

At December 31, 2013, the Company conducted its annual test for goodwill impairment and determined it did not have an impairment. The fair value of the Company’s reporting units were determined using Level 3 inputs included in its multiple of earnings and discounted cash flow approach. As of June 30, 2013, the Company concluded that current period losses at two reporting units, which resulted in a deterioration of current and projected cash flows, was an indicator of potential impairment and, accordingly, tested goodwill and long-lived assets for impairment. The tests indicated that these two reporting units were impaired, which resulted in a pre-tax non-cash charge of $3.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2013.

At December 31, 2012, the Company tested goodwill for impairment and determined that an impairment of approximately $18.3 million ($4.5 million included in discontinued operations) 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 ($8.4 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.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets—The 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 using Level 3 inputs. 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 for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, there was sufficient evidence to conclude that there was an impairment of certain long-lived assets at one and six of the Company’s campuses, respectively. Long-lived assets had been tested at these campuses as a result of certain financial indicators such as the Company’s history of losses, current respective period losses, as well as future projected losses at these campuses. The long-lived assets impairment resulted in a pre-tax charge of $1.5 million for leasehold improvements as of December 31, 2014 and $1.9 million for leasehold improvements and $0.5 million ($0.2 million included in discontinued operations) for intangible assets as of September 30, 2014.

The Company concluded that for the three months ended December 31, 2013, there was no long-lived asset impairment. The Company concluded that as of June 30, 2013 and March 31, 2013, there was sufficient evidence to conclude that there were impairments of certain long-lived assets at four and two of our campuses, respectively. Long lived assets had been tested at these campuses as a result of certain financial indicators such as our history of losses, our current respective period losses, as well as future projected losses at these campuses. The long-lived assets impairment resulted in a pre-tax charge of $1.4 million ($0.7 million included in discontinued operations) and $1.7 million ($1.6 million included in discontinued operations) for leasehold improvements as of June 30, 2013 and March 31, 2013, respectively.

The Company concluded that as of December 31, 2012 and 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 four and 10 of its campuses were impaired. This resulted in a pre-tax charge of $1.3 million ($0.9 million included in discontinued operations) for leasehold improvements as of December 31, 2012 and $8.3 million (4.4 million in discontinued operations) as of June 30, 2012, which included leasehold improvements of $8.1 million and $0.2 million in definite-lived intangible assets respectively.

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, 2014, exceeded the balance insured by the FDIC Corporation (“FDIC”) by approximately $41.2 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, 2014 and 2013.

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—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—The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”). This statement requires an asset and a liability approach for measuring deferred taxes based on temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities existing at each balance sheet date using enacted tax rates for years in which taxes are expected to be paid or recovered.

In accordance with ASC 740, the Company assesses our deferred tax asset to determine whether all or any portion of the asset is more likely than not unrealizable. A valuation allowance is required to be established or maintained when, based on currently available information, it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. In accordance with ASC 740, our assessment considers whether there has been sufficient income in recent years and whether sufficient income is expected in future years in order to utilize the deferred tax asset. In evaluating the realizability of deferred income tax assets, the Company considered, among other things, historical levels of income, expected future income, the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary reporting differences, and the expected impact of tax planning strategies that may be implemented to prevent the potential loss of future income tax benefits. Significant judgment is required in determining the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our consolidated financial statements and/or tax returns. Differences between anticipated and actual outcomes of these future tax consequences could have a material impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations. Changes in, among other things, income tax legislation, statutory income tax rates, or future income levels could materially impact our valuation of income tax assets and liabilities and could cause our income tax provision to vary significantly among financial reporting periods.

The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the interest and penalties expense associated with uncertain tax positions are not significant to the Company’s results of operations or financial position.

Start-up Costs—Costs related to the start of new campuses are expensed as incurred.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued a new standard related to revenue recognition, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The new standard will replace most of the existing revenue recognition standards in GAAP when it becomes effective on January 1, 2017. Early adoption is not permitted. The new standard can be applied retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of the change recognized at the date of the initial application. The Company is assessing the potential impact of the new standard on financial reporting and has not yet selected a transition method.

In April 2014, FASB issued amended guidance on the use and presentation of discontinued operations in an entity's consolidated financial statements. The new guidance restricts the presentation of discontinued operations to business circumstances when the disposal of business operations represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results. The guidance becomes effective on January 1, 2015. Adoption is on a prospective basis. The Company early adopted as of December 31, 2014 and based on the guidance did not present the schools that are held for sale as discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements. As discussed in Note 4, the Company did include the five training sites from Florida in discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 as they qualify under the amended guidance.