Regulatory	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
Regulatory [Abstract]
Regulatory	Regulatory The Company is subject to extensive regulation by federal and state governmental agencies and accrediting bodies. In particular, the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (“Higher Education Act”), and the regulations promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Department of Education (“Department”) subject the Company to significant regulatory scrutiny on the basis of numerous standards that institutions of higher education must satisfy in order to participate in the various federal student financial assistance programs under Title IV of the Higher Education Act. Ashford University and University of the Rockies are both regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (“HLC”). As discussed below, Ashford University has been placed on Notice by HLC. WASC Grant of Initial Accreditation to Ashford University. On July 10, 2013, the WASC Senior College and University Commission (“WASC”) granted Initial Accreditation to Ashford University for five years, until July 15, 2018. This WASC action permits Ashford University to designate WASC as its accreditor of record, subject to (i) the Department's prior approval, (ii) the university's voluntary withdrawal from HLC, (iii) receipt of acknowledgment by HLC, and (iv) release of HLC's relevant records to WASC. WASC found that the university has responded to its previously expressed concerns, judged that Ashford University is in substantial compliance with WASC standards and established a process for monitoring progress in implementing recommendations in several areas related to growth, infrastructure, student retention and student outcomes. As part of the monitoring process, the university will host WASC in a Special Visit in spring 2015. The university intends to transition from HLC to WASC and name WASC as its accreditor of record, subject to approval by the Department. HLC Accreditation of Ashford University. Ashford University remains accredited by HLC and on Notice. Notice is an HLC sanction indicating that an institution is pursuing a course of action that, if continued, could lead it to be out of compliance with one or more criteria for accreditation. The university was placed on Notice due to (1) its current non-compliance with HLC's jurisdictional policy, a policy that became effective on July 1, 2012 and requires a “substantial presence,” as defined by commission policy, in HLC's 19-state north central region, and (2) concerns regarding its future ability to remain in compliance with certain accreditation criteria, particularly the revised criteria that became effective on January 1, 2013. Specifically, HLC noted that its action in placing the university on Notice was related in part to the alignment of the university's mission with its instructional model, governance of the university independent from its corporate parent, sufficiency of faculty, assessment of student learning and use of data to improve graduation and retention rates, and shared governance structures involving faculty and administration. On July 18, 2013 Ashford University provided a monitoring report to HLC stating that it had been granted Initial Accreditation by WASC for five years and that the university intends to name WASC as its accreditor of record, subject to approval by the Department. However, if the Department does not recognize the change of accreditor or if the Department has not yet recognized the change of accreditor, the university will be required to host HLC in a focused evaluation on or before December 15, 2013 to examine retention, graduation and the university's progress in resolving the identified issues. Unless the university withdraws from HLC prior to such date, the HLC Board of Trustees will consider information provided in the July 2013 monitoring report and the December 2013 focused evaluation at its meeting in February 2014 and take action as appropriate. At its February 2014 meeting HLC may determine to remove the university from Notice, or in the event the identified concerns, including satisfaction of HLC's jurisdictional requirements, have not been satisfactorily addressed, place the university on probation or take other action, which could include a show-cause order or withdrawal of accreditation. Loss of accreditation would denigrate the value of our institutions' educational programs and would cause them to lose their eligibility to participate in Title IV programs, which would have a material adverse effect on enrollments, revenues, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations. Notification from U.S. Department of Education regarding on-site program review of University of the Rockies. On July 25, 2012, University of the Rockies received a letter from the Department stating that it scheduled an on-site program review. This review occurred from August 20, 2012 through August 24, 2012. The review was to assess the institution's administration of Title IV programs and initially covers the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 award years, but may be expanded if deemed appropriate by the Department. HLC Notification regarding Ashford University Non-Financial Indicator Conditions. On July 13, 2012, HLC notified Ashford University that it had been identified for further inquiry based on certain non-financial data the institution provided in its 2012 Institutional Annual Report. Under HLC's Institutional Update process, all accredited and candidate institutions are required to provide certain financial and non-financial data to the commission annually; HLC then screens the non-financial data for seven indicator conditions and requests an institutional report from institutions that meet certain of these conditions. The purpose of the screening process is to identify institutions that may be at risk of not meeting certain of HLC's Criteria for Accreditation. Ashford University was identified for further inquiry because it met three of the indicator conditions: (1) the number of degrees awarded increased 40% or more compared to the prior year; (2) the number of full-time faculty increased 25% or more compared to the prior year; and (3) the ratio of full-time faculty to the number of degree programs was less than one in the period reported. As Ashford University was already under review through the HLC special monitoring process and was required to provide a written report and host an advisory visit, as outlined in the letter received from the commission on July 12, 2012, Ashford University addressed these non-financial indicators and related Core Components in the report it submitted on September 3, 2012 as part of the special monitoring process. In October 2012, the HLC Special Advisory Visit Team Report stated that the team analyzed the non-financial indicators. The report did not request further information, and the University has had no further communication with HLC regarding the non-financial indicators. HLC Notification regarding University of the Rockies Non-Financial Indicator Conditions. On July 24, 2012, HLC notified University of the Rockies that it had been identified for further inquiry based on certain non-financial data the institution provided in its 2012 Institutional Annual Report. University of the Rockies was identified for further inquiry because it met two of the indicator conditions: (1) the number of degrees awarded increased 40% or more compared to the prior year; and (2) the number of full-time faculty increased 25% or more compared to the prior year. Accordingly, HLC requested that University of the Rockies provide a report to the commission demonstrating the institution's ability to continue meeting the Core Components in light of the conditions at the institution that led to the indicators being identified. This report was provided on August 29, 2012. HLC notified the University by letter dated June 13, 2013 that HLC had reviewed the report, that HLC accepts the explanatory report on the non-financial indicators, and that no further action is needed at this time. Request for information from Ashford University by Iowa College Student Aid Commission. On September 22, 2012, the Iowa College Student Aid Commission requested that Ashford University provide the commission with certain information and documentation related to, among other matters, the denial of Ashford University's application for WASC accreditation, the university's compliance with HLC criteria and policies, a teach-out plan in the event that Ashford University is unsuccessful in obtaining WASC accreditation and is sanctioned by HLC, and information relating to admissions employees, receipt of financial aid, availability of books, credit balance authorizations, and academic and financial support and advisement services to students. The commission requested that Ashford University provide the requested information by November 12, 2012 and make an in-person presentation during the commission's meeting on November 16, 2012. The university made the presentation and continues to work with the commission to ensure they receive timely accreditation-related updates. Department of Education Negotiated Rulemaking. The Department held negotiated rulemaking public hearings in May and June 2013 and has indicated that this activity is part of a series of rulemaking efforts to achieve a long-term agenda in higher education focused on access, affordability, academic quality and completion. Recent hearings have focused on topics including, but not limited to, cash management of Title IV program funds, state authorization for programs offering distance or correspondence education, gainful employment, credit and clock hour conversions, changes made to the Clery Act by the Violence Against Women Act of 2013 (P.L. 113-4), and the definition of “adverse credit” for PLUS borrowers. In June 2013, the Department announced its intention to establish a negotiated rulemaking committee to prepare proposed regulations that would establish standards for programs that prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation. The Department's Notice sought nominees for the two sessions that will occur on September 9-11, 2013 and October 21-23, 2013. This rulemaking process is expected to produce new regulations, which, if published in final form after November 1, 2013 and on or before November 1, 2014, would typically take effect in July 2015. The Notice stated that the Department plans to establish committees to address the other rulemaking issues in the coming months. Compliance with additional regulations, and/or regulatory scrutiny that results in the Company being allegedly out of compliance with these regulations, could result in direct and indirect costs of compliance, fines, liabilities, sanctions or lawsuits, which could have a material adverse effect on enrollments, revenues, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

Regulatory

The Company is subject to extensive regulation by federal and state governmental agencies and accrediting bodies. In particular, the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (“Higher Education Act”), and the regulations promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Department of Education (“Department”) subject the Company to significant regulatory scrutiny on the basis of numerous standards that institutions of higher education must satisfy in order to participate in the various federal student financial assistance programs under Title IV of the Higher Education Act.

Ashford University and University of the Rockies are both regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (“HLC”). As discussed below, Ashford University has been placed on Notice by HLC.

WASC Grant of Initial Accreditation to Ashford University. On July 10, 2013, the WASC Senior College and University Commission (“WASC”) granted Initial Accreditation to Ashford University for five years, until July 15, 2018. This WASC action permits Ashford University to designate WASC as its accreditor of record, subject to (i) the Department's prior approval, (ii) the university's voluntary withdrawal from HLC, (iii) receipt of acknowledgment by HLC, and (iv) release of HLC's relevant records to WASC. WASC found that the university has responded to its previously expressed concerns, judged that Ashford University is in substantial compliance with WASC standards and established a process for monitoring progress in implementing recommendations in several areas related to growth, infrastructure, student retention and student outcomes. As part of the monitoring process, the university will host WASC in a Special Visit in spring 2015. The university intends to transition from HLC to WASC and name WASC as its accreditor of record, subject to approval by the Department.

HLC Accreditation of Ashford University. Ashford University remains accredited by HLC and on Notice. Notice is an HLC sanction indicating that an institution is pursuing a course of action that, if continued, could lead it to be out of compliance with one or more criteria for accreditation. The university was placed on Notice due to (1) its current non-compliance with HLC's jurisdictional policy, a policy that became effective on July 1, 2012 and requires a “substantial presence,” as defined by commission policy, in HLC's 19-state north central region, and (2) concerns regarding its future ability to remain in compliance with certain accreditation criteria, particularly the revised criteria that became effective on January 1, 2013. Specifically, HLC noted that its action in placing the university on Notice was related in part to the alignment of the university's mission with its instructional model, governance of the university independent from its corporate parent, sufficiency of faculty, assessment of student learning and use of data to improve graduation and retention rates, and shared governance structures involving faculty and administration.

On July 18, 2013 Ashford University provided a monitoring report to HLC stating that it had been granted Initial Accreditation by WASC for five years and that the university intends to name WASC as its accreditor of record, subject to approval by the Department. However, if the Department does not recognize the change of accreditor or if the Department has not yet recognized the change of accreditor, the university will be required to host HLC in a focused evaluation on or before December 15, 2013 to examine retention, graduation and the university's progress in resolving the identified issues. Unless the university withdraws from HLC prior to such date, the HLC Board of Trustees will consider information provided in the July 2013 monitoring report and the December 2013 focused evaluation at its meeting in February 2014 and take action as appropriate. At its February 2014 meeting HLC may determine to remove the university from Notice, or in the event the identified concerns, including satisfaction of HLC's jurisdictional requirements, have not been satisfactorily addressed, place the university on probation or take other action, which could include a show-cause order or withdrawal of accreditation. Loss of accreditation would denigrate the value of our institutions' educational programs and would cause them to lose their eligibility to participate in Title IV programs, which would have a material adverse effect on enrollments, revenues, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

Notification from U.S. Department of Education regarding on-site program review of University of the Rockies. On July 25, 2012, University of the Rockies received a letter from the Department stating that it scheduled an on-site program review. This review occurred from August 20, 2012 through August 24, 2012. The review was to assess the institution's administration of Title IV programs and initially covers the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 award years, but may be expanded if deemed appropriate by the Department.

HLC Notification regarding Ashford University Non-Financial Indicator Conditions. On July 13, 2012, HLC notified Ashford University that it had been identified for further inquiry based on certain non-financial data the institution provided in its 2012 Institutional Annual Report. Under HLC's Institutional Update process, all accredited and candidate institutions are required to provide certain financial and non-financial data to the commission annually; HLC then screens the non-financial data for seven indicator conditions and requests an institutional report from institutions that meet certain of these conditions. The purpose of the screening process is to identify institutions that may be at risk of not meeting certain of HLC's Criteria for Accreditation.

Ashford University was identified for further inquiry because it met three of the indicator conditions: (1) the number of degrees awarded increased 40% or more compared to the prior year; (2) the number of full-time faculty increased 25% or more compared to the prior year; and (3) the ratio of full-time faculty to the number of degree programs was less than one in the period reported. As Ashford University was already under review through the HLC special monitoring process and was required to provide a written report and host an advisory visit, as outlined in the letter received from the commission on July 12, 2012, Ashford University addressed these non-financial indicators and related Core Components in the report it submitted on September 3, 2012 as part of the special monitoring process. In October 2012, the HLC Special Advisory Visit Team Report stated that the team analyzed the non-financial indicators. The report did not request further information, and the University has had no further communication with HLC regarding the non-financial indicators.

HLC Notification regarding University of the Rockies Non-Financial Indicator Conditions. On July 24, 2012, HLC notified University of the Rockies that it had been identified for further inquiry based on certain non-financial data the institution provided in its 2012 Institutional Annual Report. University of the Rockies was identified for further inquiry because it met two of the indicator conditions: (1) the number of degrees awarded increased 40% or more compared to the prior year; and (2) the number of full-time faculty increased 25% or more compared to the prior year. Accordingly, HLC requested that University of the Rockies provide a report to the commission demonstrating the institution's ability to continue meeting the Core Components in light of the conditions at the institution that led to the indicators being identified. This report was provided on August 29, 2012. HLC notified the University by letter dated June 13, 2013 that HLC had reviewed the report, that HLC accepts the explanatory report on the non-financial indicators, and that no further action is needed at this time.

Request for information from Ashford University by Iowa College Student Aid Commission. On September 22, 2012, the Iowa College Student Aid Commission requested that Ashford University provide the commission with certain information and documentation related to, among other matters, the denial of Ashford University's application for WASC accreditation, the university's compliance with HLC criteria and policies, a teach-out plan in the event that Ashford University is unsuccessful in obtaining WASC accreditation and is sanctioned by HLC, and information relating to admissions employees, receipt of financial aid, availability of books, credit balance authorizations, and academic and financial support and advisement services to students. The commission requested that Ashford University provide the requested information by November 12, 2012 and make an in-person presentation during the commission's meeting on November 16, 2012. The university made the presentation and continues to work with the commission to ensure they receive timely accreditation-related updates.

Department of Education Negotiated Rulemaking. The Department held negotiated rulemaking public hearings in May and June 2013 and has indicated that this activity is part of a series of rulemaking efforts to achieve a long-term agenda in higher education focused on access, affordability, academic quality and completion. Recent hearings have focused on topics including, but not limited to, cash management of Title IV program funds, state authorization for programs offering distance or correspondence education, gainful employment, credit and clock hour conversions, changes made to the Clery Act by the Violence Against Women Act of 2013 (P.L. 113-4), and the definition of “adverse credit” for PLUS borrowers. In June 2013, the Department announced its intention to establish a negotiated rulemaking committee to prepare proposed regulations that would establish standards for programs that prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation. The Department's Notice sought nominees for the two sessions that will occur on September 9-11, 2013 and October 21-23, 2013. This rulemaking process is expected to produce new regulations, which, if published in final form after November 1, 2013 and on or before November 1, 2014, would typically take effect in July 2015. The Notice stated that the Department plans to establish committees to address the other rulemaking issues in the coming months. Compliance with additional regulations, and/or regulatory scrutiny that results in the Company being allegedly out of compliance with these regulations, could result in direct and indirect costs of compliance, fines, liabilities, sanctions or lawsuits, which could have a material adverse effect on enrollments, revenues, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.