The school year does not end in spring for many students at Clayton State University who are making the most of their education. The University posted its highest summer enrollment for the year since 2013.

The University hosted 3,113 students for summer 2016, up by 12.3 percent from the previous school year. Just 2,771 students attended classes during the summer semester in the 2014-2015 school year.

Summer enrollment reached its peak back in 2013, when 3,444 students attended Clayton State.

Course enrollment also experienced an uptick. Students posted 20,228 hours for the summer, compared to 17,687 in 2015. That represents an increase of 14.4 percent in one year.

“From academic advising to classroom presentations, we are sharing the message that students who attend the summer have a higher graduation rate than those who do not. As a university, we came together to concentrate on eliminating barriers that may have prevented students from enrolling. We eliminated waitlists by adding additional sections and ensured students were aware of financial aid available to them for the summer. We’re excited about the work we did, especially since the students are the ones that benefit the most,” says Dr. Stephen Schultheis, Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management.

The numbers reflect the efforts of admissions and enrollment services officials to offer students a streamlined approached to earning a degree.

The past year has been marked by several major changes in student services that have contributed to high summer enrollment including:

Center for Advising and Retention: Opened in the fall of 2015, the office offers a one-stop shop for students to get the support they need to excel in their studies. Advisors provide assistance for students in each of Clayton State’s four colleges, in addition to online learners and freshman. The Center has information about the University’s majors and minors, graduation requirements, as well as academic policies and procedures.

Graduate Sooner: Students are encouraged to attend class during the summer semester to finish their degree in four years. A flexible schedule allows for study abroad, online courses or multiple on-campus sessions. The savings for students can add up to more than $41,000.

Move On When Ready (MOWR): MOWR is Clayton State University’s dual enrollment program for high school students. Students can take college courses toward a degree while completing their high school diplomas. The program, which replaced the former dual-enrollment program, launched in the summer of 2015 and is funded by the Georgia Student Finance Commission. Clayton State’s Fayette County instructional site located in Peachtree City admits a large number of the University’s MOWR students.