Clayton State University has received a $4.8 million, 5-year federal grant to help more African-American students stay in school and graduate.

The school’s 6-year graduation rate is currently 29 percent, below the national average.

Clayton State will use the money to develop a program that will include scholarships, an expanded summer program for at-risk students, tutoring, mentoring, financial counseling, online courses, faculty training and other elements.

“Our students have so much potential and we all have a vested interest in helping them succeed,” Jill Lane, Clayton State assistant vice president of academic planning and assessment said in a written statement. “What this grant is allowing us to do is bring together a comprehensive approach across key initiatives on campus that have the potential to significantly impact retention and graduation rates.”