Almost half the record number of students enrolled in summer school at Georgia Perimeter College are taking classes online, according to data released Thursday.

Summer enrollment is 16,948 students, including 8,435 students online. Georgia Perimeter runs the state's largest online program.

Enrollment increased by more than 11 percent this summer. Some students couldn't find jobs or internships because of the economy. Others loaded up on classes while the HOPE scholarship still covers all tuition. Scholarship changes go into effect this fall.