ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Hundreds of high school students are learning more about what it takes to get into college, how to pay for it, and keys to graduating.
Rochester hosted a United Negro College Fund college fair. This event is all about investing in better futures and helping kids go to college.
More than 800 juniors and seniors from around Monroe County and the City of Rochester are getting an opportunity to learn more about Historically Black Colleges and Universities, why college is important, what Greek life is like and what financial aid programs are available.
UNCF says it's made lots of progress in its 70+ year history, but that statistically African-American rates of college attendance and graduation are lower than other ethnic groups.
"The challenge is getting our families involved in the process. We want to make sure that our students understand that having a post secondary degree is going to make them marketable in the future. We want to reinvigorate the HBCU, our Historically Black Colleges and Universities because they are such a vibrant cultural centers for all students, but specifically our students of color who can get more than an education but embeded in their culture," said Djinga St. Louis, the Rochester City School District Director of African-American Studies.
Students who are still deciding hope today's college fair will help answer any questions about what's next and how to decide where to go.
"My sister and my step-dad go to college; MCC and RIT. I decided to do that at MCC then go to a different school," said high school junior Gustyce Session.
"I want to finish school off, I do not want to just stop and that's it. I want to keep going and be more successful," said Teari Stanbury, a senior.
The day-long event continues tonight, HBCU is hosting an open house at East High School from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.