Assemblyman Hector De La Torre, D-South Gate, expects 1,000 students to attend the 17th annual Southeast College Conference at Bell Gardens High School, 6119 Agra St.
Southeast-area cities have some of the lowest college attendance statewide.
"The college conference aims to close the gap in college and university attendance among students living in one of Los Angeles County's neediest communities," says a news advisory from the assemblyman.
Less than 5 percent of the residents in South Gate, Bell, Bell Gardens and Lynwood have bachelor's degrees, according to Census figures cited by De La Torre.
About 26 percent of residents statewide have an undergraduate degree.
Fifty postsecondary institutions, including the University of California and the California State University systems, Columbia University, USC are scheduled to participate in the college fair, where students will be given access to admissions and financial aid experts.
The event is free.
