(BPRW) UNCF Scholarship Alleviates College Financial Debt

By Marlena Chertock

(Black PR Wire) Sophia Jacobs knew she wanted to attend Spelman College, one of UNCF’s member institutions, because the school “is known for sisterhood and Black excellence,” she said. “I wanted to be a part of this legacy to uplift the mission of changing the world for the better.”

Jacobs, a first-generation college student, improved the lives of her fellow students in many ways. One was by creating a laptop borrow and return program.

“I worked on this project for the whole of my sophomore year as the secretary of Spelman technology services in the Spelman Student Government Association (SSGA),” she shared. “When the SSGA announced that the program had finally become available to students, in my junior year, I was ecstatic at the news that my fellow students experiencing financial hardship would be able to access support and resources for all their academic endeavors at Spelman College.”

While at Spelman, Jacobs received the Slater-Millner Scholars Fund, administered by UNCF. Dr. Nancy Slater and Dr. Alan Millner developed the scholarship to provide financial assistance to sophomores who are on a pre-med track with a demonstrated interest in serving underserved communities. The program also offers mentorship and advising services through the Ascension Medical Educators – Aspiring Physicians Program.

“UNCF and scholarships such as the Slater-Millner Scholars Fund have been monumental factors in my educational journey by helping to alleviate my financial debt by 70 percent,” Jacobs shared. “The yearly recurring financial support has helped me pay for immediate expense concerns, such as tuition and housing, when I was unable to support myself as a full-time student.”

“Without this scholarship supporting my school expenses, I would have had to transfer to an undergraduate school closer to home to avoid housing costs,” she continued. “With the unwavering support of the Slater-Millner Scholars Fund from UNCF, I was able to fulfill my undergraduate degree requirements at Spelman College.”

In May 2025, Jacobs graduated from Spelman with a bachelor of science in biology, on the pre-medical track. She is now preparing to enter Temple University’s School of Podiatric Medicine for doctoral studies. She plans to become a practicing podiatrist focusing on diabetic wound care, limb salvage or sports medicine.

“I am forever grateful to scholarship sponsors at UNCF for the incredible impact they have on our Black college community,” she said.