Ayako Phillips Memorial Scholarship

Ayako Phillips was a graduate of the University of Louisville receiving both her Bachelors and Masters in Education. After graduation, she taught elementary education in the Jefferson County Public Schools. Ayako believed in the power of education to improve lives. Ayako was born in Tokyo, Japan and adopted Kentucky as her home. She had great compassion for immigrants and taught in a school with a high immigrant population. In her generosity, she has provided an opportunity for students to continue their education and become educators. She hopes that the students who receive the scholarship will teach for Jefferson County Public Schools.

The Ayako Phillips Memorial Scholarship offers one student a scholarship between a minimum of $1000 per semester and a maximum of $5000 per semester for both fall and spring course tuition. The amount of the scholarship will be based on any additional scholarships and funding awarded to the student. Scholarships will be awarded up to $10,000 per year. If the first recipient does not qualify for the full $5000 per semester, a second student will be eligible to receive the remainder as a scholarship. If a student receives the Ayako Phillips Memorial Scholarship in their junior year, the student must reapply to be considered for a second year of eligibility.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Undergraduate student(s) admitted to the professional phase of the degree in Elementary Education
  • Primary preference is to be given to a student who graduated from Jefferson Country Public Schools. IF no Jefferson County student meets the criteria, then students from districts within the Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative are eligible: Bullitt County Schools, Carroll County Schools, Eminence Independent Schools, Franklin County Schools, Frankfort Independent Schools, Gallatin County Schools, Grant County Schools, Henry County Schools, Oldham County Schools, Owen County Schools, Shelby County Schools, Spencer County Schools, Trimble County Schools
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0
  • Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Scholarship Application

Demographic Information
Contact Information
Admitted to the Professional Phase of the Elementary Education Degree Program:  


The scholarship will be selected by a committee and awarded on the basis of need and/or merit, in accordance of the policies of the University of Louisville in place each year. Academic standing and professional dispositions will also be considered.