Applications Open for International Sports Scholarship Fund
First sports scholarship in Israel awards up to $25,000 to qualifying students.
Balancing Education and Sport
For Chloe Allen Gorman, studying for a master’s degree while also playing as a professional footballer wouldn’t have been possible without the new International Sports Scholarship Fund – the first academic scholarship in Israel specifically for international athletes.
“Without the scholarship, realistically I may have been able to take a class here and there, but I would have needed an additional income to do a whole degree,” says Gorman, who is the first recipient to receive the scholarship.
Offered through the Lowy International School at Tel Aviv University (TAU), the new scholarship provides elite international athletes up to $25,000 USD to cover the costs of a full-degree program for one year. The scholarship is awarded with the understanding that the recipient will continue to train and compete as an athlete in Israel.
The Path to Tel Aviv
When Gorman applied for the scholarship, she was already playing with ASA Tel Aviv, a professional women’s football club associated with TAU. Originally from the United States, Gorman had been playing professionally for several years in Portugal and was ready for a change. “I was getting to the point where it was time to try something different and new, and so I was reaching out to different clubs,” recalls Gorman.
During that period, she became aware of a center defender who was leaving ASA Tel Aviv for Portugal. Given that Gorman played the same position and knew there would be an open spot, she decided to contact the club: “I emailed them and they were so professional – they got back to me immediately.”
Gorman found the team welcoming and loved the ASA community; however, with the majority of games and practices happening in the evening, she also found herself with free time during the day. When she heard about the new scholarship, she was immediately interested in the prospect of going back to school.
Photo credit: Moshik Oshri - Chloe Gorman playing for her new team, ASA Tel Aviv.
Choosing the Right Program
After looking through the programs offered through the Lowy International School, Gorman decided to apply for the Master of Environmental Studies. “Growing up in Oregon, the Pacific northwest had always been such a big part of my life … environmental studies felt like a natural fit,” says Gorman, whose undergraduate degree is in physics.
While Gorman admits that juggling a degree with playing sports professionally can have its challenges – especially on Thursday, which happens to be both game day and class day – she says time management and organization are key. “During my undergrad, I also had to balance study and sport, so I really learned the power of being proactive,” recalls Gorman.
With her first semester nearly wrapped up, Gorman is excited to continue her studies and playing football: “The scholarship allows me to focus on both … I love that it doesn’t have to be either-or.”
At the same time, Gorman is keeping her eye on the longer-term benefits that the scholarship will afford her. “I want to continue playing professionally as long as I’m physically capable,” says Gorman, “but, as it is for most female athletes, I can’t rely long-term on a salary from sport … making sure I have an education that gives me career options – that’s key.”
The International Sports Scholarship Fund at TAU is generously supported by the Daniel Howard Foundation. Its recipients are known as Daniel Howard International Sports Scholars – in honor of Daniel Howard Marcus. Daniel was an elite rower who was training to represent Israel internationally when he was killed in a car crash during his active duty in the Israeli Air Force.
Recipients of the scholarship get free access to TAU’s world-class sports facilities, including the Sylvan Adams Sports Institute, the first applied sports research facility in Israel focused on improving the performance of elite athletes and Olympians.
Applications for the International Sports Scholarship Fund are currently being accepted until July 1, 2023. Learn more or apply here.