USA Scholarships
Dave Family Humor Studies Scholarship 2027 - $500
The Dave Family Humor Studies Scholarship is a $500 award from the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor, a Rockford, Illinois nonprofit that connects clinicians, educators, and researchers who use laughter in serious settings. AATH offers the fund to cultivate members who will practice applied or therapeutic humor after graduation. You should be a college student pursuing humor or laughter studies with a clear interest in that field, and selection priority goes to applicants entering accredited colleges and universities in the United States. Historically the application asks for three essays of up to 250 words each on your post-college plans for humor education, why you deserve the scholarship, and how humor helped during a difficult experience. AATH runs all named conference scholarships through aath.org/scholarships with a single annual deadline, which was December 14, 2025 at 11:59 PM Central for the 2026 conference year. For the 2027 Humor Conference and Humor Academy cycle, expect a similar December 2026 deadline until AATH posts updated dates. Recipients are usually notified by late December. Scholarships cannot be deferred to a future conference year.
What is the Dave Family Humor Studies Scholarship?
Therapeutic humor sounds like an oxymoron until you watch a clown therapist work a pediatric ward or a teacher defuse tension with a well-timed line. The Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor has backed that work since 1990, and the Dave family fund targets students who want in early. If your major, certificate, or self-designed path touches laughter studies, this is one of the few awards that treats humor as a professional skill rather than a hobby.
The check is $500, not a full ride, and it rides alongside AATH''s conference scholarships. That means your essays should connect classroom learning to the May conference floor, where nurses, counselors, educators, and researchers swap techniques for using humor ethically. Three short answers, 250 words each, beat one long personal statement here. Show where you are headed after college, why this donor line fits your story, and a moment when laughter actually helped when life was hard.
Rockford hosts the association, yet the priority line favors students entering US colleges and universities. Watch aath.org/scholarships each fall for the portal opening and treat the mid-December Central Time deadline as immovable. If you miss the window, you can still register for the conference at the applicant discount rate AATH keeps open, but the scholarship itself sticks to the conference year you apply for and will not roll forward.
Eligibility
-
✓College student in humor or laughter studiesApplicants must be college students pursuing humor or laughter studies with an interest in entering applied or therapeutic humor after graduation.
-
✓Priority for US college and university entrantsAATH gives selection priority to applicants entering colleges and universities in the United States, though the association is an international humor community.
-
✓Interest in applied or therapeutic humorYour essays should show how you plan to use humor education in healthcare, education, leadership, or community settings aligned with AATH's mission.
-
✓Separate application for this named fundWhen the AATH portal is open, you may apply for up to three different AATH scholarships but must submit a separate essay for each fund you pursue.
-
✓Meet published essay length limitsAATH asks for 250 words or fewer per essay response unless a specific scholarship description states otherwise.
-
✓Apply before the posted Central Time deadlineLate entries are not considered. Watch aath.org/scholarships for the exact date each conference year.
Benefits
- Cash award $500
- Purpose Support AATH Humor Conference and Humor Academy participation
- Number of awards One per cycle when a qualified applicant is found
- Member cultivation Designed to grow the next generation of AATH practitioners
- Conference year only Cannot defer to a later AATH conference
- Full tuition at your college Not covered
- Automatic renewal Single-year conference scholarship
Document checklist
-
✓Three 250-word essay responsesAnswer how you will apply humor or laughter education after college, why you deserve this scholarship, and how humor helped you in a difficult situation. Stay within 250 words per response.
-
✓Online AATH scholarship applicationComplete the form on aath.org/scholarships when applications open for the 2027 conference year. One submission per scholarship you pursue.
-
✓Optional supporting mediaAATH allows optional uploads such as short videos with some scholarship applications when the portal requests them.
-
✓Contact information for follow-upProvide accurate email and phone details so the scholarship committee can reach you by late December if you are selected.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
What is the Dave Family Humor Studies Scholarship?
It is a $500 scholarship from the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor for college students pursuing humor or laughter studies who want careers in applied or therapeutic humor. The Dave family fund helps AATH cultivate new members.
Who is eligible for the Dave Family Humor Studies Scholarship?
College students studying humor or laughter with plans to enter applied or therapeutic humor. AATH gives priority to applicants enrolling at US colleges and universities.
How much is the Dave Family Humor Studies Scholarship?
The published award amount is $500 with one scholarship available annually when the committee selects a qualified applicant.
When is the Dave Family Humor Studies Scholarship deadline?
AATH sets one deadline for all conference scholarships on aath.org/scholarships. The 2026 conference year closed December 14, 2025 at 11:59 PM Central. Expect a similar mid-December date for the 2027 cycle.
What essays does the Dave Family Humor Studies Scholarship require?
You typically submit three responses of up to 250 words each on how you will use humor education after college, why you deserve the award, and how humor helped during a difficult situation.
Can I apply for multiple AATH scholarships?
Yes, but only up to three AATH scholarships per year, with a separate essay for each. Submitting more than three essays results in disqualification.
Does the Dave Family scholarship pay college tuition?
No. The $500 award supports participation in AATH's Annual Humor Conference and Humor Academy rather than direct tuition at your school.
How do I contact AATH about the Dave Family scholarship?
Email [email protected] or call 815-708-6587. The association is headquartered at 6845 Weaver Road, Suite 300, Rockford, Illinois.
Scholarship Union
More in-depth scholarship guides curated by experts.
Related guides
Always verify scholarship details on the official source before applying. Information on this page may change.
Visit official website