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Truax/Johnson Scholarship Program
Deadline to apply: April 4, 2025 3:00 pm CT

A fund has been established from the assets of James R. Truax to assist students from Dunn County and Pepin County, Wisconsin, as well as members of the Truax/Johnson family. Students from Dunn and Pepin counties must be planning to pursue postsecondary studies in an agriculture-related/agribusiness program, or biological sciences major that pertain to plants or animals. There are no restrictions on the type of postsecondary studies for Truax/Johnson family members. Renewable scholarships are offered each year for full-time study at any accredited institution of the student’s choice.

This program is administered by Scholarship America®, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarships and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals. Eligibility for individual programs is determined at the sole discretion of the sponsor, and eligible applications are reviewed by Scholarship America’s evaluation team.

Applicants to the Truax/Johnson Scholarship Program must be:

  • High school seniors expecting to graduate from one of the following high schools located in Dunn County or Pepin County, Wisconsin:
    • Boyceville Senior High School, Boyceville, Wisconsin
    • Colfax High School, Colfax, Wisconsin
    • Elk Mound High School, Elk Mound, Wisconsin
    • Menomonie Senior High School, Menomonie, Wisconsin
    • Pepin Senior High School, Pepin, Wisconsin
    • Durand High School, Durand, Wisconsin
  • Students must plan to enroll in a full-time course of study in an agriculture-related, agribusiness or biological sciences major (biology in regard to plants and animals) at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school in Fall 2025.

OR

  • Members of the Truax-Johnson Family who are lineal descendants of Hans and Minnie Johnson, Hesther Truax, Jasper Johnson, and Hartvig Johnson including direct-line family members and children, natural and adopted. Family members can be high school seniors or graduates, or current postsecondary undergraduates, planning to enroll in a full-time course of study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school. There are no restrictions regarding areas of study for family members. Scholarships for graduate study for family members will be considered on a case-by-case basis. NOTE: If you are unsure if you are a lineal descendant of Hans and Minnie Johnson, Hesther Truax, Jasper Johnson or Hartvig Johnson, please contact cbamfeet@gmail.com

Award information:

If selected as a recipient, the student will receive notification of the amount of the award.

Awards for Dunn and Pepin County students may be renewed for up to three additional years or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever occurs first. Renewal is contingent upon satisfactory academic performance in full-time study in the specified area.

Awards for family members are renewable for up to three years or until a bachelor’s degree is earned, whichever occurs first. Renewal is contingent upon satisfactory academic performance in full-time study. Renewal of scholarships for graduate study will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

All renewals are contingent on continuation of the program by the sponsor.

Note: Non Family Members’ declared major must remain in an agriculture-related, agribusiness or biological sciences (biology in regard to plants and animals) or scholarship award will be forfeited. Each year upon renewal this will be verified.

Notification

Applicants will be notified in May. Not all applicants to the program will be selected as recipients. Selection of recipients is made by Scholarship America. Neither James R. Truax nor any member of the Truax/Johnson family plays a part in the selection. All applicants agree to accept the decision as final.

Payment of Scholarships

Scholarship America processes scholarship payments on behalf of the sponsor. Payments are made in one installment in early August.

Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of:

  • Academic performance
  • Demonstrated leadership, participation in school and community activities, awards and honors
  • Work experience and/or home responsibilities
  • Statement of career and educational aspirations and goals
  • Unusual personal or family circumstances
  • A brief statement answering the questions: How do you plan to pay for college? In what ways have you earned money for college expenses?
  • An online recommendation (teacher, school counselor, work supervisor)
  • Financial Information

Selection of recipients is made by Scholarship America. Neither James R. Truax nor any member of the Truax/Johnson family plays a part in the selection. All applicants agree to accept the decision as final.

As part of your application, you must upload the following documents:

  1. A current, complete transcript of grades. Grade reports are not accepted. Transcripts must display:
    • Student name
    • School name
    • Grades
    • Credit hours for each course and term in which each course was taken.

    NOTE: If you are providing SAT or ACT test scores, and those scores are not listed on your high school transcript, you will need to upload a copy of your test score report(s) separately. If you are uploading a college transcript, those scores are not required.

  2. Copy of the first two pages of the most recently filed IRS Form 1040 used for the Financial Information Page. (Please black out any sensitive data including Social Security Numbers prior to uploading.)

One online recommendation form must be submitted on your behalf no later than April 10, 2025 3:00 pm Central Time.

Your application is not complete unless all required documents are submitted electronically.

Truax/Johnson (non-family)
List of (potential) Majors
Agriculture-related ~ Agribusiness
Biological sciences major (Biology in regard to plants and animals)

  • Agriculture Production
  • Animal Science
  • Agricultural Business
  • Food Sciences and Technologies
  • Horticulture
  • Plant Science
  • Soil Science
  • Botany
  • Ecology
  • Environmental Science
  • Natural Science
  • Environmental Studies
  • Forestry
  • Conservation biology
  • Dairy Science
  • Farm Management
  • Pre-vet Medicine
  • Zoology
  • Marine Biology
  • Animal Husbandry
  • Sustainability

Truax/Johnson has partnered with Scholarship America. Select the button below to be directed to the Scholarship America Student Hub!

Please make sure to add studentsupport@scholarshipamerica.org as well as the program email address provided below in the footer as safe senders in your email contact list.