A new partnership between an Omaha school, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and an Omaha community group is working to improve college performance of low-income students.

The partnership — called the Nebraska College Preparatory Academy — will identify 20 freshman Omaha North High Magnet School students and prepare them for college.

Scholars who graduate from the academy and desire to attend UNL will be prepared for admission and be eligible for financial aid for the full direct cost of attendance. Academy students also will receive college work-study assistance, directed academic and career advising, and tutoring and mentoring.

The first UNL College Preparatory Academy class was selected at Grand Island Senior High School in 2006, and 52 first-generation or low-income students there have participated.

The academy provides Omaha North High School scholars and their parents support from UNL and Omaha administrators, teachers and counselors. They also receive support from community members of the Empowerment Network.

In addition to the preparatory academy, UNL will admit 10 Omaha North 11th graders into a pilot Nebraska Cadet (College Access, Development and Training) Institute. The institute will provide talented students admission and financial support to UNL, and include career development and leadership curriculum.

More information, including application for admission into College Preparatory Academy classes, can be found at: www.admissions.unl.edu/college_prep_academy.