A declining number of pupils are applying for assistance from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority, to help pay their NCEA exam fees.
NZQA statistics requested under the Official Information Act show the number of pupils asking for financial assistance had dropped 7.9% in Otago and 13.3% nationwide during the past five years.
For the 2015 school year, 814 applications for financial assistance were received from pupils at Otago schools, and 27,947 applications were received nationally.
NZQA Assessment deputy chief executive Kristine Kilkelly said NZQA worked closely with schools to ensure teachers and families were aware of the assistance available.
"The number of financial assistance applications has remained steady over the last five years. However, we have seen a small decrease recently.''
The entry cost for NCEA is $76.70 a year for all NCEA standards, but Ms Kilkelly said if families were eligible for benefit or income-based financial assistance, the cost of NCEA was reduced to $20 per pupil, or $30 per family.
"We want all students to have the opportunity to achieve their full potential and NCEA fees shouldn't be a barrier to this, which is why we have a financial assistance policy.''
Other than the increase in GST in 2010, NCEA fees have not changed since 2005.
Regardless of whether fees had been paid or not, NCEA assessments - including exam papers - were marked and pupils could log on to NZQA's website and see their results, she said.
"Each year, NZQA proactively alerts students to the fact that they have outstanding unpaid NCEA fees.
"Students must pay their fees to have their results recorded on their Record of Achievement, and to receive certificates.''
Ms Kilkelly said 2015 applications were being processed. All were expected to be approved.
"Some applications take longer than others to process as corrections or further information may be required before the application can be completed or approved.''
Despite the declining number of applicants, Otago Secondary Principals' Association secretary Gordon Wilson said it was an "important mechanism'' for families struggling with the fees to get government help.
"This seems to fit the purpose and it's clearly needed by about 800 families across Otago.''
Mr Wilson said schools and NZQA worked closely to ensure teachers and families were aware of the assistance available.
The NZQA fee represents a 33% contribution to NCEA direct costs, which included exam-setting; marking; printing and/or sorting; holding exams; distributing exam papers; secondary school moderation; professional development and support; school liaison, quality assurance and support.
