Half of university scholarships go to students from our wealthiest families, dismaying teachers in disadvantaged areas who see even their brightest students struggle to get a foot in the door.
A Weekend Herald investigation into five universities found, last year, high decile schools received four times the number of entry-level scholarships as those in the low deciles.
Schools in the most exclusive neighbourhoods were winning up to $1 million in prizes each year, while schools in more deprived areas were lucky to gain $100,000 in rewards.
For example, Epsom Girls' Grammar, a decile 10, gained $225,000 worth of scholarships from Auckland University alone. Mangere College, a decile 1, was awarded one prize worth $20,000 by the university.
Unlike students from wealthy families, failing to get a scholarship often meant the end of the dream for disadvantaged kids - particularly for those from families who'd never had anyone go to university before.
"What puts them off is going into debt," said Mangere College principal Tom Webb.
"The pressure from family to go out and work is a disincentive to go on with study. There is an expectation to become an earner for the family earlier on."
Aorere College Head of Careers Mary Kerrigan said she had tried to raise the scholarship issue with Auckland University after extremely bright students at her school - including the Dux - failed to get scholarships two years in a row.