Is paying a fee to participate in an examination to obtain a scholarship (a discount from the annual tuition fee) considered maysir/gambling?

If entering the exam requires paying a sum to the school, which it then uses for its own benefit or pays as an annual installment to the scholarship winner, then this is a forbidden form of Maysir (gambling/easy gain). However, if the amount represents only the cost of organizing the exam without any increase, then there is no harm in it, and it is considered akin to a hiring fee.