school fee

The student's parents pay the school fee at the office.

Definition

Noun (typically used in plural form: school fees): - Charge for education: "school fee" refers to the money paid by a student or their family to an educational institution (such as a school, college, or university) in exchange for instruction, access to facilities, and other academic services.

Usage Instructions

• "School fee" is often used in the plural as "school fees" when referring to the overall cost or recurring payments. It is countable: (one payment), (multiple payments or the total cost).
• It is distinct from "tuition" (which specifically covers teaching costs) and may include additional charges for books, activities, or boarding.

Usage Examples

• (A single payment for a term of education.)
• (The total cost of education over time.)
• (Financial aid to pay the education charges.)
• (A specific rate set by the institution.)

Advanced Usage

• "to waive school fees": to officially cancel or not require payment of the educational charges.
  • The school waived the school fees for low-income families. (The institution exempted them from paying.)
• "school fee structure": the system or breakdown of how fees are calculated and categorized.
  • The school fee structure includes tuition, lab fees, and sports charges. (The detailed list of costs.)
• "school fee refund": a repayment of fees if a student withdraws or the course is cancelled.
  • He received a full school fee refund after the program was discontinued. (Money returned to him.)

Variants and Related Words

• School fees (plural noun): the standard term for the total charges for education.
  • The school fees have increased by 10% this year. (The overall costs.)
• Fee (noun): a payment for a service, not limited to education.
  • The doctor charged a consultation fee. (A charge for medical advice.)
• Tuition (noun): specifically the money paid for teaching, often part of school fees.
  • Tuition covers classroom instruction, but school fees include other expenses.

Synonyms

• Tuition fee: a specific payment for instruction (often interchangeable in some contexts).
• Educational charge: a formal term for any cost related to schooling.
• Enrollment fee: a one-time payment to register at an institution.

Related Idioms

• "to foot the school fees": to pay for someone's education (often used informally).
  • Her grandparents agreed to foot the school fees for her entire degree. (They paid all costs.)
• "school fee hike": a sudden increase in the cost of education.
  • The school fee hike caused protests among parents. (A sharp rise in charges.)