What is the term for the fees that families are required to pay for educational services?

The term that refers to the fees families are required to pay for educational services is tuition. Tuition specifically denotes the amount charged by educational institutions, such as schools or colleges, to cover the cost of instruction and facilities. It is common for primary, secondary, and post-secondary educational institutions to set a specific tuition rate that students or their families must pay, which can vary based on factors such as residency status, program type, and institution type.

The other terms listed do not accurately capture this specific concept. "Fees" generally refer to additional costs associated with specific services or activities, such as lab fees or registration fees, and are usually separate from the base tuition. "Charges" is a broader term that may encompass any fees owed but lacks the specificity of tuition. "Costs" can also refer to a wide range of expenses associated with education, including textbooks, supplies, and living expenses, rather than solely the fees for the educational service itself. Thus, tuition is the precise term necessary to describe the main educational fees mandated for attendance at an educational institution.