Question:
I am aware that Rav Moshe Feinstein Zatzal says tuition for Girls schools should not be paid from maaser. What about fees such as registration fee and building fee etc.. for girls school? Money is tight. Thank you
Answer:
You may use maaser money for that. R’ Moshe was only talking about the tuition that is actually being used to educate, and not for side expenses.
Another point is that if money is tight for you, speak to a Rov, because you might not have to give ma’aser at all if things are tight.
Another important point. Tuition used for seminary may be taken partially from ma’aser. Meaning, the part that you are paying for her education may be taken from ma’aser since R’ Moshe’s reasoning that the father can’t use ma’aser is since it is the fathers obligation to make sure she gets Jewish education, but it isn’t the fathers obligation to send his daughter to seminary, therefore the tuition may be taken from ma’aser. However the part of the tuition that is not for the actual education, but for dorm and food expenses of the school, and the father would anyway have these expenses if his daughter would be at home. Therefore that part of the tuition can’t be taken from ma’aser.
Sources:
Igros Moshe Y:D 2-113, R’ S. Z. Auerbach zt”l in Kol Hatorah 39 pg. 89 question 17, The laws of Tzedakah (Taub) pg. 162..
