Mensalidade vs. taxa de matrícula vs. propina vs. propina escolar
When discussion educational costs in Portuguese, geography determines the correct word choice. In Brazil, mensalidade is the standard term for monthly tuition, while propina means bribe and is never used for schools. In Portugal and Lusophone Africa, propina is the standard official term for tuition fees, particularly in universities. Taxa de matrícula is universally used for the initial enrollment fee.
Mensalidade
A2This word is derived from mês (month). It refers strictly to a monthly payment made to an institution. In Brazil, this is the standard word for tuition because private schools are paid on a monthly basis. In Portugal, it is also used for monthly payments, but usually for private primary/secondary schools or gyms, rather than universities.
A mensalidade da escola aumentou muito este ano.
(The school monthly tuition increased a lot this year.)
Você precisa pagar a mensalidade até o dia cinco de cada mês.
(You need to pay the monthly fee by the fifth of every month.)
O valor da mensalidade inclui as aulas de natação.
(The cost of the monthly payment includes swimming lessons.)
Taxa de matrícula
B1This refers specifically to the enrollment fee or registration fee. It is a one-time payment made at the beginning of the school year or course to secure a spot for the student. It is distinct from the ongoing tuition payments.
A taxa de matrícula deve ser paga antes do início das aulas.
(The registration fee must be paid before classes start.)
Muitas academias oferecem isenção da taxa de matrícula como promoção.
(Many gyms offer an exemption from the enrollment fee as a promotion.)
Eles não devolvem a taxa de matrícula se você desistir do curso.
(They do not refund the registration fee if you drop out of the course.)
Propina
B2This is the most regionally sensitive word. In Portugal, Angola, and Mozambique, propina is the standard formal term for tuition fees (especially usually annual or semester-based university fees). However, in Brazil, you must be very careful: propina almost exclusively means a bribe or illegal kickback. Never use propina to mean school tuition in Brazil.
Os estudantes universitários em Lisboa protestaram contra o aumento das propinas.
(University students in Lisbon protested against the increase in tuition fees.)
Eu ainda não paguei a primeira prestação da propina da faculdade.
(I haven't paid the first installment of the college tuition yet.)
O valor da propina varia dependendo do curso escolhido.
(The amount of the tuition fee varies depending on the chosen course.)
Propina escolar
C1This is a more specific phrase used primarily in Lusophone Africa (like Angola and Mozambique) and sometimes in Portugal to explicitly distinguish educational fees from other types of fees. It emphasizes that the money is for school services.
O governo definiu novos limites para a propina escolar nas instituições privadas.
(The government defined new limits for school tuition in private institutions.)
Os pais estão com dificuldade para pagar a propina escolar devido à crise.
(Parents are struggling to pay the school fees due to the crisis.)
A regularização da propina escolar é necessária para fazer os exames finais.
(Settling the school tuition is necessary to take the final exams.)
Summary
Use mensalidade for monthly payments (standard in Brazil for all tuition). Use taxa de matrícula for the one-time sign-up fee. Use propina for university tuition only if you are in Portugal or Africa; avoid propina in Brazil as it implies corruption (bribes).