School fees in the UAE can be very expensive for parents. They start from around Dh 9,000 per year and can go up to Dh120,000 for top international schools. If you have more than one child, the costs become even higher. Many families are looking for smart ways to reduce these big expenses. This guide will show you simple methods to cut down your school fee payments and keep more money in your pocket. Also look for All You Must Know About 5 Major Dubai Changes in August
Understanding School Fee Costs
School invoices are already being sent out even though classes may not start for another month. The cost difference between schools is huge. Local schools charge much less than international schools, but many parents prefer international education for their children. The key is finding ways to save on school fee payments without changing your child’s school.
Most families don’t realize how much they can actually save with the right approach. Some parents pay full amounts upfront to get discounts, while others look for interest-free loans. The smartest approach is combining different saving methods to get maximum benefits.
Cashback Credit Cards Strategy
One of the best ways to how to save on school fee payments is using cashback credit cards. However, you need to be careful about which card you choose. Not all credit cards give cashback on education payments. Some banks classify school fees under education, while others put them under government services or quasi-cash transactions.
The CBD Super Saver credit card offers up to 10 percent cashback per month, but it has limits. For education fees, you can only earn 150 dirhams cashback monthly, which equals 1,800 dirhams per year. The ADIB Cashback credit card pays 4 percent cashback on education costs with a 300 dirham monthly limit. This works out to a maximum of 3,600 dirhams per year.
Mike Coady from Skybound Wealth Management says many families look for ways to reduce the financial burden. But you must understand the rules of each credit card before applying.
Monthly Payment Options
Many parents don’t know that schools often allow monthly fee payments instead of yearly payments. Not all schools advertise this option, so you need to ask directly. Some schools charge small administrative fees for monthly payments, but this can help with cash flow.
One parent at Brighton College in Al Barsha saved about Dh2,500 using the CBD Super Saver card for monthly payments. Some parents even split school fees across different cards to maximize their cashback earnings. Your first step should be asking the school if monthly payments are possible.
Interest-Free Payment Plans
Many UAE banks work directly with schools to offer zero percent installment plans. Emirates NBD provides zero percent plans for up to 24 months on education expenses through cards like Go4it Platinum. ADCB also offers zero percent Easy Payment Plans for school fees through its Touchpoint and Lulu cards.
RAKBANK supports fee payments to over 300 schools through its Skiply app. Parents can pay using RAKBANK cards with 0 percent installments and no extra processing fees. Ajman Bank also offers zero percent profit installments on education payments above Dh1,000 without any processing fees.
Important Tips and Warnings
These saving on school fee tips only work if you pay your credit card balance in full every month. If you don’t pay the full amount, the 3 percent cashback gets quickly erased by 30 percent interest charges. This means you end up paying more money instead of saving.
Al Hilal Bank provides an Education Cash feature where up to 80 percent of your credit limit can be transferred directly to the school with 0 percent profit. Standard Chartered and HSBC both offer school fee deals with zero percent installment plans. Always read the fine print before signing up for any credit card or payment plan.
Conclusion
Saving money on school fees in the UAE is possible with the right planning and tools. Whether you choose cashback credit cards, monthly payment plans, or interest-free installments, always make sure you understand all the terms and conditions. The key is to start early and compare all your options before making a decision.
Remember that the best savings come from combining different methods and paying off your credit cards on time. With proper planning,
