My daughter’s school did not charge a fee to use a credit card her first year and in fact encouraged it, announcing at orientation to do so ‘and get those credit card points.’ When I went to do it again, there was a new fee to do so (2-3%). Luckily, I noticed and had the money in my checking account.
I just paid her summer school bill today (she’s already on the trip, so it was easier for me to do the bank transfer from inside the USA), and indeed there is a fee for using a credit card, so not worth the air miles. It is considered a purchase by the credit card companies, not a cash advance, so it there was a card with a 0% intro rate, it might still be a good deal to make a big charge IF, and only IF, the school does not charge a fee for the ‘purchase.’