The crossword solution for the term STUD FEES is ANTES, which is a five-letter word. Antes are payments made by players in a poker game before any cards are dealt. They are typically used to create an initial pot and encourage players to stay in the game. In other contexts, antes can refer to any kind of payment made in advance of a service or activity. In the case of stud fees, they are payments made to a breeder for the right to breed their animal.