great questions,leiderLeider..
You have great latitude what to do with your “maaser’ money. Many people buy seforim and you will often see the notation ” bought with maaser money’ in seforim.
I cannot say about tuition but personally, I would include tuition as “maaser”. After all, you support talmidei chachomim. Well, at least part of the tuition.
As far as buying coffee and paying for candles ,check out the “Mi sheberach” before mussaf on shabbos that says explicitly “the ones who give money for candles, wine for Kiddush ,bread for guests and charity for the poor”. I certainly would include coffee,cake, schnapps, etc.. as giving zedokoh and could be given with “maaser’ money.
Well, I haven’t checked hilchos zedakah but logic allows the mentioned charities.