Canada Education Savings Grant
No money for your child's education?
Even with no savings, you could qualify for $500 or more from the Government of Canada. Check out the Canada Learning Bond section for more information.
This grant from the Government of Canada can help you start saving for your child's education after high school. Your child can use the money for full-time or part-time studies in an apprenticeship program, CEGEP, trade school, college or university. The CESG is based on contributions made to an RESP in respect of an eligible beneficiary and is comprised of two components:
- The Basic CESG
- The Additional CESG
What is the Basic CESG?
Basic CESG is a payment of 20% on RESP contributions made in respect of an eligible beneficiary, up until the end of the calendar year in which the beneficiary turns 17.
Over 3 million children have already received the Canada Education Savings Grant. Register your child today!
What is the Additional CESG?
The Additional Canada Education Savings Grant (A-CESG) is extra money from the Government of Canada available to help you save for your child's education after high school. This grant is in addition to the basic Canada Education Grant that you may already be receiving in your child's RESP.
Additional CESG is a payment (over and above the Basic CESG amount) of either 10% or 20% on the first $500 or less of annual RESP contributions made on or after January 1, 2005, in respect of an eligible beneficiary, up until the end of the calendar year in which the beneficiary turns 17.
The amount of money that your child can receive in additional grant depends on the net family income of the child's primary caregiver.
- For example, in 2013*, on the first $500 that you put into your child's RESP each year, the Additional Canada Education Savings Grant could add:
- up to $100, if your net family income is $43,561 or less
- up to $50, if your net family income is between $43,561 and $87,123
*To find out net family income, primary caregivers can consult their:
- Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB) Notice of Determination
- Goods and Services tax Credit/harmonized Sales Tax Credit (GSTC/HSTC) notice of Determination
- Notice of Assessment or Reassessment (if married or have a common-law partner add the two Net Incomes - Line 236).
- My Account – available on the CRA Web site at www.cra-arc.gc.ca/myaccount
Primary caregivers who still wish to call the CRA to confirm their net income can call 1-800-959-8281. They will be asked a series of questions specific to their account before the CRA can disclose net family income and would be required to have such tax or benefit statements on hand during the call. Therefore the above options are the preferred options to present to subscribers instead of telling them to call the CRA.
Please note that the family income amounts are updated every year and that the example is based on 2012 income levels.
Who can get the Canada Education Savings Grant?
- All children up to age 17 are eligible, as long as they are Canadian residents and an RESP has been opened for them.
- Special rules apply if your child is between the ages of 15 and 17. See Special Rules for Children Aged 15 to 17.
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