About government grants

Get the basic facts about government grants
and incentives here!

From the CESG to provincial incentives in Québec and Alberta, there are lots of ways to boost your education savings with help from the government.

About the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG)

Everyone is eligible for the basic Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG).

The basic grant matches 20% of the first $2,500 you contribute to your child’s RESP each year, up to a lifetime maximum of $7,200 per child.

That’s $500 more paid directly to your child’s RESP every year!

Depending on your income and the province you live in,
you may be eligible for other grants too.

Enhanced CESG
Canada Learning Bond (CLB)
Québec Education Savings Incentive (QESI) – Québec only
Alberta Centennial Education Savings Plan (ACES) – Alberta only

Enhanced CESG

Families with average or lower incomes receive more CESG grant sooner!

If your family income is between $37,885 and $75,769:

The government will match 30% of the first $500 you contribute each year, and 20%
of the next $2,000. That’s up to $550 for your child’s RESP each year!¹

If your family income is below $37,885:

The government will match 40% of the first $500 you contribute, and 20% of
the next $2,000. That’s up to $600 for your child’s RESP each year!¹

¹ up to the lifetime CESG maximum of $7,200 per child
 

The Canada Learning Bond (CLB)

Families with lower incomes can also receive the Canada Learning Bond.

The CLB adds $500 to your child’s RESP the first year, then $100 each year until your child turns 15 years old, and you don't have to make contributions to receive this grant.

You qualify for the CLB if:

• your child was born after December 31, 2003, and
• you receive the National Child Benefit Supplement.

The Québec Education Savings Incentive (QESI) – Québec only

Families in Québec can receive another 10% to 20% on the first $500 they contribute to their child’s RESP each year and 10% on the next $2000, up to a lifetime maximum of $3,600.

The Alberta Centennial Education Savings Plan (ACES) – Alberta only

Families in Alberta can receive an extra $500 when they first open an RESP for their child, then $100 more when the child turns 8, 11 and 14 years old.

You qualify for ACES if your child:

• was born after December 31, 2004
• is enrolled in a school in Alberta (each time you’re eligible for a grant), and
• you contributed at least $100 to your child’s RESP the year before.

The information included on this page is for reference only. It is current as of October 2009, but may be subject to change by the federal and provincial government departments offering these programs at any time.