How much does the government contribute to an RESP?

The federal government contributes through three programs: the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) matches 20% of annual contributions up to $500 per year ($7,200 lifetime), the Additional CESG adds 10-20% on the first $500 for lower-income families, and the Canada Learning Bond (CLB) provides up to $2,000 for eligible low-income families without requiring any personal contributions.

What is the CESG and how does it work?

The Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) is a 20% match on annual RESP contributions, up to a maximum of $500 per year per child ($2,500 contribution × 20% = $500). The lifetime CESG limit per child is $7,200. The grant is paid directly into the RESP. To maximize the CESG, contribute at least $2,500 per year per child.

What is the Additional CESG?

The Additional CESG provides extra matching on the first $500 of annual contributions for lower-income families. If family net income is under $55,867 (2026), you receive an extra 20% (total 40% on first $500 = $200). If income is between $55,867 and $111,733, you receive an extra 10% (total 30% on first $500 = $150). The Additional CESG is included in the $7,200 lifetime limit.

What is the Canada Learning Bond?

The Canada Learning Bond (CLB) is a government grant for children in low-income families. It provides $500 in the first year and $100 per year for up to 15 years (maximum $2,000 per child). No personal contributions are required — you just need to open an RESP. Eligibility is based on receiving the Canada Child Benefit.

Can I carry forward unused CESG room?

Yes. If you do not contribute enough to claim the full $500 CESG in a year, the unused room carries forward. You can claim up to $1,000 in CESG in a single year (double the annual limit) by contributing $5,000. This means if you miss early years, you can catch up later — but only at double the normal rate. You should start contributing before age 15 to avoid losing room permanently.

How much should I contribute to an RESP each year?

At minimum, contribute $2,500 per year per child to get the full $500 CESG. The lifetime contribution limit is $50,000 per beneficiary. If you can only afford a smaller amount, contribute at least $500 to get the Additional CESG (if eligible). Any contribution triggers the 20% match up to the annual limit.

What happens if my child does not go to post-secondary?

If your child does not attend post-secondary education: (1) Government grants (CESG, CLB) must be returned to the government. (2) Your contributions are returned to you tax-free. (3) Investment growth (Accumulated Income Payments) can be rolled into your RRSP (up to RRSP room available) and taxed as income plus a 20% penalty if not rolled to RRSP. (4) You can transfer the RESP to another beneficiary (sibling) without losing grants.

When should I start an RESP?

As soon as possible after birth. Starting at birth means 18 years of CESG eligibility and compound growth. Starting at age 10 means only 7-8 years of grants. With $2,500 annual contributions at 6% return, starting at birth produces roughly $93,000 by age 18 — while starting at age 10 produces only $38,000. Early years matter enormously due to compounding.

RESP Grant Calculator

The RESP grant calculator estimates government grants — CESG, Additional CESG, and Canada Learning Bond — on your Registered Education Savings Plan contributions. See a year-by-year projection of contributions, grants, investment growth, and total RESP value.

For the surrounding rules, read this with the main RESP guide, the strategy page how to maximize CESG, the hard cap explainer maximum RESP CESG lifetime limit, and the deadline rules in RESP grant CESG deadline Canada. If you want the full portfolio projection rather than just the grant layer, use the main RESP calculator.

How this calculator works

Enter your child’s current age, existing RESP balance, planned annual contribution, family income bracket (for Additional CESG and CLB), expected rate of return, and CESG already received. The calculator projects grants earned, investment growth, and total RESP value through age 17.

Projected RESP at Age 18

Your Total Contributions

CESG (20% match, up to $7,200)

Additional CESG (lower income)

CLB (Canada Learning Bond)

Total Government Grants

Investment Growth

Projected Balance at 18

Year-by-Year Projection

Age	Contribution	CESG	Growth	Balance

CESG: 20% of the first $2,500/year (max $500/year, $7,200 lifetime). Additional CESG: extra 10-20% on first $500 for lower-income families. CLB: $500 initial + $100/year for families receiving the Canada Child Benefit with net income under ~$55,867. Contribution room accumulates at $2,500/year with carry-forward up to $5,000/year.

RESP government grants at a glance

Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG)

Feature	Details
Match rate	20% of annual contributions
Annual maximum	$500 ($2,500 in contributions)
Carry-forward maximum	$1,000 in one year ($5,000 contributed)
Lifetime maximum	$7,200 per beneficiary
Eligibility	Canadian resident beneficiary under 18

Additional CESG (income-tested)

Family Net Income (2026)	Extra Rate on First $500	Total Rate on First $500
Under $55,867	+20%	40% ($200 on $500)
$55,867 – $111,733	+10%	30% ($150 on $500)
Over $111,733	0%	20% ($100 on $500)

Canada Learning Bond (CLB)

Feature	Details
First year	$500 (including $25 to open the RESP)
Each subsequent year	$100/year
Lifetime maximum	$2,000 per child
Contributions required	None
Eligibility	Child qualifies for Canada Child Benefit (low-income)

Contribution strategies

The “$2,500 per year” minimum

Contributing $2,500 annually from birth to age 17 captures the full $500 CESG every year:

Total contributions: $45,000
Total CESG: $9,000 (capped at $7,200, so $2,500/year for ~14.4 years maxes it)
Growth at 6%: ~$38,000+
RESP value at 18: ~$93,000

The catch-up strategy

If you start late, contribute $5,000/year to claim $1,000 in CESG (double catch-up):

Start Age	Annual Contribution	Total Contributions	Total CESG	RESP at 18 (6%)
Birth	$2,500	$45,000	$7,200	~$93,000
Age 5	$2,500 ($5,000 first 2 years)	$37,500	$7,200	~$67,000
Age 10	$5,000	$40,000	$7,200	~$55,000
Age 14	$5,000	$20,000	$4,000	~$24,000

Starting early is the single most important factor.

The “$208 per month” autopilot

$208.33/month × 12 = $2,500/year. Setting up an automatic monthly contribution ensures you never miss the CESG:

Easier to budget than a lump sum
Dollar-cost averaging reduces timing risk
Full CESG captured every year

RESP investment growth scenarios

Starting from birth with $2,500/year contributions and full CESG:

Return Rate	RESP at Age 18	Total Grants	Total Growth
4%	$75,000	$7,200	$22,800
6%	$93,000	$7,200	$40,800
7%	$102,000	$7,200	$49,800
8%	$113,000	$7,200	$60,800

At 6% average return, the CESG and investment growth roughly double your contributions.

Important rules to know

The 31-year rule

RESPs can remain open for up to 35 years after being opened (or 40 years for beneficiaries eligible for the Disability Tax Credit). If funds are not used for education, the plan must be collapsed.

Changing beneficiaries

You can transfer the RESP to a sibling (or other eligible family member) without losing the CESG as long as the new beneficiary has CESG room. This makes family plans flexible.

Post-secondary eligible expenses

RESP funds can be used for:

Tuition, fees, and books at colleges, universities, CEGEPs, and trade schools
Living expenses while enrolled full-time or part-time
Programs must be at designated educational institutions

Investment Calculator — Model long-term RESP investment growth
Compound Interest Calculator — See how compounding boosts RESP returns
TFSA Calculator — Compare education savings in a TFSA
Income Tax Calculator — Estimate tax on RESP withdrawals (student pays)
Budget Calculator — Budget for monthly RESP contributions
Savings Goal Calculator — Set an RESP savings target