Advertiser Disclosure

The content on this website includes links to our partners and we may receive compensation when you sign up, at no cost to you. This may impact which products or services we write about and where and how they appear on the site. It does not affect the objectivity of our evaluations or reviews. Read our disclosure.

What is the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG)?

The Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) is free money the government provides for your child’s future post-secondary education.  

Funds are deposited directly into your kid’s (the beneficiary’s) Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) account and grow tax-free until withdrawal.

Depending on a family’s net income, kids may also be eligible to receive an additional grant, referred to as the additional CESG (A-CESG).

Eligibility for the Canada Education Savings Grant

The CESG is available to your child until the end of the year they turn 17 as long as:

  • They are a Canadian resident; and
  • They have a valid social insurance number; and
  • They have an RESP account opened in their name; and,
  • An application has been made for the grant.

Related: How To Maximize Your Canada Child Benefits

How much CESG money will you receive?

Unlike the Canada Learning Bond, you must contribute to your child’s RESP to receive the CESG funds.

Basic CESG

The government will contribute 20 cents for every $1 you contribute, up to a maximum of $500 per child per year.

To receive the maximum grant of $500 in any particular year, you would need to contribute at least $2,500 for that year (i.e. $2,500 x 20%).

Additional CESG

Low to middle-income families may be eligible for additional grants known as the A-CESG.

Depending on a family’s net income, the additional grant is 10-20% on the first $500 contributed to your child’s RESP each year. Families with a net income:

  • Less than or equal to $50,197 are eligible for an additional 20% in grants on the first $500 contributed (i.e. $100).
  • Between $50,197 and $100,392 are eligible for an additional 10% in grants on the first $500 contributed (i.e. $50).

The additional grant is reviewed annually based on the adjusted family net income level shown on your tax return for the previous tax year. For 2022, your 2021 tax return is used.

Example: Assume you make an annual RESP contribution of $2,500 to your kid’s RESP.

Net Family IncomeBasic CESG AmountAdditional CESG AmountTotal CESG Amount
$50,197 or less$500$100$600
Between $50,197 to $100,392$500$50$550
More than $100,392$5000$500

Unused RESP room can be carried forward and contributed in future years. The maximum lifetime limit receivable as grants through the CESG is $7,200.

Related: Best RESP Providers in Canada

How To Apply for the CESG

Receiving the CESG is easy.

Open an RESP account at a financial institution of your choice for your child and request that the bank (RESP provider) apply for the CESG (and A-CESG, if eligible) on your behalf.

Final Thoughts

College or any other post-secondary education can be pretty expensive. Government grants provided through the CESG can lessen the burden by providing you with free money to save. The free funds are essentially a guaranteed 20% return on your investment!

Consider giving your kids a leg-up by contributing to an RESP early and using compound interest and time to your advantage. Your child will thank you!

Also Read: 

This article was originally published in 2017 and is regularly updated.

Best Freebies and Deals This Month

Get a $20 bonus and up to 5% cash back with this free prepaid card

Best free reloadable prepaid card (use CASHBACK referral code for $20 bonus).

Earn unlimited 1% cash back on groceries and gas & up to 5% at partners.

Enjoy automatic savings and earn up to 2% interest on your balance.

Increase your credit score fast with Credit Building.

Best FREE chequing account offer in Canada with $400 cash bonus

$400 cash bonus when you deposit $100 for three months.

Forget about monthly account fees or minimum balance requirements.

Unlimited free debits and Interac e-Transfer transactions.

Earn high-interest rates on a free savings account (6.00% promo).

Get the prepaid card that pays interest and unlimited cash back

One of the best no-fee prepaid debit cards in Canada.

Get 0.50% unlimited cash back on all purchases.

Earn 2.50% interest on your entire balance.

No ATM withdrawal fees and no FX fees when you spend abroad.

Retirement 101 eBook - 3D

Author

Gravatar for Enoch Omololu, MSc (Econ)
Enoch Omololu, MSc (Econ)

Enoch Omololu is a personal finance expert and a veterinarian. He has a master’s degree in Finance and Investment Management from the University of Aberdeen Business School (Scotland) and has completed several courses and certificates in finance, including the Canadian Securities Course. He also has an MSc. in Agricultural Economics from the University of Manitoba and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Ibadan. Enoch is passionate about helping others win with their finances and has been writing about money matters for over a decade. He has been featured or quoted in Forbes, The Globe and Mail, Winnipeg Free Press, Wealthsimple, CBC News, Financial Post, Toronto Star, CTV News, Canadian Securities Exchange, Credit Canada, National Post, and many other personal finance publications. You can learn more about him on the About Page.

His top investment tools include Wealthsimple and Questrade. He earns cash back on purchases using KOHO, monitors his credit score for free using Borrowell, and earns interest on savings through EQ Bank.

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.