The Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) is money that the Government adds to a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP). This money helps to pay the costs of a child’s full- or part-time studies after high school at:
- https://www.openportal.ca/quick-university-finder/apprenticeship programs
- CEGEPs (general or vocational college in Quebec)
- trade schools
- colleges
- universities
See a list of designated educational institutions.
The lifetime maximum amount of CESG a child can get is $7,200.
Learn more about how much a child could get
If you cannot contribute in any given year, you can catch up in future years.
Learn more about grant room (carry forward)
Anyone can open an Canada Education Savings Grant- RESP
For a child to get the CESG, personal contributions must be made to an RESP. Anyone can open an RESP for a child and make contributions, not just the child’s parents.
Apply for the CESG – About the grant
Eligibility
Eligibility for the basic CESG
The CESG, including the Additional amount of CESG, is available until the end of the calendar year that a child turns 17. However, there are eligibility restrictions for children who are 16 or 17 years old.
To be eligible for the CESG, a child must:
- be a resident of Canada
- have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- be named as a beneficiary in a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)
A contribution must be made to the RESP for a child to get the CESG.
Eligibility for the Additional amount of CESG
The Additional amount of CESG is available to eligible children from middle- and low-income families. Eligibility depends on the adjusted income level of the child’s primary caregiver. The income levels are updated every year.
In 2018, a child is eligible for the Additional amount of CESG if the adjusted family income level is $93,208 or less.
Contact the Canada Revenue Agency for more information about adjusted income levels at 1-800-387-1193.
CESG eligibility restrictions for children aged 16 or 17
Children who are 16 or 17 years old may be eligible to get the CESG. To be eligible, they must meet at least one of the following conditions before the end of the calendar year they turn 15:
- at least $2,000 is contributed to (and not withdrawn from) the RESP
- a minimum annual contribution of $100 is made to (and not withdrawn from) the RESP in any four previous years
Use the calendar year to determine:
- CESG eligibility
- the amount of contributions made
- the CESG room earned and used in the year