The Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) contributes a 20% match of a family’s annual savings contribution to their children’s RESP, and the Canada Learning Bond (CLB) provides up to $2,000 to assist eligible families beginning to save for their children’s post-secondary education. The government deposits both types of grants into a registered education savings plan (RESP), where the savings grow tax-free.
We’ll explain how these grants work, how much the government contributes, and who qualifies for RESP grants in Canada.
How do RESP grants work?
An RESP grant is a government contribution to an eligible education savings plan to encourage you to contribute more. You can open a free RESP account to save for your post-secondary education, your child’s education, or someone else’s.
RESPs are partly funded by the government, but they’re offered by financial institutions and RESP providers, including banks, credit unions, life insurance companies, and education savings companies like Embark. Regardless of where you open your RESP, the government grant rules are the same, though providers may differ in the investment options, fees, and features they offer.
Here’s a quick look at how your grant options compare:
| Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) | Canada Learning Bond (CLB) | |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Canadian resident children up to the end of the calendar year they turn 17 | Children born on or after Jan 1, 2004, from low-income families |
| Requires personal contribution to RESP | Yes; grant matches 20% of your annual contributions | No |
| Amount of the grant | 20% of the first $2,500 contributed per year | $500 for the first year, then $100 per eligible year until age 15. |
| Maximum amount granted | $7,200 lifetime limit per child | $2,000 per child |
| Additional information or features | Unused grant room rolls over each year | Retroactive payments can be claimed until the day before the beneficiary turns 21 |
How much does the government contribute to an RESP?
The amount that you’ll receive from the government depends on which grant you’re getting. While everyone with an RESP is eligible for the Canada Education Savings Grant, not everyone qualifies for the Canada Learning Bond.
Here’s how much you can expect to receive from these grants if you qualify:
CESG government contributions
| Adjusted family net income for 2025 | Less than $57,375 | Between $57,375 and $114,750 | More than $114,750 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic CESG on the first $2,500 of annual RESP contribution | 20% = $500 | 20% = $500 | 20% = $500 |
| Additional amount of the CESG on the first $500 of annual RESP contribution | 20% = $100 | 10% = $50 | Not eligible |
| Maximum yearly CESG depending on income and contributions | $600 | $550 | $500 |
| Lifetime maximum per child | $7,200 | $7,200 | $7,200 |
CLB government contributions
| CLB contribution amounts | |
|---|---|
| First year of eligibility | $500 |
| Each following year of eligibility until age 15 | $100 |
| Lifetime maximum per child | $2,000 |
Who qualifies for the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG)?
Most Canadian-resident children under 18 who are named as beneficiaries of an RESP can qualify for the basic CESG, but some people may qualify for additional funds based on income level. Although the lifetime maximum contribution from the government remains $7,200, there are slight adjustments to the annual grant amount, which are based on income.
Who qualifies for the Canada Learning Bond (CLB)?
A child or youth is eligible for the CLB if they meet these requirements:
- Born on or after January 1, 2004
- Resident of Canada
- Have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- Had a family income that met the income eligibility criteria for at least 1 year
- Are named as a beneficiary in an RESP
For the July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 benefit year, families with one to three children may qualify with adjusted income of $57,375 or less; higher thresholds apply for larger families.
How can you make sure you receive every grant you’re eligible for?
While government grants are administered through your RESP, not every provider offers the same experience. Some, including the non-profit education savings company Embark, identify and apply on your behalf for eligible government grants when you open an RESP. This helps ensure that you don’t miss out on available funding. They also provide educational resources and support to help you understand RESP rules, contribution strategies, withdrawal best practices, and other supportive tools.
Using a provider’s automatic grant application feature can reduce paperwork and help maximize every government incentive you’re entitled to, giving you greater confidence that you’re taking advantage of all available funding.
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