‎Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG)

The Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) is the crown jewel of the RESP grants available to Canadian students. It provides people who invest in an RESP with grants of up to $7,200 or more over the lifetime of the RESP. Who doesn’t like $7,200 of free money?!

 

Basic CESG

The Basic CESG program rewards you for contributing to your RESP on an annual basis. The government provides a grant of 20% of whatever you contributed, up to a maximum of $500/year. In other words, if you contribute $2,500, the government adds $500 to your RESP.  The maximum grant amount you can receive over the lifetime of your RESP is $7,200. 

 

 

Additional CESG

For low income families, the government offers even more. On top of the Basic CESG, the government will add up to $100 after you invest your first $500 each year. The amount of Additional CESG you are eligible to receive depends on your family’s income level.

Net Family Income	$49,020 or less	More than $49,020 to $98,040	Over $98,040
BASIC CESG Paid on first $2,500 of annual contribution	20% = $500	20% = $500	20% = $500
ADDITIONAL CESG Paid on first $500 of annual contribution	20% = $100	10% = $50	Nil
Annual total grants	$600	$550	$500

*Indexed annually. Numbers shown are based on 2021 adjusted income. 

Note: if you receive Additional CESG, the lifetime maximum of $7,200 still applies.