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NationalLikely if eligible
Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG and Additional CESG)
Government of Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada
- Amount
- Up to $7,200The basic grant is 20% of the first $2,500 contributed to an RESP each year (up to $500). Families with 2026 adjusted net income under $58,523 get an extra $100 a year, and those between $58,523 and $117,045 get an extra $50. Unused room can be caught up, up to $1,000 of grant a year. Lifetime maximum is $7,200 per child.
- Deadline
- No fixed dateNo application deadline, but the grant is only paid until the end of the calendar year the child turns 17. A student who turns 17 in 2026 can only get it on contributions made by December 31, 2026. Children aged 16 or 17 qualify only if enough was contributed to their RESP by the end of the year they turned 15.
Go to the official page (opens in a new tab)
Always confirm the details there before applying.
About this award
The federal government adds money to a child's Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) when a family contributes, with extra for low and middle income families. Parents apply through the bank or other RESP provider when they open the plan. The grant stops at the end of the year the child turns 17, so for most Grade 11 and 12 students this is the last year or two to collect it. Using RESP money does not reduce OSAP.
Who can apply
- Child is a resident of Canada, has a Social Insurance Number and is named as beneficiary of an RESP
- Contributions must be made to the RESP to receive the grant
- Paid until the end of the calendar year the child turns 17
- At age 16 or 17, the child qualifies only if by the end of the year they turned 15 at least $2,000 was contributed, or at least $100 a year was contributed in any four earlier years
- The extra Additional CESG amount depends on 2026 adjusted family net income
What to submit
- Open an RESP with a promoter (bank, credit union, investment firm or plan dealer)
- Child's Social Insurance Number
- RESP contributions
Quick facts
Words you'll see- Type
- RESP savings
- Category
- Financial need
- Program
- University, College and Apprenticeship
- When to apply
- Grade 11 and Grade 12
- Where it applies
- National, Canada
- The gap between what school costs and what your family is expected to pay. Bursaries and grants often use it.
- No
- Paid again in later years of your program, as long as you keep meeting its rules, such as a minimum average.
- No, one-time
- Application cycle
- 2026-27
Sources
Last checked against the official site on Oct 1, 2026.
What the official pages say
"The CESG provides up to $7,200 maximum per eligible child in an RESP regardless of income"
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/education/education-savings/estimating-amounts.html(opens in a new tab)"beneficiaries can receive up to 20% of the first $2,500 contributed to the RESP"
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/education/education-savings/estimating-amounts.html(opens in a new tab)"Eligible beneficiaries from families with middle- and low-income can receive an additional 10% or 20% of the first $500 contributed"
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/education/education-savings/estimating-amounts.html(opens in a new tab)"The CESG is available until the end of the calendar year that the beneficiary turns 17"
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/education/education-savings/estimating-amounts.html(opens in a new tab)"they must meet at least one of the following conditions before the end of the calendar year they turn 15"
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/education/education-savings/estimating-amounts.html(opens in a new tab)"Adjusted family net income for 2026"
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/education/education-savings/estimating-amounts.html(opens in a new tab)"your promoter will help you apply for the Canada Learning Bond (CLB), the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG)"
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/education/education-savings/opening-plan.html(opens in a new tab)"including trade schools, CEGEPs, colleges, universities, and apprenticeship programs"
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/education/education-savings/plan.html(opens in a new tab)"If you use money from your Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP), it won’t affect how much OSAP you can get."
https://www.ontario.ca/page/learn-about-osap(opens in a new tab)
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