RESP Contribution Visualizer
Explore contribution strategies and see how CESG grants and investment growth affect your RESP. Includes BCTESG (BC) and QESI (Quebec) provincial grants with year-by-year projections.
tl;dr
The federal government tops up RESP contributions with the Canada Education Savings Grant, but only up to an annual limit and a lifetime cap per child, so when you contribute matters, not just how much. Steady yearly contributions collect the full grant; putting more in early gives the money longer to grow but can leave some grant uncollected. Missed grant room can be caught up later, only a little at a time. BC and Quebec add their own grants, and the calculator includes them.
Portfolio Growth to Age 17
CESG Focus strategy • 6% annual return
RESP Settings
CESG grants end at age 17
$2,500 earns max CESG ($500)
Conservative: 4-5%, Moderate: 6%
$2,500/yr for max CESG
Total CESG
$7,200
of $7,200 max
Provincial Grants
$0
None (federal only)
Investment Growth
$44,014
at 6% return
IRR
8.3%
Time-weighted return
Year-by-Year Breakdown
Annual contributions, grants, and portfolio growth
Important Notes
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Why RESP Timing Matters
The CESG adds an immediate 20% to what you contribute — few investments come close. But it's paid per year with an annual cap and a lifetime maximum, so the timing of your contributions decides how much you collect. Families who contribute in lump sums, start late, or stop early can leave grant money unclaimed.
How the Grants Are Calculated
Each year's grant depends on that year's contribution and any unused grant room carried forward.
- 1. CESG: 20% of up to $2,500 contributed each year — $500 of grant — or up to $1,000 of grant a year when catching up on missed room.
- 2. The CESG stops at $7,200 per child and ends in the year the child turns 17.
- 3. BC: the BCTESG adds $1,200 once, when the child turns 6. Quebec: the QESI adds 10% of contributions, up to $3,600 over the child's lifetime.
- 4. Contributions and grants grow at the return you choose; the calculator shows the year-by-year balance for each strategy.
RESP Grants at a Glance
| Program | Who qualifies | Grant | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) | Every eligible child | 20% of the first $2,500 a year | $500 a year ($1,000 when catching up); $7,200 lifetime |
| Canada Learning Bond (CLB) | Children in low-income families | $500 the first year, then $100 a year | $2,000 lifetime, for years up to age 15 |
| BC Training and Education Savings Grant (BCTESG) | BC residents | $1,200 once | Paid when the child turns 6 |
| Quebec Education Savings Incentive (QESI) | Quebec residents | 10% of contributions | $250 a year; $3,600 lifetime |
Common Questions
How much does the Canada Education Savings Grant pay?
20% of the first $2,500 you contribute each year — up to $500 a year, and $7,200 per child over their lifetime.
Can I catch up on grant I missed?
Yes. Unused grant room carries forward, but you can collect at most $1,000 of CESG in a year (on a $5,000 contribution), so catching up takes time.
When does the CESG stop?
The grant is paid until the end of the year the child turns 17, with extra conditions for contributions in the last two of those years.
What is the Canada Learning Bond?
A federal grant for children from low-income families: $500 for the first year of eligibility and $100 for each later year, up to $2,000, for years up to age 15. No contribution is required.
What provincial RESP grants are there?
BC pays the BCTESG, a one-time $1,200 when an eligible child turns 6. Quebec's QESI adds 10% of contributions, up to $250 a year and $3,600 over the child's lifetime.
Is there a limit on RESP contributions?
$50,000 per child over their lifetime. There's no annual limit, but contributions above what the grant matches in a year earn no extra grant.
Getting the Most Grant
- ✓Open the RESP early — CESG room builds from the year the child is born.
- ✓Aim for $2,500 a year per child to collect the full CESG.
- ✓If you started late, contribute up to $5,000 a year to catch up on missed grant.
- ✓Check whether your family qualifies for the Canada Learning Bond — it needs no contribution.
- ✓Apply for your province's grant if you live in BC or Quebec.