RESP Contribution Optimizer
Compare contribution strategies to maximize CESG grants or portfolio growth. Includes BCTESG (BC) and QESI (Quebec) provincial grants with year-by-year projections.
RESP Parameters
CESG grants end in the year child turns 17
How much you can contribute each year
Affects provincial grant eligibility
Conservative: 4-5%, Moderate: 6%, Aggressive: 7-8%
Total Contributions
$45,000
Total CESG
$7,200
Provincial Grants
$0
Final Portfolio Value
$96,214
Maximize CESG
Maximize Growth
Strategy Comparison
Chart only available on larger screens
View on a tablet or desktop to see the visualization
Year-by-Year Breakdown
| Year | Child Age | Contribution | CESG | Provincial | Total Grants | Growth | Portfolio Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Age 0 | $2,500 | $500 | $0 | $500 | $180 | $3,180 |
| Year 2 | Age 1 | $2,500 | $500 | $0 | $500 | $371 | $6,551 |
| Year 3 | Age 2 | $2,500 | $500 | $0 | $500 | $573 | $10,124 |
| Year 4 | Age 3 | $2,500 | $500 | $0 | $500 | $787 | $13,911 |
| Year 5 | Age 4 | $2,500 | $500 | $0 | $500 | $1,015 | $17,926 |
| Year 6 | Age 5 | $2,500 | $500 | $0 | $500 | $1,256 | $22,182 |
| Year 7 | Age 6 | $2,500 | $500 | $0 | $500 | $1,511 | $26,692 |
| Year 8 | Age 7 | $2,500 | $500 | $0 | $500 | $1,782 | $31,474 |
| Year 9 | Age 8 | $2,500 | $500 | $0 | $500 | $2,068 | $36,542 |
| Year 10 | Age 9 | $2,500 | $500 | $0 | $500 | $2,373 | $41,915 |
| Year 11 | Age 10 | $2,500 | $500 | $0 | $500 | $2,695 | $47,610 |
| Year 12 | Age 11 | $2,500 | $500 | $0 | $500 | $3,037 | $53,646 |
| Year 13 | Age 12 | $2,500 | $500 | $0 | $500 | $3,399 | $60,045 |
| Year 14 | Age 13 | $2,500 | $500 | $0 | $500 | $3,783 | $66,828 |
| Year 15 | Age 14 | $2,500 | $200 | $0 | $200 | $4,172 | $73,700 |
| Year 16 | Age 15 | $2,500 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $4,572 | $80,772 |
| Year 17 | Age 16 | $2,500 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $4,996 | $88,268 |
| Year 18 | Age 17 | $2,500 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $5,446 | $96,214 |
Important Notes:
- CESG: 20% match on first $2,500/year, max $500 annually, $7,200 lifetime
- CESG carry-forward: Max $1,000/year if you have unused grant room
- BCTESG: One-time $1,200 grant when child turns 6 (BC residents only)
- QESI: 10% match on first $2,500/year, max $250 annually, $3,600 lifetime (Quebec only)
- RESP lifetime contribution limit: $50,000 per beneficiary
- Investment returns are projections only - actual returns will vary
- This is an educational tool only - not financial advice
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About This Calculator
This RESP (Registered Education Savings Plan) calculator helps Canadian families understand different contribution strategies to maximize government grants while planning for education costs. The calculator compares two distinct approaches: "Maximize CESG" which contributes exactly $2,500 annually to capture the maximum 20% Canada Education Savings Grant efficiently, versus "Maximize Growth" which front-loads contributions early to benefit from longer compound growth periods while still capturing available CESG grants through carry-forward provisions. Understanding RESP grant mechanics is crucial because the federal government provides up to $7,200 in lifetime CESG grants (20% match on the first $2,500 contributed each year), and provincial residents can access additional benefits: BC families receive a one-time $1,200 BC Training and Education Savings Grant (BCTESG) when the child turns 6, while Quebec families earn an additional 10% match through the Quebec Education Savings Incentive (QESI) up to $3,600 lifetime. The calculator models how these grants accumulate over time, accounting for important rules like CESG carry-forward (up to $1,000 annually if you have unused room), the CESG cutoff at age 17, and the $50,000 lifetime RESP contribution limit per beneficiary. By providing year-by-year projections showing contributions, grants received, investment growth, and portfolio value, this tool demonstrates how different strategies affect long-term education savings outcomes without providing financial advice.
Key Features
- Compare two strategies: Maximize CESG (steady $2,500/year) vs Maximize Growth (front-load early)
- Federal CESG calculation: 20% match on first $2,500/year, $7,200 lifetime maximum
- CESG carry-forward modeling: max $1,000/year if unused grant room available
- Provincial grant inclusion: BCTESG ($1,200 at age 6) and QESI (10% Quebec match)
- Year-by-year projection showing contributions, grants, growth, and portfolio value
- Visual comparison chart of both strategies side-by-side
- Adjustable investment return assumptions (conservative to aggressive)
- Automatic CESG cutoff at age 17 and $50,000 contribution limit tracking
When to Use This Calculator
- Comparing steady contributions vs front-loading with a newborn child
- Understanding CESG carry-forward benefits if starting RESP contributions late
- Calculating total government grants available for BC vs Quebec vs other provinces
- Exploring how investment returns affect final portfolio value under different strategies
- Determining optimal contribution amounts based on available annual budget
- Analyzing the trade-off between grant efficiency and compound growth time