No fee everyday banking
Set up direct deposit and skip the monthly fee. Free to open, and the Easy plan has no monthly fee. Worth doing if you will actually move your pay or your CRA deposits over, not if the card sits unused. Code BREMO2026.
Every CESG strategy, catch-up rule, Additional CESG tip, and Canada Learning Bond detail to get the maximum government money into your child's RESP.
The federal government will deposit up to $7,200 in Canada Education Savings Grants (CESG) into your child's RESP over their lifetime — but only if you know the rules and contribute strategically. This guide covers every available strategy to maximize RESP grants in 2025, from the basic CESG to catch-up contributions, Additional CESG for lower-income families, and the Canada Learning Bond.
The Canada Education Savings Grant pays 20% on the first $2,500 contributed to an RESP each calendar year, per beneficiary. That's $500/year in free government money. The lifetime maximum is $7,200 per child.
| Annual Contribution | Annual CESG | Years to Max | Lifetime CESG |
|---|---|---|---|
| $2,500 | $500 | 14.4 years | $7,200 |
| $5,000 (catch-up) | $1,000 | 7.2 years | $7,200 |
| $1,000 | $200 | 36 years (impossible — age limit) | Less than max |
If you didn't contribute $2,500 in a prior year, that unused grant room carries forward. You can claim catch-up room by contributing up to $5,000 in a single year, triggering $1,000 in CESG (current year's $500 + one prior year's $500). You can only catch up one year at a time — $5,000/year is the maximum that triggers grants, regardless of how many years you've missed.
| Scenario | Annual Contribution | Annual CESG | Years to Max $7,200 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start at birth, $2,500/yr | $2,500 | $500 | 14.4 years (age 14) |
| Start at age 5, $5,000/yr catch-up | $5,000 | $1,000 | 7.2 more years (age 12) |
| Start at age 10, $5,000/yr | $5,000 | $1,000 | 7.2 years (age 17 — just makes it) |
Families with lower net incomes qualify for an Additional CESG on top of the regular 20% grant:
| Family Net Income (2025 approx.) | Additional CESG Rate | On First | Extra Annual Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| $55,867 or less | 20% extra | First $500 | $100/year |
| $55,868–$111,733 | 10% extra | First $500 | $50/year |
| Over $111,733 | No extra | — | $0 |
The Additional CESG requires a minimum contribution of $500/year to trigger. Even families who can only contribute $500/year should do so — at the lowest income tier, that $500 earns $200 in grants (regular $100 + additional $100) — a guaranteed 40% return.
The Canada Learning Bond is available to children from lower-income families — those who receive the National Child Benefit Supplement (NCBS) as part of the Canada Child Benefit. Key details:
| Grant | Last Year Eligible | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Regular CESG | Year child turns 17 | Strict — contributions after Dec 31 of that year don't qualify |
| Additional CESG | Year child turns 17 | Same deadline |
| Canada Learning Bond | Year child turns 15 | Earlier deadline — don't miss it |
| Start Age | Optimal Annual Contribution | Total Contributions | Total CESG Received |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth | $2,500/yr x 14 yrs, then $2,500 more | $36,000–$45,000 | $7,200 |
| Age 3 | $5,000/yr (catch-up) | $50,000+ over 14 yrs | $7,200 (if 14 yrs remain) |
| Age 8 | $5,000/yr catch-up x 9 yrs | $45,000 | $9 x $1,000 = $9,000 — but capped at $7,200 |
Canadian families save $200-$360/year by switching to KOHO's no-fee account. That's money that could go into your child's RESP instead. Use code BREMO2026 for a bonus when you sign up.
Get KOHO Free — Use Code BREMO2026The CESG is the best guaranteed investment return in Canada. To maximize it: open the RESP at birth, contribute $2,500/year, use $5,000/year catch-up contributions if behind, and claim every dollar of Additional CESG and Canada Learning Bond available to you. Don't leave $7,200 in free government money on the table — it's one of the most valuable programs available to Canadian families and requires only a bank account and consistent contributions to claim.
Ready to invest? Open a no-fee account first. Get $20 from KOHO with code BREMO2026 →