Updated March 2025 · 8 min read

RESP Grants 2025: CESG, CLB, and Provincial Grants

RESP grants are one of the most overlooked sources of free money available to Canadian families. The federal government and several provinces contribute directly to your child's RESP — money that grows tax-sheltered and is used for post-secondary education. Here's a complete breakdown of every grant available in 2025.

1. Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG)

Basic CESG

The Basic CESG is available to all Canadian residents regardless of family income. The government contributes 20% of your annual RESP contributions on the first $2,500 contributed per beneficiary per year.

• Annual maximum: $500 (on first $2,500 contributed)
• Lifetime maximum: $7,200 per beneficiary
• Age limit: Grants paid until December 31 of the year child turns 17
• Carry-forward: Unused grant room carries forward (max $1,000/year catch-up)

Additional CESG for Lower-Income Families

Families with lower net income receive an additional CESG on the first $500 contributed:

2. Canada Learning Bond (CLB)

The CLB is free government money for lower-income families — no RESP contribution required. The government deposits it directly into the RESP.

• Initial CLB: $500 when RESP is opened for an eligible child
• Annual CLB: $100/year for each year the family qualifies (up to age 15)
• Lifetime maximum: $2,000 per beneficiary
• Eligibility: Based on family net income (same thresholds as the National Child Benefit Supplement / Canada Child Benefit income testing)

3. Provincial RESP Grants

British Columbia: BCTESG

No annual contributions required. Must apply through an RESP provider that offers the BCTESG (most major banks and brokers do).

Quebec: QESI

Quebec residents receive the QESI on top of the federal CESG. A Quebec family contributing $2,500/year receives $500 CESG + $250 QESI = $750 in annual grants.

Saskatchewan: SAGES

The Saskatchewan Advantage Grant for Education Savings offered 10% on the first $2,500/year. As of early 2025, the program has been suspended — check the Saskatchewan government website for current status.

CESG Catch-Up Strategy

If you didn't open an RESP at birth, you can catch up on missed CESG. The government allows up to $1,000 in CESG per year (requiring $5,000 in contributions — current year's $2,500 + one prior year's $2,500).

Example: Child is 5 years old and no RESP was ever opened. You've missed 5 years of $500 CESG = $2,500 in missed grants. You can catch up at $500/year over the next 5 years by contributing $5,000/year instead of $2,500.

CESG Age Restrictions

The CESG cannot be paid after December 31 of the year the beneficiary turns 17. Additionally, for children 16 or 17, the CESG is only available if:

• At least $2,000 in contributions were made before the end of the year the child turned 15, OR
• At least $100/year in contributions were made in any 4 years before the year the child turned 16

This means opening an RESP after age 15 may limit grant eligibility — open early.

Total Potential Grants Summary