CornerstoneCU - Registered Education Savings Plans (RESP)

Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs) are one of the best ways to help you, your children, or your grandchildren make the dream of college or university a possibility. RESP's are:

Flexible: Anyone can open and contribute to an RESP, and there are options available should your beneficiary choose not to pursue post-secondary education. Funds can be used to cover an array of post-secondary expenses; including tuition fees, textbooks, and room and board. A minimum contribution of only $25 per month is required.

Tax-sheltered: You do not need to pay tax on any investment income associated with RESPs. Withdrawals are taxed to the student beneficiary at his or her marginal tax rate which is typically in the lowest tax bracket.

Government grants available: Opening an RESP and making regular contributions qualifies you for government grants such as the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) and the Canada Learning Bond (CLB).

Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG)

The Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) is money that the Government adds to an RESP. This money helps to pay the costs of a child’s full- or part-time studies after high school, up to a lifetime maximum of $7,200.

Learn More Apply for CESG

Canada Learning Bond (CLB)

The Canada Learning Bond (CLB) is money that the Government adds to an RESP for children from low-income families. This money helps to pay the costs of a child’s full- or part-time studies, up to $2000. No personal contributions are required to receive the CLB.

Learn More Apply for CLB

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RESP FAQs

Anyone can contribute to an RESP. You will just need a valid SIN (Social Insurance Number) to apply.

Individual plan: you can contribute to the RESP for 31 years following the year the plan was opened.

Family plan: contributions under a family plan must cease upon the beneficiary turning 31.

*To qualify for government grants under both individual and family plans, you must make contributions by the end of the year the beneficiary turns 17.

The lifetime contribution limit for an RESP is $50,000 per beneficiary.

The subscriber is the person who opens the RESP and is the registered owner of the plan. Anyone can open an RESP – a parent, grandparent, family friend, or joint subscribers such as spouses.

How much you can earn from federal and provincial government grants will depend on a number of factors.

How much you contribute
When you contribute – early, regular contributions benefit from compounding growth on government grants
Where you live – not all provincial governments provide grants
Your family income

The subscriber can request educational assistance payments to cover expenses associated with attending a qualifying post-secondary educational program. These payments are taxable to the beneficiary at his or her marginal tax rate.

An RESP must be terminated by the end of the 35^th year following the year the RESP was opened.

If a beneficiary does not pursue post-secondary education, there are several options for the RESP plan:

Change the plan’s beneficiary
Transfer the funds to another RESP
Collapse the plan

*If you choose #3, you will have to return the unused government grants (CESG, CLB). The RESP contributions can be withdrawn without penalty.

*Some restrictions and/or penalties may apply to all options.

Our RESP investment offerings include mutual funds offered through Credential Asset Management Inc. and Credential Securities, or in guaranteed investments available through Concentra®. If you prefer to self-manage your investments, Qtrade Investor empowers you reach your investment goals through one of Canada’s best online brokers.

Mutual funds are offered through Credential Asset Management Inc. Mutual funds and other securities are offered through Credential Securities, a division of Credential Qtrade Securities Inc. Credential Securities is a registered mark owned by Aviso Wealth Inc. Online brokerage services are offered through Qtrade Investor, a division of Credential Qtrade Securities Inc.

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