Scholarship · School programs · Government of Canada (Canada Education Savings Grant)

RESP grant: the age 15 contribution rule

To keep getting the federal RESP grant at ages 16 and 17, you must have put in at least $2,000, or $100 a year in four years, by December 31 of the year your child turns 15.

Last checked October 4, 2026 against the official page

☆ Save to my child's plan

What do I need to do?

Put $2,000 in an RESP by Dec 31 of the year your child turns 15

Who acts
Parent
Preparation
No preparation
Eligible grades
Grades 7–10
Format
Contributions to an RESP at a bank, credit union or other RESP provider.
Cost
Your own savings. The grant is free money added on top.
Official site
www.canada.ca

Key dates

  • ConfirmedDeadline for children born in 2011 (turning 15 in 2026)Thu, December 31, 2026
  • ConfirmedDeadline for children born in 2012 (turning 15 in 2027)Fri, December 31, 2027

Confirmed official date · Expected based on last year · Not announced yet

What it is

The Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) adds money to what you save in an RESP, up to $7,200 per child in total.

A child aged 16 or 17 can still get the grant only if, by the end of the year they turn 15, the RESP has at least $2,000 in contributions, or at least $100 a year in any four earlier years. Money withdrawn doesn't count.

Unused grant room carries forward until the end of the year the child turns 17, so catching up is possible, up to $1,000 of grant a year.

Families who miss the age 15 rule lose the chance to catch up at 16 and 17.

A good fit if: Families with a child aged 13 to 15 who have saved little or nothing in an RESP so far.

How to register

  1. If you don't have an RESP, open one with your child's Social Insurance Number at a bank or credit union.
  2. Check your contribution history. If you are under $2,000 and haven't made four yearly $100 contributions, contribute before December 31 of the year your child turns 15.

How to prepare

  • Ask your RESP provider how much unused grant room your child has.
  • Lower-income families may also qualify for the Canada Learning Bond, which needs no contribution.

For grade-by-grade options see Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 10.

Common questions

Can my child get the RESP grant at 16 or 17?

Only if, by the end of the year they turned 15, the RESP had at least $2,000 in contributions, or at least $100 a year in any four years.

Is it too late to start an RESP at 13 or 14?

No. Unused grant room carries forward, and you can catch up by up to $1,000 of grant a year. Meet the age 15 rule so the grant continues at 16 and 17.

Sources

Last checked October 4, 2026. Dates can change, so always confirm with the organizer.