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RESP CESG Calculator (2026)

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Computes recommended RESP contribution to maximise the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG). Models the 20% CESG match on the first $2,500/year (max $500/year), the $7,200 lifetime CESG cap, the $50,000 lifetime contribution cap per beneficiary, and the one-year carry-forward 'double up' rule.

Inputs

Lifetime cap per beneficiary: $50,000

Lifetime CESG cap: $7,200

Result
Recommended contribution this year
$2,500.00
Captures $500.00 CESG
Lifetime CESG remaining
$5,200.00
Out of $7,200 per beneficiary
Lifetime contribution room remaining
$40,000.00
Out of $50,000 per beneficiary
CESG-eligible contribution this year
$2,500.00
Standard $2,500
Max CESG this year
$500.00
20% × CESG-eligible contribution, capped at lifetime remaining
  • · Out of scope here: Additional CESG (A-CESG) for lower-income families, Canada Learning Bond (CLB) which provides up to $2,000 per low-income beneficiary without requiring contributions, and provincial supplements (BC's BCTESG, Quebec's QESI). Those layer on top of base CESG and can substantially increase the total grant a beneficiary receives.
  • · CESG accrues only until the calendar year the beneficiary turns 17. Plans to fund a child's education should aim to capture the maximum $7,200 CESG before that cutoff.

The RESP (Registered Education Savings Plan) is a Canadian tax-sheltered savings account used to fund post-secondary education for a child. The federal Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) matches 20% of the first $2,500 contributed per beneficiary per year, up to a lifetime maximum of $7,200 per beneficiary. This calculator computes the recommended contribution this year to maximise CESG without overshooting the lifetime contribution cap.

How this calculator works

cesg_eligible_this_year = $2,500 + (carry_forward ? $2,500 : 0)

cesg_at_eligible = cesg_eligible_this_year × 20%

max_cesg_this_year = MIN(cesg_at_eligible, $7,200 − cesg_received_to_date)

recommended_contribution = MIN(max_cesg_this_year ÷ 20%, $50,000 − contributions_to_date)

Sources: ESDC — Education savings: incentives and grants. Limits in data/contribution-limits-2026.json.

Worked example

A child has $10,000 of contributions to date and $2,000 of CESG received. No carry-forward year. Lifetime CESG remaining: $7,200 − $2,000 = $5,200. CESG-eligible contribution this year: $2,500. Max CESG this year: 20% × $2,500 = $500 (well under $5,200 lifetime remaining). Recommended contribution: $2,500 → captures $500 CESG. Lifetime room remaining: $50,000 − $10,000 = $40,000.

Frequently asked questions

What's the 'double up' rule?

If you missed contributing in a prior year, you can claim that year's CESG by contributing extra in any later year — up to one year's worth of unused CESG-eligible contribution room ($2,500) can be carried forward and combined with the current year's $2,500. The 'double up' year captures up to $1,000 of CESG (200% × $500 standard), but only one prior year of CESG room can be claimed in any single year. Older unused CESG room is lost permanently.

What's NOT modelled here?

Additional CESG (A-CESG): an extra 10–20% match on the first $500 contributed for lower-income families, on top of base CESG. Canada Learning Bond (CLB): up to $2,000 per beneficiary for low-income families that requires no contribution. Provincial supplements: BC Training and Education Savings Grant ($1,200 one-time), Quebec Education Savings Incentive (QESI, 10% match up to $250/year). These can substantially increase total grant for eligible families. Family-RESP-vs-individual-RESP mechanics are also not modelled — the calculator assumes one beneficiary per RESP for simplicity.

When does CESG stop accruing?

The end of the calendar year the beneficiary turns 17. Contributions can continue past 17 (and may make sense for tax-deferred growth), but they no longer attract CESG. Plans aiming to capture the full $7,200 lifetime CESG should target contributing $2,500/year from age 1 through age 14 (14 years × $500 = $7,000) plus a 'top-up' year — or use carry-forward to back-load the contribution schedule.

Sources

Every figure on this page traces back to a primary Canadian authority. See the complete sources index for the master list.

Verified against ESDC RESP / CESG program rules and CRA RESP contribution limits on .

Important

This calculator is for informational purposes only. It is not financial, tax, mortgage, or legal advice. Tax rates, mortgage rules, and contribution limits change. Always verify current rules with the relevant Canadian authority and consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions.