RESP Guide Canada

Free RESP tools for Canadian families

Registered education savings plan (RESP) calculators, provider comparisons, and plain-language guides. Estimate CESG and CLB grants, check contribution and lifetime limits, and read source-linked withdrawal rules — no ads.

Estimate grants See all tools

Start by role

Who are you planning for?

Parents

Open a first RESP, claim CESG and CLB, and compare provider fees.

Start an RESP guide Grandparents

See who can subscribe, how family plans work, and what to ask providers.

Grandparent RESP answers Newcomers

Check SIN, residency, and provider questions for new Canadian families.

Newcomer RESP guide

Start here Pick one next step

01 Open the starter guideLearn who opens the plan, which grants apply, and what to ask first. 02 Compare institutionsOpen bank, provider, and public RESP tools. 03 Learn the basicsFollow a short course from terms to withdrawals.

Main features

Three useful places to start.

Use a calculator, compare provider support, or confirm CESG, CLB, annual contribution room, and the $50,000 lifetime limit.

Calculate

RESP tools

Estimate grants, future value, education costs, catch-up room, contribution limits, and withdrawals.

Browse tools Compare

Institution tools

Review bank, provider, credit-union, and public calculators in one directory.

Compare institutions Confirm

Rules and terms

Clarify CESG, CLB, QESI, BCTESG, transfers, withdrawals, and key deadlines.

Read simplified rules

Choose by situation

What are you trying to do?

01 Open a first RESP

Check documents, plan types, grant forms, and provider questions.

02 Maximize grants

See annual targets, CESG catch-up, lifetime limits, and late-start tradeoffs.

03 Compare or transfer providers

Use provider checks, transfer questions, and fee cautions together.

04 Prepare for school withdrawals

Review proof of enrolment, EAPs, contribution withdrawals, and tax points.

05 Check contribution room

Review annual RESP contribution limits, unused room, and the $50,000 lifetime cap.

Trust structure

Source-linked and education-only.

12+ calculators & tools 130+ answered questions 25+ government rule pages Monthly content reviews

SourcesGovernment, provincial, statistical, provider, and institution links. Provider checksGrant support, fees, transfers, and withdrawals to review. Education onlyPlain-language help, not personal financial advice.

Start with common RESP questions.

What is an RESP?
An RESP is a registered education savings plan used to save for education after high school, with room for contributions, grants, and investment growth.
Who can open an RESP?
An adult subscriber can open a plan for a child, another eligible beneficiary, or in some cases themselves.
Do I need a SIN for an RESP?
A Social Insurance Number is usually needed for the subscriber and beneficiary before grants can be requested.
Can grandparents open an RESP?
Grandparents can usually open an RESP for a grandchild when the provider has the required information.
What is the RESP lifetime limit?
The combined contribution limit for a beneficiary is $50,000 across one or more RESPs.

See all 130+ questions