How much do I contribute to get the full CESG?

$2,500 per child per year earns the maximum $500 grant. Contributing more in a year doesn't earn extra grant that year, though unused grant room can let you catch up later.

The grant and growth are taxed in the student's hands when withdrawn for school — usually at a very low rate. The full RESP calculator shows the projected balance.

Calculators › Personal Finance & Tax › RESP + CESG Calculator (Canada) › CESG Grant Calculator

Calconomics

CESG Grant Calculator

The Canada Education Savings Grant adds 20% to your RESP contributions — up to $500 a year per child and $7,200 over their lifetime. Enter your contribution to see the grant you'll earn and how much more it takes to capture the full $500, then project total savings in the RESP calculator.

Per child

RESP contribution this year $2,500 captures the full grant

CESG grant this year

CA$500

free government money

Contribute this much more for the full $500

CA$0

The numbers

Match rate

20% up to $500/yr ($7,200 lifetime)

Free · part of the RESP + CESG Calculator (Canada) toolkit

Open the full calculator →⤓ Keep this one (free)

How it's calculated

The CESG matches 20% of what you contribute to an RESP.
It's capped at $500 per child per year — which takes a $2,500 contribution to max.
The lifetime grant cap per child is $7,200.

Our methodology & 2026 data sources →

Frequently asked questions

How much do I contribute to get the full CESG?: $2,500 per child per year earns the maximum $500 grant. Contributing more in a year doesn't earn extra grant that year, though unused grant room can let you catch up later.
Is the grant taxed?: The grant and growth are taxed in the student's hands when withdrawn for school — usually at a very low rate. The full RESP calculator shows the projected balance.

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