How much is the CESG in 2026?

The basic CESG is 20% of your annual RESP contribution, up to $500 per year per child (on the first $2,500 contributed). The lifetime CESG limit is $7,200 per child.

What is the RESP contribution limit?

There is no annual RESP contribution limit, but only the first $2,500 per year earns the basic CESG. The lifetime RESP contribution limit is $50,000 per beneficiary.

What is the Additional CESG?

Low-income families may receive an extra 10-20% CESG on the first $500 contributed each year. This means up to $600 total per year ($500 basic + $100 additional) for the lowest income bracket.

RESP Grant 2026 | CESG Limit & Maximum Contributions

Q: Can you carry forward unused CESG?

Yes. If you don't contribute the full $2,500 in a year, the unused CESG room carries forward. You can catch up by contributing up to $5,000 in a future year to receive up to $1,000 in CESG.

RESP CESG Grant Limits 2026

The Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) matches 20% of your RESP contributions, up to $500 per year per child.

Key Numbers

Detail	Amount
Basic CESG rate	20% of contributions
Annual CESG maximum	$500 per child
Contribution needed to max CESG	$2,500 per child
Lifetime CESG limit	$7,200 per child
Lifetime RESP contribution limit	$50,000 per child
CESG catch-up (with carry-forward)	Up to $1,000 per year
Contribution needed for catch-up	$5,000 per child

How the Basic CESG Works

You Contribute	Government CESG (20%)	Total in RESP
$500	$100	$600
$1,000	$200	$1,200
$1,500	$300	$1,800
$2,000	$400	$2,400
$2,500	$500 (max)	$3,000
$5,000	$500 (still max)	$5,500

Only the first $2,500 of annual contributions qualifies for the basic CESG.

CESG Carry-Forward & Catch-Up

If you miss contributing in early years, unused CESG room carries forward. You can catch up by contributing more:

Year	Contribution	CESG Earned	Notes
Year 1	$0	$0	$2,500 room carries forward
Year 2	$5,000	$1,000	Catches up Year 1 + Year 2
Year 3	$2,500	$500	Normal year

Maximum catch-up: You can earn up to $1,000 in CESG per year (on $5,000 contributed) — one current year plus one carry-forward year.

Additional CESG for Low-Income Families

Families with lower incomes receive extra CESG on the first $500 contributed per year:

Family Net Income	Additional CESG Rate	Extra Amount (on $500)	Total CESG (on $2,500)
Under ~$55,867	20%	$100	$600
~$55,867 to ~$111,733	10%	$50	$550
Over ~$111,733	0%	$0	$500

Canada Learning Bond (CLB)

Low-income families may also qualify for the CLB, which requires no contributions:

Detail	Amount
Initial payment	$500
Annual payments	$100 per year
Maximum CLB	$2,000 per child
Income threshold	Family receives Canada Child Benefit
Contribution required	$0

RESP Contribution Strategy

Optimal Strategy to Maximize Free Money

Child’s Age	Annual Contribution	CESG Received	Cumulative CESG
0	$2,500	$500	$500
1	$2,500	$500	$1,000
2	$2,500	$500	$1,500
…	$2,500	$500	…
14	$2,500	$500	$7,200 (lifetime max)
15-17	Any amount	$0	$7,200

Tip: Contributing $2,500 per year from birth to age 14 maximizes the full $7,200 CESG. After the lifetime max, additional contributions still grow tax-deferred.

RESP Lifetime Contribution Limit

Detail	Amount
Lifetime limit per beneficiary	$50,000
Over-contribution penalty	1% per month on excess
Recommended annual contribution	$2,500 (to maximize CESG)

Lump-Sum vs. Annual RESP Strategy

Strategy	Total CESG	Notes
$2,500/year for 15 years	$7,200	Maximizes CESG
$50,000 lump sum at birth	$500	Only one year of CESG
$5,000/year for 10 years	$7,200	Catches up + current year