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The spiraling cost of post-secondary school education has many parents concerned about whether they will be able to afford to send their children to college or university. A Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) with CI Investments is an excellent way to start saving today for your children's education tomorrow.
Contributions to an RESP may qualify for federal and provincial government grants. Your contributions and any grant will accumulate and grow tax-free in an RESP. When funds are withdrawn for tuition, only the growth and grant portion of the plan is taxable in the hands of the student(s), who will, in all likelihood, be in a low tax bracket. For more general information on RESPs, click here.
CI’s Guide to RESP Grant Programs
In 2004, the Government of Canada introduced two new RESP grant programs. In addition to the Basic Canada Education Savings Grant (Basic CESG), RESP beneficiaries may now qualify to receive the Additional Canada Education Savings Grant (Additional CESG) and the Canada Learning Bond (CLB). The two new grant programs are based upon the primary caregivers income.
The Provincial Governments have also decided to offer added incentives to encourage early savings for educational purposes. Furthermore, Revenu Québec has also introduced the Québec Education Savings Incentive (QESI) as a tax measure for eligible beneficiaries who reside in Quebec.
RESP Federal Grant Program Requirement Checklist
RESP Provincial Grant Program Requirement Checklist
• Use this checklist to determine if the RESP beneficiary meets
the specific criteria for each RESP grant program
Temporary Suspension of Saskatchewan Advantage Grant for Education Savings (SAGES)
On March 22, 2017, the Government of Saskatchewan announced the temporary suspension of the Saskatchewan Advantage Grant for Education Savings (SAGES), effective January 1, 2018. The suspension does not impact other RESP savings incentives administered by the Government of Canada.
CI will continue to accept SAGES applications and apply for grant for contributions with a trade date up to December 29, 2017, the last business day of 2017.
Important Dates
- The last day to submit request for SAGES for transferred contributions from a non-offering promoter will be September 30, 2017.
- Contributions and SAGES applications must be received by CI before December 29, 2017, in order to receive SAGES.
- The last SAGES payments will be received around the end of January 2018 (the payment will include payments for eligible contributions made in December 2017 and those that were refiled within three years).
Considerations
- Beneficiaries will not accumulate SAGES grant room during the suspension period.
- SAGES application forms signed on January 1, 2018, and after will continue to be accepted but no SAGES will be paid during the suspension period.
- Adjustments processed during the suspension period that affect contributions that previously received SAGES may trigger a repayment of the SAGES back to the government. However, the SAGES will no longer be deposited back into the account.
- Requests received at CI on or after January 1, 2018, to backdate a contribution to December 29, 2017 or earlier will be accepted but will not receive SAGES, even if submitted with an LOI.
Resources
If you have any questions, please contact the Financial Services Centre at 1-800-563-5181, option 3.
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RESP Grant Program Application Chart
• Use this chart to determine which RESP program application form
is required for each grant
• View and print PDF copies of grant program applications and grant
program brochures
| Program Name |
Application Form Name |
Notes |
Basic CESG
Additional CESG
CLB |
Application: Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) and Canada Learning Bond (CLB) (ESDC SDE 0093) |
The main form is used to apply for Basic, Additional CESG and CLB. In Section 4, subscribers may choose to not apply for CLB and/or Additional CESG. The only form required when a subscriber is also the primary caregiver (PCG) and a custodial parent/legal guardian. |
| ANNEX A – Additional Beneficiaries (ESDC SDE 0093-A) |
Annex A is used to collect information for additional beneficiaries to be added to the main form and must be completed by a custodial parent/legal guardian. All RESP beneficiaries must be siblings for CLB, Additional CESG, SAGES and BCTESG payments to be made to a Family RESP. |
| ANNEX B – Primary caregiver or their spouse and/or custodial parent/legal guardian (ESDC SDE 0093-B) |
If the PCG is not a subscriber, the PCG must complete Annex B to request Additional CESG or CLB. |
Basic QESI
QESI Increase |
No documents required |
The Basic QESI is automatically applied for on behalf of eligible beneficiaries. The beneficiary’s primary caregiver’s complete information is mandatory in order to qualify for the QESI Increase. |
| SAGES |
ANNEX C – Application: Saskatchewan Advantage Grant for Education Savings (SAGES) |
Annex C can be treated as a stand-alone SAGES application form for existing beneficiaries of an RESP account who have previously submitted a completed Main Form of the SDE 0093 Application Form. |
| BCTESG |
ANNEX D – Application: British Columbia Training and Education Savings Grant (BCTESG) |
Proof of British Columbia residency for the custodial parent/legal guardian must be shown to the RESP provider’s representative. The description of the proof shown such as "BC driver's license" must be provided in the available space under section D-3. |
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Québec Education Savings Incentive
The Québec Education Savings Incentive (QESI) is a tax measure designed to encourage Québec families to start saving early for the education of their children and grandchildren.
The incentive, which was announced in the 2007 Québec provincial budget, consists of a grant of up to $250.00 paid directly into a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) opened with a financial institution that can accept the QESI.
CI Investments is in the process of applying for the QESI for all eligible beneficiaries since inception of the incentive. For additional information, please review our list of Frequently Asked Questions.
Helpful Links & Resources:
CI Client Services - English
1-800-792-9355
CI Client Services – French
1-800-668-3528
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) or call 1-800-O-Canada
Revenu Québec (QESI information only)
CanLearn
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