Skip to main content
 

Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)

Types of RESPs

  • Individual Plan – only one beneficiary – no relationship requirement with subscriber(s).
  • Family Plan – one or more beneficiaries – each beneficiary must be connected to each subscriber by blood relationship (as defined in the Income Tax Act) or adoption.

Beneficiary

  • Individuals must have a Social Insurance Number and be a Canadian resident.
  • In an Individual Plan, can be anyone, including the subscriber.
  • In a Family Plan, each beneficiary must be connected to each subscriber by blood relationship or adoption and must be under 21 when the plan is entered into.
  • Only certain beneficiaries are eligible to replace another beneficiary in a Family Plan. The same rules apply to the Individual Plan in order to avoid tax and CESG implications.

Subscriber

  • Can be joint with spouse/common-law partner.
  • Must have a Social Insurance Number.
  • In an Individual Plan, can be anyone, including the beneficiary.
  • In a Family Plan, each subscriber must be connected to each beneficiary by blood relationship or adoption.

Contributions

  • Lifetime maximum contributions to all RESPs per beneficiary is $50,000 (excess contributions are not permitted and subject to a 1% penalty).
  • Contributions are not tax deductible however earnings are tax sheltered until withdrawn.
  • Excess contributions which did not attract CESG in the year cannot be carried forward to attract CESG in a subsequent year.

Canada Education Savings Grant

  • A great incentive to save
  • 20% on the first $2500 contribution amount each year. The annual limit ranges from $400 to $500 depending on the net income of the child's family.
  • If the beneficiary has unused CESG contribution room, additional grant can be paid.
  • Lifetime maximum per beneficiary - $7,200.
  • CESG payments do not affect the annual and lifetime RESP contribution limits.

Eligibility for Grant

  • Contributions must be made prior to the end of the year the beneficiary attains age 17.
  • The beneficiary must be a resident of Canada and have a Social Insurance Number.
  • RESP beneficiaries age 16 or 17 years are eligible only if:
    • a minimum of $2,000 RESP contributions have been made and not withdrawn for that beneficiary before the end of the year the beneficiary attains 15 years of age 
    • a minimum of $100 in annual contributions have been made and not withdrawn for that beneficiary in any 4 years before the end of the year the beneficiary attains 15 years of age  

It is important to note that there are situations where the grant would have to be repaid. Contact your credit union for full details.

Educational Assistance Payments (EAP)

  • It is intended that all earnings in the RESP, as well as the CESG received, will be used for education related costs at a qualifying post-secondary educational institution.
  • Earnings are sheltered from tax while in the RESP plan. Both earnings and CESG will be taxable when withdrawn by the Beneficiary.
  • Withdrawal requests for EAPs must be accompanied by proof of enrolment in an approved education program.
  • EAPs are limited to $5,000 in the first 13 consecutive weeks in a qualifying educational program.

Investment Options

  • New Plan - No minimum deposit
  • Subsequent Lump Sum Deposits:
    • Term $100
    • Variable rate - no minimum deposit (for bi-weekly or montly electronic deposits, the minimum is $25)
    • Fixed
  • Quarterly statements
 

Meet your local planning expert

We can help you prepare for your children's pursuit of a higher education. Plan for their future today.

Tony Young, CFP®

Director, Advice and Service
Credential Asset Management Inc.
240 Water Street
St. John’s NL A1C 1B7
(709) 758-8258
1-800-563-3300
tyoung@nlcu.com

Tina Skinner, PFP®

Wealth Management Advisor
Credential Asset Management Inc.
38 Main Street
Corner Brook NL A2H 1C3
 (709) 634-5341
 (709) 632-0363
1-800-563-3300
tskinner@nlcu.com

Greg Murray, CFP®

Wealth Management Advisor
Credential Asset Management Inc.
51 Commonwealth Avenue
Mount Pearl NL A1N 1W7
 (709) 747-9415
 (709) 690-4990
1-800-563-3300
gmurray@nlcu.com

Peter Bishop

Wealth Management Advisor
Credential Asset Management Inc.
1 Pinsent Drive
Grand Falls-Windsor NL A2A 2S8
(709) 489-9051
1-800-563-3300

pbishop@nlcu.com

Donna McGrath, CFP®

Wealth Management Advisor
Credential Asset Management Inc.

341 Freshwater Road
St. John’s NL A1C 1B7
 (709) 754-2312
1-800-563-3300

dmcgrath@nlcu.com

Suellen Jenkins

Wealth Management Advisor
Credential Asset Management Inc.

6 Roe Avenue
Gander NL A1V 1W5
 (709) 256-3537
1-800-563-3300

sjenkins@nlcu.com

 

Turn your vision for the future into reality.

Not everyone’s goals are the same. At NLCU, you define your vision for success, and our local experts create a personalized action plan to get you there.
Select Image