1.The grant. The basic Canada Education Savings Grant matches 20 percent of the first $2,500 contributed each year, up to $500 a year, to a lifetime maximum of $7,200 per child. If you have unused grant room from an earlier year, contributing up to $5,000 in a year can capture up to $1,000 in grant. This tool applies that catch-up only when the year's total contribution reaches $5,000, and assumes the carry-forward room exists.

2.Lump sums and grant. A one-time lump sum is added to the contribution in the year you choose. Because grant is only paid on the first $2,500 each year, or $5,000 with catch-up room, a large lump sum mostly grows tax sheltered without earning extra grant in that year. Spreading contributions over more years captures more grant.

3.Limits applied. Grants stop at the $7,200 lifetime maximum and after the end of the year the child turns 17. Contributions are capped at the $50,000 lifetime limit per child.

4.Cost of school. Estimates use a current domestic undergraduate tuition of about $7,734 a year, reported by Statistics Canada for 2025 and 2026, plus typical living and material costs. At home assumes a commuter with no rent. Away, moderate assumes residence or shared housing, food, books, and transport in a mid-cost city. Away, high cost reflects expensive markets such as Toronto or Vancouver. Costs are inflated to each future year at the rate you set and summed over the program. National averages only, so your real cost may differ by program, province, and city.

5.Comparison is approximate. The surplus or shortfall compares the RESP value at the end of age 17 to the total projected program cost. In practice the RESP keeps growing during the withdrawal years, and the grant and growth portion is taxable to the student, who usually pays little or no tax, so the result is a conservative guide. Educational projection only, not investment or tax advice. See disclosures.