- Age of children
- The current age of your children. The difference between their current age and the age they start college is the number of years you have to save. Note that there can be restrictions on the amount of grant available and participation in an RESP for children 16 or older.
- Age to start education
- The age your child will begin post-secondary education. The default is 18, but this can be any age up to 25.
- Annual tuition
- Current estimated cost of one year of tuition and books. This amount should be per child and be specific to the school and program they may be interested in attending. For the purposes of this calculator all expenses are assumed to be due at the end of the year.
- Room and board
- The current estimated cost of one-year room and board. Like tuition and books, this amount should be per child and specific to the school they may be interested in attending. For the purposes of this calculator, all expenses are assumed to be due at the end of the year.
- Education cost inflation
- This is the percentage that you expect educational costs to increase per year. The annual education inflation is approximately 3.3% .
- Current amount
- The total amount you currently have saved for your children's education.
- Monthly contributions
- The dollar amount you plan to save per month toward your children's education. All amounts are assumed to be added to your account at the beginning of the month.
- Rate of return
- This is the annually compounded rate of return you expect from your investments. This will also be the rate used if you end up with a negative balance and need to borrow money to meet your goal. The actual rate of return is largely dependent on the type of investments you select. For example, the total return including dividends of the S&P/TSX Composite Index for the 10 year period from December 31, 2013 through December 31, 2023 was 8.6% (source www.spglobal.com). Savings accounts at a bank or credit union may pay as little as 2% or less. It is important to remember that future rates of return can't be predicted with certainty and that investments that pay higher rates of return are subject to higher risk and volatility. The actual rate of return on investments can vary widely over time, especially for long-term investments. This includes the potential loss of principal on your investment.
- Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)
- Check this box if you wish to calculate your savings with a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP). There are two advantages to using an RESP to save for your children's education. First, the money grows tax free until the child needs it for tuition, residence and other educational expenses. Second, you receive a Canada education savings grant (CESG) worth as much as $600 per year per child. The grant amounts are calculated as follows:
| $0 - $53,359* | $0.40 for each $1 for the first $500.
$0.20 for each $1 for the next $1,500.
Maximum annual grant is $600. |
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| $53,359* - $106,717* | $0.30 for each $1 for the first $500.
$0.20 for each $1 until you reach the maximum grant.
Maximum annual grant is $550. |
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| over $106,717* | $0.20 for each $1 for the first $2,500.
Maximum annual grant is $500. |
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*These amounts are adjusted annually for inflation.
Please note that for the purposes of this calculator, taxation is not factored into the results. This calculator assumes that 1/12 of your annual Canada education savings grant (CESG) is added to your savings each month along with your normal contribution.
You are limited to a total of $50,000 in contributions to an RESP per child, but there is no annual limit. You may contribute the entire $50,000 contribution in one year if you have the means or a windfall. Lifetime CESP grants are limited to $7,200 per child. The grant amount you receive does not reduce your contribution limit to an RESP. For additional information you can visit: Canada RESP
