Use the checks below to confirm whether the answer fits the family, provider, and school situation.
Prepare documents and questions before requesting RESP withdrawals for school.
An RESP is not one simple ownership bucket. Subscriber contributions generally remain under subscriber control. ESDC's technical material says contributions belong to the subscriber, and CRA says control of subscriber contributions remains with the subscriber.
Government grants, the Canada Learning Bond, provincial incentives, and investment earnings follow RESP rules. They are generally used through Educational Assistance Payments when the beneficiary qualifies for post-secondary education, and EAPs are taxable to the student.
If the RESP is not used for education, contributions may be returned to the subscriber, grants and bonds may have to be repaid, and accumulated income follows separate accumulated income payment or rollover rules.
How to check this rule
Details that matter
Contributions
Contributions are the subscriber's after-tax deposits and are generally the most flexible bucket.
Grants and bonds
Government incentives are not parent-owned spending money and can be repayable in some cases.
Earnings
Investment earnings can be used for EAPs or may follow AIP rules if the RESP is not used for education.
Tax reporting
EAPs are generally reported to the beneficiary on a T4A slip.
Example
Example: An RESP has $20,000 of contributions, $4,000 of CESG, and $3,000 of earnings. The subscriber's control over the $20,000 contribution bucket is different from the rules for the $7,000 grant-and-growth bucket.
Questions to ask your provider
What is the current contribution balance?
What grants, bonds, or provincial incentives are in the plan?
How much is available as EAP once the student qualifies?
What would be returned to the subscriber if the plan is not used for school?
Read next
Parent control over an RESP explains the broader decision and links to related tools.
Tool next step
RESP Withdrawal Checklist can help estimate the practical contribution choices before you confirm eligibility with the promoter.
Provider next step
RESP Provider Checklist helps you compare promoters on grant support, fees, and withdrawal process before opening or moving an RESP.