Tools

RESP calculators and checklists

Choose the next RESP decision, then open the calculator or checklist that matches the job: grants, costs, provider comparison, student aid, or withdrawals.

Common first moves Pick one path

01 Start with grants Planned annual contribution Estimate basic and additional CESG 02 Compare the value RESP vs non-RESP saving See grants, tax-sheltered growth, tax drag, and limits 03 Before choosing a provider Fees, grants, transfers, withdrawals Build a question list before opening or moving an RESP

Choose by situation

What are you trying to decide?

Opening an RESP Can this RESP be opened cleanly?

Start with SIN, residency, beneficiary, and promoter readiness.

Eligibility check Maximizing grants How much should be contributed this year?

Check annual CESG, unused room, and catch-up pacing.

Catch-up planner School budget What could school cost by enrolment year?

Model tuition, living costs, inflation, and monthly savings gaps.

Cost planner Comparing institutions Which provider tools are worth opening?

Review bank, credit-union, public, and RESP provider calculators.

Institution tools Paying for school How should withdrawals be staged?

Compare contributions, EAPs, first-13-week limits, and student tax.

Withdrawal tax Student aid What gap remains after RESP and aid?

Compare RESP withdrawals with grants, loans, and remaining costs.

Student aid comparison

Tool picker

All RESP tools by job.

Scan the table for the decision in front of you, then open the matching tool.

Section 1

Start and grant planning

Use these when the family is opening an RESP, choosing a contribution amount, or checking room.

Tool	Use When	Enter	You Get	Double-Check
Readiness Eligibility check	A first pass before opening, adding a beneficiary, or changing plan details.	Beneficiary details, subscriber readiness, SIN and residency notes.	A short list of eligibility points to confirm with the promoter.	It does not prove legal eligibility or grant approval.
CESG Grant estimator	Estimating the grant attached to a planned annual contribution.	Contribution amount, province, and whether unused grant room may exist.	Estimated basic CESG and additional CESG range.	Family income, age rules, residency, and grant room still need confirmation.
Catch-up Catch-up planner	Planning larger contributions when previous years were missed.	Beneficiary age, unused CESG room, and planned annual contributions.	A practical catch-up path and annual grant ceiling reminder.	Unused room is not guaranteed without contribution history.
Limit Limit tracker	Avoiding excess contributions across all RESPs for the same beneficiary.	Past contributions, current-year contributions, and other plan balances.	Progress against the $50,000 lifetime contribution limit.	Personal contributions count; grants and some benefits do not.

Section 2

Cost, value, and funding gap

Use these when the question is whether the RESP is large enough and what other funding may be needed.

Tool	Use When	Enter	You Get	Double-Check
Value RESP value	Comparing RESP value against similar saving outside an RESP.	Contribution plan, return assumption, tax drag, grant assumptions, and time horizon.	RESP projection, outside-account comparison, grant value, and constraints.	Investment returns and student tax treatment are simplified.
Future costs Cost planner	Estimating how much school could cost when the student starts.	School year, program cost, living cost, inflation, contribution, and return assumptions.	Projected education cost, RESP coverage, and monthly savings gap.	Replace default costs with the student's likely program and city.
Aid gap Student aid comparison	Seeing what remains after RESP withdrawals, grants, loans, and family cash.	School cost, RESP withdrawals, grants, loans, work income, and province or territory.	Estimated remaining gap and aid mix to review.	It does not reproduce provincial or territorial aid formulas.

Section 3

Providers, grants, and external calculators

Use these before opening, transferring, or relying on a provider's own calculator.

Tool	Use When	Enter	You Get	Double-Check
Questions Provider checklist	Comparing fees, investment options, grants, transfers, and withdrawals.	Provider names, fee schedules, grant support, transfer rules, and investment options.	A provider-by-provider question list.	Ask for written plan documents and current fee schedules.
Directory Institution tools	Opening calculator links from banks, credit unions, public bodies, and RESP providers.	Province, provider type, and the calculator or research task.	External tools with notes on what each is best used for.	External tools use their own formulas, product framing, and privacy practices.
Province Provincial grants	Checking whether B.C. or Quebec RESP incentives may matter.	Province or territory, beneficiary age, and provider support question.	Provincial grant path to confirm with official sources and the promoter.	Provincial benefits depend on current rules and provider support.

Section 4

Withdrawals and school payments

Use these once the student is close to enrolment or already attending school.

Tool	Use When	Enter	You Get	Double-Check
Tax mix Withdrawal tax	Planning contribution withdrawals and EAPs before school bills arrive.	School cost, taxable income, EAP amount, contribution withdrawal, and timing.	Estimated withdrawal mix, student tax, and possible funding gap.	Promoters decide documentation and plan-specific withdrawal rules.
Documents Withdrawal checklist	Preparing proof and provider questions before requesting a withdrawal.	Proof of enrolment, school costs, desired withdrawal type, and provider forms.	A document and question checklist for the withdrawal request.	Some withdrawals can trigger grant repayment depending on timing.