09/01/2026
September has a funny way of making time feel very real.
One minute you're buying tiny shoes and crayons. The next, you're standing in a school supply aisle wondering how your child is possibly old enough to need a graphing calculator.
And suddenly that conversation about post-secondary education doesn't feel quite so far away.
An RESP, or Registered Education Savings Plan, is specifically designed to help save for education after high school. That can include university, college, trade school, CEGEP and apprenticeship programs. Government benefits can also be deposited into an RESP for eligible beneficiaries.
The Canada Education Savings Grant can provide 20% on eligible annual contributions, up to $500 per year, with a lifetime maximum of $7,200 per beneficiary. There are also additional benefits available for eligible families.
And here's something many parents don't realize: you don't have to be the parent to open an RESP. Parents, grandparents, relatives and friends can open one for a child.
So while you're getting backpacks organized and figuring out everyone's new schedules, September can also be a good time to check in on the bigger picture.
Is your child's education savings plan still on track?
Brightview Financial Services can help you understand your RESP options and how the available government benefits work.