Canada Learning Bond: amounts and eligibility
The Canada Learning Bond adds government money to an eligible child's RESP without requiring personal contributions.
On this page
- Initial payment
- $500.ESDC, Canada Learning Bond amounts
- Later eligible years
- $100 for each eligible year until age 15.ESDC, Canada Learning Bond amounts
- Total limit
- $2,000; personal RESP contributions are not required.ESDC, Canada Learning Bond amounts
Money for education after high school
The Canada Learning Bond is government money added to a Registered Education Savings Plan to help pay for full-time or part-time studies after high school. Eligible children and youth can receive $500 initially and another $100 for each eligible year until age 15, up to $2,000 in total. ESDC, Canada Learning Bond amounts (opens in a new tab).
Eligibility conditions
A child or youth must have been born on or after January 1, 2004, be a resident of Canada, have a valid Social Insurance Number, meet the family-income eligibility criteria for at least one year and be named as an RESP beneficiary. Children in care for whom a Children's Special Allowance is payable automatically qualify. ESDC, Canada Learning Bond eligibility (opens in a new tab).
Past eligibility and contributions
The bond can be claimed for previous eligible years even if no RESP was open during those years. Personal contributions to the RESP are not required to receive it. Young adults can apply from age 18 until the day before they turn 21. ESDC, Canada Learning Bond applications (opens in a new tab).
Scope of this explanation
This is general information about Canada, not personal tax or financial advice. This page does not determine income eligibility or reproduce annual income tables, RESP fees or withdrawal rules. The government does not endorse this website.