The Canada Learning Bond is free money for a child’s education after high school. The federal government puts up to $2,000 into a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) for children born in 2004 or later from lower-income families: $500 for the first year the child is eligible, then $100 for each later year up to age 15. You don’t have to put in any money of your own.
The bond is only paid once someone opens an RESP for the child and asks for it. If your child missed out, the money can be claimed back to their first eligible year.
How much you can get
| Year of eligibility | Amount deposited |
|---|---|
| First year the child is eligible | $500 (includes $25 to help cover the cost of opening the RESP) |
| Each later year the family is eligible, up to and including age 15 | $100 |
| Lifetime maximum | $2,000 |
A child gets the full $2,000 only if the family qualifies in the first year and every year after up to age 15. Payments for past eligible years are paid when you apply, so a child who qualified from birth but only gets an RESP at age 8 can receive the back amounts in one go.
Who qualifies
A child may get the bond if they:
- were born on or after January 1, 2004
- live in Canada and have a Social Insurance Number
- are named as a beneficiary of an RESP, and
- had a family income that met the limit for at least one year
Children in the care of an agency for whom the Children’s Special Allowance is paid are also eligible.
Income limits for July 2026 to June 2027
The limit depends on the number of children in the family and the family’s adjusted income, which the government takes from tax return and Canada Child Benefit information. File your taxes every year, even with little or no income, so eligibility can be checked. For the benefit year from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027:
| Number of children | Adjusted family income |
|---|---|
| 1 to 3 | $58,523 or less |
| 4 | Less than $66,036 |
| 5 | Less than $73,577 |
| 6 | Less than $81,117 |
Larger families have higher limits. The full list is in Service Canada’s income bracket notice.
How to apply
- Get a SIN for your child. It’s free. Call Service Canada at 1-800-622-6232 to find out how.
- Choose an RESP provider that offers the Canada Learning Bond. Not all do. Use the government’s list of RESP providers to find one. Ask about fees before you sign.
- Open an RESP with your child as the beneficiary. You don’t have to deposit any money.
- Ask the provider to apply for the Canada Learning Bond (and the Canada Education Savings Grant). The provider sends the application to the government for you.
After that, the bond is deposited into the RESP each year your family qualifies, up to age 15. You don’t have to reapply.
Young adults 18 to 20 can apply for themselves
If you were born in 2004 or later and your family never claimed the bond, you can open your own RESP and ask for it from age 18 until the day before you turn 21. You’ll get the amounts for every year you were eligible. You’ll need your SIN.
Coming changes: automatic enrolment and a longer deadline
- Automatic RESPs from April 2028. For eligible children born in 2024 or later who aren’t named in an RESP by age 4, the government will open an RESP automatically and deposit the bond. Parents will be able to ask to opt out starting in 2027.
- Age limit rising to 30. Starting in April 2028, the age limit to claim the bond retroactively rises from 20 to 30.
You don’t have to wait. You can open an RESP now and get the bond deposited sooner.
When it’s paid and how you use it
The bond goes into the RESP, not to you. It stays there until your child goes on to education after high school, when the money can be taken out for education-related costs.
If the child doesn’t go on to post-secondary education, the bond goes back to the government.
A short note on the Canada Education Savings Grant
If you can put some money into the RESP, the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) adds to it:
- Basic grant: 20% of the first $2,500 you contribute each year, or $500 a year.
- Extra grant for lower incomes (2026): an extra 20% on the first $500 if adjusted family income is $58,523 or less, or an extra 10% if it’s above $58,523 up to $117,045.
- Lifetime maximum: $7,200 per child. Unused grant room carries forward, and you can catch up by up to $1,000 in grant a year.
British Columbia and Quebec have their own RESP incentives too: a one-time $1,200 B.C. grant for children aged 6 to 8, and a Quebec refundable credit worth up to $3,600 over the child’s lifetime.
Things to watch for
- No contribution needed. Some people think they must save money to get the bond. You don’t.
- Pick a provider that offers it. If yours doesn’t, the bond can’t be paid into that plan.
- File your taxes each year so your income can be checked, even if you have no income.
- Don’t let the deadline pass. Until the April 2028 change, a young adult must apply before turning 21.
- Ask about fees. Compare RESP providers before you sign, since costs vary.
Watch for scams. The government never asks for a payment or gift cards to release a benefit. If a call, text or email asks for money or your banking details to “unlock” a payment, don’t click or reply. Contact the program yourself using the numbers on this page, and see our scam guide.
The bond pairs well with the Canada Child Benefit. Use our benefits checkup to see what else your family may get.
Common questions
How much is the Canada Learning Bond?
Up to $2,000 per child: $500 for the first eligible year and $100 for each later eligible year up to age 15.
Do I have to put money in the RESP to get the Canada Learning Bond?
No. You only need to open an RESP and ask the provider to apply. Contributions are optional.
What is the income limit for the Canada Learning Bond in 2026?
For July 2026 to June 2027, adjusted family income of $58,523 or less for families with 1 to 3 children. The limit is higher for larger families.
Can I get the Canada Learning Bond for past years?
Yes. When you apply, the bond is paid for every year your child was eligible. Adults can claim it until the day before age 21, rising to age 30 from April 2028.
What happens to the bond if my child doesn’t go to college or university?
The Canada Learning Bond goes back to the government.
Will the government open an RESP for my child automatically?
Starting in April 2028, for eligible children born in 2024 or later who don’t have an RESP by age 4.
