CLB grant: claim up to $2,000 for your child

Intended for financially eligible families, this contribution deserves a closer look, as it too often flies under the radar. And yet, it’s almost as easy as getting money by passing GO in Monopoly. There are no complicated steps to take, just one to remember: open an RESP.  

Let’s take a look at the Canada Learning Bond eligibility criteria, how much you may be entitled to, CLB retroactivity rules, how easy it is to open a Registered Education Savings Plan, and more. 

In this article:

• What is the Canada Learning Bond (CLB)?
• How much can my child receive with the Canada Learning Bond?
• How do I know if my child is eligible for the CLB?
• The CLB is accessible in a variety of family situations
• Is the Canada Learning Bond retroactive?
• CLB and CESG: two distinct federal grants
• What are the steps to obtain the CLB?
• Frequently asked questions

The Canada Learning Bond is a grant offered by the Government of Canada since the early 2000s. It is intended to reduce inequalities in access to post-secondary education between children from low-income families and those from more advantaged backgrounds. The government deposits money directly into the education savings accounts of eligible families, and the parents don’t have to contribute anything from their own pockets! 

How much can my child receive with the Canada Learning Bond?  

The Canada Learning Bond is worth up to $2,000. An initial payment of $500 is made in the first year of eligibility, creating a solid foundation for your education savings. Then, $100 is deposited for each additional year of eligibility—a big help as you build your child’s future plans. 

How do I know if my child is eligible for the CLB? 

Your child can receive the Canada Learning Bond if they meet the following eligibility criteria:  

• Be born in 2004 or later, 
• Have an SIN, 
• Reside in Canada, 
• Be a beneficiary of an RESP, 
• Come from a financially eligible family. 

Don’t have your child’s Social Insurance Number (SIN) yet? Request it from Service Canada. 

What defines a financially eligible family? 

Financial eligibility for the CLB depends on the adjusted net family income of the beneficiary’s primary caregiver—who is the person receiving the Canada Child Benefit—and the number of children in the household. Each year, the Government of Canada establishes income thresholds that determine whether a family is eligible for this education savings assistance.  

For the period from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, income eligibility for the CLB is established as follows: 

Depending on your circumstances, your family may be eligible for the Canada Learning Bond. Since qualifying income is assessed annually, a temporary change in your income can open the door one year and close it again if your situation changes the following year. 

For example, the CLB can provide important support for famlies with the following profiles: 

• Single-parent families: Julie is raising her boys aged 2 and 4 on her own. She supports them with her sole income, which is eligible for the CLB. 
• Self-employed: Juliette and Alexandre’s parents make a living from their passion for music, depending on the work they get. As a result, their income varies from year to year, making them eligible in certain years. 
• Unemployed parents: Ana and Jordan recently moved to Quebec with their three children. They have just received their SINs and are currently looking for work, which makes them eligible for the CLB. 

Is the Canada Learning Bond retroactive?

Yes! If you apply late for the CLB, all is not lost. The federal grant can be paid retroactively and will be calculated based on your family’s first 15 years of accumulated eligibility, starting with the birth of your child—born in 2004 or later.

The Canada Learning Bond (CLB) and the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) are two separate federal grants that support the RESP in different but complementary ways:  

• The CLB is paid according to income eligibility and can be obtained without an RESP contribution.  
• The CESG instead boosts your contributions by at least 20%, and up to 40% for eligible families.  

The CESG can provide a lifetime total of up to $7,200 per child. Unlike the CLB, you can recover your unused grants only one year at a time, and you have until the end of the calendar year of your child’s 17th birthday to obtain them, if you comply with the applicable contribution rules before their 15th birthday. 

What about the QESI? 

For Quebec families, there is also the Quebec Education Savings Incentive (QESI). This provincial grant is also intended to support savings for your young person’s education: 

• The QESI supplements your contributions by at least 10%, and up to 20% for eligible families. 

This additional tax measure has a lifetime cap of $3,600 per child. Like the CESG, it’s possible to recover one year of unused grants at a time, and you have access to it until your beneficiary turns 17 if you meet the same conditions. 

Simple and accessible: two lovely words to describe the process of obtaining the Canada Learning Bond! Once you’ve taken these few steps, the rest falls into place naturally. 

Here’s how it works: 

1. Open an RESP in the child’s name. 
2. Provide your social insurance number. 
3. Receive your grants. 

At Kaleido, we apply for grants from the government, and if you qualify, these amounts will be paid directly into your RESP. We do this for you, so you can move forward with confidence.