Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
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Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

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InfoCapsules for RESP Providers

InfoCapsules for
RESP Providers

Getting Started

Incentives and Transactions

19 - Alberta Centennial Education Savings Plan Grants Eligibility and Application Process

The Alberta Centennial Education Savings Plan Grants (Alberta Grants) were introduced by the Government of Alberta as part of its provincial centennial celebrations in 2005. The Alberta Grants are a provincial incentive to encourage parents/guardians to plan and save for their children's post-secondary education. It is paid under a designated provincial program. Depending on a child's eligibility (see criteria below*), up to four grants can be paid for a total of $800. CESP administers this incentive through an agreement between the department of HRSDC and the Government of Alberta.

Eligibility Criteria

  Alberta $500 Grant Alberta $100 Grants
Date of Birth Child must be born on January 1, 2005 or later. For children turning 8, 11 and 14 years of age in 2005 or later.
Residency of Parent or Legal Guardian The child's parent or guardian must be a resident of Alberta - and ordinarily present in Alberta - at the time of the application or at the time of the child's eligible birthday (birth or 8, 11 or 14 years).
Application for the Alberta Grants Must be submitted within 6 years following a child's birth (between date of birth and the day of the sixth birthday). Separate applications for each of the 3 subsequent Alberta Grants must be submitted within 6 years following the child's 8th, 11tthand 14th birthdays.
School Attendance   The child must only need to be attending school (not necessarily in Alberta) at the time of eligible age of 8, 11 and 14 years. Children who pursue their primary education within the home are also eligible to receive the Alberta Grants.
RESP Type The Alberta Grants are payable only into individual (non-family) plans or family plans in which all beneficiaries are siblings.
RESP Contribution   Accumulated contributions of at least $100 must have been made in respect of the specific beneficiary to any RESP, in any qualified institution, in 12 months immediately prior to applying for each of the subsequent Alberta Grants.

Example of the Alberta Grants process for a child born in 2005

Subscriber

1. Enters into an RESP, with a participating Alberta Grants RESP provider, for an eligible beneficiary.

2. Applies for the initial Alberta $500 Grant within 6 years of a child's birth.

RESP Provider

3. Confirms eligibility and information provided on the Application for Alberta Centennial Education Savings Plan Grant form and reviews documents presented to prove residency of parent or legal guardian.

4. Applies for the Alberta $500 Grant on the subscriber's behalf.

HRSDC

5. Processes transactions; makes payments of Alberta Grant on behalf of the Government of Alberta.

RESP Provider

6. Notifies the subscriber that the initial Alberta $500 Grant has been deposited into their RESP.

Subscriber

7. Makes separate applications for each of the 3 subsequent Alberta $100 Grants within 6 years of the child's 8th, 11th and 14th birthdays.

RESP Provider

8. Confirms eligibility and information provided on the Application for Alberta Centennial Education Savings Plan Grant Form and reviews documents presented to prove residency of parent or legal guardian.

9. Ensures that the subscriber attests that a contribution of at least $100 was made into the RESP in the 12 months immediately preceding the application for each subsequent Alberta $100 Grants.

10. Applies for the subsequent Alberta $100 Grants on the subscriber's behalf.

11. Notifies the subscriber that the subsequent Alberta Grants have been deposited into their RESP.

12. Makes Educational Assistance Payments (EAPs) to an eligible beneficiary enrolled in a qualifying post-secondary educational program.

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Date Modified:
2011-11-15