08/20/2026
If your child, like my own, is heading off to university this fall, it’s an exciting time. After years of contributing to their RESP, it’s finally time to start using it.
Before making that first withdrawal, there are a few things to know:
• RESP withdrawals aren’t all taxed the same way. EAPs, which include grants and investment earnings, are taxable to the student, while your original contributions can generally be withdrawn tax free.
• For a full time student, EAP withdrawals are generally limited to $8,000 during the first 13 consecutive weeks of enrolment. After that, additional EAPs can generally be withdrawn as needed, provided the student remains eligible.
• You’ll need proof of enrolment from the school.
• Don’t just think about first year tuition. Look at the entire degree and create a withdrawal strategy for the years ahead.
We’ve spent years building these accounts for our kids. Now it’s worth having a plan for how we take the money out.
If your child is starting post secondary school and you’re unsure how to structure the RESP withdrawals, feel free to reach out.