In the event either myself or my beneficiaries don't pursue an education, what happens to unused RESP funds?

Modified on Tue, 23 Apr at 10:25 AM

If the RESP account beneficiary does not start or complete their post-secondary education, the RESP account holder can either:

  1. Transfer the funds to another RESP or let other beneficiaries use the contributions in a family RESP plan

  2. Transfer the funds to an RRSP account depending on the contribution room
    • This excludes the grants from the government 
    • The RESP account must have been active for 10 years, and the beneficiary(ies) must be over 21 years of age 

  3. Withdraw the funds as cash 
    • This excludes the grants from the government 
    • Subject to tax on earnings only

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