British Columbia Training, Education & Savings Grant (BCTESG)

Timelines to apply for BCTESG

Subscribers can apply as soon as the beneficiary turns 6 years of age and no later than the day before the beneficiary turns 9 years of age. While that is the general rule, eligible beneficiaries born in 2007, 2008, and 2009 have an extension until August 14, 2018, or the day before their 9th birthday, whichever is later.**

The subscriber has to complete the BCTESG application form and provide it to us before we can apply on the subscriber’s behalf.

• The subscriber may apply for the BCTESG once the eligible beneficiary turns 6 years of age, and no later than the day before the eligible beneficiary turns 9 years of age
• The beneficiary must be ordinarily resident in British Columbia at the time of the application.

Transferring BCTESG

BCTESG can only be transferred to another RESP if the receiving plan, in addition to being able to offer BCTESG is:

• an Individual Plan for the same beneficiary; or
• an Individual Plan for the sibling of the beneficiary in the transferring plan and the beneficiary of the receiving plan was under 21 years of age when the receiving plan was opened; or
• a Family Plan opened only for the same beneficiary and/or the beneficiary’s siblings.

The maximum amount of BCTESG that may be paid to a beneficiary is $1,200 no matter how many RESPs are opened. However, there is no limit to the amount of BCTESG that can be used by any one beneficiary if the Family RESP has received BCTESG for different beneficiaries.

Just make a qualified Education Assistance Payment (EAP) withdrawal and you will receive your BCTESG plus any income the grant has generated as part of the withdrawal.

Your RESP can stay open for 35 years. If the child you've been saving for decides not to attend school, your contributions are returned to you and the BCTESG can be used towards an eligible sibling's education or returned to the Government of British Columbia.