The BC RESP Grant Is Ending in 2028: What Every BC Parent Needs to Know About the BCTESG

My youngest turned 6 this year, and yesterday I finally sat down and applied for the BC Training and Education Savings Grant (BCTESG) through my RESP account. I’d been putting it off for months (mom life, right?), but a friend sent me a post warning that this $1,200 grant is being phased out — and that lit a fire under me.

If you’re a BC parent with a young child, or you’re planning to move to BC with kids, this is one of those “don’t sleep on it” pieces of news. Here’s everything I found out, in plain English.

What Is the BCTESG, Quickly

If you’re new to Canada, here’s the short version. The BC Training and Education Savings Grant is a one-time $1,200 government grant deposited straight into your child’s Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP). You don’t need to contribute any of your own money to get it — you just need to apply.

It’s only available to families living in British Columbia, and it’s separate from the federal grants (more on those below).

The Big News: This Grant Is Being Phased Out

According to the Government of British Columbia’s official BCTESG page, the province introduced this grant back in 2015 to encourage families to start saving early for post-secondary education.

But in the 2026 BC Budget, the province announced that the BCTESG will be discontinued as of April 1, 2028. Coverage of the budget noted that the province pointed to low uptake as one of the reasons for winding it down — historically, roughly half of eligible BC families never got around to applying (yep, almost me).

The good news? If your child qualifies before the cutoff, you can still get the full $1,200. You just can’t wait forever.

Key Dates You Need to Know

Who Can Still Apply Before It’s Gone

Based on the government’s announcement, families who still have a shot at this grant generally fall into these groups:

• Your child is already between 6 and 9 years old and you simply haven’t applied yet — apply now, don’t wait.
• Your child will turn 6 before April 1, 2028 — you’ll have a window to apply before the cutoff.
• Your child was born after the 2028 cutoff makes them ineligible — unfortunately, based on current rules, children who turn 6 after the program ends won’t be able to claim it.

If you’re not sure exactly where your child falls, this is exactly the kind of detail worth confirming directly with your RESP provider or the official BC government page, since exact rules for the transition period may still be finalized.

How I Applied Through My RESP Provider

I keep my kids’ RESP with Wealthsimple, so I’ll walk through that experience — but the general steps are similar no matter which provider you use.

1. Make sure your RESP is already open and your child is listed as a beneficiary.
2. Check that your provider actually offers the BCTESG. Not every RESP provider does, so this step matters.
3. Confirm your BC residency — you’ll typically need to show a BC ID or proof of address for the account holder.
4. Submit the application through your provider once your child has turned 6. With Wealthsimple, this meant reaching out to their support team directly rather than filling out a form myself.
5. Wait for processing. This isn’t instant — grants are usually deposited a number of weeks after approval, so don’t panic if it doesn’t show up right away.

Honestly, the hardest part was just remembering to do it. If your child is already 6 or older, I’d bump this to the top of your to-do list this week.

What’s NOT Changing: The Federal Grants Continue

Here’s the part that gave me some peace of mind. This change is specific to the BC provincial grant. The federal RESP grants — which are available to families across Canada, not just BC — are not affected.

According to the federal government’s RESP information page, the CESG can match a meaningful portion of your annual RESP contributions, with a generous lifetime cap per child. Lower-income families may also qualify for the Canada Learning Bond, which requires no contribution at all. These programs are worth applying for regardless of where you live in Canada, and they’re not going anywhere. I walked through exactly how the CESG worked for our family in my RESP & CESG guide for newcomers.

What If My Child Already Missed the Window, or Isn’t Born Yet

If your child is already over 9: unfortunately, the standard BCTESG application window closes the day before a child’s 9th birthday, so this grant likely isn’t available to you regardless of the phase-out. It’s still worth a quick check with your provider in case your child falls under an exception.

If you’re expecting, or your child is a baby or toddler: open an RESP now if you can, and set a reminder for your child’s 6th birthday — well before April 2028 if possible, so you don’t get caught by the deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the BCTESG definitely ending, or could this change?
This was announced as part of the official 2026 BC Budget, so it’s a real policy change. That said, government policy can shift, so it’s worth checking the official BC government page for any updates before your child’s application window closes.

My child just turned 6 — do I still have time to apply?
Yes. As long as your child is between 6 and 9 and the program hasn’t ended yet, you can still apply. Don’t wait, though, since processing takes time.

Does this affect my child’s eligibility for the Canada Education Savings Grant?
No. The CESG and Canada Learning Bond are federal programs and are completely separate from this BC provincial grant. Both continue as normal.

Do I need to make RESP contributions to get the BCTESG?
No. Unlike the CESG, the BCTESG doesn’t require you to contribute any of your own money. You just need to apply while your child is eligible.

Is this financial advice?
No. This post reflects my own personal experience applying for this grant as a BC parent. It’s not financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Rules can change and individual circumstances vary, so please confirm details with your RESP provider or a licensed professional, and check official government sources for the latest information.