You might be eligible for the Canada Learning Bond (CLB), if:
- you were born on, or after, January 1, 2004
- you were, and still are, a resident of Canada
- your parent, or former primary caregiver, applied for the Canada Child Benefit and had a low income for at least one year before you turned 15. For more information on the adjusted family income eligibility, please visit the eligibility chart on the benefit page
The amount you can get depends on the:
- number of children in your family before you turned 15 years old, and
- adjusted income of your primary caregiver, including the income of their cohabiting spouse or common-law partner
If you were a child in care that qualified for the children’s special allowance, you are eligible to receive the Canada Learning Bond.
Social Insurance Number
For example:
- confirmation of SIN letter
- plastic SIN card (non-expired)
If you are eligible, you can apply for the CLB once you turn 18. You have up until the day before you turn 21 to open a registered education savings plan (RESP) and apply for the Canada Learning Bond.
You do not need to have a bank account to open an RESP, and you do not need to put money into the RESP to get the CLB.
To request the CLB, you will need:
- a valid social insurance number (SIN):
- a registered education savings plan (RESP):
- if you do not have a registered education savings plan (RESP), contact an RESP promoter that offers the CLB
- some promoters offer options to open an RESP online, over the phone, or in-person
- the RESP promoter will help you complete the application form for the CLB. They will submit your application to the Government of Canada on your behalf
Once the Government of Canada deposits the CLB into your RESP, you can use the money to help pay for your education expenses right away, or keep your RESP open to save the money for your future education. You do not need to decide right away. An RESP can stay open for 35 years.