A hands-off approach to investing in your child’s education
This illustration also shows how much a plan like yours may be worth when your child is 18.5 years and compares this amount to the estimated cost of a university or college education at that time. The projected value includes contributions, government grant, income on contributions and grant earned to date, future scheduled contributions (if any) until your child turns 18.5 years and government grants you are expected to accumulate. The projected income on contributions and grants is estimated from today’s date to the date when your child turns 18.5 based on a series of annual net rates of return ranging from 1.5% to 4.0% that reflect your child’s age group and the changes in the asset allocation over the life of your plan.
The projected value for each beneficiary in a Family Plan with multiple beneficiaries is estimated using each beneficiary’s allocation of the contributions and future scheduled contributions, the income on allocated contributions you are expected to accumulate for each beneficiary and the specific share of grant and grant income allocated to each individual beneficiary.
This illustration assumes all scheduled contributions will be made. It is not intended to show an actual future value. Investment returns and the actual future value of your education savings plan cannot be predicted or guaranteed.
Projected tuition costs of a 4 year university program are based on the annual average cost of tuition and compulsory fees across Canada for the previous school year and an assumed average annual increase of 1.3% based on the previous 5 year's average. Room and board are based on typical costs of residence with an assumed average annual increase of 2.3% based on the previous 5 year's average. Projection includes the cost of entertainment, transportation and books adjusted using an annual inflation rate of 2.0%. Source: Statistics Canada 2021 and university websites.
We do the work for you and get you a diversified mutual fund made up of low-cost exchange-traded funds (ETFs). This way, you’re not putting all your money and hopes into one sector, market or investment—but you’re invested in a mix of assets to help reduce your risk and maximize your rewards.
Investing in your child’s future has never been so simple:
- We provide a CST Spark Education Portfolio that suits your needs.
- Your investment mix automatically adjusts as your child ages, focusing on targeting growth early on and preserving gains closer to graduation.
- We invest with one goal in mind—that you can help pay for their education.
Top Questions about RESPs
It’s short for Registered Education Savings Plan, and it’s a smart savings tool. You can open an RESP for your child, your niece, your grandson, or any loved one, really. As the child grows, you put money away in the RESP. Then, when it’s time for them to pursue a post-secondary education and their career dreams, they won’t have to worry about whether they can afford it.
First, a subscriber, usually a parent or relative, enters into an RESP contract with a promoter. The subscriber can name one or more children as beneficiaries. Children can be added to a family plan later as long as they are siblings.
Over the years, the subscriber makes regular contributions into the plan. The promoter applies for government education savings grants on behalf of the subscriber to take advantage of government contributions into the RESP. (Why say no to money from the government!?) The promoter also helps the subscriber invest the money.
When the child is ready for post-secondary school, he or she can start taking out money from the RESP as Education Assistance Payments (EAPs).
The earlier you start saving for your child’s education, the more time that money has the potential to grow. Many people open RESPs for a baby or toddler. That said, it’s never too late to start an RESP for a child, and to start taking advantage of government grants and tax-free growth while in the plan.
What makes CST Spark different?
Peace of mind
No need to worry about finding the right mix for your portfolio or adjusting it over time. We provide you with a portfolio mix tailored to your needs and automatically rebalance it as your child grows.
Flexible contributions
We make RESPs flexible to suit your life. You can start at any time with any amount*, and change your contributions whenever you need to. How much and how often you contribute is always up to you.
*Subject to minimum transaction limit.
Let us do the heavy lifting
Simply personalize your plan and we’ll take care of the rest. We’ll help you grow your education savings and handle the federal and provincial grant applications for you.
On-Demand Support
Have questions? Need more help? We’re here for you every step of the way. You can chat with us LIVE online six days a week, or give us a call at
1-800-461-7100.
Meet our portfolios. Which one is for you?
CST Spark 2041 Education Portfolio
This portfolio is ideal if your little one is under 2 years and you’re saving for post-secondary education that’s starting around 2041 (hence the name!) We invest your money to target growth early and then shift your asset mix to become more conservative when it’s time to pay for school. It’s designed to maximize your return while taking on low to medium risk.
- Type of fund: Target Date
- End Date: 2041
- Risk: Low to medium
CST Spark 2038 Education Portfolio
This portfolio is ideal if your little learner is between 3-5 years old and you’re saving for post-secondary education that’s starting around 2038 (hence the name!) We invest your money with the goal of growth and then shift your asset mix to become more conservative when it’s time to pay for school. It’s designed to maximize your return while taking on low to medium risk.
- Type of fund: Target Date
- End Date: 2038
- Risk: Low to medium
CST Spark 2035 Education Portfolio
This portfolio is ideal if your little learner is 6 to 8 years old and you’re saving for post-secondary education that’s starting around 2035 (hence the name!) We invest your money with the goal of growth and then shift your asset mix to become more conservative when it’s time to pay for school. It’s designed to maximize your return while taking on low to medium risk.
- Type of fund: Target Date
- End Date: 2035
- Risk: Low to medium
CST Spark 2032 Education Portfolio
This portfolio is ideal if your young learner is 9 to 11 years old and you’re saving for post-secondary education that’s starting around 2032 (hence the name!) We invest your money with the goal of growth and then shift your asset mix to become more conservative when it’s time to pay for school. It’s designed to maximize your return while taking on low to medium risk.
- Type of fund: Target Date
- End Date: 2032
- Risk: Low to medium
CST Spark 2029 Education Portfolio
This portfolio is ideal if your young learner is 12 to 14 years old and you’re saving for post-secondary education that’s starting around 2029 (hence the name!) We invest your money with the goal of growth and then shift your asset mix to become more conservative when it’s time to pay for school. It’s designed to maximize your return while taking on low to medium risk.
- Type of fund: Target Date
- End Date: 2029
- Risk: Low to medium
CST Spark 2026 Education Portfolio
This portfolio is ideal if your learner is 15 to 17 years old and you’re saving for post-secondary education that’s starting around 2026 (hence the name!) We invest your money with the goal of growth and then shift your asset mix to become more conservative when it’s time to pay for school. It’s designed to provide a moderate opportunity for growth and protect capital over time while taking on low risk.
- Type of fund: Target Date
- End Date: 2026
- Risk: Low
CST Spark Graduation Portfolio
This portfolio is ideal if your student is 18 years old (or older) and is close to starting or is already enrolled in post-secondary education in 2022. Your money is invested in a low-risk, diversified mix of ETFs focused on capital preservation with a modest amount of return potential.
- Type of fund: Short-Term Fixed Income
- Risk: Low
Invest in your child's bright future with CST, the creator of education savings plans in Canada
Over 700,0001 Canadian families have put their faith in CST with their post-secondary education savings
to offer RESPs in Canada
CST was the 1st to lobby for education savings plans in Canada.
in managed assets*
Rest easy knowing hundreds of thousands of Canadians trust CST with their education savings.
industry leading partners
Trusted advisors from CST, Blackrock and RBC Investor Services Trust take care of your plan.
years
of helping Canadian families make post-secondary education attainable
*Canadian Scholarship Trust Plans and CST Spark Education Portfolios 2023 Audited Financial Statements.
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CST Spark Education Portfolios are sold only by Prospectus. Investors should read the prospectus before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.
Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the Fund Facts or Prospectus before investing. Mutual fund securities are not covered by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation or by any other government deposit insurer. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.