09/03/2026
REALITY: Not necessarily. If your child doesn't pursue an eligible post-secondary education, there are still options available for the RESP. Depending on the circumstances, contributions can generally be returned to the subscriber, while government grants may need to be returned. There may also be options to transfer certain amounts to another eligible beneficiary or, in some cases, to an RRSP if the requirements are met. The important thing is that you don't simply lose the money you've contributed. There are rules around what happens to the different portions of a RESP, so it's worth understanding your options before making any decisions.