Education cost inflation

This is the percentage that you expect educational costs to increase per year. Data provided by The College Board's 'Trends in College Pricing 2017' put tuition, room and board increases at approximately 4.8% per year for the last ten years.

Current amount

The total amount you currently have saved for your children's education.

Monthly contributions

The dollar amount you plan to save per month toward your children's education. All amounts are assumed to be added to your account at the beginning of the month.

Rate of return

This is the annually compounded rate of return you expect from your investments. This will also be the rate used if you end up with a negative balance and need to borrow money to meet your goal. The actual rate of return is largely dependent on the types of investments you select. The Standard & Poor's 500® (S&P 500®) for the 10 years ending December 31^st 2017, had an annual compounded rate of return of 8.3%, including reinvestment of dividends. From January 1, 1970 to December 31^st 2017, the average annual compounded rate of return for the S&P 500®, including reinvestment of dividends, was approximately 10.6% (source: www.standardandpoors.com). Since 1970, the highest 12-month return was 61% (June 1982 through June 1983). The lowest 12-month return was -43% (March 2008 to March 2009). Savings accounts at a financial institution may pay as little as 0.25% or less but carry significantly lower risk of loss of principal balances.

It is important to remember that these scenarios are hypothetical and that future rates of return can't be predicted with certainty and that investments that pay higher rates of return are generally subject to higher risk and volatility. The actual rate of return on investments can vary widely over time, especially for long-term investments. This includes the potential loss of principal on your investment. It is not possible to invest directly in an index and the compounded rate of return examples do not reflect sales charges and other fees that investment funds and/or investment companies may charge.

Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP)

Check this box if you wish to calculate your savings with a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP). There are two advantages to using an RESP to save for your children's education. First, the money grows tax free until the child needs it for tuition, residence and other educational expenses. Second, you receive a Canada Education Savings Grant worth as much as $600 per year per child. The grant amounts for 2016 are calculated as follows:

*These amounts are adjusted annually for inflation.

Please note that for the purposes of this calculator, taxation is not factored into the results. This calculator assumes that 1/12 of your annual RESP grant is added to your savings each month along with your normal contribution.

You are limited to a total of $50,000 in contributions to an RESP per child, but there is no annual limit. You may contribute the entire $50,000 contribution in one year if you have the means or a windfall. Lifetime grants to an RESP are limited to $7200 per child. The grant amount you receive does not reduce your contribution limit to an RESP. For additional information you can visit: Canada RESP

Age of children

The current age of your children. The difference between their current age and the age they start college is the number of years you have to save. Note that there can be restrictions on the amount of grant available and participation in an RESP for children 16 or older.

Age to start education

The age your child will begin post-secondary education. The default is 18, but this can be any age up to 25.

Annual tuition

Current estimated cost of one year of tuition and books. This amount should be per child and be specific to the school and program they may be interested in attending. For the purposes of this calculator all expenses are assumed to be due at the end of the year.

Room and board

The current estimated cost of one-year room and board. Like tuition and books, this amount should be per child and specific to the school they may be interested in attending. For the purposes of this calculator, all expenses are assumed to be due at the end of the year.

Age of children

The current age of your children. The difference between their current age and the age they start college is the number of years you have to save. Note that there can be restrictions on the amount of grant available and participation in an RESP for children 16 or older.

Age to start education

The age your child will begin post-secondary education. The default is 18, but this can be any age up to 25.

Annual tuition

Current estimated cost of one year of tuition and books. This amount should be per child and be specific to the school and program they may be interested in attending. For the purposes of this calculator all expenses are assumed to be due at the end of the year.

Room and board

The current estimated cost of one-year room and board. Like tuition and books, this amount should be per child and specific to the school they may be interested in attending. For the purposes of this calculator, all expenses are assumed to be due at the end of the year.

Age of children

The current age of your children. The difference between their current age and the age they start college is the number of years you have to save. Note that there can be restrictions on the amount of grant available and participation in an RESP for children 16 or older.

Age to start education

The age your child will begin post-secondary education. The default is 18, but this can be any age up to 25.

Annual tuition

Current estimated cost of one year of tuition and books. This amount should be per child and be specific to the school and program they may be interested in attending. For the purposes of this calculator all expenses are assumed to be due at the end of the year.

Room and board

The current estimated cost of one-year room and board. Like tuition and books, this amount should be per child and specific to the school they may be interested in attending. For the purposes of this calculator, all expenses are assumed to be due at the end of the year.

Age of children

The current age of your children. The difference between their current age and the age they start college is the number of years you have to save. Note that there can be restrictions on the amount of grant available and participation in an RESP for children 16 or older.

Age to start education

The age your child will begin post-secondary education. The default is 18, but this can be any age up to 25.

Annual tuition

Current estimated cost of one year of tuition and books. This amount should be per child and be specific to the school and program they may be interested in attending. For the purposes of this calculator all expenses are assumed to be due at the end of the year.

Room and board

The current estimated cost of one-year room and board. Like tuition and books, this amount should be per child and specific to the school they may be interested in attending. For the purposes of this calculator, all expenses are assumed to be due at the end of the year.