Eligibility
1. Who is eligible for the $500 ACES Plan grant?The following individuals are eligible for the $500 ACES Plan grant:
- Children born in 2005 or later whose parent(s) are Alberta residents at the time of birth
or
- Children born in 2004 or later and adopted by an Alberta resident in 2005 or later
or
- Children born in 2005 or later to residents of another province/country, whose parent(s) are Alberta residents at the time of application
Individuals who turn 8, 11 or 14 in 2005 or later are eligible for the $100 ACES Plan grants if the following are true:
- One or both parent(s) are Alberta residents at the time of application or at the time of the child’s relevant birthday, and
- The child is attending school at the time of the application (or if completed, was attending school on the relevant birthday), and
- A minimum contribution of $100 has been invested into the beneficiary’s RESP within a year prior to application
The ages 8, 11 and 14 align most closely with grades 3, 6 and 9, which are landmark years in a child’s early education and when Alberta Education conducts achievement testing in the core subjects.
The Alberta government felt that these years would provide the best opportunities to remind parents of planning and preparing for their child’s education after high school.
4. Can a child receive more than one $100 ACES Plan grant?Yes. Eligible children may receive a $100 ACES Plan grant up to three times: following their 8th, 11th and 14th birthdays; however, you must apply for each grant separately.
5. I am an adult aged 18-20 who turned 14 in 2005 or later. Can I apply for my own grant?Yes. Applicants have 6 years to apply for each grant; therefore, as long as you were attending school at the age of 14 and your parent(s) are residents of Alberta at the time of application or eligible age, you can apply for the grant without requiring your parent’s signature on the application.
If you are an independent student* and a resident of Alberta at the time of application or when you turned 14, you can apply for an ACES Plan grant based on your own residency, rather than the residency of your parent(s). All other regulations still apply.
* “independent student” means a person who meets one of the following criteria:
- is married or has a common law partner
- is widowed
- is divorced
- is the parent of at least one child
- has been employed or been available for employment, or a combination of both, for at least two periods of at least 12 consecutive months each
- has been employed or available for employment or has been a full‑time student at a post‑secondary educational institution, or in any combination of those situations, for a period totalling at least four years
- is declared to be independent by the Minister
Like any program of this type, the ACES Plan must have a defined start date.
Alberta’s centennial celebrations in 2005 provided an excellent opportunity for the ACES Plan to create an investment into the future of the province and the future of Alberta’s children.
While this investment will have an important impact on future students, it in no way detracts from the Government of Alberta’s commitment to ensure that all learners in the province enjoy every possible advantage.
7. Will I need to match government contributions?There is no requirement to match the ACES Plan grant of $500, but there may be a minimum contribution required to open an RESP. The $100 grants require a minimum $100 deposit into the RESP (and designated to the beneficiary, in the case of family plans) within one year prior to application.
8. What do you mean by Alberta resident?The
Alberta Centennial Education Savings Plan Act defines “resident of Alberta” as someone
-
who is lawfully entitled to be or to remain in Canada, and
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who makes their home, and is ordinarily present, in Alberta
Yes. What is important is that either
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the child’s parent/guardian was a resident of Alberta at the time of birth (or the relevant birthday in the case of the $100 grants), or
-
the child’s parent/guardian is a resident of Alberta at the time of application
However, if a parent/guardian no longer lives in Alberta at the time of application, he/she must complete a Request for Ministry Review form prior to applying to ensure that the application is not denied. Please ask your RESP provider for more information.
Yes. The residency of a parent/guardian is the important part. During the application process for both the $500 and the $100 grants, the RESP provider must see proof that a parent or guardian is a resident of Alberta.
11. What types of documentation are acceptable to meet the Alberta residency requirement?Some examples of documentation that would demonstrate a parent or guardian makes their residence, and is ordinarily present, in Alberta would be
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an Alberta driver's license
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an Alberta photo identification card
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an Alberta Health Insurance Card
- bank statements, utility bills, or rental agreements that show a recent date and state the individual's address
The following documents may be used to demonstrate your child meets the school attendance requirement:
- a current school report card
- a current, personalized letter from the school
- if the beneficiary is home-schooled, a copy of the Home Education Notification Form signed by the relevant associate board
Yes. On the section of the ACES Plan grant application form marked “Name of School”, indicate the Associate Board or Associate Private School with whom you have registered your home education program.
As proof, you may be required to show a copy of the Home Education Notification Form signed by the relevant board or private school.
14. I’ve deposited more than $100 into my child’s RESP in the past. Do I still need to deposit at least $100 within a year prior to applying for the $100 ACES Plan grants?Yes. A minimum $100 must have been contributed to the child’s RESP within one year prior to applying for each of the $100 ACES Plan grants. In the case of family plans, the $100 deposit must be designated specifically for the child applying for the grant.
The ACES Plan is an incentive program to encourage parents to begin saving for their children’s post secondary education and to continue saving throughout their childhood.
15. My family has a high income. Are my children still eligible to receive the grant?Yes. Children are eligible based on their parent(s)' residency, not their income.
16. My family is receiving income support. Is there any help for us in meeting the minimum deposit requirement?Yes. Parents receiving income support may be eligible for assistance in meeting the ACES Plan requirements.
For more information, speak with your Income Support worker. If you require their telephone number, please contact the Income Support Contact Centre toll-free at 1-866-644-5135 or 780-644-5135 in the Edmonton area.
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