Smartsaver Community

“Making post-secondary education more affordable for all Canadians, especially those from low- and middle-income families, isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s the smart thing to do. Children with education savings are more likely to attend and complete post-secondary education and graduate with less debt. Helping more people access post-secondary education is a key way in which we can grow the economy and strengthen the middle class.”

– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour

SmartSAVER is excited to share the federal government’s Launch of Call for Concepts to increase awareness and take-up of Canada Learning Bond, with a firm commitment of $7 million over next 3 years. This is an important opportunity for community organizations to request funding for projects that will help more low- and middle-income families to save money for their children’s post-secondary education through the Canada Learning Bond (CLB)

The call for concepts must fall under one of three themes:

•         Support of Indigenous populations
•         Facilitated access
•         Research and Innovation.

The deadline for applications is January 16, 2018.

Full news release

Call for Concept Funding Guidelines

Canada Learning Bond enrollment and take-up rate continue to improve

Most recent Federal statistics (to June 30, 2017) show continued progress in CLB enrollment and take-up rate. Earlier in 2017, we celebrated the 1,000,000th child to receive a Canada Learning Bond (CLB). The CLB take-up rate across Canada is now nearing 36% and two provinces – BC and Quebec – have surpassed 40% take-up!

SmartSAVER’s partners get results

TDSB partner launch event

Behind the enrollment gains are the determined efforts of many community agencies, government programs and financial organizations who are raising awareness and helping families, one by one, to receive their children’s Bonds.

SmartSAVER partners with over 70 organizations across Canada.
Together, we’ve facilitated over 10,000 CLB applications through SmartSAVER’s online application. Partner and applicant surveys indicate:

• An 85% RESP opening rate among online applicants;
• A 72% success rate in applicants receiving the Canada Learning Bond;
• An $825 median value of Canada Learning Bond received; and
• 100% satisfaction among partners for SmartSAVER’s service and online application.

New research points to the impact of education savings

In a new study we published this year, researcher Andrew Parkin concluded:

“The link between family savings for PSE [post-secondary education] and PSE access and completion is clear, as is the link between savings and attitudes such as expectations for a child’s educational success. Research is now beginning to demonstrate that this link is more than just a correlation, but is also causal; that it is the presence of the savings that impacts the attitudes and behaviours.”

The Federal budget supports CLB enrollment

This year, with the support of our partners, SmartSAVER called on the Federal government to make funding available for community-based outreach and education. Our efforts succeeded with announcement in the 2017 Federal budget of $12.5 million over six years, starting in 2017-18. Funding will help more low-income families benefit from the Canada Learning Bond by working with community organizations and businesses to explore new ways to increase awareness of the program and reduce barriers to access. Contact the Canada Education Savings Program for more information.

Thank you to our foundation and financial institution partners

Thank you to our community partners (click on the thumbnail to view a larger image)