Which institutions or studies are eligible for EAPs?
Educational Assistance Payments (EAPs) are paid to RESP beneficiaries when they are enrolled in an eligible educational program. Understanding what determines eligibility allows them to better plan their post-secondary career.
How to recognize a designated educational institution
An institution is considered designated when it offers programs designed to:
- develop professional skills;
- improve a skill already acquired;
- prepare for a trade or profession.
It’s not just the type of institution that counts, but also the nature of the program offered. This means that an institution could be designated for certain programs only.
Consult the list of designated educational institutions
The Master List of Designated Educational Institutions is updated regularly on the Government of Canada website and contains a list of all eligible educational institutions.
What are EAP-eligible studies?
Eligible studies include a wide range of post-secondary programs, whether full-time or part-time. These could be studies offered by a CEGEP, community college or university in Canada, as well as foreign programs recognized as equivalent.
Qualifying educational programs
Some programs meet specific criteria defined by the Income Tax Act (Canada). To be recognized as qualifying educational programs, they must:
- last at least three consecutive weeks;
- include a minimum of 10 hours per week of instruction or work.
These programs are often intensive and structured, which facilitates their recognition as eligible studies.
Specified educational programs
Specified educational programs (such as certain vocational training programs) are another category of eligible studies. They must:
- be at the post-secondary level;
- last at least three consecutive weeks;
- require at least 12 hours of courses per month.
These programs are particularly suited to students who want a more flexible pace while retaining their EAP eligibility.
Ineligible studies
Although many programs can be recognized as eligible studies, some types of training do not meet the criteria set out in the Income Tax Act (Canada) and therefore do not qualify for Educational Assistance Payments (EAP). These exclusions ensure that EAPs support structured, recognized pathways geared towards the acquisition of professional skills.
The main categories of non-eligible studies include:
- non-post-secondary programs;
- recreational or personal courses;
- training programs that are too short;
- workshops, seminars or one-off conferences;
- programs not recognized by an educational authority.
If you are still unsure about the eligibility of a particular program, don’t hesitate to contact your Kaleido representative. We can help you confirm whether the studies you are considering meet the criteria.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about eligible institutions
Yes. Courses taken by distance learning may be considered as eligible studies, provided the program meets the criteria of the above-mentioned categories. The use of e-learning, which is now very widespread, does not limit access to EAPs.
Post-secondary studies abroad may also be recognized as eligible studies, provided they are considered equivalent to a Canadian post-secondary program. This means that:
- the foreign institution must offer a structured program recognized in its own country;
- the program must aim to acquire or improve a professional skill;
- the duration and workload must be comparable to Canadian requirements.
- This allows beneficiaries to continue their education in another country while retaining the benefits of their education savings plan.
Contrary to popular belief, you do not need a high school diploma to undertake eligible studies. What matters is that the beneficiary is enrolled in a recognized program. This enrolment opens the door to educational assistance payments.
If you would like to find out more about how EAPs work, our page dedicated to education assistance payments will give you all the details you need.