We all love our children and want them to lead successful lives but, with the cost of living today, it can sometimes seem impossible to afford college, university or apprenticeship programs for them. Don’t despair… it is possible and we can help show you how to do it!
Townshippers’ Association is one of many organizations across the Townships that is partnering with Actions interculturelles de développement et d’éducation (AIDE) for a Registered Education Savings Plan workshop. AIDE is a community group based in Sherbrooke with a mandate to educate English-speakers about Registered Education Savings Plans. The organization strongly believes that everyone should have access to objective information so that they can make educated decisions about whom to trust with their money and how to invest wisely.
Claire Holt, who received a Master’s degree of Public Administration from Queen’s University after completing her bachelor’s degree at Bishop’s University, just couldn’t stay away from the Townships. Now, she’s back offering RESP information sessions on how to save for a child’s education and access free government money to help families save. “The Eastern Townships became my home over the four years I studied here, and I am happy to be back working on a project that empowers the English-speaking community to make informed decisions about planning for the future,” she says. “As a recent graduate, I know how expensive post-secondary education is, but I also know how important it is to have specialized education after high school, no matter what kind of job you’re looking for.”
Did you know there are big advantages to saving for a child’s education with an RESP instead of a regular savings plan? When you open an RESP, the government knows that your savings are going to be used to pay for education, and they have programs to help maximize those savings. You can get free government money through the CESG, CLB and the QESI. Want to know what these are? Want to know how to get $500 from the government to open your RESP without having to put in any of your own money first? Want to know how to get the government to add up to $5 for every $10 that you put into an RESP?
Come to the RESP workshop at the Lennoxville office (257 Queen St., in the Marguerite Knapp Building) of Townshippers’ Association on Thursday, November 17, 2011 between 1 and 2 p.m. to learn more. You will find out how you can access government money that is available to you, as well as how to choose an RESP and a provider that best meets the needs of your family. In addition to learning more about RESPs, anyone who comes to an information session and then opens an RESP will be entered into a draw to win $500 to put into it!
At the workshop, you won’t have to worry about us pushing decisions on you. Neither Townshippers’ Association or AIDE offer RESPs, so we won’t be trying to sell you anything. Our goals are simply to help you find the right plan for your family if you do choose to save for a child’s education and to help protect you (and your money) when you choose to meet with a provider that does offer RESPs. This project is funded, in part, by the Canadian government through the Education Savings Community Outreach contribution program, not by a financial institution.
Opening an RESP doesn’t have to mean that you’re willing to finance your child or grandchild’s entire education, just that you want to surprise them with help when the time comes.
To RSVP for the workshop, contact Evelina Smith at 819-566-2182 (toll free: 1-877-566-2182) or info@townshippers.qc.ca. If you won’t be in Lennoxville that day, check out www.aide.org/RESP for more information on the project, or to access a list of all the information sessions happening across Quebec!
The next With Respect to Our Elders event called “The Healing Benefits of Music, Art & Laughter: A Celebration of Community” will take place on Sunday, November 13 at 1:30 p.m. at Centennial Theatre in Lennoxville. The event will include live music, speakers, workshops, circus performers and more. It promises to be a must-see event!
Tickets for the event are available in advance through the Centennial Theatre Box Office (819-822-9692), at a cost of $2 each. They will also be sold at the door, at a cost of $5. For more information, contact Eric Akbar Manolson at 819-566-5717 (toll free: 1-866-566-5717) or eam@townshippers.qc.ca.
By: Claire Holt, Registered Education Savings Plan Information Agent
