The RRSP Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) lets you withdraw up to $10,000/year ($20,000 lifetime) from your RRSP tax-free to pay for full-time education for yourself or your spouse. You repay the amount over 10 years. The LLP is designed for career changers, professionals upgrading qualifications, and anyone returning to school full-time.
2026 LLP Key Numbers at a Glance
| Detail | Amount / Rule |
|---|---|
| Maximum withdrawal per year | $10,000 |
| Lifetime maximum per person | $20,000 |
| Repayment period | 10 years |
| Annual minimum repayment | 1/10 of total withdrawn |
| Repayment starts | Earlier of: year after last withdrawal OR 5th year after first withdrawal |
| RRSP holding period before withdrawal | 90 days |
| Student enrollment requirement | Full-time (part-time only if disabled) |
How the Lifelong Learning Plan Works
Step 1: Confirm You Qualify
The student (you or your spouse/common-law partner) must be:
- Enrolled full-time in a qualifying educational program
- At a designated educational institution (Canadian university, college, or CEGEP; or certain foreign institutions)
- A Canadian resident
Qualifying educational program: A program of at least 3 consecutive months that requires at least 10 hours per week of work (courses and work required by the program, including lab work and mandatory internships).
Full-time enrollment: The school must certify full-time status. Typically this means 60% of a full course load or more. Part-time enrollment qualifies only if the student has a certifiable disability.
Important: You cannot use the LLP if the student is your child — the LLP only covers you or your spouse/common-law partner. For children’s education, use the RESP.
Step 2: Ensure Funds Have Been in Your RRSP for 90 Days
Like the Home Buyers’ Plan, LLP withdrawals can only come from contributions that have been in your RRSP for at least 90 days. Recent contributions do not qualify.
Step 3: Complete Form RC96 to Make Your Withdrawal
Download and complete CRA Form RC96 — Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) Request to Withdraw Funds from an RRSP. Submit to your RRSP issuer. No tax is withheld on the withdrawal as long as you complete the form correctly.
You can make multiple withdrawals per year, as long as the total does not exceed $10,000 for that calendar year and $20,000 total lifetime.
Step 4: Use the Funds for Education
The CRA does not require receipts or proof of how LLP funds are spent — you can use them for tuition, living expenses, books, or anything else. The requirement is that you (or your spouse) are enrolled full-time in a qualifying program at the time of withdrawal.
Step 5: Track Your Repayment Schedule
Your LLP balance is tracked by CRA on your Notice of Assessment. Each year after your repayment obligation begins, the “LLP repayment schedule” on Schedule 7 of your T1 return will show the minimum repayment required.
When Does LLP Repayment Start?
Repayment begins in the earlier of two events:
- The year after you receive your last LLP withdrawal, or
- The fifth year after your first LLP withdrawal
| First LLP Withdrawal | Last LLP Withdrawal | Repayment Starts |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2026 (one year) | 2027 (Year after last withdrawal) |
| 2026 | 2027 (two years) | 2028 (Year after last withdrawal) |
| 2022 | 2023 | 2026 (5 years after first, if that’s earlier) |
The 5-year rule prevents participants from indefinitely deferring repayment if they stop making withdrawals but don’t return to school.
LLP Repayment — Worked Example
Scenario: You withdraw $10,000 in 2025 and $10,000 in 2026 ($20,000 total). Your last withdrawal is 2026, so repayment starts in 2027.
| Year | Annual Minimum Repayment | Outstanding Balance |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | $2,000 | $18,000 |
| 2028 | $2,000 | $16,000 |
| 2029 | $2,000 | $14,000 |
| 2030 | $2,000 | $12,000 |
| … | $2,000 | … |
| 2036 | $2,000 | $0 |
If you miss a repayment in any year, that year’s $2,000 minimum is added to your taxable income.
LLP Repayment Example — One Year of Withdrawal
Scenario: You withdraw $10,000 in 2026 for a one-year program. Repayment starts in 2027 (year after last withdrawal).
| Year | Annual Minimum Repayment | Outstanding Balance |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | $1,000 | $9,000 |
| 2028 | $1,000 | $8,000 |
| … | $1,000 | … |
| 2036 | $1,000 | $0 |
LLP vs Home Buyers’ Plan — Key Differences
| Feature | LLP | HBP |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Full-time education | First home purchase |
| Annual withdrawal limit | $10,000 | $60,000 |
| Lifetime maximum | $20,000 | $60,000 |
| Repayment period | 10 years | 15 years |
| Can be used for spouse? | Yes (your RRSP, spouse studies) | Yes (your RRSP, spouse buys) |
| RRSP holding period | 90 days | 90 days |
| Can be used simultaneously? | ✅ Both plans are separate | ✅ Both plans are separate |
You can use both the LLP and HBP at the same time if you qualify for both. They have completely separate limits and repayment schedules.
Strategies for Using the LLP Effectively
Time your withdrawals across two calendar years. If your program spans two calendar years (e.g., September 2026 – April 2027), withdraw $10,000 in 2026 and $10,000 in 2027 to maximize the $20,000 lifetime limit.
Use LLP funds to preserve cash flow. You don’t have to spend LLP funds on tuition specifically — you can use them for living expenses while studying, preserving your employment income or savings for investing elsewhere.
Repay extra when income rises. Repaying more than the minimum each year reduces your outstanding balance and lowers future annual minimums. If you return to work at a higher salary after completing your degree, accelerate repayments to rebuild your RRSP and maximize the compound growth benefit.
Designate repayments carefully on Schedule 7. RRSP contributions made as LLP repayments must be designated on Schedule 7. If you contribute to your RRSP but don’t designate them as LLP repayments, CRA treats them as regular contributions — and you still owe the LLP repayment.
Common LLP Questions
Can you use the LLP for a part-time program? Only if the student has a disability certified by a medical doctor. Otherwise, enrollment must be full-time.
Does the 90-day rule reset each withdrawal year? Yes. Each withdrawal must come from contributions that have been in the account for at least 90 days at the time of that specific withdrawal.
What if the student drops out? If you withdraw LLP funds and then drop out of school, you must repay the amount (or include it in income) as though the repayment obligation had begun. You should contact CRA for guidance if your enrollment status changes after a withdrawal.
Can LLP funds come from a spousal RRSP? Yes — if the RRSP belongs to you and you are the plan holder, but your spouse is the student, you can make LLP withdrawals from your RRSP for your spouse’s education. The attribution rule on spousal RRSPs does not apply to LLP withdrawals.
Related Guides
- RRSP contribution limits and rules
- RRSP Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) guide
- RRSP vs TFSA — which to prioritize?
- RESP guide — saving for your children’s education
- RRSP withdrawal rules and tax implications
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