KNOWLEDGE FIRST FINANCIAL: SUPPORTING EDUCATION IN CANADA FOR OVER 50 YEARS
“Children are our greatest treasure. They are our future.”-Nelson Mandela
Knowledge First Financial has been helping students and their families reach their post-secondary goals for over 50 years. From its inception, the company has recognized that educated young people play a major role in developing and shaping our country. The company specialize in Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs) and manages $3.62 billion in assets on behalf of more than 250,000 customers across Canada.
Kamal Atwal is a sales representatives with Knowledge First Financial who specialize in RESPs. She comes to Knowledge First with a background in credit collections and business. As a parent herself, Kamal knows firsthand the importance of saving for post-secondary education as well as helping parents save and invest in ways that make sense for their financial circumstances and needs. “I have a child in College who I had started a partial RESP for, though in hindsight I wish I had contributed more,” Kamal explains. “With my two younger daughters I have maximized my contributions, so that they can start their careers after post-secondary education being free of school-related debts.”
“Everyone’s goals are different,” Kamal notes “My responsibility is to offer advice that is unique to my client. My success comes from helping my clients achieve their savings goals.”
Like with all costs, the cost of education will undoubtedly continue to rise. Knowledge First Financial notes that economic growth and replacement needs (as workers retire or migrate elsewhere) will create up to nearly 6 million new jobs by 2024, and that two thirds of these jobs will require college, university or vocational education. At the same time, while it is clear that post-secondary education is an important consideration in obtaining employment, the first year of tuition for students enrolling in a Canadian university in 2035 could cost them as much as $27,274 – that’s more than $112,000 over a four-year program.
Kamal and her fellow sales representatives know how important it is to be prepared for that future. She explains that there are many benefits to investing in an RESP. “Even investing with small amounts, whatever one can afford, can yield a substantial amount of money when it’s time for the child to enter post-secondary education,” she explains. “And there are many options for post-secondary. Whether college, university, technical or trades, it’s not limited to one type of institution.” While the investment can yield interest and that amount can continue to grow over many years, there is also a significant contribution made into the fund by the Federal Government. With the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG), the Government of Canada could provide up to $7,200 over the lifetime of the RESP. If you qualify for the National Child Benefit Supplement (NCBS), you are eligible to receive the Canada Learning Bond, which could result in an up to an additional $2000 in contributions from the Government. Residents of British Columbia can earn more with a one-time $1200 British Columbia Training and Education Savings Grant (BCTESG) for each child born after January 1, 2006. Clearly, as Kamal notes, “It’s a smart and proven way to invest in and prepare for your child’s future.”
Knowledge First Financial Sales Representatives are focused on education savings, and offer advice and support that meets the unique needs of each client they work with. “You have flexibility with the payments you put in, the types of educational opportunities available, and I will explore every option with my client,” Kamal advises.
To learn more about RESP plans and planning for your children’s education, contact Kamal Atwal at 604-710-3616, at her office at 604-276-0500 or by e-mail at [email protected]
Knowledge First Financial also welcomes sales representatives who share a passion for helping families achieve their post-secondary education goals. To learn more about Knowledge First Financial including becoming a sales representative, visit their website at knowledgefirstfinancial.ca
