Quick answer: NSP scholarship amounts range widely by scheme, from roughly ₹150-550 per month for Pre-Matric students to ₹12,000-20,000 per year for Central Sector Scheme scholars, with some technical and Top Class schemes paying ₹50,000-3,30,000 per year. The exact amount depends on your scheme, category, course level, and whether you’re a hostel or day scholar.
- NSP scholarship amounts vary enormously by scheme — from a few hundred rupees monthly to over ₹3 lakh annually.
- Hostel students generally receive higher maintenance allowances than day scholars under the same scheme.
- Post-Matric scholarships often include both a monthly allowance and full reimbursement of compulsory fees.
- Central Sector Scheme pays roughly ₹12,000/year at undergraduate level and ₹20,000/year at postgraduate level.
- Technical and Top Class scholarships pay significantly more but have narrower eligibility criteria.
NSP Scholarship Amount by Scheme Type
| Scheme Type | Typical Amount |
|---|---|
| Pre-Matric Scholarship | ₹150 – ₹550 per month |
| Post-Matric Scholarship (Day Scholar) | ₹230 – ₹1,200 per month plus fee reimbursement |
| Post-Matric Scholarship (Hostel) | Up to ₹820+ per month plus fee reimbursement |
| Central Sector Scheme — Undergraduate | Approximately ₹12,000 per year |
| Central Sector Scheme — Postgraduate | Approximately ₹20,000 per year |
| Technical Scholarships (AICTE-linked) | ₹50,000+ per year |
| Top Class Scholarships | ₹86,000+ per year, up to ₹3,30,000 for select schemes |
Consequently, the “average” NSP scholarship amount isn’t a meaningful figure, since a Pre-Matric day scholar and a Top Class scheme beneficiary can receive amounts that differ by a factor of a thousand. Your actual amount depends entirely on which specific scheme you qualify for.
What Determines Your Scholarship Amount
- Scheme type: Pre-Matric, Post-Matric, Central Sector, and Top Class schemes all have different base amounts.
- Hostel vs. day scholar status: Hostel residents generally receive a higher maintenance allowance than day scholars.
- Course and education level: Postgraduate and technical courses typically pay more than undergraduate general courses.
- Category: Some category-specific schemes (SC/ST/OBC/Minority) have their own fixed amount structures.
- Compulsory fee reimbursement: Several schemes reimburse tuition and other compulsory fees separately from the maintenance allowance.
Does NSP Cover Tuition Fees Separately?
For several Post-Matric and technical schemes, yes. The scholarship structure often includes two components: a monthly maintenance allowance for living expenses and separate reimbursement of compulsory, non-refundable fees charged by your institute. Therefore, the maintenance allowance figures in the table above don’t represent your total benefit if your scheme also covers fees — check your specific scheme’s full benefit structure on the portal rather than assuming the monthly allowance is the complete amount.
How to Find Your Exact Scholarship Amount
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Identify which specific scheme you’re eligible for using your category, income, and education level. |
| Step 2 | Check that scheme’s guidelines document on scholarships.gov.in for its exact amount structure. |
| Step 3 | Confirm whether your amount includes separate fee reimbursement or only a maintenance allowance. |
| Step 4 | Note whether hostel or day scholar status affects your specific amount. |
Use our free eligibility and amount estimator to get a quick starting estimate based on your profile before checking the official scheme guidelines for exact figures.
Expert Tips
Don’t assume all schemes within the same category pay identical amounts — always check your specific scheme’s guidelines rather than a general figure you saw elsewhere, since amounts can vary meaningfully even within the same broad category. Additionally, if you’re a hostel resident, confirm your hostel status is correctly recorded in your application, since this directly affects your maintenance allowance under several schemes.
NSP Scholarship Amount — frequently asked questions
How much money does NSP scholarship give?
It varies widely by scheme, from roughly ₹150-550 per month for Pre-Matric schemes to ₹12,000-20,000 per year for Central Sector Scheme, and up to ₹3,30,000 per year for select Top Class schemes.
Does the NSP scholarship amount differ for hostel students?
Yes, in most Post-Matric schemes. Hostel residents typically receive a higher maintenance allowance than day scholars under the same scheme.
Does NSP cover tuition fees in addition to the monthly amount?
For several schemes, yes. Many Post-Matric and technical scholarships reimburse compulsory institute fees separately from the maintenance allowance.
What is the highest NSP scholarship amount available?
Select Top Class and technical scholarships can pay up to approximately ₹3,30,000 per year, though these have narrower eligibility criteria than general schemes.
How do I know my exact scholarship amount before applying?
Check your specific scheme’s guidelines document on scholarships.gov.in, or use our free eligibility and amount estimator for a quick starting figure.
Is the Central Sector Scholarship amount the same every year?
The amount has generally stayed consistent around ₹12,000 for undergraduate and ₹20,000 for postgraduate levels, though it’s worth confirming the current year’s figure on the portal.
Why did my scholarship amount seem lower than expected?
Check whether your scheme’s amount includes fee reimbursement separately or only a maintenance allowance, and confirm your hostel/day scholar status was recorded correctly.
Conclusion: NSP scholarship amounts vary dramatically by scheme, category, and hostel status, so there’s no single figure that applies to every applicant. Identify your specific scheme first, then check its exact guidelines rather than relying on a general estimate. Get a quick starting figure with our free eligibility and amount estimator.
