What it is
The upkeep allowance is a monthly stipend paid to your own bank account to help with living expenses — feeding, accommodation and transport — while you study. It's separate from the tuition paid to your school.
How much
It is currently ₦20,000 per month. Over an academic session that adds up to meaningful support alongside your covered tuition.
Tied to your session
Since an August 2025 directive, upkeep is strictly tied to each institution's academic session: you're entitled to upkeep for your current session only, and payments cease at the end of that academic year. So you must apply at the start of every academic session to receive upkeep for it.
The ₦150,000 rumour
A viral claim in early 2026 that upkeep rose to ₦150,000 was officially debunked by NELFUND. The amount remains ₦20,000 — always rely on the official portal, not social media.
It's optional
Upkeep is optional — when applying you can choose tuition only, or tuition plus upkeep.
Tips
- Re-apply each session for upkeep.
- It's paid to your own account.
- Ignore inflated-amount rumours.