I was the second batch of NIS and one of the few who were pure breed Singaporean citizens. During my time there wasn't any living allowance for my case being the pioneering batch, since I was already mid term in my four year course, the then IDA paid for my last year of tuition fees and my dormitory stay for one year, then gave me an internship and offered me a job to keep myself employed over three years plus. By now there should be an annual living allowance that is competitive enough. It should be comparable with the pocket money you would get imho.