NAMES of possibly hundreds of students being sponsored through the National Training Unit (NTU) this year are expected to be out over the weekend and early next week.

The NTU was provided with the students’ names after the list was vetted by Government Caucus earlier in the week.

The list contained details of students, including courses they are taking, names of institutions they are attending as well as the cost of their sponsorship.

Each MP had submitted names which were included in the list.

A spokesman said the process is being completed and students could expect to receive letters advising them of details of their scholarships.

The involvement by Caucus appears to signal that some major changes are in store for the NTU when it comes to selection of students who are qualified for sponsorships.

One fear is that MPs’ increasing involvement in the selection process could undermine the integrity of academic excellence.

The funding source for the scholarships however remains unclear, although indications are that the cost of the sponsorships would be borne under the Government’s $15 million Constituency Scholarship Fund (CSF) this year.

The other potential source is the $25 million Parliamentary Discretionary Fund, which was partially paid out to MPs two weeks ago.

Some 43 MPs have received $300,000 each as the first instalment of the half-a-million-dollar entitlement under the 2016 Parliamentary Entitlements Regulations (PER).

Up to February 7, seven MPs were yet to get their discretionary fund payment.