96.—(1) The Welsh Ministers may make it a condition of entitlement to payment of a tuition fee loan or maintenance loan that an eligible student must provide them with the student's United Kingdom national insurance number.
(2) If that condition is imposed, the Welsh Ministers may not make any payment of the loan until the eligible student has complied, unless the Welsh Ministers are satisfied that, owing to exceptional circumstances, it would be appropriate to make a payment despite the condition not being complied with.