A person (the “applicant”) shall apply for support in connection with each academic year of a designated course by completing and submitting to the Department an application in such form and accompanied by such documentation as the Department may require.

The Department may take such steps and make such inquiries as it considers necessary to determine whether the applicant is an eligible student, whether he qualifies for support and the amount of support payable, if any.

The Department shall notify the applicant of whether or not he qualifies for support and, if he does qualify, the amount of support payable in respect of the academic year, if any.