9.—(1) Where a person (the “applicant”) applies for a postgraduate doctoral degree loan in connection with a designated course, the applicant must complete and submit to the Secretary of State an application in such form and accompanied by such documentation as the Secretary of State may require.
(2) The Secretary of State may take such steps and make such inquiries as the Secretary of State considers necessary to determine whether the applicant is an eligible student.
(3) The Secretary of State must notify the applicant whether the applicant qualifies for a postgraduate doctoral degree loan.