15.—(1) A person (the “applicant”) must apply for support in connection with each academic year of a designated course by completing and submitting 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 she considers necessary to determine whether the applicant is an eligible student, whether he qualifies for support and the amount of support payable, if any.
(3) The Secretary of State must notify the applicant of whether he qualifies for support and, if he does qualify, the amount of support payable in respect the academic year, if any.