(a) General. Education loans by the Department of Veterans Affairs shall be made by a check payable to the eligible spouse or surviving spouse and shall be mailed promptly to the educational institution in which the eligible spouse or surviving spouse is enrolled for delivery by the educational institution.

(b) Delivery and certification. (1) The educational institution, electing to participate in this program, shall deliver an education loan check to the eligible spouse or surviving spouse and shall certify the fact of delivery to the Department of Veterans Affairs immediately upon delivery. If the delivery is not made within 30 days after the institution receives the check, it shall return the check to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

(2) The Director of the Department of Veterans Affairs facility of jurisdiction may direct that education loan checks be sent directly to spouses or surviving spouses when:

(i) The educational institution demonstrates an inability to comply with these requirements; or

(ii) The educational institution fails to provide adequately for the safekeeping of the checks prior to the delivery to the student or return to the Department of Veterans Affairs; or

(iii) The educational institution elects not to participate in this program; or

(iv) There is compelling evidence that the institution is unable to discharge its responsibilities under this program.