(b) All properly submitted applications will be reviewed by the department to determine whether an institution meets the eligibility requirements set forth in this section. Following the department’s review of an institution’s application for approval, the department shall take one of the following actions:

1. (1) Approval. The department shall approve all institutions that meet the requirements set forth in this section. The term of approval shall be one year from the date of notification of approval and may be renewed annually thereafter based on a renewal application. An extension of such term may be granted at the discretion of the commissioner.

2. (2) Disapproval. The department shall disapprove all institutions that do not meet all of the requirements set forth in this section. If an institution’s application to offer distance education in this State is disapproved, the department will provide the institution with a written reason for disapproval. Within 10 days of the date of the written notification of disapproval, the institution may appeal a disapproval to the commissioner or his/her designee in a manner prescribed by the commissioner.

   An institution that has been disapproved, may reapply to the department no earlier than 180 days from the date of disapproval.