The Secretary of State may pay grants, for the purpose of providing financial assistance for students receiving education provided by–
(a) a central institution, to the managers of the institution;
(b) a college of education, to the managers of the college;
(c) a college of further education under the management of an education authority, to that authority;
(d) a college of further education under the management of a company formed in terms of section 65 of the Self-Governing Schools etc. (Scotland) Act 1989 , to that company.