The Department of Education is authorized to make provision for defraying the necessary expense of any students who are blind or deaf and are regularly enrolled students pursuing any course of study, profession, art, or science in any university, college, conservatory of music, normal, professional, or career and technical school approved by the Department of Education, and who are residents of this Commonwealth. Before any contract is entered into, the Department of Education shall make a careful investigation of all circumstances surrounding the case. If, after such investigation, it appears that any student who is deaf or blind who desires to attend any such school or institution, or who is attending such school or institution, seems to be fitted for special work, the Department of Education is authorized to expend the necessary amount, out of the general sum appropriated for this purpose, not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500) per year for each such student who is deaf or blind.