Any applicant denied aid under § 27-140 shall be given written notice by registered mail by the administrator of the Soldiers, Sailors and Marines Fund stating the reasons for such denial. The applicant may, within fifteen days of the date of the mailing of such notice, make a request in writing by registered mail directed to the administrator for a hearing on such denial. The administrator shall notify the applicant in writing, within five days of the receipt of the request, of the place and date of hearing, which hearing shall be held not less than thirty days from the date of mailing of the notice. The hearing may be conducted by the administrator or by a hearing officer appointed by the administrator in writing. The applicant shall be entitled to be represented by counsel and a transcript or audio or audiovisual recording of the hearing shall be made by the administrator. If the hearing is conducted by a hearing officer, he shall state his findings and make recommendation to the administrator on the issue of the denial of the application. The administrator, based upon such findings and recommendations of the hearing officer, or after a hearing conducted by him, shall render a decision in writing denying the application or granting it in accordance with the regulations of the Soldiers, Sailors and Marines Fund. A copy of such decision shall be sent by registered mail to the applicant. An applicant aggrieved by said decision may appeal therefrom as provided in § 27-138c.