Reasons People go to the Academy:
Pioneers: this is the hardest of the bunch. This is for people looking to lead the expeditions into space. They are usually in groups of 3-8 per expedition. They choose everything from who goes, what ship design, and supplies they are essentially the leaders of the new world. There training include that of below.
Watchers: this is the support crew for the pioneers. They go through training for specific professions to increase the odds they are picked by pioneers to get off this awful planet.
Adventuring license:
These are for people looking to be adventurers. This grants owners a license that is interchangeable in all country's. If your magic user it also includes the various licenses needed.
When Applying
Administration to the school for the pioneer program is usually by invite. However they also have an open enrolment period where you go before a counsel of the professors and plead your case to why you should be admitted.
In either case you go before the council answer various questions and the council sets your cost for the term. Based on past performance. If you were invited to apply and on how you answer those questions.