GENERAL WAIVERS AND MODIFICATIONS.

SEC. 202. GENERAL WAIVERS AND MODIFICATIONS.(a) Authority.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, unless enacted with specific reference to this section, the Secretary is authorized to waive or modify any statutory or regulatory provision applicable to the student financial assistance programs under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.), or any student or institutional eligibility provisions in the Higher Education Act of 1965, as the Secretary deems necessary in connection with a Gulf hurricane disaster to ensure that—(1) administrative requirements placed on affected students, affected individuals, affected institutions, lenders, guaranty agencies, and grantees are minimized to the extent possible without impairing the integrity of the higher education programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, to ease the burden on such participants; or(2) institutions of higher education, lenders, guaranty agencies, and other entities participating in the student financial assistance programs under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, that serve an area affected by a Gulf hurricane disaster, may be granted temporary relief from requirements that are rendered infeasible or unreasonable due to the effects of a Gulf hurricane disaster, including due diligence requirements and reporting deadlines.(b) Authority to Extend or Waive Reporting Requirements Under Section 131(a).—The Secretary is authorized to extend reporting deadlines or waive reporting requirements under section 131(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1015(a)) for an affected institution.(c) Construction.—Nothing in this subtitle shall be con- strued—(1) to allow the Secretary to waive or modify any applicable statutory or regulatory requirements prohibiting discrimination 119 STAT. 2807 in a program or activity, or in employment or contracting, under existing law (in existence on the date of the Secretary’s action); or(2) to authorize any refunding of any repayment of a loan.