---
kind: "section"
citation: "20 U.S.C. § 1087hh"
title: "20"
title_heading: "Education"
number: "1087hh"
heading: "General authority of Secretary"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/20/1087hh"
units:
  - "Chapter 28 — Higher Education Resources and Student Assistance"
  - "Subchapter IV — Student Assistance"
  - "Part E — Federal Perkins Loans"
---

# §1087hh. General authority of Secretary


In carrying out the provisions of this part, the [Secretary](/usc/20/1003.md?p=17) is authorized—

- (1) to consent to modification, with respect to rate of [interest](/usc/20/1066a.md?p=6), time of payment of any installment of principal and [interest](/usc/20/1066a.md?p=6) or any portion thereof, or any other provision of any note evidencing a [loan](/usc/20/1066a.md?p=2) which has been made under this part;
- (2) to enforce, pay, compromise, waive, or release any right, title, claim, lien, or demand, however acquired, including any equity or any right of redemption;
- (3) to conduct litigation in accordance with the provisions of [section 1082(a)(2) of this title](/usc/20/1082.md?p=a-2); and
- (4) to enter into a contract or other arrangement with [State](/usc/20/1003.md?p=21-A) or [nonprofit](/usc/20/1003.md?p=13) agencies and, on a competitive basis, with collection agencies for servicing and collection of [loans](/usc/20/1066a.md?p=2) under this part.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 89–329, title IV, § 468, as added Pub. L. 99–498, title IV, § 405(a), Oct. 17, 1986, 100 Stat. 1454.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 1087hh, Pub. L. 89–329, title IV, § 468, as added Pub. L. 96–374, title IV, § 442(a), Oct. 3, 1980, 94 Stat. 1437, related to alternative source of funds, prior to the general revision of this part by Pub. L. 99–498.

A prior section 1087ii, Pub. L. 89–329, title IV, § 469, as added Pub. L. 96–374, title IV, § 442(a), Oct. 3, 1980, 94 Stat. 1439, related to recapture of current balance of student loan funds, prior to the general revision of this part by Pub. L. 99–498.