; and (II) by striking , at a minimum ; (ii) by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows: (B) describe, in the case of an eligible entity described in section 404A(c)(2) that chooses to provide scholarships, or an eligible entity described in section 404A(c)(1)— (i) the eligible entity’s plan to establish or maintain a financial assistance program in accordance with the requirements of section 404E, including any eligibility criteria other than the criteria described in section 404E(g), such as— (I) demonstrating financial need; (II) meeting and maintaining satisfactory academic progress; and (III) other criteria aligned with State and local goals to increase postsecondary readiness, access, and completion; and (ii) how the eligible entity will meet the other requirements of section 404E; ; (iii) by striking subparagraph (H); and (iv) by redesignating subparagraphs (I) and (J) as subparagraphs (H) and (I), respectively; and (2) in subsection (b), by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following: (2) Special rule Notwithstanding the matching requirement described in paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary may— (A) at the time of application— (i) approve a Partnership applicant’s request for a waiver of up to 75 percent of the matching requirement for up to two years if the applicant demonstrates in its application a significant economic hardship that stems from a specific, exceptional, or uncontrollable event, such as a natural disaster, that has a devastating effect on the members of the Partnership and the community in which the project would operate; (ii) (I) approve a Partnership applicant’s request to waive up to 50 percent of the matching requirement for up to two years if the applicant demonstrates in its application a pre-existing and an on-going significant economic hardship that precludes the applicant from meeting its matching requirement; and (II) provide tentative approval of an applicant’s request for a waiver under subclause (I) for all remaining years of the project period