; and (2) may give priority to eligible entities— (A) that lack access to high-speed broadband and will use the grant funds to improve access to high-speed broadband sufficient to support digital learning in accordance with section 3(a)(9); or (B) at which the highest degree that is predominantly awarded to students is an associate’s degree. (d) Geographic distribution The Secretary shall ensure that grants under this section are awarded to eligible entities in a manner that reflects the geographic distribution of such entities in the United States. (e) Technical assistance The Secretary, directly or by grant or contract, may provide technical assistance to eligible entities to prepare the entities to qualify, apply for, and maintain a grant, under this Act. (f) Relationship to HBCU capital financing program (1) In general The Secretary may take into consideration whether an eligible entity has received a loan under a loan agreement made under part D of title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1066 et seq. ) when— (A) reviewing grant applications under this section; (B) determining priority under subsection (c); and (C) determining the amount awarded for a grant under this Act. (2) Priority With respect to paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary may— (A) determine that an eligible entity should not receive priority under subsection (c) if such entity has received a loan under a loan agreement made under part D of title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1066 et seq. )