(a) Recipient Organization. The following entities are eligible to operate an SBDC network:

1. (1) A public or private institution of higher education;
2. (2) A land-grant college or university;
3. (3) A college or school of business, engineering, commerce or agriculture;
4. (4) A community or junior college;
5. (5) An entity formed by two or more of the above entities; or
6. (6) Any entity which was operating as a recipient organization as of December 31, 1990.