Stony Brook, N.Y. First day of the 2020 fall semester at Stony Brook University. Newsday LLC | Newsday | Getty Images Some of the most selective colleges and universities are seeing a surge in applications for incoming freshmen this fall. Yet other schools are struggling.

Bill Clark | CQ-Roll Call, Inc. | Getty Images A Covid relief bill backed by Democrats could trigger billions of dollars in cuts to Medicare and other federal programs, like ones that support unemployed workers and student-loan borrowers, if it’s ultimately passed. The funding cuts