Brandeis University has introduced a new on-site tool, “Faye,” designed to show prospective students what the first year “will” cost if they are admitted. The calculator uses transcript and tax-return information to estimate both need-based and merit aid and generate a personalized cost figure. The announcement comes as families continue to report uncertainty about net price until after application and aid packages are issued. Brandeis’ approach signals a push toward earlier affordability transparency, with potential knock-on effects for competitors and applicant decision-making. For higher education leaders, the tool also highlights an operational shift: admissions and financial aid teams must be ready to align institutional packaging policies with the assumptions used in online estimation models.