What is Ask Benji?

Benji will help you complete the FAFSA and make college more affordable.

Learn why 155+ Arizona high schools have partnered with Ask Benji and how your students can use it.

Benji is here 24/7 to answer your questions about the FAFSA and financial aid process. Just ask!

What is Benji?

Benji uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology with its open bot platform to help students get answers to their FAFSA questions instantly—all they need to do is text “Hi Benji.”

Ask Benji has been programmed with nearly 100K different types of responses to questions students and their parents may have while they are working through their FAFSA. As more Arizona students and their parents use this service, the tool will learn and be able to respond to more questions and unique circumstances.

  • Ask Benji was created to help Arizona families apply for financial aid to support higher education. It is the result of a joint partnership between Education Forward Arizona and Arizona State University.

    The goal: Help students and families complete the FAFSA as quickly and easily as possible.

    Benji is a chatbot that draws from a large database to answer your questions about FAFSA as quickly and easily as possible.

  • Ask Benji is free for students and free for schools. It is not an app, and no download is required. You can communicate with Benji via your cell phone. Benji doesn't talk, only texts.

    Once a person has texted Ask Benji, it will respond to the dialogue with answers to questions or links to resources. Ask Benji will capture data such as name, high school, and graduation year in order to send timely, relevant nudges to encourage users to complete the FAFSA and other time sensitive items.

For Schools

Why should your students use Ask Benji?

  • Ask Benji provides immediate, expert FAFSA assistance to students and parents.

  • Ask Benji will prompt students and families to stay on top of FAFSA dates and events.

  • All questions sent to Ask Benji are completely confidential.

  • Ask Benji is free for students and schools.

  • Ask Benji will send postsecondary reminders to students and reminders about deadlines.

For Students

and Families

FAQ’s

  • You can text 'Hi Benji' to our number (602-786-8171) to indicate your consent to receive text messages (including SMS and MMS messages) offering assistance from Benji regarding the FAFSA and reminders about postsecondary matters.

    Messages will be personalized based on your role as a parent, student, or educator and will address topics including college admissions, scholarships, financial aid, college experience, and career guidance.

    Standard message and data rates may apply. You can opt out at any time by texting STOP to Benji.

  • While Benji knows a lot about FAFSA, no chatbot is perfect. If Benji doesn't know an answer, a human will read your questions and get you an answer ASAP.

  • Texts are reviewed by humans to ensure accuracy and continually improve Benji's brain.

  • Some school districts have signed sharing agreements, so you may receive a text message introducing Benji and offering help. See partner schools.

    You would have to agree to get communication to get a Benji message from your school. You can still get access to Benji by following our opt in rules.

    Benji is proudly partnered with 155+ Arizona high schools to help answer students' questions about the FAFSA and provide financial aid resources and information.

  • If you FAFSA questions have been answered, you can text STOP at any time. (If you want to rejoin, just text START to start texting with Benji again).