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Updated 7.11.2024

There are many options for education after high school. Whether that is earning a certification or license through a trade program, a two-year Associate degree from our local community college, or a four-year Bachelor degree from a university, education and training beyond high school helps you make more money and gives you more flexibility/control of your life. But there are so many options, and it can feel overwhelming sometimes. Your counselor and teachers may not always be available to meeting with you. That’s why we partnered with Ask Benji to give you a free tool you can use 24/7 right from your cell phone as you prepare for education after high school. Ask Benji is Arizona’s digital FAFSA assistant built by an Arizona non-profit for Arizona high schoolers. Let’s look at how it works.

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Ask Benji Team

Dr. Murphy

Senior Director, Attainment and AzCAN

Graciela Nobles

Program Manager of Community Initiatives

Lizette Blancas-Hernandez

Engagement Coordinator

(Benji’s 🧠)

ASK BENJI CHATBOT

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Your Friendly Digital FAFSA Assistant

AZ Specific Resources

Routine messages about key deadlines & resources whether you are planning for college, trade school, military, or workforce

FAFSA

Expert

Answer over 1000+ responses to FAFSA, college & career questions

English & Spanish with live agent support

Anytime, Anywhere

24/7 FAFSA assistance in the hands of all AZ students/families

Text “Hi Benji”

to 602-786-8171

and ask away

Personalized Support

Customized messages based on

Interests
FAFSA status
School/district

Ask Benji is an text messaging-based AI chatbot anyone can contact by texting “Hi Benji” to 602-786-8171. Our high school seniors or parents of seniors (and juniors for select junior pilot schools) are also enrolled to receive weekly text messages from Benji.

If you are not getting messages already but would like to, text that number to enroll. Benji will ask you a series of questions to collect some information to enroll you. Then, you can ask and get immediate responses to Benji’s curated unique brain built to answer questions about college/career preparation, financial aid, and FAFSA, including answers to specific parts of the FAFSA once the application opens. In the case that Benji doesn’t know the answer to your question, someone from the Benji team will get back to you in 2-3 business days. Benji can understand and reply in both English and Spanish. Google Translate is also available for other language options. Reply #language to select your preferred language.

Because Ask Benji is an Arizona-specific tool, it provides relevant Arizona-specific resources. Seniors and parents enrolled in Benji get 4-6 messages a month. These messages will highlight important deadlines and share helpful resources offered by organizations across the state. Also, the resources Benji shares are not only for college-bound students. We know you may be considering many options for education after high school, so Benji provides resources and can answer questions on a variety of education pathways whether that be college, trade school, or career.

And because Ask Benji is first and foremost your digital FAFSA assistant, it sends you customized reminders based on your FAFSA completion status. Remember, FAFSA is important regardless of which type of education institution you plan to attend after high school. But if you are considering going into the workforce or military, Benji will make note of that as well and send you resources for those pathways. Lastly, our school may also use Ask Benji to promote opportunities we have on campus such as FAFSA nights and career fairs.

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Get to know Benji!

Text “Hi Benji” to 602-786-8171�or scan the QR code for the Benji opt-in form

Then ask a question you have, �or text #askbenji to explore frequently asked questions

hello.mainstay.com/askbenji

[Counselors, you can stop here and invite your students/families to opt in by texting the number and saving Benji as a contact on their phones]

Once you text “Hi Benji”, Benji will as you some basic questions to enroll you into the service, so it knows how to best help you. This includes you name, birthdate, school, and zip code. Having this information is how Benji can help you keep track of your FAFSA status and send you customized reminders based on that.

After the set of basic questions from Benji, it’s ready to answer your questions now! If you don’t have any questions off the top of your head, you can text #askbenji. Don’t forget this hashtag. The hashtag is linked to Frequently Asked Questions pre-built in Benji to help you start thinking about preparing for your education next steps. In fact, #askbenji will give you a list of these FAQs so you can start exploring these next steps.

Don’t forget to add Ask Benji as a contact on your phone!

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Benji Q&A Video

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Sample Messages

Benji here! The Arizona Promise Program provides financial assistance to AZ students whose aid doesn't cover the cost of college tuition! Finishing your FAFSA application by the April 1st deadline. Visit https://bit.ly/az-prms to find out more before then

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More than a Chatbot

ASK BENJI CHATBOT

Find Benji across the web for the latest opportunities and resources!

AskBenji.org

Many links and resources for students
Funding Your Future Section

Includes scholarship resources!

@benjifafsa on Instagram

Routine posts synced with Benji’s text messages
Regular stories and updates of local/national resources
Giveaways!

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“With this being a busy time for both the student and parent the time of your messages were great…”

Parent, Boulder Creek High School

“The reminders and where to find programs and information with instructions was helping. I forwarded the information to others.”

Parent, Andrada Polytechnic HS

“I appreciated the alerts of upcoming deadlines, definitely the resources were helpful, and just overall guidance.”

Parent, Cibola High School

“…[Benji was] helpful in navigating post high school tasks.”

Senior ‘25, Queen Creek High School

“The messages helped as a reminder to keep working on stuff until it was all done.”

Senior ’25, Gilbert High School (Opt-in)

Asking Benji 2025 Feedback

“Very engaging and helpful for my son getting into trade school. It felt very overwhelming before your help.”

Parent, Thunderbird High School

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QUESTIONS?

Text “Hi Benji”

to (602) 786-8171