FRCC Launches AI Chatbot for Round-the-Clock Student Support

Front Range Community College has launched "Ask Apollo," an AI chatbot accessible 24/7 on its website, handling nearly 700 conversations in its first two months and resolving 98% without staff help.

Students access Ask Apollo through a yellow icon on frontrange.edu, where it answers common questions about admissions, financial aid, advising and registration. The chatbot can escalate questions to live advisors when needed, according to the college.

In two months, Ask Apollo handled nearly 700 conversations—escalating just 13 to live staff. The chatbot has saved approximately 106 hours of staff time, freeing advisors to focus on complex cases. Users rated the tool 95% positive in early feedback, according to the college.

The chatbot responds in multiple languages, including Spanish, supporting FRCC's status as an Emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution. The college serves more than 27,000 students annually across campuses in Fort Collins, Longmont and Westminster, plus online and concurrent enrollment programs serving high school students across northern Colorado—meaning Ask Apollo's 24/7 availability reaches students throughout the region.

FRCC frames the chatbot as part of its "Forward, Together" strategic plan to expand student support.