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[Beta] Getting Started with Bolt Agent Plugins

Allows Bolt Agents to pull data in real-time from the SIS to answer student questions.

Michael Stephenson avatar
Written by Michael Stephenson
Updated this week
Features mentioned in this article are currently in closed beta, not yet available to all users. Stay tuned for a wider release.

Overview

Bolt Agents already have native access to the custom fields in a student’s profile stored within Element451. With Bolt Plugins, your agents can take it a step further by connecting directly to your Student Information System (SIS) or Learning Management System (LMS) to retrieve real-time student data.

What Are Bolt Plugins?

Plugins allow your Bolt Agents to integrate with third-party platforms like Banner or Colleague (via Ellucian Ethos). Instead of relying solely on the data stored in Element451—which may not always be updated in real-time—Plugins give agents the ability to retrieve live data directly from your SIS or LMS during a conversation with a student. They allow your Bolt Agents to engage in more dynamic conversations with your students.

Example Questions a Student Could Ask:

  • “What is my GPA?”

  • “Do I have any holds?”

  • “When do I register?”

  • “What are my final exam dates?”

  • “Has my financial aid been disbursed?”

Accessing Bolt Plugins

  1. Navigate to Engagement > Bolt Agents.

  2. Select Plugins from the left-hand menu.


Supported Platforms via Ethos

Currently, we support Banner and Colleague through Ethos, and this is in Beta and not yet available to all users. The Plugin framework is designed to grow—more integrations and data points will become available over time.

Supported SIS Fields by System

Use the collapsible sections below to review the available data fields Bolt Agents can access in real-time when your SIS Plugin is connected.

Banner

The plugin gives your Bolt Student Agents access to key data points across Academic Advising, Admissions, Financial Aid, Registrar, and Student Accounts.

Category

Fields Supported

Academic Advising

academic_standing_status, add_drop_date, class_schedule, class_start_status, class_waitlist, finals_schedule, graduation_status, major_minor, my_academic_advisor, my_faculty, my_gpa, my_grades, placement_test_req, registered_classes, registration_start_status, remaining_credits_graduation, transcript_status, withdraw_date

Admissions

hold_status, my_admission_application, transcript_status

Financial Aid

disbursement_date, fa_status, financial_aid_timeline, hold_status, my_awards, outstanding_fa_checklists, refund_amount, sap_status

Registrar

academic_standing_status, add_drop_date, class_location, class_schedule, class_start_status, class_waitlist, finals_schedule, graduation_status, hold_status, major_minor, my_academic_advisor, my_address_info, my_email_addresses, my_faculty, my_gpa, my_grades, my_phone, placement_test_req, registered_classes, registration_start_status, remaining_credits_graduation, student_id, transcript_status, withdraw_date

Student Accounts

account_balance, billing_account_activity, hold_status, refund_amount

Colleague

Category

Fields Supported

Academic Advising

academic_standing_status, add_drop_date, class_schedule, class_start_status, financial_aid_timeline, graduation_status, major_minor, my_academic_advisor, my_admission_status, my_faculty, my_gpa, my_grades, registered_classes, registration_start_status, remaining_credits_graduation, transcript_status, withdraw_date

Admissions

hold_status

Financial Aid

dependency_status, fa_status, hold_status, my_awards, my_efc, sap_status

Registrar

academic_standing_status, add_drop_date, class_location, class_schedule, class_start_status, class_waitlist, graduation_status, hold_status, major_minor, my_academic_advisor, my_address_info, my_email_addresses, my_faculty, my_gpa, my_grades, my_phone, registered_classes, registration_start_status, remaining_credits_graduation, student_id, transcript_status, withdraw_date

Student Accounts

hold_status


Adding a Bolt Plugin

  1. Navigate to Engagement > Bolt Agents.

  2. Select Plugins from the left-hand menu.

  3. Click the "+ Add Bolt Plugin" button.

  4. Select the system you wish to integrate—either Banner or Colleague.

  5. Enter your API key in the "Add Plugin" sidesheet.

  6. Test your plugin using the "Test" button.

  7. When finished, click "Create."

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