Olivia Rodrigo secretly helps student finish college

Without any publicity or fanfare, Filipino-American singer Olivia Rodrigo helped a University of Alabama student finish college in 2025 by giving her $5,000 for her final semester’s tuition.

Jamie Causey, a first-generation college student from Alexander City, Alabama, shared the story for the first time, more than a year after the singer stepped in to help. 

Causey revealed the private exchange in a TikTok post on Tuesday, August 18, as she celebrated earning her bachelor’s degree in public relations with a minor in digital, public and professional writing.

The interaction began in early 2025, when Rodrigo wished Causey a happy birthday. After seeing one of Causey’s videos about struggling to pay her tuition, the 23-year-old reached out to her privately.

In a screenshot Causey shared on TikTok, Rodrigo wrote, “Hi girl! I know you don’t know me but I love your videos so much, you seem like the kindest coolest gal and you are such a source of positivity and light in my life!” 

“I watched your last vid about tuition and I’d love to help out if you were open at all to that? So cool that you are so close to graduating! Do you have a Venmo I could send to?” Rodrigo added.

Causey said she was stunned by the unexpected message from one of her favorite artists.

“Oh my god, hi! I love your music so much, I am so sorry TikTok filtered your message and didn’t show it to me until now. I’m actually about to cry,” she replied.

She explained that she had a Venmo account but had never shared it publicly because she understood that paying for college was her own responsibility. She also told Rodrigo that her music had been a source of strength for her and that the whole exchange felt like a dream.

“Please don’t feel like you have to but at this point I’m willing to accept any help,” Causey added.

In April 2025, an email from Rodrigo’s representative confirmed that the singer wanted to contribute $5,000 (more than ₱300,000) toward Causey’s education. Rodrigo ultimately provided that amount for her final semester.

In-state undergraduate tuition at the University of Alabama was reported to be $5,959 per semester, meaning Rodrigo’s contribution covered most of the cost.

Causey said she chose not to publicly share the story at the time because she wanted to keep the moment personal and protect what Rodrigo’s gesture meant to her.

“I almost never told you that, not because I wasn’t grateful but because I didn’t want something that meant so much to become a public spectacle,” Causey said.

Now that she has graduated, Causey felt it was the right time to publicly thank Rodrigo for what she had done.

“Olivia, I don’t know if you’ll ever understand how much that means to me,” Causey said. “You made me feel like I belong on this platform. You didn’t owe me anything. You just chose to show kindness to a stranger. You’ve always been about giving back to others, and that’s something I’ll take with me forever.”

Causey also thanked Paris Hilton in the video, sharing a screenshot of a message from Hilton’s representative offering to send her some of Hilton’s merchandise. Hilton later commented on Causey’s video, writing, “Love you!”

Causey ended the video by encouraging her followers to show kindness to others in small ways.

“Send the message, pay for the coffee, pay for the car behind you or just smile at someone,” she said. “You never know the difference it will make. Thank you, guys for everything. God bless.”

According to TODAY, Causey’s diploma now hangs in her office. She remained at the University of Alabama, where she now works as an academic adviser.

Rodrigo’s generosity toward Causey is also consistent with her support for charitable causes. In October 2024, the singer, who is half Filipina on her father’s side, donated all the net ticket sales from her sold-out “GUTS World Tour” concert at the Philippine Arena in Manila to Jhpiego, a nonprofit organization supporting women’s health.

Rodrigo is a global pop star who won three Grammy Awards after the success of her debut album, “Sour,” which features hits including “Drivers License,” “Good 4 U” and “Deja Vu.”

(1$ = ₱61.87)