Olivia Rodrigo quietly helped University of Alabama student Jamie Causey reach graduation by contributing $5,000 toward her final semester’s tuition. Causey kept the generous gift private for more than a year before revealing the story Tuesday, as reported [1] by Page Six.
Causey, 21, graduated from the Tuscaloosa-based university with a degree in public relations. She explained that the unexpected exchange with the “Driver’s License” singer began in early 2025.
Olivia Rodrigo Privately Helped Alabama Student Pay Her Final Semester’s Tuition https://t.co/93TWyvc9A6 [2]
— iHeartRadio Canada (@iHeartRadioCA) August 19, 2026 [3]
Rodrigo first sent Causey birthday wishes and later contacted her after seeing a video about her struggle to cover the semester’s tuition. Causey was a first-generation college student nearing the end of her education.
“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!” Rodrigo wrote in a screenshot Causey shared in a TikTok video.
Rodrigo then offered to help Causey with the cost of finishing school. Her message made clear that she had seen the student’s tuition video and wanted to contribute.
“I watched ur 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 was stunned when she discovered the message from the pop star. She explained that TikTok had filtered it, keeping her from seeing Rodrigo’s offer immediately.
“Oh my god, hi! I love your music so much. I am so sorry TikTok filtered your message and didn’t show it so me until now. I’m actually about to cry,” Causey responded.
Causey told Rodrigo that she had not publicly shared her Venmo information. She also acknowledged her own decision to attend college while describing how meaningful Rodrigo’s music had been during her journey.
“I do have a Venmo. I haven’t shared it publicly because I realize it’s not others’ fault that I chose to go to college. Honestly, your music has been a source of strength for me, and I just keep thinking this is a dream,” she continued.
Although Causey was willing to receive assistance, she did not want Rodrigo to feel obligated. “Please don’t feel like you have to, but at this point I’m willing to accept any help,” Causey added.
@jamiemcausey [4] Thank you for everything @Olivia Rodrigo @allison kuch @ophelia @ParisHilton @West Wilson #fyp [5] #bama [6] #oliviarodrigo [7] #contentcreator [8] ♬ original sound – Jamie [9]
In April 2025, Causey received a follow-up message from Rodrigo’s rep confirming that the singer had sent $5,000 toward her education. The contribution helped Causey cover most of the tuition cost for her final semester.
Causey is from Alexander City, Ala., and attended the University of Alabama. In-state undergraduate tuition at the university totals $5,959 for each semester.
The student said she initially kept the exchange private because she wanted to protect what the gesture meant to her.
More than a year later, she publicly expressed her gratitude to Rodrigo and reflected on the impact of receiving help from someone who did not know her personally.
“Olivia, I don’t know if you’ll ever understand how much that means to me,” Causey said. She emphasized that Rodrigo had no obligation to step in but chose to help a stranger anyway.
“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 during the video. She shared a message from the reality star’s rep offering to send her Hilton’s merchandise, while Hilton responded directly in the comments.
“Love you!” Hilton wrote beneath Causey’s video. The student used the attention surrounding her story to encourage her followers to perform their own thoughtful acts for other people.
Causey suggested that kindness could take several forms, including reaching out, buying coffee, helping another driver, or simply smiling at somebody. She closed with a reminder that even a small gesture could have an effect.
“Send the message, pay for the coffee, pay for the car behind you, or just smile at someone,” Causey said. “You never know the difference it will make.”