It’s not a “bad idea, right?”
Olivia Rodrigo secretly helped a University of Alabama student graduate when she paid for her final semester’s tuition.
Student Jamie Causey, who graduated from the Tuscaloosa-based university with a degree in public relations, revealed Tuesday that the “Driver’s License” singer gifted $5,000 to cover school costs — after keeping the kind gesture private for more than a year.
Causey, 21, recalled the interaction began in early 2025 when Rodrigo sent her birthday wishes and then messaged her after seeing that the first-generation college student was struggling to pay the semester’s tuition.
University of Alabama student Jamie Causey revealed Olivia Rodrigo secretly shelled out $5,000 to help her graduate. TikTok/@jamiemcausey
“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 told Causey in a screenshot of the conversation, according to the video posted on TikTok.
“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 by the pop star’s unexpected offer.
“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.
“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.
Rodrigo messaged Causey after seeing her TikTok post about struggling to pay her spring semester’s tuition. TikTok/@jamiemcausey
“Please don’t feel like you have to but at this point I’m willing to accept any help,” Causey added.
Causey shared a follow-up message from Rodrigo’s rep in April 2025 confirming that the singer had sent her $5,000 toward her education.
Causey, who is from Alexander City, Ala., attended the University of Alabama, where in-state undergraduate tuition for each semester totals $5,959.
“Olivia, I don’t know if you’ll ever understand how much that means to me,” Causey said Tuesday. WireImage
The student said she kept the exchange private at the time because she wanted to protect what the gesture meant to her.
“Olivia, I don’t know if you’ll ever understand how much that means to me,” Causey added.
“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.”
She also thanked Paris Hilton in the video, sharing a message from the reality star’s rep offering to send her Hilton’s merchandise.
Hilton also commented on Causey’s video, writing, “Love you!”
Causey ended her video by encouraging her followers to extend the same kindness to other people.
“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.”
