Jamie Causey carried a secret through the closing months of her college experience.

The Alexander City native and first-generation University of Alabama student had received $5,000 from Grammy-winning singer Olivia Rodrigo to help pay for her final semester.

Causey was deeply grateful. She also was reluctant to tell anyone.

“Olivia Rodrigo paid for my final semester of college,” Causey revealed in a recent TikTok video. “And 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.”

As she prepared to close the college chapter of her life, however, Causey decided she could not leave without publicly thanking the singer who had quietly helped her reach the finish line.

The connection began with a birthday wish.

Rodrigo commented “happy birthday gorgeous!!!!” on one of Causey’s TikTok videos. Causey, a public relations major who unexpectedly gained a following after going viral during Bama Rush, was stunned that the singer had seen her content.

“That alone meant so much to me,” Causey said.

Later, Causey posted a video explaining that she was struggling to pay tuition for her final semester.

“I wasn’t asking people to pay for it,” she said. “I wasn’t asking for pity. I was just being honest.”

Rodrigo saw that video, too.

This time, she contacted Causey privately.

“Girl! I know you don’t know me but I love your videos so much,” Rodrigo wrote. “You seem like the kindest coolest gal and you are such a source of positivity and light in my life!”

Rodrigo told Causey she had watched the tuition video, congratulated her on being close to graduating and offered to help. She initially asked whether Causey had a Venmo account where she could send the money.

An April 18, 2025, email from one of Rodrigo’s representatives later confirmed the amount.

“I’m reaching out on behalf of Olivia Rodrigo,” the representative wrote. “She’d like to contribute $5k towards your education.”

Because the payment could not be sent through Venmo or Zelle, the representative offered to arrange a check or direct deposit.

Rodrigo wanted to help Causey graduate. Causey said she did exactly that.

“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.”

 

@hearmeoutnews A fan has revealed that Olivia Rodrigo helped her graduate by paying off the last semester of her college tuition. Jamie (jamiemcausey), who shared her life on TikTok since 2024 and the challenges she faces as a “first-generation student.” Jamie shared that the singer reached out to her personally supporting her content and wanting to help her, to which Jamie shared her gratitude saying: “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.” #oliviarodrigo #or3 #youseemprettysadforagirlsoinlove #stupidsong #oliviarodrigoedit ♬ original sound – Hear Me Out

 

The contribution carried particular meaning for Causey, who has spoken candidly about the financial realities behind her college experience.

She was raised by her grandparents, who worked for what they had while living on Social Security and disability income. Her grandfather continued doing lawn work after reaching retirement age. At Alabama, Causey relied on financial aid and grants while trying to find a way to complete her degree.

Still, she has resisted allowing those struggles to define her.

“I’ve been told that my brand is about being broke and I just don’t like that very much,” she said in an earlier video.

Causey’s TikTok following began with Bama Rush, but her videos grew into something more personal. She shared the good parts of college, the difficult ones and a path that did not always look like everyone else’s.

She also encouraged followers who were struggling to find where they belonged.

“I realize now that my college journey is unique and I was never missing out,” Causey said in a previous video. “I was simply writing my own story.”

That message apparently reached Rodrigo.

Causey said the singer told her that her videos had become a source of positivity and light. By stepping in when Causey needed help, Rodrigo returned some of that light.

Causey also thanked Allison Kuch, Mama Tot, West Wilson, Paris Hilton and the followers who told her that her videos made them feel less alone.

“I came here wanting to be a light and source of positivity for others,” Causey said. “And all of you did the same for me.”

As Causey said goodbye to the platform that had felt like home during part of her college experience, she left her followers with a challenge drawn from the kindness she received.

“So if you’re watching this, and you wonder, does that small act of kindness matter?” she said. “It does.”

Send the message, she told them. Pay for someone’s coffee or the car behind you. Smile at someone.

“You never know the difference it will make,” Causey said.

She ended the video grateful for the people, memories and moments that shaped her college years.

“Thank you guys for everything,” Causey said. “God bless, and Roll Tide.”

Sherri Blevins is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].