18-year-old student gets help from Taylor Swift for her schooling

“I just feel SOOO grateful @taylorswift13 sis we have to meet up because this feels too good to be true,” she wrote, tagging Swift’s official Twitter account. (Photo: @vitoriamariox/Twitter)

Vitoria Mario could not be more grateful to people who helped her get closer to her dream of becoming a mathematician someday.

Mario is an 18-year-old student living in London who received an offer to study Mathematics at the University of Warwick. But even before she could enter the university, there’s already a stumbling block on her way. Mario was unsure at that time whether or not she would be able to attend school due to financial burdens.

Mario, who migrated to London from Portugal four years ago, needed funds to cover her accommodation and living costs, as well as her school essentials such as textbooks and a laptop. She estimated that this would amount to £40,000 for her four-year course in the university, however, such amount is huge for her family to handle alone.  She decided to get maintenance loans or grants, but due to her “home” status in the U.K, she was not eligible.

Not wanting this to hinder her from achieving her dream, Mario thought of another way to raise funds and created a GoFundMe page.

“Sadly, my father has passed away, and my mother remains in Portugal. Moving away from her was a challenge but it was a sacrifice worth being made, in my family’s eyes. ‘If you can get a university education in the UK, you will be set apart for life,'” she wrote.

Many people were inspired by her perseverance to continue her study and one of them was multi-Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Taylor Swift who donated £23,373.

“Vitoria, I came across your story online and am so inspired by your drive and dedication to turning your dreams into reality,” Swift said in Mario’s GoFundMe page.

“I want to gift you the rest of your goal amount. Good luck with everything you do! Love, Taylor,” she continued.

On Twitter, Mario said she still could not believe she got help from the 30-year-old singer.

“I just feel SOOO grateful @taylorswift13 sis we have to meet up because this feels too good to be true,” she wrote, tagging Swift’s official Twitter account.

https://twitter.com/vitoriamariox/status/1296928819044143111

She also did not forget to thank her other donors and supporters who helped her to continue pursuing her dream, telling them, “May God bless you abundantly,” along with a heart emoji.

As of publishing, Mario has raised more than £46,000 fund, exceeding her estimated amount of expenses. With this help, Mario gladly posted an update on her GoFundMe page, saying that her place at the University of Warwick has been confirmed.

Mario is one of the individuals whom Swift quietly helped during the global pandemic. The pop star earlier sent financial assistance to some of her fans and a Nashville record store affected by the crisis brought by the pandemic. Swift also sent a box full of her merchandise with a personalized letter to a nurse from Utah as her birthday gift.

literally how is this an actual thing that has happened??? I will shut up never I’m so grateful for this woman https://t.co/JBQj1c8LbJ

— the erins tour (@thereinlieserin) April 1, 2020

💵 | Taylor sent $3,000 to multiple fans who are struggling financially due to #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/dv9nQwrExz

— Taylor Swift Updates 🩵 (@TSwiftLA) March 26, 2020

I need to PUBLICLY THANK TAYLOR SWIFT @taylorswift & @taylornation13 @treepaine for sending me a box full of Merch & a PERSONALIZED LETTER from Taylor herself for my 30th birthday/for going to NYC 🗽to help as a nurse. This was quite literally the BEST DAY OF MY LIFE. 😍 pic.twitter.com/FqGMsZGixs

— Whitney (Taylor’s Version) (@TaNnEytWiT) May 3, 2020