A STUDENT who was unable to afford to attend university has described receiving a £23,000 donation from Taylor Swift as a blessing.

Vitoria Mario, 18, had set up a crowdfunding page on GoFundMe to raise money so that she could attend Warwick University to study mathematics.

She achieved the grades she needed (two A*s and an A) and was accepted into Warwick University but was unable to cover the living costs.

Mario, who is from Portugal but now lives in Tottenham, is not eligible for a maintenance grant or loan because she has not yet lived in the UK for five years.

The former Brampton Manor pupil, the east London academy which this year secured 47 Oxbridge places for its students this year, told Sky News that she would have struggled financially if she did not reach her £40,000 target.

A comment posted by a donor using the name Taylor Swift on Mario’s GoFundMe page read: “Vitoria, I came across your story online and am so inspired by your drive and dedication to turning your dreams into reality. I want to gift you the rest of your goal amount. Good luck with everything you do! Love, Taylor.”

Mario has not been in touch with Swift, who has reportedly donated £23,373, directly but when asked if she was definitely sure the donation was from the singer, Mario said she believes it was very likely the money came from the pop star.

“I wouldn’t believe that someone considered as normal if that makes sense, would donate that amount of money to a course like mine, but personally, to be honest, I don’t know [if it’s her] but I believe it’s her,” she told Sky News.

She added: “It was a blessing out of the blue, a blessing that I definitely needed.”

In a statement on the GoFundMe page, Mario said: “Though my story is not unique, my dream of becoming a Mathematician is not only a chance at social mobility for my family and I, but to inspire people who have been in similar positions to aspire to be the best version of themselves and strive for their dreams despite gender/racial inequality, immigration issues and financial barriers.”

The aspiring mathematician, whose father has died and whose mother remains in Portugal, said she sent hundreds of emails requesting assistance before deciding to set up the fundraiser.