Ayo Sonupe has been in Nashville less than two months but that time has made a lasting impression.

"It's a big thank you.  It's a big relief. I'm so proud I'm part of this community," said Sonupe.

A few weeks ago, Sonupe wasn't even sure he could stay here.

The first year Vanderbilt MBA student almost had to return home to Nigeria because of problems paying for school.

Initially he planned to use family money but that fell through..

Sonupe then tried to get a loan in Nigeria but banks didn't want to loan him money while he was in the United States and he didn't find any better luck getting a loan here.

"The school had done the best they could. They give me some time.  Just at a point where I gave up," said Sonupe.

The low point came in late August when the University gave him the deadline of August 31st to pay his $10,000 tuition bill.

Sonupe says he was resigned to returning home but his friend Armen Henderson had a different idea.

Two days before the deadline, Henderson started a website to raise money.

"If I was just a student and I worked so hard to get here and the only thing standing in my way was a couple of thousand dollars I would like someone to do something similar for me," said Henderson.

Even Henderson is surprised at what happened next.

Almost immediately donations started rolling in.

"I refresh and it's $7,000 dollars. This is probably going to happen and at that point I get excited," said Sonupe.

The day after the website launched some 250 people, many of them students, donated enough money for Sonupe to pay his tuition.

"The whole experience made me realize how great the school is," said Sonupe.
   
Vanderbilt Students Donate $10 Grand to Fellow Student