A US man whose college scholarship was revoked as a result of his status as a migrant has been showered with donations by hundreds of well-wishers online.
Eduardo Lujan-Olivas, 23, from Phoenix, Arizona lost a tuition waver worth more than US$20,000 (A$26,780) to Arizona State University’s (ASU) Honors College in August, due to his status as an undocumented immigrant, USA Today reports.
He received the news on his first day of classes, after he relocated from Tucson to Phoenix and signed an 18-month lease.
"I cannot describe the frustration, disappointment and confusion I felt,” Mr Lujan-Olivas wrote.
The loss of the waver meant Mr Lujan-Olivas, who supports his mother and sister with a convenience store job, would be unable to pursue his studies in criminal justice.
The high achiever, who ranked among the top 20 community college students in the country, decided to try and raise funds for his tuition.
A GoFundMe campaign launched in late August has since seen Mr Lujan-Olivas receive hundreds of donations totalling US$25,750 (A$34,479). Base tuition costs for full-time students at ASU begin at US$10,370 (A$13,885).
Many of the Good Samaritans who contributed to the campaign have posted message of support to Mr Lujan-Olivas’ page.
"Here's hoping you get your share of the American Dream," one couple wrote.
Brought illegally into the US as a child, Mr Lujan-Olivas is among millions of undocumented immigrants currently living in the US.
While he has been shielded from deportation by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, the program does not grant participants the ability to attain citizenship or legal status.
Undocumented students are barred from federal financial aid. California, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas and Washington are among those states offering state financial aid.