Uber Driver Graduates College After Passenger Pays Her Student Balance

An Uber passenger is going into the new year having done a great deed for a complete stranger.

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An Uber passenger is going into the new year having done a great deed for a complete stranger.

According to CNN, Latonya Young picked up a passenger who attended an Atlanta United game outside of Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but she had no idea that the conversation they'd have would potentially change her life.

She began to tell the man about her struggles to put herself through college as a 43-year-old single mother, who worked as a hairstylist while she wasn't driving people around for Uber at night. She had to drop out of Georgia State University because of a $700 unpaid balance that she simply could not afford.

This Uber driver graduated after a passenger paid her college debt, allowing her to complete classes. https://t.co/wwOkElSamp pic.twitter.com/0nODmgFY4W

— CNN (@CNN) January 2, 2020

"Every time I got ready to pay the money, my kids needed something. I said, ‘OK, I'll just wait,'" the mother told WSB-TV.

After telling Kevin Esch about her story, the mother received a phone call from Georgia State a few days later.

"And the message stated, 'You can register for classes now.' I was literally blown away. A stranger has never done that — or done anything like that — for me," she told the news outlet. Esch also attended Young's graduation.

"When he paid the balance, I had to do this for him," Young, who earned an associate's degree in criminal justice, said. "I maintained my grades. As and Bs. Just trying to do everything to make sure he knows I appreciate him." She's headed back to school to pursue a bachelor's degree and ultimately, become a lawyer.

"This one changed my life. That one ride," a grateful Young said.

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