The appeal by Max Stephenson of Glen Gardner, N.J., looks like spam, but is not, Time magazine reports.

"I have to come up with big-time cash," the e-mail reads.

He explains his mother is on disability, his father works three jobs, and all his grants and loans cover only half the school's $50,000 annual tab.

So to cover the $25,000 gap, he hopes 10,000 friends of friends of friends will put $2.50 apiece in the mail or send the money via PayPal.

"If you're worried I am one of those Internet rip-off artists, call NYU's admissions office at 212-998-4500," his e-mail says.

More than 2,000 people have responded, Stephenson tells Time -- and only a dozen or so have asked if he's a swindler.

Instead of promising to repay the money, the future sociology major says he will give donors a souvenir.

"If you will send me $2.50 in the next week or so, I will send you a piece of my graduation gown," he promises. "For $3.50, you get a piece of my cap."