2025 SCHOLAR APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN!
Deadline, June 13, 2025 11:59 pm ET
Hey Sunshine!
I already know you’ve been through some things. You’ve had to figure stuff out on your own, maybe bounce from place to place, maybe carry the kind of pressure that don’t nobody see, but I see you...we see you!
We’re Move-In Day Mafia, a growing mob of volunteers who love HBCUs, love our scholars, and show up like the support system you deserve. Led by me, Auntie TeeJ, we are aunties, uncles, play cousins, and big-hearted folks from all over the country who believe in wrapping you up with Hope, Unconditional love, Generosity, and Stability--or as we call it, H.U.G.S.
We don’t just help you move in and bounce.
We stay with you.
Every month.
All year.
We check on you. We send care packages with the things you actually need. We remind you that you’re not alone. Because college is more than just showing up on the first day; it’s staying in the game all the way to graduation.
And nah, this isn’t too good to be true.
We’re not perfect. But we’re real. And our love for you? That’s real too.
So if you’re heading to an HBCU this fall and need a team in your corner to make your dorm feel like your sanctuary and not just four walls and a bedframe, keep reading.
We just might be the answer to the prayer you didn’t even know you whispered.
I already know you’ve been through some things. You’ve had to figure stuff out on your own, maybe bounce from place to place, maybe carry the kind of pressure that don’t nobody see, but I see you...we see you!
We’re Move-In Day Mafia, a growing mob of volunteers who love HBCUs, love our scholars, and show up like the support system you deserve. Led by me, Auntie TeeJ, we are aunties, uncles, play cousins, and big-hearted folks from all over the country who believe in wrapping you up with Hope, Unconditional love, Generosity, and Stability--or as we call it, H.U.G.S.
We don’t just help you move in and bounce.
We stay with you.
Every month.
All year.
We check on you. We send care packages with the things you actually need. We remind you that you’re not alone. Because college is more than just showing up on the first day; it’s staying in the game all the way to graduation.
And nah, this isn’t too good to be true.
We’re not perfect. But we’re real. And our love for you? That’s real too.
So if you’re heading to an HBCU this fall and need a team in your corner to make your dorm feel like your sanctuary and not just four walls and a bedframe, keep reading.
We just might be the answer to the prayer you didn’t even know you whispered.
if you’re chosen as one of our scholars, we’re not just showing up to hand you a couple of towels and tell you “good luck.” That ain’t how we roll.
Here’s what we’re showing up with:
✨ A FULL DORM ROOM MAKEOVER
Yup. We said makeover. With your input, our design squad (led by Nikki Klugh Design Group, creates a custom dorm setup that’s built to feel like you. A space that gives you peace when the world is chaotic. A space that tells your spirit, “You belong here.”
🧼 ALLLLLLL THE ESSENTIALS
We come loaded, baby. You won’t have to stress about the basics because we’ve already thought of them. We talking:
Basically, everything to make sure you walk into your room and say:
“Oh yeah. This feels like mine.”
📦 MONTHLY CARE PACKAGES FOR FOUR WHOLE YEARS
We’re not just showing up for move-in day and then vanishing. Once you’re part of this family, we walk with you every single month, all the way through graduation, as long as you stay on track with us.
Here’s how it works:
Each month, you’ll fill out your Amazon Wishlist with the things you actually need. That might be snacks, soap, laundry detergent, school supplies, or even a little something that just makes you smile.
Then our Care Package Mafiosos—real people in your city who care about you—pick up those items, pack them with love, and hand-deliver them straight to you.
Yup. Face to face.
Not some cold, random delivery. A real-life person who sees you, checks in on you, and might just become your bonus Auntie, Uncle, or play cousin.
Here’s what we’re showing up with:
✨ A FULL DORM ROOM MAKEOVER
Yup. We said makeover. With your input, our design squad (led by Nikki Klugh Design Group, creates a custom dorm setup that’s built to feel like you. A space that gives you peace when the world is chaotic. A space that tells your spirit, “You belong here.”
🧼 ALLLLLLL THE ESSENTIALS
We come loaded, baby. You won’t have to stress about the basics because we’ve already thought of them. We talking:
- TV
- Mini fridge
- Microwave
- Towels and washcloths
- Bed linens and pillows
- Hygiene products
- Cleaning supplies
- Cutlery and kitchen basics
- School supplies
- Snacks, snacks, and did we say snacks?
Basically, everything to make sure you walk into your room and say:
“Oh yeah. This feels like mine.”
📦 MONTHLY CARE PACKAGES FOR FOUR WHOLE YEARS
We’re not just showing up for move-in day and then vanishing. Once you’re part of this family, we walk with you every single month, all the way through graduation, as long as you stay on track with us.
Here’s how it works:
Each month, you’ll fill out your Amazon Wishlist with the things you actually need. That might be snacks, soap, laundry detergent, school supplies, or even a little something that just makes you smile.
Then our Care Package Mafiosos—real people in your city who care about you—pick up those items, pack them with love, and hand-deliver them straight to you.
Yup. Face to face.
Not some cold, random delivery. A real-life person who sees you, checks in on you, and might just become your bonus Auntie, Uncle, or play cousin.
- We serve students who are heading to an HBCU and don’t have a built-in support system. We see you. We got you.
To be eligible for Move-In Day Mafia, you must apply by June 13, 2025 11:59pm ET and:
🔹 Be attending an HBCU for the 2025-2026 school year
🔹 Have your on-campus housing assignment confirmed
🔹 Fall into at least one of these categories:
▪️ Aged out of foster care
▪️ Currently unhoused or experiencing housing instability
▪️ Have a $0 or below Student Aid Index (SAI) on your FAFSA
We will ask for documents to confirm your financial or housing situation, but don’t let that scare you. If you’re not sure what you have or what you need, email us and we’ll walk you through it.
And one more thing:
If you’re selected, you’ll be expected to check in with your assigned Mafia Mentor at least twice a month. Nothing wild, just a quick convo with someone on our team who cares about you. We want to stay connected and make sure you’re good, not just academically, but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually too.
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GOT QUESTIONS
If anything about this feels confusing or overwhelming, please don’t sit in silence. We got you. We don’t expect you to know everything—that’s what we are here for.
Whether you’re not sure how to get your housing letter, confused about what a Student Aid Index even is, or just feeling a little nervous to apply, reach out.
We try answer every single message with care.
📧 Email us at: [email protected]
Make sure to include your name, HBCU, and what you need help with. One of our Mafia family members will get back to you as soon as possible.
We’re not here to judge.
We’re not here to shame.
We’re here to walk with you.
Whether you’re not sure how to get your housing letter, confused about what a Student Aid Index even is, or just feeling a little nervous to apply, reach out.
We try answer every single message with care.
📧 Email us at: [email protected]
Make sure to include your name, HBCU, and what you need help with. One of our Mafia family members will get back to you as soon as possible.
We’re not here to judge.
We’re not here to shame.
We’re here to walk with you.
BEFORE YOU GO...
Let me leave you with this, Sunshine...
You are not a burden.
You are not broken.
You are not too late, too far behind, or too much to handle.
You are worthy of help.
You are worthy of ease.
You are worthy of joy.
We built Move-In Day Mafia with you in mind, not just to make your space beautiful, but to remind you that you are deeply loved, wildly capable, and never alone.
So take a deep breath.
Click that apply button.
And let us come alongside you for this next part of your journey.
We don’t just believe in you.
We’re showing up for you.
With so much love,
Auntie TeeJ and your whole Move-In Day Mafia family
You are not a burden.
You are not broken.
You are not too late, too far behind, or too much to handle.
You are worthy of help.
You are worthy of ease.
You are worthy of joy.
We built Move-In Day Mafia with you in mind, not just to make your space beautiful, but to remind you that you are deeply loved, wildly capable, and never alone.
So take a deep breath.
Click that apply button.
And let us come alongside you for this next part of your journey.
We don’t just believe in you.
We’re showing up for you.
With so much love,
Auntie TeeJ and your whole Move-In Day Mafia family
Still wondering if this is real? Click here to see the magic in action.
➡️ MoveInDayMafia.org/Highlights
Real dorms. Real scholars. Real love.
➡️ MoveInDayMafia.org/Highlights
Real dorms. Real scholars. Real love.
COMMON QUESTIONS
🟣 “What if I don’t have all my documents yet?”
You’ve got until June 13th to apply, so take your time pulling everything together—but when you submit, do it all at once. Don’t send pieces here and there. Just gather what you can, then submit the full application before the deadline. And if you’re stuck, email us. We’re here to help.
🟣 “What if I don’t know my dorm assignment yet?”
No problem. You can still apply. If you're selected, we’ll follow up later to confirm your housing info before move-in day. Just make sure you’re staying on campus and working with your school to get it locked in.
🟣 “Will I still be considered if I’m not in foster care, but I don’t have family support?”
Yes. Every situation is different, and we look at the full picture. If you’ve been out here on your own or life has been heavy, still apply. Tell us your truth; we’ll listen.
🟣 “What if I don’t get picked this time?”
Don’t give up. We’re growing, and we add new scholars every semester. You’ll still be on our radar. And if something opens up, you’ll be one of the first people we check on.
🟣 “Is this really real?”
It is. We know it might feel too good to be true, but that’s just what love looks like when it shows up right on time. And baby... that’s exactly what we do.
You’ve got until June 13th to apply, so take your time pulling everything together—but when you submit, do it all at once. Don’t send pieces here and there. Just gather what you can, then submit the full application before the deadline. And if you’re stuck, email us. We’re here to help.
🟣 “What if I don’t know my dorm assignment yet?”
No problem. You can still apply. If you're selected, we’ll follow up later to confirm your housing info before move-in day. Just make sure you’re staying on campus and working with your school to get it locked in.
🟣 “Will I still be considered if I’m not in foster care, but I don’t have family support?”
Yes. Every situation is different, and we look at the full picture. If you’ve been out here on your own or life has been heavy, still apply. Tell us your truth; we’ll listen.
🟣 “What if I don’t get picked this time?”
Don’t give up. We’re growing, and we add new scholars every semester. You’ll still be on our radar. And if something opens up, you’ll be one of the first people we check on.
🟣 “Is this really real?”
It is. We know it might feel too good to be true, but that’s just what love looks like when it shows up right on time. And baby... that’s exactly what we do.