You can help a disabled Army veteran and father of six get through one year of grad school and into a stable AI and robotics career.
Hi, my name is Tray Branch.
I am a disabled Army veteran, a husband, and a father of six children.
In January 2026 I begin a 12 month Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) program focused on software engineering, AI, and robotics. This program is my bridge from being a laid off veteran trying to keep up with the bills to becoming an AI and Robotics Engineer who can fully support my family of eight.
Over the last few months, I've also been dealing with unpredictable health challenges that make some days harder than others. I don’t share a lot about it publicly, but it has made our financial situation even more urgent and unstable. I am doing everything I can to stay strong, be present for my kids, and keep moving forward.
Who You Are Helping
When you support this campaign, you are helping:
- A veteran who served and is now trying to rebuild a career
- A dad of six kids who just wants them to grow up with stability and options
- A student who is putting in the work every day to learn AI and robotics
I grew up knowing what it feels like to stress over every single bill. My promise to myself has always been simple....my kids will not have to live like that.
What Happened
Recently my family took a big hit.
- I was laid off from my job
- I applied for VA Vocational Rehabilitation (VR and E, Chapter 31) but there is a long national backlog
- My funding will not be approved in time for my January start date
- My only steady income is disability compensation
- And on top of that, I’ve been navigating unexpected health issues that have affected my ability to work consistently
That income helps us survive, but it cannot cover:
- Full time graduate tuition
- Rent in the Bay Area
- Food and essentials for six kids
- Utilities, internet, transportation
I am not asking for luxury. I am simply trying to keep my family stable for one focused year while I complete this degree.
Why This Year Matters
This MSCS is not just a line on my resume. It is the turning point.
With your help this year, I can move from
- laid off disabled veteran trying to piece income together to
- AI and Robotics Engineer working in high demand fields, supporting my family, and helping others
With this degree I will be able to:
- Work on real AI and robotics systems
- Earn a stable income so my kids do not grow up in constant financial stress
- Mentor other veterans and first generation students who want to enter tech
- Eventually pay this forward by helping fund and guide others
Your support does not just solve a short term problem. It changes the entire trajectory of one family.
What Your Support Does Right Now
Your gift, at any size, directly helps us:
- Keep a roof over our heads in Fremont, California
- Pay tuition and required fees for my MSCS program
- Buy food and essentials for six growing kids
- Keep the lights and internet on so I can study and attend class
- Cover basic transportation to school and medical appointments
Even 5 or 10 dollars moves us closer and tells my kids that we are not doing this alone.
Exact Costs For This One Year
To be fully transparent, here is what this 12 month period looks like for a family of eight in the Bay Area.
MSCS Program Costs
- Tuition, 30 credits at about 980 dollars per credit ≈ $29,400
- Books, software, and supplies ≈ $500 dollars
Total education cost: ≈ 29,900 dollars
Housing and Utilities (Fremont, CA)
- Rent for modest family housing, $2,800 to $3,200 per month ≈ $39,560 per year
- Utilities, electricity, water, trash ≈ $4,200 to $5,400 per year
Total housing plus utilities: ≈ $43,800 to $44,960
Food and Household Essentials
- Groceries for the family ≈ $12,000 per year
- Basic household items, cleaning supplies, toiletries ≈ $2,400 to $3,600 per year
Total food plus essentials: ≈ 14,400 to 15,600 dollars
Transportation
- To and From School, insurance, basic maintenance ≈ $3,000 to $4,200 per year
Internet and Phone
- Internet and phone service for school and coordination ≈ $5520 per year
Kids’ Clothing and School Needs
- Clothing, shoes, school supplies for six kids ≈ $5,400 to $7,200 per year
The Real Total vs My Goal
Adding everything together, our real yearly cost of living plus school is around ≈ $102,020 to 107,380
My GoFundMe goal of 85,000 dollars does not cover everything. It is aimed at covering the essentials so I can:
- Pay my MSCS tuition and school costs
- Keep our home and utilities stable
- Feed and care for my six kids
- Get through this single year of intensive study
- Step into a stable AI and robotics career on the other side
Thank You
If you are able to donate, any amount truly helps.
If you cannot donate, sharing this campaign with a kind word still makes a real difference.
From my family to yours, thank you for being part of this chapter and for helping a veteran dad of six cross this bridge into a better future.
Tray Branch
Disabled Army Veteran
Future AI and Robotics Engineer
Father of Six
Organizer
