Tip to the teams that might qualify but don't have sponsors funding it.
For those teams that need to pay $500+ out of pocket if your team goes to nationals, talk with your mentor about having the entire team each deposit $XXX.XX and if you don't make it
then you get it back, but if you do, the scramble is easier. Say, if you'd need to pay $500, deposit $300 or so during the build season and if you make it the team has your 300 and the other member's 300's, air fare and other accomidations are easier to get than "Ok everyone, $500 is due tomarrow or we can't go!"