Our team has always been a short-funded team. We get enough money to register for the events, but travel costs are always hard to come by. Our team is covering a SMALL portion of the cost, but originally we didn't think our team would be able to cover ANY of it. This year, we're spending over $400 to go to Atlanta, and most of that is coming out of student's/parent's pockets. It's not great, but we do what we have to.
Here's my advice, try sending a letter asking your major sponsors if they'd pitch in a little extra. Explain what great things you've done so far this year, and how many more great things you'd accomplish if you had just a little extra funding. My team did this with BMS, and we were lucky enough to get our money!
See if your school has grant money that they give out. It turned out that our Student Council used to give away almost $10,000 in grants that we never even knew about it! Maybe your school administration would be willing to kick-in extra anyway, especially since you guys were Rookie All-Star reciepients. Schools always like to look good, and winning awards is a great way to put your school on the map!
Additionally, fundraise like CRAZY. Believe it or not, it works. Our team raised over $1000 in just 3 fundraisers, in just about a month. It is possible, it's all about how much time you're willing to put in. If you're looking for a good, cheap fundraiser try doing something like standing in front of your local supermarket just asking for donations. I know you guys are rookies, so you don't have an old robot lying around, but talk to some veteran teams, maybe they'll lend you one. The best thing we've done is let kids drive our robot to win prizes. $1 to drive, and just today we made over $405 in donations and gameplay.
Here's my last advice, Team 56 was short cash last year for Nationals. They pulled together a spaghetti dinner at a local church, advertised like crazy, asked their friends from all over the east coast to come, and raised I think over $1000 in one night! Things like that are great money makers, it's a low-cost dinner with almost a 10-fold profit, and besides, most of the community is probably wondering just what robotics is. That's a great opportunity to show them!
Good luck, I hope you make it.
If you need any more help, please let me know.
Also, if you'd like a copy of the letter we wrote to BMS for an example, PM me, I'd be glad to send it to you
