[nparikh]

I completely agree with ^^ the above. Though grant writing can be very useful, it's also very time consuming, and it usually takes a while to get approved. If you need the money in time for nationals, this might not be the way to go.

Then again, check with your mentors, students, etc...see if anyone knows anybody in the hierarchy of a potential sponsor company..trust me, it helps.

Other than that, keep pressing local companies. You might not be so lucky in getting sponsorship from a corporation based on the other side of the country as you would a corporation that's based right in your home town, after all..big companies 'like to give back to their communities.'

Persistence, perseverance, and hard work really do the trick. If you can show them WHY you need the money..and HOW THEY would benefit from it, I think your chances will be the greatest. Our sponsorship team went out to over 60-70 businesses trying to get money...Ask anyone and everyone for money...not just engineering/tech companies...besides..what's the worst they could do? Say no?