Fancy Navigator,
Fair enough. I'm not being funny with you and I can appreciate it does get expensive. You have to apply for any sponsorship opportunity and try and forget about the cost. Once you are too old to apply for them you might regret not taking every opportunity that came along.
I've spent thousands over the past 6 years or so; applying for various sponsorships (cost of tests, hotels, travel etc) and thats no joke!
To everyone with doubts about applying, keep trying. You should at least get better with more experience, increasing your chances for future sponsorships.
Good luck to all applying for CTC!