Why is education SO expensive?!

I have received several invitations to attend extra curricular conferences and forums this summer, from the likes of LeadAmerica and the National Association of High School Scholars.
Lead America and Stanford want me to go to California, NAHSS; Australia, my best friend coma-con, My riding team the World Show.

All of these (except Coma-con) offer scholarships. That is awesome BUT they cover the actual conference/forum, not air fair which I totally understand. It is just frustrating when you live so far away form Cali and Australia!! I am making Stanford, Oklahoma and Coma-con happen NO MATTER WHAT! Those are my choices. I just international air fair was fair. The tuition for Australia covers pretty much everything except air travel.

I feel so bad because i am asking my mom to pay for all of this and I can't help pay for anything. I am eligible for scholarship money it is just a question of how much.

Please feel free to leave comment/ your advice!