<p>Sorry, but there are some 4000 institutions of higher learning in the US and you haven’t targeted enough for any meaningful input. </p>
<p>For instance, when you say “Division 1” is that because you play a sport? Which one? Or you are a fan? If you are swimmer, are you male or female? Do want a program in engineering or romantic poetry? </p>
<p>Instead of a “Shotgun” approach (trying to hit anything outside of ND) try going for the accuracy of a rifle, as in “I am looking for strong merit money for a female breaststroke swimmer who plans to compete at the Div 1 level while majoring in physics with an interest in lasers”. Now you would be starting to shop just a couple dozen schools. </p>
<p>If you aren’t clear of your interests, try to steer clear of the over packed majors (such as premed) or the struggling paths (journalism) and then spend some time thinking about locale. CA is sunny but the state is in a horrible economic slump. AZ or UT might be a better bet. If its city life you crave, skip (for the moment) the obvious NYC and Washington DC and examine the merit aid that is being offered in Cincinnati or some similar sized burg that has some charm. </p>
<p>You’ll have your best luck at a smaller college that is looking to “collect” students from all the states to brag about their diversity. You might look into Albertson’s in Idaho – or Pacific in Oregon. Good luck!</p>