If you are looking at a $25,000-40,000 net prices (based on $20,000-30,000 EFC plus typical student loan and work study amounts), but your parents will only contribute $10,000-15,000 for two years, followed by $5,000 for two years, your cost constraints will have to shape your application list. Realistically, you can only take $5,500 in loans the first year without a cosigner (increasing to $7,500 the last two years). Part time work earnings during school plus summer job earnings are realistically estimated to be at most $5,000 per year (and usually less). Budget, not politics, will be your main constraint on where you go to college.
What state universities are there in your state, and how much are their net prices?
For merit scholarships, you can check these lists:
http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/
http://competitivefulltuition.yolasite.com/
http://nmfscholarships.yolasite.com/