As you rightly pointed out, it is in your best interest not to apply for ED and see if you get better offers and any merit aid.
There are few schools like NYU, Kaiser, are giving free tuition. Naturally many students are going to apply.
There are few schools like UCLA gives free tuition for 20-25% of students.
Another thing you can consider is to identify some OOS public schools and see if they have relatively easier way to become IS at least after a year or so. In that way you can save money.