semi-tryhard white guy applying to some very good schools, some decent ones (admission/aid chances?)

Congratulations on what you’ve done.

Brown and Columbia are high reaches, though not out of reach, so apply, but do not expect to be accepted.

Based on your record, you will also likely be a NMF, since your grades are good, and you have a confirming SAT score.

Northeastern has some merit money, and has an award for National Merit Finalists.

Are you talking about Boston U or Boston College? Boston University has a $25,000 scholarship for National Merit Finalists. Boston College has a few very competitive merit scholarships for anybody.

So, as an NMF, you will have a pretty big chance of a nice chunk of merit money if you attend NEU or BU.

George Washington has some merit scholarships but this are very targeted, so you may not be eligible for any.

While you have a good application and are a competitive applicant for almost any college, the more competitive admission is to a college, the less likely there is to be merit money, and the more difficult it is to win it.

However, as an NMF, there will be a bunch of schools at which you will automatically be eligible for good scholarships by virtue of being a National Merit Finalist.

What are you looking for in a college, and what is your intended major?