ApplyingSLP

You're going to want to check with your state on this.   Every state does it differently, and I don't think all states require licensing to become some sort of assistant to an SLP.  I don't see anything for licensing SLPAs in Ohio so I'm not sure how it would work.  In California, SLPAs get licensed through the board based on a number of clinical hours and coursework.
http://slpaud.ohio.gov

I know that Eastern WA is also on the list! I e-mailed schools last year- Eastern WA only awarded 2 WRPG students with in-state tuition, not all. Meanwhile, Idaho State awarded all WRPG students in-state tuition. If you are interested in one of the programs, I would e-mail them for their upcoming app cycle and see how many WRPG waivers they will give out. 
Don't forget to check out residency requirements- a lot of public schools in other states allow you to apply to become a resident for your second year of graduate school. That can help a lot with cost, especially when you factor in cost of living. 
I am in the same boat- CA and capping myself on tuition prices. 

I seem to remember someone saying Boulder only gave out one WRPG - but you should definitely call each CD Dept and ask.  It's best not to rely on the forums or ASHA Edfind as info may be outdated.  As far as UW Seattle, they only offer the WRPG to the Core SLP students - not Med SLP.  I believe all of the programs you listed are very competitive, for what it's worth.  It's great that you are researching early - make sure to research funding opportunities as well!  I wish I had done more of that!  ?

You're going to want to check with your state on this.   Every state does it differently, and I don't think all states require licensing to become some sort of assistant to an SLP.  I don't see anything for licensing SLPAs in Ohio so I'm not sure how it would work.  In California, SLPAs get licensed through the board based on a number of clinical hours and coursework.
http://slpaud.ohio.gov

You're going to want to check with your state on this.   Every state does it differently, and I don't think all states require licensing to become some sort of assistant to an SLP.  I don't see anything for licensing SLPAs in Ohio so I'm not sure how it would work.  In California, SLPAs get licensed through the board based on a number of clinical hours and coursework.
http://slpaud.ohio.gov

Definitely consider applying to schools out of state. Texas and California are 2 of the most competitive states for SLP schools from what I've heard. I graduated from Texas Tech with similar stats to yours (actually, my GPA was lower!), and I got accepted into grad school on my first application cycle. I also worked at a preschool and substituted which may have helped my application. I didn't apply to 12 or 20 schools, I applied to 4 and I was very strategic in where I applied. I looked at how many students were selected, and also looked at whether the school offered conditional admission or not (which is what I was accepted under). I believe it helped that I took a year off to give myself the time to do my research into programs and gain work experience.

Another thing to think about is that the averages are not the averages of people they accepted.  They are the GPA averages of the people who actually accepted their acceptance.  So they could have accepted plenty of 4.0 GPA students, but those students did not go to their school.