For those followng FA issues, interesting page giving some glimpse into the analytical workings https://professionals.collegeboard.org/higher-ed/financial-aid/im/tips.
There is also info online regarding adjusting inputs downward. One is https://ifap.ed.gov/sfadepot/attachments/ses17.pdf And a little bit from finaid.org abut negotiations. http://www.finaid.org/fafsa/negotiation.phtml
I don’t think any of us can say often enough: there is a lot written about this, a lot to find, review and process. Going on any one article may not be on target. And, the power rests in the hands of the FAOs. As bsschooltotech said, their money.