No one knows for sure how every single college reviews application. I do know that low income kids from special programs like QB do a lot better in admissions to Highly selective colleges than those applying without them. Even if they don’t get Finalist status.
With the huge volume of applications AOs get in a short time frame, there isn’t much time spent on each app. If you have a hook/tag, the app is usually put into a whole other category and evaluated within that context. Does challenging SES qualify for that? I’ve never heard that said though extra consideration is supposed to be given for such circumstances as each applicant is supposed to be evaluated in the context of environment and opportunities.
Yes, school, parental info, address, asking for fin aid, getting free waiver all are signs of SES challenges but not definitive. A GC outright sayin it makes it more certain.