Although bloodsucking leeches might be strong language, my experience tells me that there is some truth to this and one needs to be careful working with financial aid. In one of my orientation meetings with my college bound daughter, a dad in a large group asked a question about the percentage of grads that obtain good paying jobs. I actually thought it was a good question. The poor dad pretty much got a lecture about the value of education and the relativeness of how a good job is defined.
At a different college (my daughter ended up attending) she was not offered an academic scholarship. She was white, upper middle class, with two parents with post college degrees, and from the region. She was not the demographic they were looking for. Despite my family thoughts that my lobbying would be pointless, I did get the financial aid office the review her profile and they offered 5 grand more per year in academic scholarship.
Although happy with the result, a parent shouldn't have to negotiate with these folks as one was buying a car.
Don't take anything at face value when dealiing with colleges.