You guys are on the ivy/D3 needs based kick but below is what I've heard from one of the assistant coach at D1 state school, the following.
While NCAA restricts number of athletic scholarships, for state schools, its not all the same. What he meant by it and the example he used was this (this was in context of mens program so its 9.9 ep). UCLA, according to this particular coach said, well funded program uses 9.9 out of state costs whereas UCI uses in-state costs. Both are at 9.9 equivalent players but aggregate dollars is quite different and how they spread amongst the roster.
You can see why some of the schools recruits more from in-state vs out of state. But, if you can recruit in-state player using out of state cost bases, it goes much further. Its a question worth asking the coach during the recruiting cycle. It definitely sounds like a loophole in the system and how well the booster program is working for the program.