I went back to work despite serious illness when S1 went to college because our EFC caused serious pain, despite many years of frugality. We were trying to avoid parent loans at all costs and have reserves for my ongoing medical bills.
Because of new major health problems, I suddenly was out of the work force halfway through S2’s college. FA went up by $1500, which didn’t begin to cover the difference in our ability to pay. We had to hit the HELOC to pay tuition.
No way would I quit a job to get more FA. Odds are that schools will just give you more loans, not grant $.