The opportunity cost of not working for a period of time can be phenomenal. I was away from professional, full time work for almost 20 years. I cleaned houses for a while, was a playground attendant at the elementary, did a few years of substitute teaching … not to keep my income low for financial aid, but because it was what our family chose. Let me tell you, it cost me a bundle. I lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in real wages, plus my pay upon returning to the full time, professional work force is MUCH lower than it would have been had I stayed employed. I have too much responsibility for too little pay … I look at the careers of my friends who had similar jobs to my once-upon-a-time job & I see better job, better work environment, far better pay. Frankly, I think anyone who believes quitting work to get more financial aid is a good idea is a bit clueless.