Does anyone have thoughts about your kids' college and retiring early?

We were thinking of using our brokerage account to fund the gap between early retirement (like age 51 or so, in 4-6 years) and when we're allowed to take disbursements, but brokerage accounts are heavily looked at on the FAFSA - like it would eat a quarter of our funds and cut us out of the new programs for free state college for low/moderate income earners. We're already maxing out IRAs and 401Ks etc. Maybe it makes the most sense for him to take out student loans and we help him pay them? Is there some vehicle I'm not thinking of? He's only entering grade 5 now, but I'm a professor with access to tuition/fee waivers at network colleges, so I'm wondering if it's worth staying just for that. Either way, I have to plan my career accordingly 😊 Thank you for your wisdom!