Financial-aid offices reacted sharply after the Department of Education postponed its annual Federal Student Aid training, leaving administrators without timely guidance on major program changes. The department has since rescheduled the conference for March, but aid officials say the delay complicates implementation of recent FAFSA and aid-policy reforms. Administrators warned the gap could hamper on‑the‑ground support for students as institutions align systems to simplified FAFSA rules and other federal changes. Timely training is critical for compliance, accurate packaging and for advising students during the admissions cycle.