Parents or guardians who wish to appeal a denied reimbursement request through the Children
First Education Fund (CFEF) may follow the steps outlined below:
Review Eligible Expenses
Ensure the denied purchase aligns with CFEF’s guidelines for qualified educational
expenses. These include educational items or materials, educational experiences, or
education-related therapies that directly support the scholarship recipient’s learning.
Misuse of scholarship funds can result in forfeiture and liability for repayment.
See full guidelines
Prepare Documentation
Gather all relevant materials related to the denied purchase, including receipts,
product descriptions, and a clear justification for its educational value. If the item cost
more than $1,000, ensure that pre-approval was requested, as required.
Submit an Appeal
- Include the student’s name and scholarship ID
- Provide a detailed explanation of the denied purchase
- Justify how the purchase qualifies under CFEF policy
- Add supporting documentation (e.g. receipts, invoices, learning plans, etc.)
Once the appeal is submitted, senior leadership, including volunteer board members at CFEF will review it within 30 days. They will evaluate the request based on existing policy criteria, the documentation provided, and any additional context offered in the appeal.
Await Response
Immediately following this review, CFEF will issue a written decision to the
parent/guardian using the contact information provided. The decision of the panel will
be considered final for the current program year.