Make sure of your resident status. Pell Grants are available only to U.S. citizens, so if you are an international applicant or a resident alien, you will not qualify.
Ask if your college is Pell Grant-eligible. Most colleges qualify for the Pell Grant program, but some do not. Verify this before applying to the school by contacting the financial aid office.
Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application will help to determine your financial aid package from the school, and it may qualify you for Pell Grant and other federal loan programs as well. The application asks for information about your family income and assets. As of 2010, your family income must be less than $30,000 to receive the full Pell amount, though you may receive a partial grant if your family makes less than $60,000 per year.