Gather all financial information. In some cases, this may not only include information for the student, but also information for the student's parents. This is because a Pell Grant is based on the expected family contribution amount, which can only be determined with everyone's financial information.
Apply for a personal identification number (PIN) from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on the Internet. This pin is very important as it serves as an identifier throughout a student's college career. Nothing can be done without it.
Fill out all worksheets recommended by the FAFSA website (see Resources below). While this is not absolutely necessary, it could help save time later in the process and at least help ensure you have all the documents necessary for the application process.
Determine if you are eligible for a Pell Grant. You must be enrolled in college, or planning to enroll in college, and have not already received a bachelor's degree. Pell Grants are not available for graduate study.
Observe all deadlines. The deadlines for the FAFSA, which is the form used for Pell Grants, is set at the end of June. However, this may change from time to time. For more information check the Department of Education website to review the upcoming Pell Grant deadlines (see Resources below).
Fill out the FAFSA application. Most students fill it out online, though a hard copy can also be printed and filled out. For those using the online process, there are many points along the way the application can be saved, as it usually takes 90 to 120 minutes to fully complete each section of the form.
Read your Student Aid Report (SAR). There is a section of the SAR that lists any grants that have been awarded to you, including the Pell Grant, along with the amounts. The SAR will come within a few days for those who fill out the FAFSA online. It can take up to 4 weeks for those filling out a hard copy.
Follow any directions for claiming your grant. Usually, your college financial aid adviser will tell you if there are any special things you need to do in order to receive the funds.