Go to www.opportunity.gov, a government run website that allows you to see if you are eligible for certain grants, such as Pell Grants to continue education. It is also used for reeducation or job training so that when you are rehired, you have a better skill set than you did when you were laid off.
Complete the application for the Pell Grant at www.fafsa.ed.gov to receive the Pell Grant. Make sure the entire application is filled out and sent in a timely fashion, and await the decision of the federal government.
Apply the Pell Grant to the college of your choice after you've been accepted to the school or to the job training program so that costs are covered. The maximum amount of a Pell Grant for the 2009-2010 school year is $5,350.
Check with unemployment office in your state to make sure you still qualify for benefits if you receive the grant. Call 1-800-4-FED-AID or go to www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov to ask this question.