So I was very fortunate to receive a financial aid package from my school that included no loans, just grants and work study. Despite this, I’m not sure if my parents will be able to cover this entirely as we are a low-income family. I want to take out <$5k in loans next year and ideally I want to borrow from the government. My question is, do I have to do that through the school? Like did the school have to include a federal loan in my financial aid package for me to borrow from the government? Thanks in advance 
Yes, you go through the school for Stafford loans (and other government loans). Just tell the school you want the loans.
Will this reduce the grant aid they gave me?
No, it should not reduce the grant they gave you, as long as it is less than the amount your family was expected to contribute.
And lest I forget, congratulations!
What is your FAFSA EFC?
you can ask the school to include up to $5500 in student loans for next year.
How much are they expecting your parents to pay?
@mom2collegekids my FAFSA EFC is $0, but they’re expecting my parents to pay ~$9500.
I’m really grateful for all the financial aid they’ve given me and the amount we’re expected to pay is definitely manageable, but I don’t think my parents can come up with the money right away. I wanna take out about $3k in loans to ease the burden a little. Do you think I’ll be able to get a loan this year or will I have to go to a private lender?
The federal loans are an entitlement – every student is eligible, up to certain limits, although there may be some disqualifications, such as a drug conviction (not sure on this; you should check if this might apply to you). Freshman are generally able to take $5,500 in federal guaranteed loans.
If you are attending an accredited college and have expenses, you are eligible to take a loan.
The meets full need without loans schools do not include loans with their FA packages, but they still will make them available in cases like yours where it makes sense for your family.
Contact them and ask them how you would go about it, I am sure you won’t be the first person that asks this. As I recall from an earlier discussion, schools publish many stats about each graduating class, and among them is often the average student debt for graduates. I recall being surprised that several of the meets-need-without-loans schools still had a non-trivial percentage of students graduating with debt. Schools explain that this is often a choice for families to determine how to pay their EFC, even if the school thinks it can be done without debt, it sometimes is easier or its just a best family decision.
It would not surprise me if, when you ask, they ask why your parents cannot come up with the money right away, and they might even offer you a little bit more.
The meets full needs without loans schools are flowing with cash and truly want to help those they have accepted.
Again, CONGRATULATIONS!
Update for those who helped me: I was able to successfully complete the process to secure a Direct Subsidized Loan next year! I took the maximum amount that they’d allow me - $3500. On top of that, I won a $2000 scholarship today!
My school’s outside scholarship policy is that they reduce financial aid in the order of federal loans, work study, then grants. Had I not taken this loan, my family would’ve had to pay more upfront AND I’d be eligible to make less through work study. But now my parents are paying less upfront and there’s a possibility that I’ll be able to eliminate the loan entirely for my freshman year (I’m waiting on a couple more small scholarships)! Thank you to everyone for your help 
Wow… congrats! Good work.