When you get a loan for school, does the money go to you or directly to the school?

I'm going to meet with a financial aid officer Tuesday for college. Were going to see how much money financial aids going to give me and then loan options. Does the financial aid and loan come to me and then I pay the school, or does it go directly to the school itself? I would like to use some of the money to buy a cheap car to get back and forth with which is why I'm wondering. Thanks