The permanent committee in Saudi Arabia when Imam Ibn Baz was the head of it was asked:

Question:

هل يجوز صرف الزكاة لطلبة العلم الذين هم في حاجة ماسة

Is it permissible to give the Zakat to the students of knowledge whom are in dire need?

فأجابت : نعم يجوز إعطاؤهم منها لحاجتهم إليها .

The permanent committee answered:

Yes it is permissible to give them from it (the Zakat) due to their need for it.

فتاوى اللجنة الدائمة
10/17

Translated by

Majid Jawed Al-Afghanee
Abu Layl