The permanent committee in Saudi Arabia when Imam Ibn Baz was the head of it was asked:
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)
Majid Jawed Al Afghanee