Is it permissible to give charity to an orphaned girl to cover her university tuition fees in another city, knowing that she lives with her maternal uncle who does not provide for her, in order for her to complete her studies and improve her situation?

If the charity is supererogatory (nafilah), then it is permissible to give it to that girl, because the matter of supererogatory charity is broad, and it can even be given to the wealthy. However, if the charity is zakat, it should only be given to its rightful recipients (masarif al-zakat). Orphanhood in itself is not a reason for deserving zakat, nor is tuition for university studies to be paid with zakat, except for a student of religious knowledge if it is difficult for him to combine study and earning. It has also been said that it is permissible to give it to a student of worldly knowledge whose benefit is hoped for. So, if the orphan is among the recipients of zakat, or if she is a student of religious or worldly knowledge for whom it is difficult to combine study and earning, then it is permissible to give zakat to her.