Is it permissible to give zakat to a female student of knowledge?

If a female student of knowledge is covered by one of the descriptions of those eligible for zakat, then it is permissible to give zakat to her. Those eligible for zakat are those whom Allah Almighty mentioned in His saying: "Zakat expenditures are only for the poor and for the needy and for those employed to collect [zakat] and for bringing hearts together [for Islam] and for freeing captives [or slaves] and for those in debt and for the cause of Allah and for the wayfarer - a duty imposed by Allah. And Allah is Knowing and Wise" [At-Tawbah: 60]. However, merely being a student of knowledge without falling into one of these categories does not make her eligible for zakat.