Is it permissible to use free office software available to students for educational purposes in a project that is not primarily profit-driven but may generate a small amount of money?

If the programs are given to the student without restriction, he is permitted to benefit from them in permissible academic matters and other affairs. However, if the responsible authority stipulates their use for seeking knowledge only, then it is obligatory to adhere to that condition; for whoever donates something to aid in seeking knowledge, it must not be used for anything else.