Is it permissible to sponsor an orphan using zakaah money?
Question

                Is it permissible to sponsor an orphan using the zakaah of one’s wealth?.
Praise be to Allah.The ways in which zakaah 
    money may be spent are defined in the Qur’aan, where Allaah says 
    (interpretation of the meaning): 

    “As-Sadaqaat (here it means Zakaah) are only for the 
    Fuqaraa’ (poor), and Al‑Masaakeen(the poor) and those 
    employed to collect (the funds); and to attract the hearts of those who have 
    been inclined (towards Islam); and to free the captives; and for those in 
    debt; and for Allaah’s Cause (i.e. for Mujaahidoon — those fighting in a 
    holy battle), and for the wayfarer (a traveller who is cut off from 
    everything); a duty imposed by Allaah. And Allaah is All-Knower, All-Wise”

    [al-Tawbah 9:60]

    If the orphan falls into one of these categories, such as if 
    he is poor or needy, it is permissible to give zakaah to him.  

    Simply describing a person as an orphan does not mean that he 
    is entitled to zakaah funds, because he may be rich and have sufficient 
    wealth to make him independent of means. 

    Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was 
    asked about giving zakaah to sponsor orphans and he replied: 
Orphans who are poor are 
    among those who are entitled to zakaah, so if the zakaah is given to their 
    guardians, this is sufficient, if they are trustworthy. So their guardians 
    may be given what will cover their needs and he may buy what they need 
    himself. End quote. 

    Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 
    18/346 

    He also said: 

    But there is a point which should be noted: some people think 
    that all orphans are entitled to zakaah funds, and that is not the case. 
    Orphans are not one of the categories of people who are entitled to take 
    zakaah, and an orphan has no right to zakaah unless he falls into one of the 
    eight categories of those who are entitled to zakaah. 

    As for simply being an orphan, an orphan may be independent 
    of means and have no need of zakaah (end quote). 

    Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 
    18/353 

    He also said: 
We must understand that 
    zakaah is not for orphans as such; zakaah is for the poor and needy, and the 
    other categories (mentioned in the aayah). An orphan may be rich; his father 
    may have left him wealth that makes him independent of means, or he may have 
    an income from social security and the like which makes him independent of 
    means. 

    Hence we say that the orphan’s guardian should not accept 
    zakaah if the orphan has sufficient wealth to make him independent of 
    means. 

    As for charity, it is mustahabb to give it to orphans even if 
    they are independent of means. End quote. 

    Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 
    18/307 
With regard to giving 
    zakaah to the poor in installments, we have stated in the answer to question 
    no. 52852 that that is not 
    permissible, because it is delaying zakaah after one year has passed; but if 
    it is paid earlier, there is nothing wrong with giving it in installments to 
    the poor in that case, because it is not being delayed until after it has 
    become due.

     And Allaah knows best.