Question:
Does on need to give masser on chanuka gelt? Can that masser go to bochrim in a dira to help cover daily costs?
Answer:
Monetary gifts that a person receives are no differant that money earned and a person that is giving maaser should also give from them. There realy isn't any differance between this maaser and other maaser, and if the recipient is eligible to receive tzedakah then it can be given to them.
Regarding giving maaser to a bocurim's dira (apartment), it will depend if thier expenses are anyways being paid for by thier parents, then they aren't considered needy in this sense. However if they don't have the money for thier expenses then they are like any other needy person.
Sources:
Tzedakah U'mishpat 5-5.