Is it permissible for a female student residing in America, who follows the fatwa allowing the shortening of prayers, to combine prayers without need, or for a slight need such as recreation or eating, knowing that she will be late for the prayer?

Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen holds that a traveler may shorten prayers and avail himself of the concessions of travel, such as not fasting and wiping over the khuffayn (leather socks), as long as he does not intend absolute permanent residency, even if he stays for more than four days. As for combining prayers, it is better for a stationary traveler not to combine them unless there is a need, though it is permissible for him to combine them. If he is actively traveling, combining is better; if not, refraining from combining is better. One who studies outside his country falls under the ruling of a traveler, so he may shorten and combine prayers, and not fast, with the preference being not to delay fasting until the next Ramadan (definition).