45k per year includes 6 classes or 18 credits per year. Candidacy maintenance would be 2 credits per year. It maintains your full time student status in the eye

45k per year includes 6 classes or 18 credits per year. Candidacy maintenance would be 2 credits per year. It maintains your full time student status in the eyes of tax authorities and student loan servicers. I’d agree with everything else you said.