NHS bursary independence at age 25 — and which to apply for first?

I’m a 4th year medical student going into my final year next year and will turn 25 later this year. That means I’ll be 25 at the start of my final academic year (2026/27), when I’ll need to apply for the NHS bursary and the reduced-rate maintenance loan.
I’m a bit confused about the independence criteria. The NHS bursary application says:
“Have you been assessed by Student Finance England (SFE) as independent because you are aged 25 or over?”
Since I’ll be 25 before the academic year starts, I’d qualify to be classed as independent under SFE’s rules — but I haven’t actually been assessed as independent by them yet (I’m still under standard SFE funding this year at age 24).
So my questions are:
1️⃣ Will I automatically be classed as independent for the NHS bursary once I’m 25 before the academic year begins, or do I need to have been previously assessed as independent by SFE first?
2️⃣ Which do you apply for first — the NHS bursary or Student Finance — when you reach your NHS-funded years?
Just trying to make sure I apply in the right order and don’t miss anything that affects how I’m assessed.
Thanks in advance!