Status follows the record
The meaning of a status depends on the record type. Submitted application, active project and issued credential are materially different states and should not be normalized into one vague active label.
Transitions are explicit
Authorized actions move records between allowed states. This preserves decision history and reduces the risk of accidental or misleading status changes.
Payments and uploads do not decide
Receiving money or a document can create a payment or evidence event, but the governing record changes status only when the appropriate workflow makes that decision.
Why this matters commercially
Prospective customers can understand exactly what has happened, what remains under review and what the next step is without interpreting marketing language as an operational commitment.