Residence Card for Non-EEA spouse (on study visa)

Hi Everyone,
I am currently living in the UK with my EEA wife. I just started a PhD on a study visa and want to apply for a UK residence card with the view of applying for a permanent residence card after my studies. I have a scholarship from the university so am not really dependent on my wife (she just got a 9 month jobs). Can I use my scholarship letter as part of our application to show that we are self-sufficient? Also will it be better to not apply for the residence card now but wait until after we've lived in the UK for 5 years to then apply for the permanent residence card straightaway? - i.e. does having a residence card now count in any way when we want to apply for the permanent residence card in 5 year's time. My student visa is until 01/2018 but I can extend it under the 'Post-PhD Extension Visa'. It is a bit complicated so do ask for clarification.

Thanks