I currently have ~$23,000 in student loans from my Master's degree I have to start paying off Feb 1st like everyone else. I had made another post before about a best strategy to pay those off, as I do have the ability to just pay it off right now between my savings and a little from my checking account, while still retaining ~5 months safety net.

However, I was emailed some information about a federal teacher loan forgiveness application by my administration. From what I see, it requires that I:

1. No outstanding balance on direct loans (I have direct unsub stafford loans)
2. Teach for 5 consecutive years as a highly qualified teacher (I'm in my 1st year, have bachelors/masters, full state certification)
3. Be employed at a qualifying school (I do)
4. The loan(s) for which you are seeking forgiveness must have been made before the end of your five academic years of qualifying teaching service.

I meet all of these requirement except for the 5 year minimum.

Is there a way for me to defer my student loans until I qualify? Or is there a best repayment strategy so I do not dump all of my savings into loan repayment when I will eventually qualify for $17,500 in loan forgiveness?