Pay in full or wait it out?

Hey all! I have applied for buyback for about 18 months and I know it’s going to take well over a year to hear anything. I currently have the money to pay my loans off in full. Should I pay them off or wait it out for forgiveness? I’ve been busting my ass for 12 years as a public school teacher and I hate the idea of losing the $20k but thinking about the interest I’m accruing and the time I have to wait to be debt free is weighing on me. I would love your thoughts!