I have several student loans, totaling about $55,000, at an average
interest rate of 6.54%  This rate is expected to drop next month to
4.86%.  Next month I will be receiving some $7000 that I can only use
to make payments on my student loans.  My loan provider has an
incentive program for borrowers who pay on time for 48 months.  After
48 months of on-time payments, the interest rate drops 2%.
I currently have 30 months of ontime payments.

My question:  With the $7000 I will be receiving, does it make more
sense to pay off some of the loans completely, or would it be better
to make payments in advance so that by this time next year I will
receive the 2% reduction?  The monthly payments are currently roughly
$1000.