Help needed for degree planning

[Epiphany.y]

This is a really great forum. I've been lurking here for a few weeks and have learned a lot of knowledge. Now I've decided to register because I have an idea and I'm not sure if it's feasible, so I'd like to ask for everyone's help.
 
I'm an international student currently in my junior year of an undergraduate English major. I want to apply for a Bachelor of Arts in English at either the University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI) or Thomas Edison State University (TESU). However, I only got a score of 5.5 in IELTS and 95 in Duolingo, which fails to meet the minimum language score requirements for admission. I noticed that for a bachelor's degree at the University of the People (UoPeople), only a Duolingo score of 95 is required. So, can I first apply for a degree at UoPeople, take some courses, earn some credits, and then transfer to UMPI or TESU to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in English in the middle of my studies? Is this plan feasible?
 
I have a limited budget. What kind of credit matching plan would be the most cost-effective?
 
Thank you all.