Not sure where to start...

[OakLakeNC]

There are so many options these days, it is hard to say where the best place to start is. (CLEP and DANTES aren't even the most economical for LL credit.) I think the consensus on this forum is the Thomas Edison General Management degree is the fastest/cheapest. Fastest because there are so many options for earning business credits. Cheapest because you can test out of the capstone.

If I were you, I would probably start knocking out credits that all degrees need- English, Humanities, Science, Math, etc... I would personally look into other sources of ACE credit, like Study.com or Straighterline. These can actually be cheaper than exams for credit. People on this forum can help you out with coupon codes for these sites. They are essentially a hybrid between an actual online class and an exam for credit. They have other assignments, which helps take the pressure off the final exam.

Some people here have had success applying a Study.com scholarship. You do have to be enrolled in a college before you can apply though. Study.com Academic Awards

Straigherline has a partnership with all three schools that can help with the cost as well.

Start with those sites- that is just my opinion. But there are reasons to take the CLEP and DSST. Some people don't wish to do the extra work that goes with other sites. And Study.com and Straighterline aren't good for upper level. But that is long way off for you. When you get ready for upper level credits, that is when I would start with the exams for credit. Between DSST, UExcel, and Thomas Edison tests there plenty if upper level credits by exam available.