My son said his friend opened up a Roth IRA without any earned income. He went to SunTrust and the person there said if you are going to college that is considered work? I looked it up and you have to have earned income and that doesn't include interest, dividends or capital gains. My son is all excited to open a Roth IRA because he said he has $6,000 that would be worth $350,000.00 in 50 years at an 8% return. I like that but how do you qualify to open one up? I guess I could pay him as an investment consultant and pay him each month for his stock recommendations which ironically turn out to be better than mine but I'm not sure how his friend opened one up or if the person at SunTrust didn't give a crap and just wanted to open another account. I emailed my CPA on this and I am expecting him to confirm my suspicions. Anyone know about the college loophole (which I bet doesn't exist)?