My grandchild, age 17, had a summer job from which she earned $3,600. She needs to use the money to pay for college (she just started as a freshman). Can I put money into an IRA for her?

Yes. There is no minimum age requirement for an IRA. As long as a child has earned income from a job or self-employment, he or she can set up and fund an IRA or Roth IRA. You can make the contribution of up to $3,600 (100% of her earned income not to exceed the annual contribution limit of $5,000) on behalf of your grandchild to an IRA or Roth IRA that she sets up. Because she has a great many years before retirement and her income is not high enough to have any tax liability (assuming her investment income is not substantial), she is better off with a Roth IRA to create tax-free retirement income for her future.