You guys love writing essays, right? How about as part of a contest for money? Ontario engineering students are invited to enter an essay contest by the Ontario Centre for Engineering and Public Policy. All it takes is registration as an undergrad PEO member (which is free and doable here) and some of your fantastic writing to enter. The prize is a $500 award and registration to the centre’s 2012 Public Policy Conference. More information is available here. Good luck!