When he was a high school senior, Aronson researched colleges on the Internet. A primary consideration was cost and the nature and types of financial aid. The University of Mississippi’s (UM) website had information on a John Waddell Scholarship, which provided $1,000 per year and a waiver of out-of-state tuition. Relying on this information, Aronson requested an application package. When he received it in October 1997, it had the 1997 catalog. The catalog further described the scholarship, including that it was offered to students who score 26–27 on the ACT and have a GPA of 90 percent or higher. Priority consideration was given to those admitted by April 1, 1997. To keep the scholarship, the student had to have a 3.0 or better GPA. 

Aronson sent in his application and was admitted on November 6, 1997. He sent a check on April 6, 1998, for orientation fees and a room deposit. Before orientation, Aronson’s stepfather called UM to ensure that Aronson met the scholarship requirements and was told that he did and that it was for $1,000 per year and waiver of out-of-state tuition. At orientation, the stepfather was told that the criteria had changed, that Aronson did not qualify for the waiver, and that the total had been reduced to $2,000. When UM refused to give him the $4,000 plus the waiver, Aronson sued. Did Aronson and UM have a contract based on the terms in the catalog? Why?