Paying Honorariums

Audience: Department Administrators

Last updated January 2025

What is an Honorarium?

An honorarium is a discretionary payment made to recognize an individual for services provided, where no formal payment is required or expected. Honorariums are not exchanged for invoices and do not require a contract. The arrangement is informal and at the department’s discretion.

Who Can Receive an Honorarium?

Honorariums may only be paid to individuals who are not employed by Tufts University. If you wish to compensate a Tufts employee—including someone from another department—please process the payment as supplemental pay through Payroll.

How to Pay an Honorarium

Departments should use the Electronic Check Voucher system in PeopleSoft to process honorarium payments. To request access to this system, please complete the required access form.

Note:
Honorariums are strictly for non-Tufts employees. For questions about eligibility or the payment process, please contact Tufts Support Services.