Each member of the SASP team serves as a holistic counselor for student-athletes on each of AU's NCAA Division I athletic teams. This role includes one-on-one academic coaching as well as individual meetings to address other areas, including academic scheduling, major exploration, career preparation, and other aspects of personal development.

American University Division I student-athletes are excused from class for any athletic team events. This includes competitions as well as travel to away events. Faculty will receive a "travel letter" at the beginning of the semester for every student-athlete in their class, which outlines the dates and times for each excused absence. If necessary, the SASP will send updates for post-season competition once they are announced.

The excused absence policy as it pertains to student-athletes is explained in the Academic Rules and Regulations. Item 4.1.1 says, "Excused absences include… athletic team events." Item 4.1.3 goes on to say, "Students may not be penalized for excused absences but are required to make-up all work missed as a result of the excused absence by the end of the term." The Academic Rules and Regulations can be found in its entirety here.

If a student-athlete has an exam scheduled in a class that fall on the day of an excused absence, the Courtesy Testing Service (CTS) can proctor the exam. To request to use CTS, the student and faculty member should decide on alternative arrangements for the exam – a date and time when the student will make up the exam. Then, the faculty member should fill out the Test Request Form at least five days prior to the desired exam date. All information about CTS can be found here.