The contribution factor for the fourth quarter of 2011 has been set to 15.3 percent.  This is up from the third quarter when it was 14.4%.  The FCC, Congress and the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), administers the federal Universal Service Fund (USF). The percentage, also known as the contribution factor must be paid by all telecommunication companies.  The reason behind paying the USF is to offer support to low-income consumers, schools, libraries, rural areas, and much more.